By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
Mohnton, Pa. — Phillips Connect Top Fuel Dragster Justin Ashley is the provisional No. 1 qualifier. He was able to do this at his home track at Maple Grove Raceway during the first day of the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals.
The New York native went 3.703 at 330.55 mph. He is looking for his second No. 1 qualifier of the season.
“It was a great run and going into today we thought the conditions would be there and that it would be really fast,” Ashley said. “The car felt straight and true. It went right on down there and did exactly what we wanted it to do. Especially Countdown time, those bonus points are critical, and we have a good baseline going into the weekend. You feel it in the Countdown, the energy, but you really can’t change anything.
“You just have to go about your business the same way that you did before. If you start trying to change things, you start trying to push and I don’t think pushing is ever a good idea. You have to let the race come to you.”
Ashley secured the top spot during the first qualifying session. He recorded the top pass during the second-to-last pairing with Steve Torrence.
The Davis Motorsports driver will have two additional qualifying sessions on Saturday. Following the third qualifying session, the field will be set for Sunday’s eliminations.
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