Torrence, Capps lead Toyota in qualifying
BRISTON, TENN (June 10, 2023) – Justin Ashley’s continued strong performance at the starting line came in clutch as the New York-native delivered a hole-shot victory over Top Fuel legend Tony Schumacher in the rain-delayed New England Nationals. Ashley defeated Canadian Dan Mercier in the first round that was ran on Friday, before besting Brittany Force, Team Toyota teammate Steve Torrence and Schumacher on Saturday. It is Ashley’s third win of the season, and helps Toyota get ever closer to the 200-win mark as Ashley’s victory is Toyota’s 197th NHRA win.
In Bristol qualifying, Torrence, Ashley and Doug Kalitta all will pick their lanes in the first round of eliminations that will now begin at 10am local time.
In Funny Car action, J.R. Todd earned his first semi-final round appearance since advancing to the final round in Gainesville. Todd defeated Cruz Pedregon and points leader Matt Hagan before coming up just short of John Force in the semi-finals. Todd qualified seventh for Sunday’s Bristol eliminations. Ron Capps (second) and Alexis DeJoria (fifth) also will have lane choice in the first round tomorrow.
Toyota Post-Qualifying Recap
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series
Bristol Dragway
Race 8 of 21
TOYOTA TOP FUEL QUALIFYING POSITIONS
| Name | Car | Qualifying Position | First Round Opponent |
| Leah Pruett* | Rush Truck Center Top Fuel Dragster | 1st (3.745) | S. Massey |
| Steve Torrence | Capco Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster | 3rd (3.753) | S. Langdon |
| Justin Ashley | Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster | 4th (3.755) | D. Foley |
| Doug Kalitta | Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster | 6th (3.764) | C. Millican |
| Shawn Langdon | Bounty Hunter Kalitta Air Toyota Top Fuel Dragster | 14th (3.842) | S. Torrence |
| Antron Brown | Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster | 15th (3.907) | B. Force |
(*non-Toyota driver)
TOYOTA FUNNY CAR QUALIFYING POSITIONS
| Name | Car | Qualifying Position | First Round Opponent |
| Robert Hight* | Cornwell Tools Chevy Camaro Funny Car | 1st (3.938) | A. Laughlin |
| Ron Capps | NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra Funny Car | 2nd (3.962) | D. Richards |
| Alexis DeJoria | Bandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car | 5th (3.999) | C. Pedregon |
| J.R. Todd | DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car | 7th (4.025) | J. Force |
(*non-Toyota driver)
TOYOTA QUOTES
JUSTIN ASHLEY, Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Maynard Ashley Racing
Race Winner – Epping
TF Qualifying Result: 4th
What have the past two days been like?
“It has been a long week to get to this race. I feel so grateful. When you come to a race – anything there is an opportunity to win it is special – but when you have the opportunity to win three races in one weekend, especially at a historic facility like Bristol, it just makes it that much more special. It has been a whirlwind of a two days already – a little bit exhausting, a little bit tiring, but it is so, so worth it for our Phillips Connect Toyota team.”
Do you even think about all of the world champions that you beat today?
“Everybody out here is tough. I don’t think about it during the race, but after, I think it is important to reflect and appreciate when you go up against some of the best in the world. Each one of these drivers is fantastic. Each one of these teams is great. It’s an honor just to line up next to them, so to turn on a win light with Mike Green, Tommy DeLago (crew chiefs), and the guys is truly special.”
This was a team win. Can you talk about what that means to you?
“The key word there is team. You are only as good as the people you surround yourself with. I feel more than confident in saying we have the best. Just grateful on everybody on this Maynard Ashley, Phillips Connect, Toyota team. Even going into the third round, it was a little wacky. It was a quick turnaround, and we did some damage, which we never normally do, but thankfully we got the win. I just have to credit the guys for putting everything together in time. The job that they always do is phenomenal, but especially this weekend working in the heat and getting it done on a Saturday, really is just amazing.”
Do you think it is in the cards to sweep this weekend?
“I don’t know. That was our plan. That was our objective coming in – was to win everything, like it is every race, but it is so, so difficult out here. Now our focus is just on the here and now, in the present, enjoying this win because they are so hard to come by, but come tomorrow, it’s in the past. We can only enjoy this for a short period of time, but yeah, I think we have a great opportunity to win tomorrow, but there are 15 other cars that feel the same way. I know we are going to put on a really good show for the fans.”
J.R. TODD, DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car, Kalitta Motorsports
Epping Result – Semi-Final
FC Qualifying Result: 7th
Did today feel pretty good, being able to get a couple round wins?
“Yeah, it was nice to go some rounds. We’ve definitely been struggling on that end. The car has gone down the track every run, just need to be a tick quicker. We didn’t qualify like we had hoped, but at the end of the day, we’ve gone down the track every run so far. That is something to build off of. You learn every time you go down the track.”
Is it nice to feel some consistency starting to show up?
“For sure. It is something that we’ve been lacking here lately. Going down the track like that, you learn every time. Our DHL Toyota GR Supra has definitely been consistent. That’s a good thing, just hoping we can put some consistent runs together on race day when it matters.”
Are you fired up with your rematch with John Force tomorrow?
“I get fired up whoever I race. It doesn’t matter. It’s race day. I don’t care if it’s John Force or Laurie Force, I want to beat whoever is in the lane next to me.”