Justin Ashley is well known for his lightning-quick reflexes, which have landed him in the winner's circle many times. Understanding the importance of supplementing his first No. 1 seed in the NHRA's Countdown to the Championship, he reacted in familiar fashion, racing his way to the No. 1 spot in Top Fuel provisional qualifying at the 38th annual Pep Boys NHRA Nationals.

Bob Tasca III, Erica Enders, and Gaige Herrera also showcased their skills and claimed the provisional No. 1 spots in their respective categories at Maple Grove Raceway, located outside of Reading, PA.

Ashley drove his Phillips Connect Toyota dragster to an elapsed time of 3.687 seconds at 335.57 mph. If the run holds, it will mark Ashley's third No. 1 qualifier of the season and fifth in his career. Although pleased with his accomplishments, Ashley remains focused on the ultimate goal, the championship.

"That was a great run for this Phillips Connect Toyota team," Ashley said. "We didn't have a great run in the first session. This is basically a home race for me since I am from New York, and we have a lot of friends and family here. You want to do well to start the Countdown, and this was a great start. That run felt really good and was a great way to wrap up the first day of the Pep Boys Nationals."

Tasca, who has showcased his team's skills in both hot and cool weather,  stole the show during qualifying. In his Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang, Tasca blazed down the track with a 3.874 at 334.90 mph. Tasca is now in line for his fifth No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 14th of his career. 

Tasca is exactly where he wants to be.

"Every point matters right now, every run now through the end. I think we got five bonus points, and that's big. But to be here at Maple Grove – the Koretskys are like family to us; this is the track I debuted professionally in my alcohol Funny Car," Tasca said. "I've won here in my nitro car. We have great memories here, and to see what they've done to this facility, see these fans on Friday night, and run low ET, it's a lot of fun."

Iconic Pro Stock racer Enders finds herself hot at the right time. The defending world champion delivered impressive performances in both sessions, ultimately recording the quickest run of the season in Pro Stock. Her Johnson's Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance Chevrolet Camaro posted a standout pass of 6.494 at 211.13 mph. She's in line for her third No. 1 spot of the year and 32nd in her career.

"That was good," Enders said. "Being able to secure our first win here last year changes that whole feeling of rolling through the gates. We came off the trailer and went to the No. 1 spot that first session, and we nitpicked the run and felt like we could have gone high .48 low .49. We came back second session and did just that. I'm really proud of my team."

In the regular season, Pro Stock Motorcycle sophomore phenom Herrera found success early and often on the drag strip. Friday at Maple Grove was more of the same as he shattered the track elapsed time record during both runs on Friday, concluding the day with an incredible 6.678 at 202.45 mph aboard his Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki.

He already has eight No. 1 qualifiers to his credit this season.

"I was kind of shocked it ran 6.67, but Andrew (Hines, crew chief) isn't," Herrera said. "He said all the conditions are there to do it. To come out and be able to get the provisional No. 1 qualifier in the start of the Countdown and get as many points as we can – all those little points add up – I'm happy with today."

As the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals continue, qualifying will resume at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Maple Grove Raceway.