Apparently, Chip Lofton isn’t done yet, and Justin Ashley is just getting started. The founder and owner of Strutmasters, the industry-leading strut and suspension provider, has made another big move this off-season, becoming Justin Ashley’s primary sponsor. The added support means Ashley will compete in a minimum of 12 races during the 2020 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour. It also means that the Top Fuel driver could make a serious run at the Countdown to the Championship.
Big support means big goals
The 25-year-old Ashley, who is also a successful real estate developer, expressed his excitement over the move. “There aren’t enough words to describe just how great of a person Chip Lofton is,” said Ashley. “Chip is a champion for the underdog.” Confidence seems to come naturally to the driver, who also stars in the television series Fix Flip Fuel. However, the additional support has Ashley and his team feeling even more optimistic about the upcoming season. “I really feel we are a team capable of winning and have gotten to this point because of Chip’s early support of our team,” Ashley said. “Add in our fantastic line-up of associate marketing partners, and 2020 is looking brighter by the day”.
Future looking bright for Ashley
Ashley isn’t the only feeling positive about his future. The Long Island, NY native is also a candidate for the 2020 Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award. However, Lofton might have recognized Ashley’s potential before anyone else. The “champion of the little guy” signed on as a major associate sponsor weeks before Ashley and the Dustin Davis Motorsports team ever competed. “I see a star in the making,” said Lofton. “Justin’s got it all the way around. First of all, if you just look at him as a racer. He’s got to be in the top echelon of somebody that can come off of the line quickly and take it to the other end.” Lofton recounted some of the flashes of potential Ashley showed in his 2019 run. “I mean, what he did at Charlotte was just amazing,” said Lofton. “And because of his close relationship with his dad through the years and working with his dad, I see not only a racer, but a fellow that’s going to be a really good businessman and entrepreneur, as a young person.” “You don’t see that in many young people. And he loves people. Sometimes in racing, guys will just get stuck on being a racer. But he’s still a fan, and I like that about him. He’s never stopped being a fan.” Ashley will begin his 2020 season January 30th at the PRO test session in Las Vegas. After that, the driver heads to Pomona, California February 6th for the season-opening Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals.
