NHRA Mile-High Nationals Pre-Race Report
NHRA Mile-High Nationals
Event 10 of 21
Bandimere Speedway
Morrison, Colo.
July 14-16, 2023
Top Fuel:
JUSTIN ASHLEY: Driver of the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster
2022 NHRA Mile-High Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified second; Semifinal finish (defeated Cameron Ferre in E1, Austin Prock in E2; defeated by Leah Pruett in E3)
Last Event (Norwalk):
Qualified seventh; Event runner-up (defeated Clay Millican in E1, Steve Torrence in E2, Brittany Force in E3; defeated by Leah Pruett in E4)
2023 Statistics:
Nine races; four wins, one runner-up finish, one No. 1 qualifier
Career Statistics:
64 races; nine wins, three No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:JUSTIN ASHLEY: Driver of the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster
2022 NHRA Mile-High Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified second; Semifinal finish (defeated Cameron Ferre in E1, Austin Prock in E2; defeated by Leah Pruett in E3)
Last Event (Norwalk):
Qualified seventh; Event runner-up (defeated Clay Millican in E1, Steve Torrence in E2, Brittany Force in E3; defeated by Leah Pruett in E4)
2023 Statistics:
Nine races; four wins, one runner-up finish, one No. 1 qualifier
Career Statistics:
64 races; nine wins, three No. 1 qualifiers
Has a category-leading four wins and four Mission #2Fast2Tasty victories to his credit in 2023
In a strong position to make a run at "sweeping the swing" by winning the trio of Denver, Seattle, and Sonoma, Calif. events. Ashley has raced to three consecutive final rounds heading into this weekend’s race
By advancing to a runner-up finish at the series’ most recent event in Norwalk, Ohio, Ashley clinched a spot in the Denver Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge and will attempt to pick up his fifth specialty race triumph
Fan Events:
Saturday, 12:30 – 1:00 p.m., #2Fast2Tasty autograph session at the Mission Foods midway display
Quotable:
“We have had a strong start to the season, but that’s all in the past and our focus is on the Western Swing. This three-race stretch is one of the most critical portions of the NHRA regular season. The competition in Top Fuel is tougher now than ever before and teams are really hitting their stride. You’ll see a lot of close racing at three great locations with passionate and excited fans.
“Racing on the mountain at Bandimere Speedway is unique. The facility is beautiful, and the setting is so nice; it’s in a category of its own. I am sad to see such a great track go away. But I am very grateful for all the Bandimere family has done to support the NHRA community. Racing in high altitude is tricky so anything can happen. The sold-out crowd is going to be in for a fun weekend.”
TONY SCHUMACHER: Driver of the SCAG Power Equipment Top Fuel Dragster
NHRA Mile-High Nationals Event Highlights:
Three-time event champion (2005, 2008, 2016)
Six-time runner-up (1997, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2011, 2015)
2014 No. 1 qualifier
2022 NHRA Mile-High Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified 11th; First round exit (defeated by Clay Millican in E1)
Last Event (Norwalk):
Qualified 12th; First round exit (defeated by Austin Prock in E1)
2023 Statistics:
Nine races; one runner-up finish
Career Statistics:
543 races; 86 wins, 88 No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:NHRA Mile-High Nationals Event Highlights:
Three-time event champion (2005, 2008, 2016)
Six-time runner-up (1997, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2011, 2015)
2014 No. 1 qualifier
2022 NHRA Mile-High Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified 11th; First round exit (defeated by Clay Millican in E1)
Last Event (Norwalk):
Qualified 12th; First round exit (defeated by Austin Prock in E1)
2023 Statistics:
Nine races; one runner-up finish
Career Statistics:
543 races; 86 wins, 88 No. 1 qualifiers
The Mile-High Nationals serves as the kick-off to the three-race Western Swing
Schumacher is a nine-time winner on "the swing" with three Denver triumphs, four wins in Seattle, and two in Sonoma
Schumacher is part of an elite group of seven Camping World Series competitors who can claim to have "swept the swing" when he won the trio of Denver/Sonoma/Seattle events in 2008
Quotable:
“Denver is one of my favorite tracks on the circuit. I love the facility, the surroundings, the Bandimere family. The Bandimeres are one of those families that have committed their lives to drag racing and have helped this sport so much, particularly with the Jr. racers. Anyone who is in my world, making it a better place, I appreciate so much, and that’s what they did.
“Obviously, Denver has its challenges with the altitude and conditions, but that’s one of the things I love about racing there. I love the difficulty of it. I’m one of the few people to have swept the swing, and that was a huge accomplishment that I’ll always be really proud of. Can’t wait to get back there for one last go-round. I’m going to go in early and fish, stay behind on the back end and fish, and hopefully I’ll be going onto our next race carrying a Wally.”
Funny Car:
TIM WILKERSON: Driver of the SCAG Power Equipment/Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Mustang
NHRA Mile-High Nationals Event Highlights:
2008 event champion
Two-time No. 1 qualifier: 1999, 2003
2022 NHRA Mile-High Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified eighth; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Alexis DeJoria in E1; defeated by Robert Hight in E2)
Last Event (Norwalk):
Qualified fifth; First round exit (defeated by Blake Alexander in E1)
2023 Statistics:
Nine races; one win, one runner-up finish
Career Statistics:
579 races; 23 wins; 20 No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:TIM WILKERSON: Driver of the SCAG Power Equipment/Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Mustang
NHRA Mile-High Nationals Event Highlights:
2008 event champion
Two-time No. 1 qualifier: 1999, 2003
2022 NHRA Mile-High Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified eighth; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Alexis DeJoria in E1; defeated by Robert Hight in E2)
Last Event (Norwalk):
Qualified fifth; First round exit (defeated by Blake Alexander in E1)
2023 Statistics:
Nine races; one win, one runner-up finish
Career Statistics:
579 races; 23 wins; 20 No. 1 qualifiers
Reset the Bandimere Funny Car speed record during the 2022 event when he clocked a 329.18 mph pass
Quotable:
“I’m really looking forward to going to Denver. I won the first 1,000-foot race there in 2008, and would love to book end that by winning the last Mile-High Nationals trophy this weekend. It’s definitely a bitter sweet deal, but we will have Mr. Levi there from Levi, Ray & Shoup. He has a big hospitality there this year, and it’ll be great to see him and all his guests.”
About JCM Racing:
Established in 2022, JCM Racing is a multi-car NHRA team owned by Joe and Cathi Maynard, along with their partners Eric and Kim Lehman, all of Clarksville, Tenn.Headliners for the JCM Racing team are the SCAG Power Equipment Top Fuel dragster driven by Tony Schumacher, the SCAG Power Equipment/Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Mustang Funny Car piloted by Tim Wilkerson, and the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster campaigned by Justin Ashley. As an eight-time world champion and 86-time event winner, Schumacher is the most decorated Top Fuel driver in the history of the sport. Wilkerson is a 23-time Funny Car winner and an industry anomaly as he serves as both the driver and tuner of his 11,000-horsepower machine. While still considered a newcomer to the Camping World Series, Ashley, the 2020 Rookie of the Year recipient, has already earned a reputation as one of the best 'leavers' in the Top Fuel category. NHRA Hall of Famer Don Schumacher, father of Tony Schumacher, is a minority owner of the SCAG dragster, while Tim Wilkerson Racing (TWR) co-owns the SCAG/LRS Mustang with JCM Racing. The Maynard Ashley Racing (MAR) operation is co-owned by JCM Racing and Max Out Motorsports.
JCM Racing also operates a driver development program, which currently lends support to three entries in NHRA’s Sportsman categories. Wyatt Wagner competes in Super Stock, Kayleigh Hill is a Super Comp racer, and Waylon Bennett tears it up in the Jr. Drag Racing League. Through the driver development program, JCM offers young talent the opportunity to hone in and perfect their driving skills as they work toward a career competing in NHRA’s professional ranks.
For more information, visit @jcmnitro on Twitter and Instagram, @JCMNitro on Facebook, and JCMNitro.com.
