SCAG Racing heads to Summit Motorsports Park for this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals carrying momentum, special patriotic paint schemes, and a strong history of success at one of the most anticipated events on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule.
All four SCAG Racing nitro entries will debut the team’s new “Simply the Brave” military themed wraps this weekend in Norwalk, the first of three consecutive events where the special patriotic designs will be featured, including Sonoma and Seattle. The special design celebrates America’s upcoming 250th birthday while highlighting SCAG Power Equipment’s limited edition “Simply the Brave” series of lawn mower models. For every Patriot 250 model military edition mower sold, SCAG will donate $250 to support the Gary Sinise Foundation’s First Responders Outreach program and A Soldier’s Child Foundation. SCAG also proudly offers its ongoing “Simply the Brave” discount program, providing eligible military personnel, veterans, and first responders discounts of up to 15% on most mower models.
Justin Ashley and the SCAG Power Equipment Top Fuel team return to Norwalk as the defending event champion after earning the victory at Summit Motorsports Park in 2025.
“Norwalk is a special race,” said Ashley. “It’s one of those you circle on the calendar at the beginning of the year in hopes of bringing home that iconic ice cream scooper. I’ve always had great respect for the Bader family both on and off the racetrack. Their high character and commitment to the fans is contagious.
“Our approach for this weekend is simple.,” Ashley continued. “Beginning with the end in mind, the ultimate goal is to put this SCAG Power Equipment Top Fuel Dragster into the winner’s circle. The best way to get there is by racing the racetrack one day and one round at a time. The past is irrelevant. The future is out of our control. All of our attention is on the present. We have the best people, the best partners, and the best organization. Now we have to be ‘Simply the Best.’”
Daniel Wilkerson enters the weekend with his SCAG Power Equipment Funny Car team with extra motivation at one of his sponsor’s marquee events. The Summit Racing Equipment-supported Funny Car driver spent Wednesday at Summit Racing Equipment’s headquarters meeting fans and participating in a car show before heading to the racetrack.
Wilkerson also qualified for the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge after his runner-up finish at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, which will be contested during Saturday’s qualifying sessions.
“There is nothing like getting back to the racetrack after a good weekend off, and there’s no track I’m more excited to go to than Summit Motorsports Park for multiple reasons,” said Wilkerson. “Tim has a really good tune-up for that place. We always seem to run well in Norwalk, and I’ve made more runs there in a fuel car than probably anywhere else.
“Summit has been a supporter of our family for a very long time, so it’s always fun to race at their house,” Wilkerson continued. “We also get to go to the mothership in Ohio for Summit and spend time with their employees. We get to be a part of a really cool car show, with our SCAG Mustang included. It should be a great weekend.”
Dave Richards and the BlueBird Turf Funny Car team will look to continue making progress during the busy summer stretch while unveiling their own “Simply the Brave” design.
“We’re proud to be part of the ‘Simply the Brave’ program and represent it on our Funny Car,” Richards said. “It’s a great way to recognize the military community while also bringing attention to a program that gives back.
“Norwalk is always one of the best stops on tour because of the fans and the atmosphere, and we’re looking forward to putting together a strong weekend for everyone who supports SCAG Racing, especially our SCAG dealers.”
Will Smith and the BlueBird Turf Top Fuel team head to Norwalk after continuing to gain valuable experience during their rookie campaign and are eager to capitalize on the momentum built throughout the season.
“We’re excited to head to Norwalk and unveil our new ‘Simply the Brave’ livery on the Bluebird Turf Top Fuel Dragster,” said Smith. “It’s a special scheme that honors and supports our nation’s heroes, and we’re proud to represent that message on one of NHRA’s biggest stages. SCAG gives back to heroes by donating a portion of every sale of a military edition Patriot mower to the Gary Sinise First Responders Outreach Foundation and A Soldier’s Child Foundation. It’s an honor to represent a brand that recognizes the sacrifices made by our nation’s heroes.
“Norwalk is always a great event,” Smith continued. “We’ll have a lot of our dealers, customers, and guests with us throughout the weekend, along with our distributor of the race, Pace, which makes it even more meaningful.
“As a team, we’ve been working extremely hard to improve our performance on track. We’ve seen progress in recent races, but we’re not satisfied and know there’s more out there for us. Everyone at SCAG Racing continues to put in the effort to make this program better each week, and we’re looking forward to putting together a strong weekend and giving our guests something to cheer about.”
Nitro qualifying at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals begins Friday with qualifying sessions at 6:00 and 8:30 p.m. ET, followed by two more qualifying sessions Saturday at noon and 2:30 p.m. ET. Eliminations begin Sunday at 11:00 a.m. ET. Television coverage of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals will air Sunday with qualifying coverage from 12-2 p.m. ET on FS1 and elimination coverage from 5:30-9 p.m. ET on FOX.
The post SCAG Racing Brings Special Military Tribute to Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
