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SCAG Racing Fired Up for Countdown to Championship After NHRA U.S. Nationals
Highlights
- Justin Ashley qualified No. 8 in Top Fuel at U.S. Nationals
- Ashley reached second round but lost to points leader Shawn Langdon
- Will Smith qualified No. 14, lost opening round to Doug Kalitta
- Daniel Wilkerson qualified ninth in Funny Car, won first round
- Wilkerson exited second round due to mechanical issues against Ron Capps
- Next NHRA Countdown begins September 18-20 at Michigan’s US 131 Motorsports Park
SCAG Racing closes the NHRA regular season at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis with measured progress and two second-round appearances, pivoting now to the Countdown starting September 18-20 in Michigan.
Justin Ashley qualifies eighth in Top Fuel with a 3.781 at 331.12 mph, reinforcing recent momentum highlighted by his semifinals form and delivering a valuable top-half lane choice.
He converts in round one, leaving with a .031 light and posting 3.750 at 329.58 mph to defeat Shawn Reed, who records a .035 and 4.358 at 258.37 mph.
The second round turns on traction. Ashley’s .034 launch is sharp, but early spin forces a pedal, yielding 4.533 at 181.74 as points leader Shawn Langdon advances with 3.791 at 323.19.
Ashley’s top-half qualifying and round-one win underline pace, but a narrow setup window costs against points leader Langdon.
Ashley stresses the group’s direction is sound. Consistent qualifying provides a platform, but the Countdown compresses margins and elevates the value of every decision and run.
Will Smith qualifies 14th in the Bluebird Turf dragster on a 3.828 at 325.45 mph, drawing No. 3 seed Doug Kalitta for a demanding opener.
Smith gets the better leave, .041 to .047, and improves to 3.812 at 331.20 mph, but Kalitta’s 3.681 at 341.68 mph proves decisive against stout opposition.
Smith’s holeshot advantage is not enough as Kalitta delivers a class-leading 3.681 at 341.68 mph in round one.
In Funny Car, Daniel Wilkerson qualifies ninth with a 3.942 at 324.59 mph, then dispatches Cruz Pedregon as tire spin at 400 feet hinders the opposing lane, echoing trends seen in recent U.S. Nationals analysis.
Wilkerson launches first against top qualifier Ron Capps with a .059 light, but early mechanical issues cap his run at 7.835 and 98.32 mph. Capps advances on a controlled 3.989 at 320.97 mph.
Wilkerson knocks out Pedregon, then exits against Capps after an early mechanical fault undermines a promising launch.
Dave Richards misses the 16-car Funny Car field, a setback he frames as motivation to refine execution before points reset strategy takes hold.
SCAG Racing now targets the Countdown opener at US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin. The group leans on recent learnings, including its Brainerd performance baseline, and continued backing from SCAG Power Equipment, Midwest Equipment, Bluebird Turf, dealers, and fans.
The Countdown begins September 18-20 at US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan.
Visual Summary
🟧
Wilkerson
Wilkerson
🟧Ashley
🟦Smith
🟧Richards
Countdown
Regular Season
Countdown
Justin Ashley
🏁 Q8, 3.750s @ 329.58 mph ➔ Rd2 exit vs Langdon
“Climbing higher. Real challenge starts now.”
Daniel Wilkerson
🏁 Q9, 3.942s @ 324.59 mph ➔ Rd2 exit vs Capps
“Eyes on the big fight.”
Will Smith
🏁 Q14, 3.812s @ 331.2 mph ➔ Rd1 exit vs Kalitta
“Proud of the hustle. Ready for more.”
Dave Richards
— DNQ —
Missed FC cut
Missed FC cut
“Not out yet.”
The Climb Continues
Nicholas Rivera delivers NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car news, including eliminator-round results and reaction-time stats. He brings track-side interviews, contender profiles, and championship-point breakdowns straight from drag-racing’s biggest national events.
