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CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 23, 2007) - Mike Ashley, driver of the Knoll Gas-Torco Race Fuels Dodge Charger Funny Car, ran 4.727/326.48 and sits in the provisional No. 4 qualifying spot in the Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Ariz.
"That was the kind of run that we we’re looking for, it’s fast but most important it’s repeatable," Ashley said. "Brian [Corradi, crew chief] has the car dialed in, and we're just working on being consistently quick."
"Right now, we have the kind of car that does exactly what we set it for, given the track cooperates," he said.
Case in point, Ashley's first run of the day. Set for a low .70 run, the car overpowered the track, with Ashley coasting to a 12th- best 6.001/185 for the first round.
"One of the advantages of our Technology Alliance with Lucas Oil is the additional data we can get from other cars that have gone down the track. After that first run, we took a look at other runs, and determined what we needed to do to stay hooked up and get what we were looking for. It definitely helped," he said.
"I'll definitely sleep better tonight knowing we're qualified so well," Ashley quipped. "Now we can work on fine tuning things and getting ready for Sunday."
Ashley started the day talking with almost 100 second and third graders at Stetson Hills Elementary School in Phoenix. Along with a positive message of determination and accomplishment, Ashley handed out T-shirts, autographed hero cards, and even a die cast model of one of his cars for display in each classroom.
"The kids were a lot of fun," said Ashley. "They asked some good questions, too, like what kind of safety equipment we use in the cars and what it takes to be a driver."
Ashley knows well what it takes, aside from working his own way to the pinnacle of drag racing, he encourages his 12-year-old son, Justin, to pursue his own dream of driving by fielding a Jr. Dragster, a scaled down and slower version of the nitro-burning cars.
"I love visiting schools because I get to hear kids laugh and listen to their dreams, and that's always important. I believe anyone can make their dreams come true, and I'm living proof," he said.
"When I was a kid, I loved drag racing, and I always wanted to be a racer myself, so I did everything I could to learn about the sport and what it took to be a driver. Now, at 41, I'm going 330 in 4.6 seconds in a nitro Funny Car. It's pretty amazing," Ashley said.
"I always tell the kids to expect to win in everything you do in life , and eventually it will happen," he said, and for Ashley, he is hoping it will happen this weekend.
Qualifying for the 23rd annual Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals is scheduled to continue at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Ariz. Eliminations are scheduled to begin in the second stop on the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series at 11 a.m. Sunday, February 25.
TELEVISION: ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise one hour of qualifying at 12 midnight (ET) Saturday night. On Sunday, Feb. 25, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will broadcast NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute pre-race show, at 11 a.m. (ET) and televise three hours of eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).
Ashley’s Blasts to Provisional Fourth in Phoenix
CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 23, 2007) - Mike Ashley, driver of the Knoll Gas-Torco Race Fuels Dodge Charger Funny Car, ran 4.727/326.48 and sits in the provisional No. 4 qualifying spot in the Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Ariz.
"That was the kind of run that we we’re looking for, it’s fast but most important it’s repeatable," Ashley said. "Brian [Corradi, crew chief] has the car dialed in, and we're just working on being consistently quick."
"Right now, we have the kind of car that does exactly what we set it for, given the track cooperates," he said.
Case in point, Ashley's first run of the day. Set for a low .70 run, the car overpowered the track, with Ashley coasting to a 12th- best 6.001/185 for the first round.
"One of the advantages of our Technology Alliance with Lucas Oil is the additional data we can get from other cars that have gone down the track. After that first run, we took a look at other runs, and determined what we needed to do to stay hooked up and get what we were looking for. It definitely helped," he said.
"I'll definitely sleep better tonight knowing we're qualified so well," Ashley quipped. "Now we can work on fine tuning things and getting ready for Sunday."
Ashley started the day talking with almost 100 second and third graders at Stetson Hills Elementary School in Phoenix. Along with a positive message of determination and accomplishment, Ashley handed out T-shirts, autographed hero cards, and even a die cast model of one of his cars for display in each classroom.
"The kids were a lot of fun," said Ashley. "They asked some good questions, too, like what kind of safety equipment we use in the cars and what it takes to be a driver."
Ashley knows well what it takes, aside from working his own way to the pinnacle of drag racing, he encourages his 12-year-old son, Justin, to pursue his own dream of driving by fielding a Jr. Dragster, a scaled down and slower version of the nitro-burning cars.
"I love visiting schools because I get to hear kids laugh and listen to their dreams, and that's always important. I believe anyone can make their dreams come true, and I'm living proof," he said.
"When I was a kid, I loved drag racing, and I always wanted to be a racer myself, so I did everything I could to learn about the sport and what it took to be a driver. Now, at 41, I'm going 330 in 4.6 seconds in a nitro Funny Car. It's pretty amazing," Ashley said.
"I always tell the kids to expect to win in everything you do in life , and eventually it will happen," he said, and for Ashley, he is hoping it will happen this weekend.
Qualifying for the 23rd annual Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals is scheduled to continue at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Ariz. Eliminations are scheduled to begin in the second stop on the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series at 11 a.m. Sunday, February 25.
TELEVISION: ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise one hour of qualifying at 12 midnight (ET) Saturday night. On Sunday, Feb. 25, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will broadcast NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute pre-race show, at 11 a.m. (ET) and televise three hours of eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).
