Justin Ashley and the SCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel dragster team are well aware how critical of a race this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway is.

As the 13th event of 20 on the 2024 Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series schedule, The Lucas Oil Nationals is the second to last event before the points reset for the Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s six-race playoffs. Currently fourth in the Top Fuel standings just eight out of third, Ashley and his SCAG Toyota team know a strong performance in Minnesota will have a positive impact before heading to the Toyota U.S. Nationals where point earnings are increased to points-and-a-half. 

“Brainerd is always a critical race because it’s right before the U.S. Nationals. We want to take advantage of the opportunity to feel buttoned up heading into the final stretch of the season. We’ve gone rounds and qualified number one there in the past but haven’t yet sealed the deal,” said Ashley who was the No. 1 qualifier in 2023 with a semifinal finish. “This time around would be perfect so we could put our newly designed SCAG Power Equipment Top Fuel Dragster into the winners circle. Mike Green, Tommy DeLago, Dustin Davis and the team worked really hard over these last few weeks so they deserve a win.”

Ashley will be sporting a new look on his SCAG Toyota dragster. With BIR famous for its “Zoo” campground, the three nitro hot rods of SCAG Racing driven by Ashley and his Funny Car teammates Daniel Wilkerson and Dave Richards, as well as the Pro Stock car of Elite Motorsports’ Jeg Coughlin Jr. will feature the animal version of SCAG Power Equipment products. Ashley’s dragster will feature the Cheetah II and Turf Tiger II.

“It’s an exciting change that will showcase the creative input of so many Metalcraft of Mayville team members that helped put it all together,” Ashley said. “Brainerd fans have always brought ‘The Zoo’ to us so it’s only right that we bring it back to them this time.”