JUSTIN ASHLEY MAKES EARLY EXIT IN VIRGINIA

[image: JAR {Blue}.jpg]


*JUSTIN ASHLEY MAKES EARLY EXIT IN VIRGINIA*



RICHMOND, VA (May 15, 2022) --- Justin Ashley and the Phillips Connect
<https://www.phillips-connect.com/> Toyota Top Fuel dragster powered by Vita
C Shot <http://www.markonehealth.com/> came out of their hauler at Virginia
Motorsports Park ready to make a run for the points lead. Their first two
qualifying runs locked them solidly into the top half of the field and his
first pass was the second quickest of the session earning the 2020 Rookie
of the Year two qualifying bonus points. The team stepped up their efforts
on Saturday morning posting an even quicker 3.700 second pass at 325.85
mph. In the final qualifying session after a lengthy rain delay Ashley and
his Mike Green tuned Phillips Connect Toyota dragster threw everything at
the track making a run for the top spot but they overpowered the conditions
and moved into race day as the No. 6 Top Fuel team on the property.


*[image: _RXL0349.jpg]*
*Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster powered by Vita C Shot, photo by
Ron Lewis Photography*


In the first round Ashley pulled up beside veteran and multiple time world
champion Tony Schumacher. The 2022 Winternationals winner was looking to
avenge a first round loss to Schumacher at the NHRA Arizona Nationals
earlier this season in their first meeting. Ashley was able to pick his
lane and the three-time winner got the jump off the starting line with a
strong .049 reaction time. Unfortunately, his Phillips Connect Top Fuel
dragster powered by Vita C Shot which also has backing from Auto Shocker
<https://www.autoshocker.com/>, Lucas Oil <https://lucasoil.com/index.php>,
and KATO Fastening Systems <https://katofastening.com/katohome.html>
overpowered the race track. The immediate loss of traction combined with
Schumacher’s unblemished run combined to end Ashley’s race day in the first
round.



 “We learn something every race,�?? said Ashley. “The team is doing great and
one round of racing certainly doesn’t affect our attitudes and expectations
moving forward. We’ll be ready for the New England Nationals.�??



While his race day was not as successful as hoped Ashley knows that
sometimes competition results pay dividends in different forms. The
qualifying runs and bonus points contributed to positive takeaways for the
third-year driver. The team also gained valuable information heading into
the busy stretch run of the summer.



“I love having Dustin Davis, Mike Green and Tommy DeLago leading this
team,�?? said Ashley. “Those are three smart guys who will take everything we
learned this weekend and make this team even better. We are heading into a
stretch of racing where we will be at the track almost every weekend and I
can’t wait. We have a lot of positive things happening with this Phillips
Connect Vita C Shot team.�??



Ashley will hold onto his strong position, fourth place, in the NHRA
Camping World point standings as the series moves to Epping, New Hampshire,
for the New England Nationals in June.



*Qualifying Results*

Q1: 3.725 sec, 327.82 mph; Qual. 2

Q2: 3.700 sec, 325.85 mph; Qual. 4

Q3: 9.131 sec, 67.03 mph; Qual. 6

Bonus Points: +2 (2nd quickest in Q1)



*Race Results*



*First Round*

Tony Schumacher, Lakeway, Tex., SCAG dragster, 3.792, 319.52 mph def. *Justin
Ashley, Phillips Connect Toyota dragster powered by Vita C Shot, 8.368,
76.72 mph* def.





*Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Ten - Top Fuel*

1. Brittany Force                          605

2. Mike Salinas                            526

3. Steve Torrence                        524

*4. Justin Ashley                           468*

5. Austin Prock                             367

6. Clay Millican                            365

7 Josh Hart                                   345

8. Doug Kalitta                             316

9. Tony Schumacher                    295

10. Shawn Langdon                     269



*About Justin Ashley Racing*
Justin Ashley Racing in partnership with Davis Motorsports fields the
Phillips Connect Top Fuel dragster powered by Vita C Shot in the NHRA
Camping World Drag Racing Series. In 2021 Ashley raced to three final
rounds with a win at the Texas Fall Nationals in Dallas and ultimately
finished No. 4 in the Top Fuel standings. During his Top Fuel rookie season
in 2020 Justin won the NHRA Summernationals, finished in the Top Ten and
was recognized as the 2020 NHRA Rookie of the Year.  Prior to his
professional debut Ashley has three wins in Top Alcohol Dragster on the
Lucas Oil Series. He is the son of multi-time NHRA national event winner
Mike Ashley. In 2017, he was named to the Drag Illustrated magazine’s 30
under 30 list, highlighting some of racing’s most promising young
individuals on and off the racetrack. To learn more about Justin Ashley
Racing, visit JustinAshley.com <https://justinashley.com/>.





*Elon Werner*
Founder

M: 214-244-1184
E: elon@elonwerner.com
Twitter: @elonwer