CONCORD, N.C. – Justin Ashley added another new sponsor to his racing portfolio with the announcement that Vita C Shot, a vitamin C based energy drink, will join his NHRA Top Fuel program.
Vita C Shot will serve as the co-primary sponsor of Ashley’s Davis Motorsports Top Fuel dragster alongside Smart Sanitizer, which joined Ashley’s program earlier this year. The agreement runs through the 2022 season.
“I could not think of a better company to partner with than this company right here,” said Ashley. “We’re grateful for the opportunity and we’re looking forward to it.”
The deal was put together by Strutmasters.com owner and Vita C Shot co-owner Chip Lofton, who himself is a sponsor of Ashley via his Strutmasters brand. Vita C Shot was founded by Mark Beaver, a former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team owner and current NHRA Pro Stock team owner whom Lofton has known for many years.
“Two years ago I became partners in a Pro Stock car with Mark Beaver of Beaver Motorsports,” Lofton explained. “Beaver and I both raced in the Truck Series in NASCAR together, not as teammates but as competitors (owners) and once in awhile I sponsored him.
“Mark, knowing that I was involved (as a sponsor) with so many different cars asked me if I will, on his behalf, chose some good folks for him to take this product and take it to the forefront,” Lofton continued. “I’m so excited for this product and for Justin and his team.”
Ashley is in his second full season in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. The 2020 NHRA Rookie of the Year is contesting the Countdown to the Championship for the first time.
He made it to the final round of the opening race of the Countdown last weekend at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa. He sits fourth in the series standings, 55 points behind Top Fuel kingpin Steve Torrence.
“Last race was my first experience racing in the Countdown to the Championship type of format,” said Ashley, who has one career Top Fuel victory. “It’s exciting, you can feel the intensity out here. There is really nothing like it. It’s the playoffs. Throughout the year there is very little opportunity and margin for error, but now even more so than ever before.
“I absolutely love this format because it gives teams like ours the opportunity to go out there and compete for a championship. It should be fun, it should be exciting.”
The NHRA Countdown to the Championship continues this weekend at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C.