The more things change in the sport of drag racing, the more they have remained the same for star Top Fuel driver Justin Ashley.

Ashley has been a legitimate contender for an NHRA Top Fuel championship, and that’s his goal in 2024 as he returns to the same team with all pieces intact.

“As you know, in the sport, it’s so critical to have the same personnel and to be able to represent a company like SCAG Power Equipment is really an honor,” Ashley said. “They have so many dealers all across the nation, and owners, and users, and just to be a representative for that company means so much, not only to me but our entire team. So, to be able to continue our relationship with guys like (his tuners) Mike Green and Tommy DeLago and (team owner) Dustin Davis, but now extend our family into the Metalcraft of Mayville family, it really means the world to us.”
 
Ashley’s 3.713-second elapsed time at 326.87 placed him No. 4 on the qualifying ladder for Saturday’s race. Unfortunately for him, he crossed paths with eventual winner Doug Kalitta.

Ironically, when Ashley entered the Top Fuel realm, he beat Kalitta for his first-round win. But, a lot has changed since then. A lot has changed since last season for the former Rookie of the Year. 
 
Ashley admitted there’s been a lot of moving parts to get his team to this point – but he would not have it any other way.
 
“I love it. This is the kind of change that we love, and I think sometimes you got to go through change to reach a point of stability,” he said. “I feel like we've gone through that change and now we're going to have that stability and the resources and the consistency that we all want for years to come.”
 
A year ago, Ashley had an amazing NHRA regular season – winning six races and entering the six-race Countdown to the Championship in the No. 1 spot. Unfortunately, he finished fourth in the points standings, which is something he wants to change in 2024.