Justin Ashley and the SCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel dragster team are charging into the 12th annual NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway with momentum aiming for their first win of the 2025 Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series season.
Fresh off consecutive runner-up finishes at the Charlotte Four-Wide event at zMAX Dragway and the Route 66 Nationals at Route 66 Raceway just outside of Chicago, Ashley, the 2020 NHRA Rookie of the Year, is sitting fifth in the points standings, and well poised for his first win of the 2025 season.
“We have a lot of momentum heading into Epping. We’re all encouraged by the runner-up finishes we’ve had the previous two races. Things are starting to click,” Ashley said. “But now that’s in the past. It’s on us to apply what we’ve learned moving forward and push this thing one step further into the winner’s circle.”
The New England Nationals, the seventh of 20 races in the 2025 season, offer Ashley a dual opportunity to compete, first in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, where he’ll get a rematch against his semifinal opponent from the previous race during Saturday qualifying, and the main event on Sunday where he’ll chase not only his first win of the season but his first win at New England Dragway. Ashley has reached the finals at the unique facility, finishing runner-up to Mike Salinas in 2022. Last year he was the No. 6 qualifier but had a first-round exit.
“New England Dragway is very grassroots, and it has an old school feel you just don’t get anywhere else. I love it for that reason. It’ll be fun racing relatively close to home with an opportunity to compete for both the Mission Foods Challenge and National Event win. I am very proud of our SCAG Power Equipment team and very much ready for an exciting weekend,” Ashley added.
Racing at the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway begins with qualifying Friday at 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., followed by Saturday sessions at 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Eliminations start Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Television coverage will be on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), with qualifying shows Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. ET. Eliminations will air on FOX Broadcasting Network (FOX) Sunday at 6:00 p.m. ET.
This story was originally published on May 28, 2025.
The post Justin Ashley, SCAG Toyota Eye Victory at NHRA New England Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated.