JUSTIN ASHLEY WINS BRISTOL CAPS DOMINANT WEEKEND

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JUSTIN ASHLEY WINS BRISTOL CAPS DOMINANT WEEKEND

BRISTOL, TN (June 11, 2023) --- There was a lot on the line heading into the Thunder Valley Nationals and championship contender Justin Ashley and his Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel team had a lofty list of goals for Bristol Dragway. Competing in the rescheduled New England Nationals, the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge and the 22nd NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals all in one weekend, the three-time 2023 winner was hoping to grab three more event wins and accelerate his championship hopes. The 2020 NHRA Rookie of the Year checked all the boxes at the conclusion of race day winning his second consecutive Thunder Valley Nationals in an epic all Toyota final round against Antron Brown less than 24-hours after winning the New England Nationals and his third Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge title of the season.

Justin Ashley with both national event trophies from a dominant weekend at Bristol Dragway, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

“I’m on cloud nine. It is just an amazing feeling. It’s so hard to win a race,” said Ashley, who has collected $30,000 and nine championship points for his Mission Challenge victories alone. “It is so difficult, so to be able to come into one weekend, in three days, and win two events and one Mission Foods Challenge, is really something special. It’s hard to turn on win lights in this sport, so I just have so much gratitude for my entire team and the work they did to turn this car around round after round, and make sure it went down the racetrack. We had a lot of friends and family here – this is not too far from when the Maynards are, so they had a lot of their friends out as well. It’s a big win for the entire team.” On race day today at Bristol Dragway Ashley as the No. 4 qualifier outran veteran Doug Foley in the first round. He took a starting line advantage and never trailed in the drag race. His winning time of 3.763 seconds gave him lane choice over Josh Hart in the second round. In a tremendous side-by-side race Ashley was again first off the line and took his sixth consecutive winlight of the weekend over Hart. His 3.756-second pass at 329.83 mph got to the finish line just in front of Hart’s 3.780-second, 328.86 mph pass. He gave up lane choice for the first time against his semifinal opponent. Throughout the day Ashley faced one tough competitor after another but there was no round that stood out due to the heightened level of competition. “It was every round today,” said Ashley. “I think at this point you always need to dig deep, especially with the way the competition is. Anytime we go up against Antron (Brown) is usually a fantastic race, and it is a small margin of victory. I don’t really believe in the approach of getting up for anyone, but you have to be extremely focused because he is not going to let you get away with anything. Antron is a fantastic driver, and more importantly, he’s a fantastic person, so I think racing a guy like Antron brings out the best in myself and my team.” It was another wire-to-wire win for Ashley over Austin Prock in a battle of two rising stars in NHRA. The win moved Ashley into his fourth final round of the season. It would set up a final round against his technology alliance and Toyota teammate Antron Brown as they each pursued Toyota’s 199th NHRA victory. It was an epic final round as both drivers left the starting line together and Ashley was able to hold off a charging Brown for his fourth victory of the season and ninth Top Fuel title of his career. Ashley became the second NHRA driver to win two national events in one weekend joining 8-time Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher, who he defeated in the New England Nationals final yesterday. His crew chief and Schumacher’s crew chief at the time was world champion Mike Green. “Mike (Green), Tommy (DeLago) and Dustin (Davis) are just fantastic,” said Ashley, about his Top Fuel crew chief leadership team. “They are excellent at what they do both on and off the racetrack. You are only as good as the team that you have. They have done a great job themselves, but they have also assembled an amazing team that surrounds the race car. Honestly, it is fascinating to be able to watch them round after round maintain that consistency. Nothing stops this team. We can lose in the first round, we could win the race, we could fall short somewhere in between, but the mentality is the same. We always expect to win, and the reason for that is because it starts on top. It starts with guys like Dustin, Mike and Tommy.” After the most successful three days in Ashley’s still young career the team owner and driver was worn out but elated by his team’s success. He knew that there was still a lot of season left in front of the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel team but with the support of his marketing partners like Mac Tools, Strutmasters, KATO Fastening Systems, Lucas Oil and more the future looks very bright for the team. The accomplishment hadn’t sunk in as Ashley headed to his second winner’s circle of the weekend. “After the fact, I certainly think about it,” said Ashley. “During the race, that doesn’t cross my mind and if it does, I do everything I can to get rid of that thought, because it is just a matter of focusing on that moment and taking it one round at a time, because it is not easy to win. I think that approach gives us as a team the opportunity to win.” Ashley will leave with the Top Fuel points lead which he took over yesterday after his New England Nationals win and extended today. He will return to the track in two weeks at the Norwalk Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park. Qualifying Results Q1: 4.219 sec, 205.04 mph; Qual. 9 Q2: 3.755 sec; 327.74 mph; Qual. 4 Q3: 4.097 sec, 255.92 mph; Qual. 4 Q4: 3.846 sec, 324.12 mph; Qual. 4 Bonus Points: 0 Race Results First Round Justin Ashley, Phillips Connect Toyota dragster, (.040), 3.763, 328.70 mph def. Doug Foley, PROTEC dragster, (.098), 3.871, 319.19 mph Second Round

Justin Ashley, Phillips Connect Toyota dragster, (.048), 3.756, 329.83 mph def.  Josh Hart, R+L Carriers dragster, (.054), 3.780, 328.86 mph

Semifinal Round

Justin Ashley, Phillips Connect Toyota dragster, (.048), 3.728, 330.23 mph def.  Austin Prock, Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist dragster, (.058), 7.154, 127.98 mph

Final Round

Justin Ashley, Phillips Connect Toyota dragster, (.0508), 3.718, 336.49 mph def.  Antron Brown, Matco Tools dragster, (.051), 6.148, 109.79 mph

Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Ten - Top Fuel 1. Justin Ashley 633 2. Steve Torrence 569 3. Brittany Force 511 3. Austin Prock 511 5. Leah Pruett 499 5. Antron Brown 499 7. Mike Salinas 448 8. Josh Hart 433 9. Doug Kalitta 404 10. Shawn Langdon 367 About Maynard Ashley Racing Maynard Ashley Racing (MAR) was founded in 2023 with the express goal of delivering world class results, on and off the racetrack, for a growing community of marketing partners and fans drawn to Justin Ashley, the 2020 NHRA Rookie-of-the-Year and seven-time Top Fuel national event winner. Behind Maynard Ashley Racing is a partnership between JCM Racing, led by Joe E. and Cathi Maynard, Joe C. Maynard, and Eric and Kim Lehman, who have taken the NHRA by storm over the last year, and Max Out Motorsports a partnership between Justin Ashley, Dustin Davis and Jim Epler.

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Camrie Caruso's Looking To Add To Legacy At Norwalk Nationals

Elon Werner <elon@elonwerner.com>Jun 22, 2022, 11:38 AM (7 days ago) to Elon, bcc: me CARUSO LOOKING TO ADD TO LEGACY AT NORWALK NATIONALS DENVER, NC (June 22, 2022) --- As Pro Stock competitor Camrie Caruso’s rookie season speeds towards the halfway mark the 24-year-old driver is looking forward to racing at a track where she has enjoyed early career success. Summit Motorsports Park has been the scene of Caruso Family Racing victory celebrations in a variety of classes that all led up to Caruso’s head-turning Pro Stock rookie success. The rookie of the year contender will be racing the Kings of Vapor Chevrolet Camaro representing the 10-year-old large brick and mortar retail chain, with a complete online store as well, that prides itself on customer service. As a vapor store, not a tobacco shop, they stock a wide selection of vapes, juice, and accessories. “I have raced at Norwalk a bunch and I am excited to have Kings of Vapor on my Camaro this weekend,” said Caruso. “I won there in Top Alcohol Dragster and I have raced my 632 car there. My dad has won there in Pro Mod so I really enjoy Norwalk. The fans have always been great and I am looking forward to racing my Kings of Vapor Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stock car this weekend.” Through seven races this season Caruso has qualified for every national event and her qualifying efforts have landed her in the top half of the field every race except for a No. 9 start during the Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals. She earned her first career No. 1 qualifier at the SpringNationals in Houston, just her fifth professional race, and that same weekend she raced to her first career final round. Last weekend at the Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tennessee, Caruso had one of the quickest cars on the property qualifying No. 2 and racing to the quarterfinals. The young driver is looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of her 210 mph Pro Stock Camaro this weekend at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in a few days. For a rookie driver, seat time is one of the most valuable commodities. “I like back-to-back races honestly,” said Caruso, who is the favorite to earn Rookie of the Year honors this season. “I like it because I am in the car consistently. Being out of the car for over three weeks is tough for a new driver. I feel like we have something to improve on right away. I am getting input and advice from my crew chief Jim Yates every run so the sooner I can put that information to good use the better.” The Caruso Family Racing operation has built a solid base of marketing partners mainly thanks to the hard work Camrie put in between races and at the track. In addition to support from Kings of Vapor Caruso’s race team has the support of GESI, Sand Haulers of America, Powerbuilt Tools, NGK Spark Plugs, VP Racing Lubricants, and Right Trailers. “I have a lot of great marketing partners. We are working to get them exposure and help them build their businesses,” said Caruso. “At the track I spend a lot of time on the ropes signing autographs and talking about Powerbuilt Tools or VP Racing Lubricants or any of our other sponsors. We are also hosting guests at the races and looking to build up our hospitality program. We are a brand-new team so there is so much that goes into just getting to the races and succeeding. I am having a lot of fun but this is also a full-time job.” Caruso’s passion is obvious at the track and her driving skills have continued to improve under the tutelage of Pro Stock world champion driver and tuner Jim Yates. The veteran has brought a wealth of experience and insight to the team. Yates’ contributions combined with the impressive engine power of Titan Racing Engines have allowed Caruso to concentrate behind the wheel and on the starting line. “I get more confident every race,” said Caruso, who has advanced to at least the quarterfinals four times this season. “I know I have a great race car thanks to Titan Racing Engines, Jim and our whole crew. This is a great team effort and for as new as our team is we are having success but we still have a lot to learn. We are only going to get better and that is the most exciting part about the rest of the season.” The Kings of Vapor Chevrolet Camaro will be back on track this Friday for two qualifying sessions followed by two more qualifying sessions on Saturday. Final eliminations will begin at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday with FOX broadcasting the race at 3 p.m. ET.

Elon WernerFounder M: 214-244-1184 E: elon@elonwerner.com Twitter: @elonwer

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Bill Skillman Takes NO.1 In Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown

Bill Skillman takes No. 1 and First Round Win in Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown at Norwalk, Ohio NORWALK, Ohio (June 25, 2022) – Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown is keeping the rivalries between the Chevrolet COPO Camaros, Ford Cobra Jets and Dodge Challenger Drag Paks alive at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsport Park. Sitting second in the Factory Stock Showdown points standings, Bill Skillman in his Ray Skillman Ford Cobra secured the No. 1 qualifying position thanks to a 7.811-second pass at 177.42 mph in the second qualifying session. On Saturday morning, Skillman would be looking to do some testing to get set for the first round of eliminations later in the day. “We ran pretty good. That last pass, we just ran and plugged it into high gear and then threw it into neutral to coast the rest of the way down,” Skillman said. “We just wanted to see what those early numbers looked like. We weren’t the fastest, but we were right up there.” Bill Skillman, Summit Racing Equipment Nationals Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown No. 1 qualifier, photo credit Auto Imagery Skillman faced Lee Hartman and the Carrier Services Group Dodge Drag Pak in the first-round Saturday evening. Skillman would run 7.882-seconds at 175.80 mph bettering Hartman’s 7.981 at 177.49. “It’s pretty odd, running qualifying and first round on the same day,” Skillman said. “We do it regularly, though, so you get used to making a qualifying run and then cutting down to eight cars.” Most recent event winner and points leader David Barton landed his Saw Mill Auto Chevy COPO Camaro in the No. 2 qualifying spot with a 7.825-second run at 177.42 mph. Barton would line-up against Alan Scruggs and his BILSTEIN/Wesley Motorsports Dodge Drag Pak to start eliminations after Chuck Watson’s Dayco Ford Cobra machine was unable to make the call. Barton would prevail with a 7.877-second pass at 175.43 mph defeating Scruggs’ 8.098 at 173.96. Bristol winner David Barton, during first round win in Norwalk, photo credit Auto Imagery With the first round win, Barton continues to carry the $1,000 bounty through the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown Bounty Program. The bounty on Barton will increase until another driver defeats him during eliminations. “It was warmer today, but I didn’t think it was any quicker or slower. The correction factor showed the same. It was nice to make a couple good solid straight passes today. We picked up a couple,” Barton said. “It is always exciting to try and get someone’s bounty. I’ll be honest, it was the last thing on my mind tonight. I wanted to win first round so I could sleep better tonight. I wanted to move on into tomorrow with a win tonight.” Skillman, who had a $2,000 bounty on his head in Bristol, is hoping he gets a chance to collect for himself. “I have to get him (Barton) in the finals,” Skillman said. “Which is what I am looking forward to tomorrow.” The battle between Chevrolet COPO Camaros, Ford Cobra Jets and Dodge Challenger Drag Paks continues with the second round of eliminations at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park Sunday at 1:00 p.m. First Round Results: No. 1 Bill Skillman def. No. 16 Lee Hartman No. 2 David Barton def. No. 15 Alan Scruggs No. 3 Mark Pawuk def. No. 14 Scott Libersher No. 13 Lenny Lottig def. No. 4 Aaron Stanfield No. 5 David Janac def. No. 12 Warren Walcher No. 6 Jesse Alexandra def. No. 11 Doug Hamp No. 7 Ricky Hord def. No. 10 David Davies No. 8 Dan Condon def. No. 9 Don Bellese About Constant Aviation Constant Aviation specializes in aircraft and engine maintenance, major repairs, avionics, interiors and paint. In addition, it offers mobile response services through its AOG division, and accessory and composite services through its Nextant Aerospace division. With more than 15 years of expertise in a comprehensive array of business jet airframes, Constant Aviation has raised the bar in aircraft maintenance expectations by focusing on quality, always. Constant Aviation is the official aircraft maintenance and AOG support of the NHRA and the title sponsor of the NHRA Factory Stock Showdown class. For more information, visit https://www.constantaviation.com/ or call 216.261.7119. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Elon WernerFounder M: 214-244-1184 E: elon@elonwerner.com Twitter: @elonwer

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