Ashley, Tasca, Enders and Herrera Get Provisional No.1 Positions at Pep Boys NHRA Nationals

READING, PA – September 16, 2023 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Points leader Justin Ashley started the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs in impressive fashion at Maple Grove Raceway, powering to the provisional No. 1 spot in Top Fuel on Friday at the 38th annual Pep Boys NHRA Nationals.

Bob Tasca III (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the 16th of 21 races during the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season, and the first of six races in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

Ashley put together a run of 3.687-seconds at 335.57 mph in his 11,000-horsepower Phillips Connect Toyota dragster at his home track, vaulting to the No. 1 position after struggling during the opening session. If it holds, it would be Ashley’s third No. 1 this season and fifth in his career. Seeking his first world championship, it’s already been a banner season for Ashley, as the points leader has six wins heading into the playoffs. But he’s only focused on the task at hand during the Countdown to the Championship.

“That was a great run for this Phillips Connect Toyota team,” Ashley said. “We didn’t have a great run in the first session. This is basically a home race for me since I am from New York and we have a lot of friends and family here. You want to do well to start the Countdown and this was a great start. That run felt really good and it was a great way to wrap up the first day of the Pep Boys Nationals.

“It was good to have fans congratulate us for being No. 1 in the Countdown, but we are putting that behind us starting with this race. We have six races to try and win this championship. It will be exciting and I am looking forward to driving this Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster on race day here in Maple Grove Raceway.”

Defending world champion Brittany Force closed out the night with a strong 3.689 at 336.57 that puts her second and Doug Kalitta is third thanks to his 3.696 at 331.45.

In Funny Car, Bob Tasca III stole the show to close out qualifying, putting together an impressive blast of 3.874 at 334.90 in his 11,000-horsepower Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang. That puts Tasca on track for his fifth No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 14th of his career, giving the veteran a pair of strong qualifying runs to open the Countdown to the Championship. Starting the playoffs in fourth, Tasca is right in the mix of championship contention for a second straight year and was eager to make a big move on Friday under the lights at Maple Grove Raceway.

“Every point matters right now, every run now through the end,” Tasca said. “I think we got five bonus points, and that’s big. But to be here at Maple Grove – the Koretskys are like family to us, this is the track I debuted professionally in my alcohol Funny Car. I’ve won here in my nitro car. We have great memories here, and to see what they’ve done to this facility, see these fans on Friday night, and run low E.T., it’s a lot of fun.

“I love being here, and a win here is critical. We’re a couple rounds out of first place, and a good weekend really changes the game for us as we march on in this championship. To do it, you have to go toe-to-toe with the best. You saw that Mustang banging heads with Robert Hight (and) I think you’re going to see a whole lot of that from now until the end of the year.”

Running right next to Tasca, Robert Hight went 3.879 at 329.34, which is good enough for second at the moment. Chad Green went 3.887 at 330.07 for third and points leader Ron Capps is right behind after a 3.888 at 335.65.

Maple Grove Raceway continued to bring out the best in defending Pro Stock event winner Erica Enders, as the defending world champion made the quickest run in both sessions and, ultimately, the quickest run of the season in Pro Stock with a standout pass of 6.494 at 211.13 in her Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance Chevrolet Camaro. Enders has repeatedly put up big numbers at Maple Grove Raceway over the course of her stellar career and that continued on Friday, making the first Pro Stock run in the 6.40s of 2023. As she chases her sixth career world champion, Enders made a strong impression on Friday, putting her on track for her third No. 1 spot of the year and 32nd in her career.

“That was good. Being able to secure our first win here last year changes that whole feeling of rolling through the gates,” Enders said. “We came off the trailer and went to the No. 1 spot that first session, and we nitpicked the run and felt like we could have gone high .48 low .49. We came back second session and did just that. I’m really proud of my team. We had plenty of pep talks going on last the week and just getting our minds in the right position, because these last six are the ones that matter.

“We just have to put our heads down and go to work. This is a position we’re extremely familiar with. This is my 20th year in Pro Stock and we’re battling for our sixth championship. My dad told me, make it count, make every single run count and don’t leave anything on the table, from reaction times, to shift points, to keeping it in the groove. It sounds simple, but it’s way more challenging than that. That’s our mindset, just be positive, put our heads down and go to work because we can do this.”

Troy Coughlin is currently second after going 6.605 at 210.21 and Aaron Stanfield took the third spot after the first day with a 6.507 at 211.46

Gaige Herrera made a major statement in his first career appearance in the Countdown to the Championship, shattering the track E.T. record in Pro Stock Motorcycle on both runs Friday, including an incredible 6.678 at 202.45 on his Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki to close out the day. Should that hold, Herrera, the points leader, would grab his ninth No. 1 qualifier in 10 races in the class this season, with the time just off the 6.672 he ran in Chicago earlier this year. It’s the third-quickest run of the season for Herrera, who was thrilled with how his bike ran to open the playoffs on Friday.

“I was kind of shocked it ran 6.67, but Andrew (Hines, crew chief) isn’t,” Herrera said. “He said all the conditions are there to do it. To come out and be able to get the provisional No. 1 qualifier in the start of the Countdown and get as much points as we can – all those little points add up – I’m happy with today.

“It’s just qualifying so far, but we’re off to a good start. This definitely takes some pressure off. I think everyone kind of flips a switch when the Countdown starts, and I kind of expected all the other teams to step up. For us to have that little step forward in front of everyone, I’m definitely happy with that and the whole team.”

Hector Arana Jr. is currently second with a pass of 6.747 at 201.85 and rookie Chase Van Sant ran 6.754 at 200.02, putting him third.

Qualifying continues at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

***

MOHNTON, PA — Friday’s results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 38th annual Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, 16th of 21 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.

Top Fuel — 1. Justin Ashley, 3.687 seconds, 335.57 mph; 2. Brittany Force, 3.689, 336.57; 3. Doug Kalitta, 3.696, 331.45; 4. Steve Torrence, 3.698, 332.43; 5. Antron Brown, 3.716, 329.50; 6. Shawn Langdon, 3.728, 331.12; 7. Austin Prock, 3.728, 329.83; 8. Tony Schumacher, 3.737, 328.54; 9. Leah Pruett, 3.743, 327.90; 10. Doug Foley, 3.755, 322.11; 11. Clay Millican, 3.761, 325.45; 12. Mike Salinas, 4.201, 199.29; 13. Josh Hart, 4.219, 198.90; 14. Dan Mercier, 7.474, 92.33.

Funny Car — 1. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.874, 334.90; 2. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 3.879, 329.34; 3. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.887, 330.07; 4. Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 3.888, 335.65; 5. John Force, Camaro, 3.898, 334.32; 6. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.901, 322.04; 7. Alexis DeJoria, GR Supra, 3.915, 331.04; 8. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.915, 327.03; 9. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.916, 328.78; 10. J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 3.923, 327.90; 11. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.936, 327.98; 12. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 4.004, 309.20; 13. Alex Laughlin, Charger, 4.058, 295.59; 14. Jim Campbell, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.087, 299.66; 15. Dave Richards, Mustang, 4.140, 278.17; 16. Cory Lee, Mustang, 8.910, 79.15.
Not Qualified: 17. Mike Smith, 13.747, 53.46.

Pro Stock — 1. Erica Enders, Chevy Camaro, 6.494, 211.13; 2. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.505, 210.21; 3. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.507, 211.46; 4. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.513, 210.37; 5. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.515, 209.49; 6. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.521, 210.47; 7. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.526, 209.98; 8. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.527, 210.21; 9. Kyle Koretsky, Camaro, 6.530, 209.98; 10. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 6.537, 210.28; 11. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.548, 209.69; 12. Camrie Caruso, Camaro, 6.551, 210.57; 13. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.564, 210.11; 14. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.572, 210.34; 15. Val Smeland, Camaro, 6.592, 211.06; 16. Fernando Cuadra, Mustang, 6.605, 209.82.
Not Qualified: 17. Kenny Delco, 6.620, 210.50; 18. Alan Prusiensky, 6.620, 199.76; 19. Brandon Miller, 6.719, 207.50; 20. Fernando Cuadra Jr., 6.942, 200.98; 21. Mason McGaha, 7.057, 199.43; 22. Larry Morgan, 10.063, 90.81.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.678, 202.45; 2. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.747, 201.85; 3. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.754, 200.02; 4. Chip Ellis, EBR, 6.756, 200.59; 5. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.773, 201.70; 6. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.788, 200.05; 7. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.801, 197.02; 8. Jianna Evaristo, Suzuki, 6.844, 199.08; 9. Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 6.860, 198.12; 10. John Hall, EBR, 6.862, 197.62; 11. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.865, 194.02; 12. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.873, 196.42; 13. Chris Bostick, EBR, 6.892, 189.84; 14. Ron Tornow, Victory, 6.896, 195.11; 15. Cory Reed, Suzuki, 7.226, 188.41.

About Camping World Holdings, Inc.

Camping World Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Lincolnshire, IL, (together with its subsidiaries) is the World’s largest retailer of RVs and related products and services. Our vision is to build a long-term legacy business that makes RVing fun and easy. Our Camping World and Good Sam brands have been serving RV consumers since 1966. We strive to build long-term value for our customers, employees, and shareholders by combining a unique and comprehensive assortment of RV products and services with a national network of RV dealerships, service centers and customer support centers along with the industry’s most extensive online presence and a highly trained and knowledgeable team of employees serving our customers, the RV lifestyle, and the communities in which we operate. We also believe that our Good Sam organization and family of programs and services uniquely enable us to connect with our customers as stewards of the RV enthusiast community and the RV lifestyle. With RV sales and service locations in 43 states, Camping World has grown to become the prime destination for everything RV. For more information, visit www.CampingWorld.com.

About NHRA

Headquartered in San Dimas, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 21 national events featuring the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports, Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown™ and Top Fuel Harley Series. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 120 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Source: National Hot Rod Association

####