NHRA Reading Pre-Race Report
Pep Boys NHRA Nationals
Event 16 of 21
Countdown Event 1 of 6
Maple Grove Raceway
Reading, Pa.
Sept. 15 - 17, 2023
Top Fuel:
JUSTIN ASHLEY: Driver of the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster
Countdown to the Championship Ranking: 1st
Pep Boys NHRA Nationals Event Highlights:
Two-time event runner-up (2021, 2022)
2022 Pep Boys NHRA Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified second; Event runner-up (defeated Jeffrey Chatterson in E1, Doug Kalitta in E2, Mike Salinas in E3; defeated by Austin Prock in E4)
Last Event (Indianapolis):
Qualified third; Semifinal finish (defeated Doug Foley in E1, Leah Pruett in E2; defeated by Antron Brown in E3)
2023 Statistics:
15 races; six wins, two No. 1 qualifiers
Career Statistics:
70 races; 11 wins, four No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:JUSTIN ASHLEY: Driver of the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster
Countdown to the Championship Ranking: 1st
Pep Boys NHRA Nationals Event Highlights:
Two-time event runner-up (2021, 2022)
2022 Pep Boys NHRA Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified second; Event runner-up (defeated Jeffrey Chatterson in E1, Doug Kalitta in E2, Mike Salinas in E3; defeated by Austin Prock in E4)
Last Event (Indianapolis):
Qualified third; Semifinal finish (defeated Doug Foley in E1, Leah Pruett in E2; defeated by Antron Brown in E3)
2023 Statistics:
15 races; six wins, two No. 1 qualifiers
Career Statistics:
70 races; 11 wins, four No. 1 qualifiers
Secured a category-leading six regular-season wins to start the six-race Countdown to the Championship playoffs as the Top Fuel points leader
Thanks to the team’s success in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge specialty races, Ashley earned 21 bonus points and netted a 10-point advantage over No. 2 seed Steve Torrence. Ashley carries a 31-point cushion over Torrence into the Reading event
After powering to runner-up finishes at Maple Grove in 2021 and 2022, Ashley is seeking his third consecutive final round appearance at the Reading, Pa. facility
Quotable:
“We accomplished everything we wanted to in the regular season but that is behind us now. We wanted to go into the Countdown as the No. 1 seed and collect a large number of Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge championship points. We feel good about that but understand that at this point in time, our focus is solely on being successful in Reading.
“If you choose to be overconfident this sport will humble you very quickly. Every Top Fuel team on the property can win the race. That’s why we believe the best approach revolves around constant improvement and being the best version of ourselves that we can be. Our Phillips Connect Toyota Racing team is incredible and works tirelessly to win both on and off the racetrack. As we head into the toughest six races of the season, I am proud to be a small part of that group.
“We have had a few good races at Maple Grove Raceway and it’s generally a very fast track. The key will be to get two good runs on Friday in qualifying and then we can start focusing on getting ready for race day with the remaining two qualifying runs. (Crew chiefs) Mike Green and Tommy Delago work so well together and I consider myself very fortunate to work closely with them and our entire team. We will be ready for any kind of track conditions, including those that may present an opportunity to join the Phillips Connect 300 MPH to the 1/8 club.”
TONY SCHUMACHER: Driver of the SCAG Power Equipment Top Fuel Dragster
Countdown to the Championship Ranking: 12th
Pep Boys NHRA Nationals Event Highlights:
Five-time event champion (2003 - 2005, 2008, 2014)
Three-time runner-up (1999, 2015, 2018)
Seven-time No. 1 qualifier (2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2014)
2022 Pep Boys NHRA Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified 11th; First round exit (defeated by Clay Millican in E1)
Last Event (Indianapolis):
Qualified 12th; First round exit (defeated by Mike Salinas in E1)
2023 Statistics:
15 races; one runner-up finish
Career Statistics:
549 races; 86 wins, 88 No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:Countdown to the Championship Ranking: 12th
Pep Boys NHRA Nationals Event Highlights:
Five-time event champion (2003 - 2005, 2008, 2014)
Three-time runner-up (1999, 2015, 2018)
Seven-time No. 1 qualifier (2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2014)
2022 Pep Boys NHRA Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified 11th; First round exit (defeated by Clay Millican in E1)
Last Event (Indianapolis):
Qualified 12th; First round exit (defeated by Mike Salinas in E1)
2023 Statistics:
15 races; one runner-up finish
Career Statistics:
549 races; 86 wins, 88 No. 1 qualifiers
The Reading race is slated to be Schumacher’s 550th professional event
Schumacher leads the class in number of Top Fuel victories (five) at Maple Grove Raceway
Schumacher has been the Reading No. 1 qualifier seven times- the most of any Top Fuel driver at a single event
An eight-time Top Fuel world champion, Schumacher begins the 2023 Countdown to the Championship from the No. 12 seed
Quotable:
“Reading always produces some of the best runs of the year. The facility is known for low E.T.s and big speeds, so it’s always a great show for the fans. Looking forward to some sell-out crowds this weekend.
“The Countdown starts at Maple Grove. We’re 139 points out of the lead following the reset, and I really think the car is starting to come around and reach the level of performance we expect. Now it’s time to prove it. We’ve got six more races this year to put this SCAG dragster in the winner’s circle. Our goal is a top five finish to the year so a strong weekend in Reading is crucial.”
Funny Car:
TIM WILKERSON: Driver of the SCAG Power Equipment/Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Mustang
Countdown to the Championship Ranking: 8th
Pep Boys NHRA Nationals Event Highlights:
2003 event champion
Two-time runner-up (2018, 2022)
2022 Pep Boys NHRA Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified seventh; Event runner-up (defeated Alexis DeJoria in E1, Ron Capps in E2, John Force in E3; defeated by Robert Hight in E4)
Last Event (Indianapolis):
Qualified 8th; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Chad Green in E1; defeated by Robert Hight in E2)
2023 Statistics:
15 races; two wins, one runner-up finish
Career Statistics:
585 races; 24 wins; 20 No. 1 qualifier
Noteworthy:TIM WILKERSON: Driver of the SCAG Power Equipment/Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Mustang
Countdown to the Championship Ranking: 8th
Pep Boys NHRA Nationals Event Highlights:
2003 event champion
Two-time runner-up (2018, 2022)
2022 Pep Boys NHRA Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified seventh; Event runner-up (defeated Alexis DeJoria in E1, Ron Capps in E2, John Force in E3; defeated by Robert Hight in E4)
Last Event (Indianapolis):
Qualified 8th; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Chad Green in E1; defeated by Robert Hight in E2)
2023 Statistics:
15 races; two wins, one runner-up finish
Career Statistics:
585 races; 24 wins; 20 No. 1 qualifier
Wilkerson returns to the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals as the Funny Car event runner-up after having advanced to the final round in 2022
Making his 15th Countdown appearance, the driver/tuner begins the playoffs from the No. 8 seed. Wilkerson’s best prior Countdown finish was a second-place effort in 2008
So far in 2023, Wilkerson has two national event wins in three final round appearances
Quotable:
“I’m really looking forward to going to Reading this year. We have had a good track record there ever since they switched the Countdown schedule around to have us start the six-race playoffs up in Pennsylvania. Our whole SCAG Maynard Wilkerson Racing team is excited about our chances this year and of course, like any other team fighting for a championship, we’d like nothing more than to start it off in winning fashion. We came really close there last year with the runner-up finish. Now, we just need a win to add to our other two race wins from this season.”
About JCM Racing:
Established in 2022, the Maynard family’s JCM Racing organization is a multi-car NHRA team owned by Joe and Cathi Maynard, along with their minority partners Eric and Kim Lehman. JCM Racing takes pride in operating as a family unit with son Joe C. Maynard and daughter-in-law, Andrea Maynard, also having an ownership stake and leading the team in executive roles. The executive staff operates out of Clarksville, Tenn., while the racing headquarters are located in Brownsburg, Ind.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 24-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. Between the three entities, JCM Racing owns seven national event wins to date.
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.
