Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge Matchups set for NHRA’s Return to Route 66 Raceway

JOLIET, IL – May 12, 2023 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – The Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge is back, bringing an added measure of excitement as the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series makes its first Chicago appearance in four years at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway on May 19-21.

The Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, which debuted this season, didn’t take place at the pair of four-wide races in April, but it returns in Chicago, delivering new participants, a defending winner and an entirely new category with it – along with competitive racing to qualifying on Saturday.

It also offers a bonus purse and bonus points for the Countdown to the Championship, as the challenge features the rematch of semifinalists from Pomona in the nitro class and from Gainesville in Pro Stock Motorcycle, with the winners meeting up in the finals. It’s already brought a new level of action to Saturday qualifying and fans in Chicago will get a chance to see it for the first time.

Justin Ashley has a chance to be the first repeat winner in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge after he swept everything in Pomona. He qualified No. 1, won the race and picked up the victory in the special challenge on Saturday, knocking off Antron Brown in the semifinals in the process. That will be the matchup in Chicago, while the other rematch is a teammate vs. teammate battle when Austin Prock takes on defending world champ Brittany Force.

“It was amazing to win the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge and go to No. 1 at the Winternationals. It’s great for the fans, but it’s also great for the teams,” Ashley said. “That Saturday was a great day for this Phillips Connect Toyota team. The Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge is a great opportunity to pick up valuable championship points early in the season, but our approach will remain the same. We will be focused on ourselves regardless of the opponent in the other lane. I am looking forward to trying to win back-to-back Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenges.”

Ashley is one of 12 competitors taking part in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge across three classes (Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock Motorcycle) in Chicago, but it’s also Pro Stock Motorcycle will be taking part in the challenge.

It’s a unique opportunity for four standouts in the two-wheeled category and points leader Gaige Herrera will look to continue his dominant start. He’s won both races in the class this…