The Gerber Collision and Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals Presented by Peak Performance
EPPING, N.H. – Justin Ashley found himself atop the NHRA top fuel point standings early this season, and while he and his Phillips Connect team are still seeking consistency, he finds himself right in the mix for a championship six events into the 2023 season.
Now Ashley returns to New England Dragway for the 2023 New England Nationals hoping to rekindle his early season success and make a move back up the standings, where he currently sits fourth.
“It’s not a stretch to say this is the greatest Top Fuel field we’ve seen in NHRA history,” Ashley said. “It’s that deep. You have heavy hitters each and every race. So to be in the top 5 right now is really important.”
With less than two rounds of racing separating point leader Steve Torrence from fifth-place runner Leah Pruett, Ashley is one of many drivers hungry to get to the top of the standings, and a big day in New England could propel him.
Ashley has had a mixed bag of success in Epping, where he finished runner-up in 2022, and hopes to win one more round on Sunday. He said he has a lot of confidence because he and his crew have been working hard and had some success already — they just need to find more consistency.
“I think as a group we know we have to do a better job of stacking round wins and developing a little more consistency,” Ashley said. “But when you look at six races in and we have two wins, it really speaks volumes of Mike Green, Tommy Delago and our entire Phillips Connect team.”
Justin Ashley looks to improve on his runner up finish in the 2022 New England Nationals this weekend in Epping. – Photo: Auto Imagery
Ashley is well known for his prowess at the starting line, leading the Top Fuel category with a 0.41 average reaction time so far in 2023. He said he needs to be on his game and run “nearly perfect” runs this weekend in order to pick up his third win of the campaign.
“I think I’m still learning,” Ashley said, deflecting the attention from his starting line acumen. “There’s still a lot of room for growth and opportunities to learn. Thankfully our crew chiefs do a great job of sitting down with me, and going over the runs so I can continue to learn and grow as a driver. I feel good with where I’m at on the tree. It hasn’t been perfect, but I’ve been happy with the results so far.
“It’s been the culmination of the team and myself putting in a lot of hard work. People always talk about reaction times but if a car doesn’t react well reaction times don’t show as well. So, it really is a product of everyone working together.”
Justin Ashley will start Sunday’s NHRA New England Nationals in the No. 10 qualifying spot. – Photo: Auto Imagery
Ashley said he can focus on his driving and improving his craft behind the wheel because he has ultimate confidence in the team behind him. That is what he feels is his advantage this weekend in New Hampshire.
“You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with,” Ashley said. “I absolutely love our team and I’m confident in the team that we have. I know we have a championship-winning team and championship-winning experience, top to bottom. We have those two wins this year, and we’ve gone rounds so we have the data we need. Yeah, it’s been a mixed bag so far at Epping, but each year is new and it’s a new challenge, and I think that going into it we feel pretty good about the preparation we’ve put into it, so we feel good about our chances to get a win this weekend. With the competition the way it is, it’s going to take four almost perfect rounds of racing to win.”
Ashley’s focus goes well beyond this weekend, however, as he sets his sights on his first NHRA Top Fuel championship. While the hot start to the season sets the tone, he and his team know the way they end the season is ultimately the most important.
“It’s nice to get momentum early on, but the season is a marathon, not a sprint,” Ashley said. “So you want to start hot, but you also have to make sure you stay hot. That’s not always an easy thing to accomplish, but we feel confident.”
Justin Ashley, shown here with his father Mike and Antron Brown, looks to continue a strong start to the 2023 season at the NHRA New England Nationals this weekend in Epping, NH. – Photo: Auto Imagery
