Langdon Disqualified, Ashley Awarded Virginia Victory

DINWIDIE, Va. — Justin Ashley has been declared the winner of Sunday’s Prime Gasoline ultimate in the course of the American Insurgent Mild Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.

Ashley, who misplaced to Shawn Langdon within the ultimate, spherical inherited the victory when Langdon was disqualified on Monday after NHRA officers found lacking bolts within the bellhousing of Langdon’s Kalitta Motorsports dragster throughout post-race inspection.

Based on the NHRA assertion on Monday afternoon, “Per the NHRA Rulebook and associated SFI Spec 6.2, the duvet is required to be secured by a minimum of 12 bolts. Throughout a post-run inspection, the duvet on Langdon’s dragster didn’t meet the requirement of 12 secured bolts. The ultimate-round run has been disqualified.

Kalitta Motorsports issued its personal assertion, accepting accountability for the violation.

“Among the bolts rattled free in the course of the run and fell into the stomach pan,” Crew Kalitta Basic Supervisor Chad Head stated. “The bolts had been in place earlier than the run, however some weren’t in place after as a result of they got here free and fell into the stomach pan. That’s on us.

“We respect NHRA because the sanctioning physique and perceive that security is at all times the most-important factor. We definitely apologize to our company companions, the race followers and our fellow rivals. We didn’t win yesterday’s race, however we’re shifting on and are actually centered on the subsequent race.

“On behalf of our total group, this assertion would be the solely Kalitta Motorsports touch upon this subject.”

Ashley, who picked up his first win of the season reached the ultimate spherical for the fifth time previously six races, defeating Doug Foley, Steve Torrence and Doug Kalitta. He moved to 3rd in factors with the victory, which is the sixteenth in his profession.