Texas NHRA Fall Nationals
Event 19 of 21
Countdown Event 4 of 6
Texas Motorplex
Ennis, Texas
Oct. 13 – 15, 2023
Top Fuel:
JUSTIN ASHLEY
Driver of the Leatherwood Distillery Toyota Top Fuel Dragster powered by Phillips Connect
Countdown to the Championship Ranking: 4th (-77)
Texas NHRA Fall Nationals Event Highlights:
Two-time event champion (2021, 2022)
2022 Texas NHRA Fall Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified 10th; Event champion (defeated Doug Kalitta in E1, Kebin Kinsley in E2, Shawn Langdon in E3, Austin Prock in E4)
Last Event (St. Louis):
Qualified fourth; Quarterfinal finish (defeated T.J. Zizzo in E1; defeated by Steve Torrence in E2)
2023 Statistics:
18 races; six wins, one runner-up finish, three No. 1 qualifiers
Career Statistics:
73 races; 11 wins, five No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:
As the twice-defending Fall Nationals event champion, Countdown-contender Justin Ashley is seeking to become the first Top Fuel driver in the sport’s history to win three-in-a-row at the Texas Motorplex
Ashley is campaigning a new look race car in Dallas as he is racing with Leatherwood Distillery as his primary partner along with Phillips Connect
Fan Events:
Thursday, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., Stampede of Speed Pre-Stage FanFest driver autograph session at Railyard Park in Waxahachie
Saturday, 11:30 a.m. – noon, Team Toyota autograph session at Toyota midway display
Quotable:
“It’s an honor to be in the conversation for a championship and third straight Texas Fall Nationals victory. It’s a testament to the great team that we have on and off the racetrack. But the best opportunity we have to accomplish those goals are predicated upon our ability to concentrate on ourselves and not the circumstances that surround us. That’ll be our plan and this Leatherwood Distillery Top Fuel team powered by Phillips Connect is ready for what is sure to be an incredible weekend of drag racing.
“Last year (at Dallas) was an amazing race day for our team. We had some weather in the morning and when we started racing, we were on a quick turnaround schedule, so everyone operated at the highest levels of efficiency. That made it even more enjoyable because once we found a groove, it naturally kept itself going. The Meyer family has done a great job building up the Stampede of Speed into a major event from the Champions’ dinner to the FanFest to the bonus money on Friday night. The Texas Fall Nationals is an event every team looks forward to racing.”
TONY SCHUMACHER
Driver of the SCAG Power Equipment Top Fuel Dragster
Countdown to the Championship Ranking: 9th (-185)
Texas NHRA Fall Nationals Event Highlights:
Six-time event champion (1999, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2014)
2008 runner-up
Three-time No. 1 qualifier (2003, 2006, 2011)
2022 Texas NHRA Fall Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified 13th; First round exit (defeated by Antron Brown in E1)
Last Event (St. Louis):
Qualified sixth; Semifinal finish (defeated Brittany Force in E1, Antron Brown in E2; defeated by Clay Millican in E3)
2023 Statistics:
18 races; one runner-up finish
Career Statistics:
552 races; 86 wins, 88 No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:
As a resident of Austin, Schumacher considers the Texas Motorplex to be his home track
At the 2020 event, Schumacher was named a Texas Motorplex Legend and was the second person to be awarded the honor, which was first introduced in 2019
With six Texas Motorplex triumphs, Schumacher is the winningest Top Fuel driver in the history of the facility
Schumacher claimed his first NHRA national event win in 1999 at Dallas and went on to win his first of eight championships later that year
Fan Events:
Thursday, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., Stampede of Speed Pre-Stage FanFest driver autograph session at Railyard Park in Waxahachie
Saturday, 12:30 – 12:50 p.m., signing autographs at the Texas Motorplex Welcome Center
Quotable:
“We had an amazing car in St. Louis, possibly even one that could’ve won the race. Having to take two engines out before the semis really hurt us, we never even had a chance to start the car up before that round. But, it was no reflection on our performance. We just had some broken parts. We have some great momentum going into the Dallas race, which is my home track now. We’ll have a ton of friends and family there. I’ve performed extremely well at Dallas in the past, and won it many, many times, and I’m really looking forward to taking home that coveted Fall Nationals champion’s cowboy hat this weekend.”
Funny Car:
TIM WILKERSON
Driver of the SCAG Power Equipment/Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Mustang
Countdown to the Championship Ranking: 7th (-194)
Texas NHRA Fall Nationals Event Highlights:
2008 event champion
Two-time No. 1 qualifier (2007, 2010)
2022 Texas NHRA Fall Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified eighth; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Chad Green in E1; defeated by Matt Hagan in E2)
Last Event (St. Louis):
Qualified 10th; First round exit (defeated by Ron Capps in E1)
2023 Statistics:
18 races; two wins, one runner-up finish
Career Statistics:
588 races; 24 wins; 20 No. 1 qualifiers
Quotable:
“Looking forward to getting back to the track at Dallas. It’s always a fun week there with all of the special events that they have, and I need to get some redemption from my first-round loss at St. Louis. Ron (Capps) and I had the best race of the day that Sunday, and unfortunately, it came at a price of us getting beat first round.”
