NDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (September 03, 2026)— SCAG Racing is heading to Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park this weekend for the 72nd annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, the biggest and most prestigious event on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule.
The U.S. Nationals will be an especially important weekend for the SCAG Racing teams as the regular season comes to a close and the Countdown to the Championship approaches. With four cars competing and five qualifying sessions scheduled throughout the weekend, the teams will have plenty of opportunities to make improvements and secure strong starting positions for Monday’s eliminations.
Ashley will return to Indianapolis as the defending U.S. Nationals Top Fuel champion after earning his first career Indy victory at last year’s event. He defeated Tony Stewart in the final round. The weekend will also give Justin Ashley another opportunity to compete in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. Ashley earned his spot in the Top Fuel bonus event after advancing to the semifinals at the NHRA Brainerd Nationals. The #2Fast2Tasty Challenge will take place during Saturday’s qualifying sessions, giving Ashley an additional chance to compete for bonus points and prize money while continuing to build momentum heading into the U.S. Nationals eliminations.
“The U.S. Nationals is in a class of its own,” said Ashley. “It’s the most prestigious race in NHRA history. The top two goals at the beginning of every season are to win Indy and win a championship. We’re grateful for the opportunity to return as defending event champions. Now it’s on us to back it up by putting this SCAG Power Equipment Top Fuel dragster into the winners circle once again.
“We’ve made a lot of positive strides since Sonoma and took a major step forward in Brainerd,” Ashley continued. “The best way for us to continue that trend is by qualifying well and putting ourselves in more advantageous positions to win on race day. The team has been working hard to make that a reality. I can’t wait to see all of that come to fruition soon.”
Smith will make his second U.S. Nationals start this weekend and feels confident going into the action with his Bluebird Turf team.
“Brainerd was a really good weekend for our Bluebird Turf team,” said Smith. “The car ran really well, and we were able to learn a lot throughout the weekend. We also had a really productive test session after the race, so we feel like we’re heading into Indy with a good car. This is the Big Go, and it’s a race that means a lot to me personally since it’s where I made my Top Fuel debut back in 2022. I’m really looking forward to getting back to Indy, getting this Bluebird Turf dragster down the track, and seeing what we can do this weekend.”
Wilkerson has a long history with the U.S. Nationals and knows firsthand what makes the Big Go so special. After spending much of his life attending the event, he is looking forward to another opportunity to chase a Wally at Indy with his SCAG Power Equipment Ford Funny Car team.
“There are two races that just hit different,” said Wilkerson. “Pomona because there are championships on the line, and Indy. The U.S. Nationals has a vibe of its own. Maybe it’s because I have been 36 times, maybe it’s because it pays the most, maybe it’s because it is the oldest, most prestigious race on the tour, or maybe it’s because we make more runs there than any other race. Whatever it is, it means more. I have literally been there almost every year of my life in pursuit of that Wally. Taking it home for SCAG Power Equipment, for the men and women behind our team, and for my family would mean the world, and I think we have a dang good chance to be the last team standing.”
Richards will also be looking to make the most of the five qualifying sessions in his SCAG Racing Funny Car as he prepares for Monday’s eliminations. With the Countdown to the Championship beginning after Indy, the U.S. Nationals gives Richards and the team one final opportunity to put together a strong performance before the championship portion of the season begins.
“Indy is always one of the races you want to perform well at,” said Richards. “It’s the biggest race of the year, and with the Countdown coming up, it’s important for us to finish the regular season on a strong note. We have five qualifying sessions to get the Bluebird Turf Funny Car dialed in, and we’re going to use every one of those runs to keep improving. I’m looking forward to getting to Indy, putting together a good weekend, and hopefully going some rounds on Monday.”
Nitro qualifying begins Friday, Sept. 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by two qualifying sessions Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. ET. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Sunday at 12 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. ET, with final eliminations set for Monday, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. ET.
Television coverage begins Sunday with qualifying airing on FS1 from 3–5 p.m. ET and from 10:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m. ET. Monday’s eliminations will air on FS1 from 12–2 p.m. ET before continuing on FOX from 2–5 p.m. ET.
The post SCAG RACING READY FOR THE 72ND ANNUAL CORNWELL QUALITY TOOLS NHRA U.S. NATIONALS appeared first on Justin Ashley Racing.
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The U.S. Nationals will be an especially important weekend for the SCAG Racing teams as the regular season comes to a close and the Countdown to the Championship approaches. With four cars competing and five qualifying sessions scheduled throughout the weekend, the teams will have plenty of opportunities to make improvements and secure strong starting positions for Monday’s eliminations.
Ashley will return to Indianapolis as the defending U.S. Nationals Top Fuel champion after earning his first career Indy victory at last year’s event. He defeated Tony Stewart in the final round. The weekend will also give Justin Ashley another opportunity to compete in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. Ashley earned his spot in the Top Fuel bonus event after advancing to the semifinals at the NHRA Brainerd Nationals. The #2Fast2Tasty Challenge will take place during Saturday’s qualifying sessions, giving Ashley an additional chance to compete for bonus points and prize money while continuing to build momentum heading into the U.S. Nationals eliminations.
“The U.S. Nationals is in a class of its own,” said Ashley. “It’s the most prestigious race in NHRA history. The top two goals at the beginning of every season are to win Indy and win a championship. We’re grateful for the opportunity to return as defending event champions. Now it’s on us to back it up by putting this SCAG Power Equipment Top Fuel dragster into the winners circle once again.
“We’ve made a lot of positive strides since Sonoma and took a major step forward in Brainerd,” Ashley continued. “The best way for us to continue that trend is by qualifying well and putting ourselves in more advantageous positions to win on race day. The team has been working hard to make that a reality. I can’t wait to see all of that come to fruition soon.”
Smith will make his second U.S. Nationals start this weekend and feels confident going into the action with his Bluebird Turf team.
“Brainerd was a really good weekend for our Bluebird Turf team,” said Smith. “The car ran really well, and we were able to learn a lot throughout the weekend. We also had a really productive test session after the race, so we feel like we’re heading into Indy with a good car. This is the Big Go, and it’s a race that means a lot to me personally since it’s where I made my Top Fuel debut back in 2022. I’m really looking forward to getting back to Indy, getting this Bluebird Turf dragster down the track, and seeing what we can do this weekend.”
Wilkerson has a long history with the U.S. Nationals and knows firsthand what makes the Big Go so special. After spending much of his life attending the event, he is looking forward to another opportunity to chase a Wally at Indy with his SCAG Power Equipment Ford Funny Car team.
“There are two races that just hit different,” said Wilkerson. “Pomona because there are championships on the line, and Indy. The U.S. Nationals has a vibe of its own. Maybe it’s because I have been 36 times, maybe it’s because it pays the most, maybe it’s because it is the oldest, most prestigious race on the tour, or maybe it’s because we make more runs there than any other race. Whatever it is, it means more. I have literally been there almost every year of my life in pursuit of that Wally. Taking it home for SCAG Power Equipment, for the men and women behind our team, and for my family would mean the world, and I think we have a dang good chance to be the last team standing.”
Richards will also be looking to make the most of the five qualifying sessions in his SCAG Racing Funny Car as he prepares for Monday’s eliminations. With the Countdown to the Championship beginning after Indy, the U.S. Nationals gives Richards and the team one final opportunity to put together a strong performance before the championship portion of the season begins.
“Indy is always one of the races you want to perform well at,” said Richards. “It’s the biggest race of the year, and with the Countdown coming up, it’s important for us to finish the regular season on a strong note. We have five qualifying sessions to get the Bluebird Turf Funny Car dialed in, and we’re going to use every one of those runs to keep improving. I’m looking forward to getting to Indy, putting together a good weekend, and hopefully going some rounds on Monday.”
Nitro qualifying begins Friday, Sept. 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by two qualifying sessions Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. ET. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Sunday at 12 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. ET, with final eliminations set for Monday, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. ET.
Television coverage begins Sunday with qualifying airing on FS1 from 3–5 p.m. ET and from 10:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m. ET. Monday’s eliminations will air on FS1 from 12–2 p.m. ET before continuing on FOX from 2–5 p.m. ET.
The post SCAG RACING READY FOR THE 72ND ANNUAL CORNWELL QUALITY TOOLS NHRA U.S. NATIONALS appeared first on Justin Ashley Racing.
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