RACING IN HIS SOPHOMORE SEASON in Top Fuel, Justin Ashley is determined
to add his name to the list of NHRA Top Fuel Wally earners. He made a big
step toward that goal during the Summernationals. After qualifying No. 14, the
DI 30 Under 30 alumnus made his way through a murderer’s row of Top Fuel
drivers - Shawn Langdon, Doug Kalitta and Leah Pritchett - to reach his first
final in the class. If he takes down T.J. Zizzo in the rain-delayed final at the Big
Go, he’ll join his father, former Funny Car and Pro Mod star Mike Ashley, as an
NHRA nitro winner.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE veteran Steve Johnson raced at the long-delayed
class season opener without the company of one of his longtime crew
members, Ervin “Jock” Allen, who contracted COVID-19. Allen received a wave
of support from the racing community during his battle with the virus, and he
was well on his way to a full recovery when Johnson hit the track in Indy. Allen
hopes to rejoin Johnson when he’s fully recovered and the NHRA Pro Stock
Motorcycle resumes.
MULTI-TIME Pro Stock champion Greg Anderson unveiled a sharp new look
for his Summit Camaro, which he took to the semifinals at the first Indy race.
He had one of the quickest cars of the first two rounds after qualifying No. 4,
though teammate and eventual race winner Jason Line had a quicker car by
the time the two faced off in the semis.
IN WHAT WAS a concerted
effort to play by the
rules amid the COVID-19
public health crisis, the
NHRA strictly enforced
its mandatory mask
policy. Fans were highly
encouraged to wear masks
while at the race, and all
drivers, crew members and
officials were required to
wear masks at all times -
but especially when visible
to TV cameras and state
and local health officials.
NHRA PRO MOD RACERS like Jason Scruggs didn’t let substandard weather
conditions stop them from putting on a solid show at the Summernationals.
The two-time Pro Extreme world champion had his roots-blown “Mississippi
Missile” ‘20 Camaro on a rail on race day, recording a 5.835, a 5.836 and a
5.829 to advance to his first NHRA final round.
“It’s about the worst conditions you can have for a blower car,” Scruggs said
of the muggy summer conditions, “and it’s hard to make power when the air is
that bad, but to go out and run decent in about as bad of conditions you have
can in a blower car, it tells you the car is responding.”
August 2020
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