NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Coming off a standout performance in Charlotte, if Top Fuel title contender Justin Ashley can close out this stretch of three straight races to open the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs with another strong performance at this weekend’s NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway, he’ll find himself among the Top Fuel world title favorites.

Ashley, though, isn’t looking that far down the road, only what his team can accomplish this weekend in St. Louis. Fresh off celebrating the win in the NHRA’s first-ever four-wide race in the Countdown to the Championship, Ashley is focused on performing well in his 12,000-horsepower Scag Power Equipment dragster.

He’s never won in St. Louis during his standout career, but Ashley is riding high with wins in two of his past three races. Ashley won the prestigious Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indy to close the regular season and then again in Charlotte, bringing plenty of momentum to the critical playoff race in St. Louis.

“We have to take what we learned [in Charlotte] and use that in St. Louis,” Ashley said. “We just need to keep doing what we’re doing. We don’t want to get caught up in the points because if we don’t take care of business, none of that matters anyway. Our approach is one race at a time and see where we end up. This Countdown is all about consistency, stacking up round-wins, and putting yourself in a good position to go for the championship. That’s where our focus will be [in St. Louis]."

Last season, Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock), and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) each claimed wins, and this year’s race will once again be broadcast on FS1, with elimination coverage airing at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 28. It is the 17th of 20 races during the 2025 NHRA season and the third of six playoff races, marking the halfway point of the championship chase.

A passionate St. Louis fanbase, one that has continually packed the standout facility over the years, will greet Ashley and the rest of the Top Fuel stars at the can’t-miss event.

The loaded class also features points leader Doug Kalitta, who holds a 38-point advantage over Ashley and a 59-point lead over Shawn Langdon. Racing legend Tony Stewart is in fourth and 68 points back, while other stars include Clay Millican, reigning world champ Antron Brown, and Brittany Force, who is making her final St. Louis appearance before retiring from full-time racing at the end of the season.

But Ashley is as battle-tested as any of the championship contenders in Top Fuel, and he’s also established himself as the best leaver in the category. His reaction times have been incredible throughout his career, but even more impressive as of late, as Ashley continues to lean on recent experiences with the championship race heating up.

“You can’t buy experience, and now we’ve been in contention for a championship the last three to four years and just leaning on that experience,” Ashley said. “We’ve got a lot of guys that have been through the Countdown and won championships, so just leaning on their guidance and expertise. These races are hard to win, and the margin for error is so small. We’ve got four races left, but I’m a firm believer in enjoying a win when they come before shifting your focus to the next one.”

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 5 and 7 p.m. CT on Friday, Sept. 26, and the final two rounds on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 12:15 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. CT on Sunday, Sept. 28. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday and then eliminations coverage starting at 3 p.m. ET.

Tickets may be purchased at the WWTR ticket office, by phone at (618) 215-8888, or online at www.wwtraceway.com. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult.