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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 9, 2008) - May 2006 was the last time Mike Ashley drove a Pro Mod in competition, where he started from the No. 16 qualifying position at the O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals in St. Louis and ultimately advanced to win the event. The two-time Pro Mod world champion will return to the quarter-mile and the seat of a supercharged door slammer this weekend with new teammate and business partner Roger Burgess, beginning a new era for the Gotham City Racing team at the newly-named JEGS Pro Mod Challenge's first event at the ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals, in Gainesville, Fla.
In 2005, the last time Ashley drove a Pro Mod in the Gatornationals, he earned a runner-up finish and went on to win the championship for the season. He said he plans to pick up where he left off, despite the many changes in the class since he last ran. The five-second barrier has fallen, the top cars now consistently run in the 240-mph range, and the title-sponsorship role of the NHRA series has passed to his former teammate Troy Coughlin and JEGS. Even with the changes, Ashley is confident in his ability to perform.
"For me, it really comes down to experience," Ashley said. "Pro Mods definitely handle differently than Funny Cars and the starting line procedures are completely different, too. I expect that there will be a 're-learning curve' as I get back into it, but I went 5.99 on my first pull in testing, so I am encouraged by that.
"I'm very excited to return to Pro Mod and competing side-by-side with Roger at all of the JEGS/NHRA Pro Mod events," he said.
Ashley's teammate, ProCare Rx CEO Roger Burgess, is still a rookie in the Pro Mod ranks, having only competed in the final race of the 2007 Pro Mod season at Las Vegas where he qualified No. 14 with his personal best 6.178/233.88. The two formally announced their intentions to team up in January of this year after they had created a partnership in the professional NHRA nitro ranks.
Burgess said, "I've had opportunity now to go testing with the new team since last year's event in Vegas, and we all feel getting into our rhythm. With the team we've got in place, I know we'll be very competitive."
In addition to the talented drivers on the track, the Gotham City Racing Pro Mod Team will be led by two "Crew Chief of the Year" tuners: Chuck Ford and Howard Moon. Ashley explained the team will operate as one unit, with both tuners providing expertise and input in making tuning decisions.
"It's important to understand that we're not running our team like a two-car team, but one team with several cars," Ashley said. "That's how we'll make the racing decisions."
Burgess added, "We're all excited to get to the track and start the season. It's going to be a really exciting season, and starting it all in Gainesville is wonderful."
Qualifying begins on Friday, March 14 with sessions scheduled at 2 and 4:30 p.m., and concludes with a final round of qualifying scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 15. Eliminations begin at 4:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon, and conclude Sunday March 16 beginning at 11 a.m.
MIKE ASHLEY QUICK FACTS:
* Is the reigning Funny Car U.S. Nationals Champion
* Is a two-time Pro Modified World Champion, earning the honors in both 2004 and 2005
* Recorded the fastest speed in Funny Car history at 334.32 mph (Las Vegas 1, 2007)
* Personal best Funny Car quarter-mile elapsed time of 4.694 seconds
* Finished number 6 in POWERade Funny Car points in 2007
* 42 years old, born July 30, 1965 in New York, New York
* Married with two children
* Chief Business Strategist and Vice President of Lend America, a nationwide direct lender headquartered in Melville, NY
* Is a partner in Gotham City Racing, LLC along with Roger Burgess, the CEO of ProCare Rx
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For more information about Mike Ashley and Gotham City Racing, visit the team website: Gotham City Racing.
About ProCare Rx:
Roger and Barbara Burgess founded ProCare Rx in 1988 to provide prescription drug claims processing, clinical services and support for any organization that provides a Prescription Drug Benefit to its employees or members. Clients include self-insured businesses, unions, hospices, worker compensation plans, local and county governments, health maintenance organizations, associations and other insurance plans.
Today, after almost 20 years in business, ProCare Rx is one of the largest privately held Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) and administrators in the United States, experiencing 19 straight years of continual growth. The company works with pharmacies and prescription drug manufacturers to ensure that clients save money while managing the health of their members thru the application of innovative technologies and population health services directed to all members, with focus on those with chronic conditions.
For more information, visit the company web site at ProCare Rx - Better, Faster, Cheaper & Customized!.
About Gotham City Racing:
In January 2008, entrepreneur and race enthusiast Roger Burgess joined Mike Ashley as co-owner, and together they formed Gotham City Racing LLC. Mike and Roger share the same vision for continued growth of the team into an organization determined to set the standard within the drag race industry, from on the track performance to marketing and sponsor activation.
Gotham City Racing is also sponsored by:
* Oakley - Official Site for Oakley Sunglasses, Goggles, Shoes, Watches and Apparel
* The Hyperbaric Therapy Center - Hyperbaric Therapy Center - Hyperbaric Chamber
* Lend America - Nationwide, direct lender, Lend America offers mortgages, loans, with little to no money down, quick loan process
Lend America is a nationwide direct lender, specializing in residential financing for one to four family homes. Contact Lend America today at (877) 4-RACE LOAN or visit them online.
Ashley and Burgess open a new Pro Mod era at Gatornationals
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 9, 2008) - May 2006 was the last time Mike Ashley drove a Pro Mod in competition, where he started from the No. 16 qualifying position at the O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals in St. Louis and ultimately advanced to win the event. The two-time Pro Mod world champion will return to the quarter-mile and the seat of a supercharged door slammer this weekend with new teammate and business partner Roger Burgess, beginning a new era for the Gotham City Racing team at the newly-named JEGS Pro Mod Challenge's first event at the ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals, in Gainesville, Fla.
In 2005, the last time Ashley drove a Pro Mod in the Gatornationals, he earned a runner-up finish and went on to win the championship for the season. He said he plans to pick up where he left off, despite the many changes in the class since he last ran. The five-second barrier has fallen, the top cars now consistently run in the 240-mph range, and the title-sponsorship role of the NHRA series has passed to his former teammate Troy Coughlin and JEGS. Even with the changes, Ashley is confident in his ability to perform.
"For me, it really comes down to experience," Ashley said. "Pro Mods definitely handle differently than Funny Cars and the starting line procedures are completely different, too. I expect that there will be a 're-learning curve' as I get back into it, but I went 5.99 on my first pull in testing, so I am encouraged by that.
"I'm very excited to return to Pro Mod and competing side-by-side with Roger at all of the JEGS/NHRA Pro Mod events," he said.
Ashley's teammate, ProCare Rx CEO Roger Burgess, is still a rookie in the Pro Mod ranks, having only competed in the final race of the 2007 Pro Mod season at Las Vegas where he qualified No. 14 with his personal best 6.178/233.88. The two formally announced their intentions to team up in January of this year after they had created a partnership in the professional NHRA nitro ranks.
Burgess said, "I've had opportunity now to go testing with the new team since last year's event in Vegas, and we all feel getting into our rhythm. With the team we've got in place, I know we'll be very competitive."
In addition to the talented drivers on the track, the Gotham City Racing Pro Mod Team will be led by two "Crew Chief of the Year" tuners: Chuck Ford and Howard Moon. Ashley explained the team will operate as one unit, with both tuners providing expertise and input in making tuning decisions.
"It's important to understand that we're not running our team like a two-car team, but one team with several cars," Ashley said. "That's how we'll make the racing decisions."
Burgess added, "We're all excited to get to the track and start the season. It's going to be a really exciting season, and starting it all in Gainesville is wonderful."
Qualifying begins on Friday, March 14 with sessions scheduled at 2 and 4:30 p.m., and concludes with a final round of qualifying scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 15. Eliminations begin at 4:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon, and conclude Sunday March 16 beginning at 11 a.m.
MIKE ASHLEY QUICK FACTS:
* Is the reigning Funny Car U.S. Nationals Champion
* Is a two-time Pro Modified World Champion, earning the honors in both 2004 and 2005
* Recorded the fastest speed in Funny Car history at 334.32 mph (Las Vegas 1, 2007)
* Personal best Funny Car quarter-mile elapsed time of 4.694 seconds
* Finished number 6 in POWERade Funny Car points in 2007
* 42 years old, born July 30, 1965 in New York, New York
* Married with two children
* Chief Business Strategist and Vice President of Lend America, a nationwide direct lender headquartered in Melville, NY
* Is a partner in Gotham City Racing, LLC along with Roger Burgess, the CEO of ProCare Rx
###
For more information about Mike Ashley and Gotham City Racing, visit the team website: Gotham City Racing.
About ProCare Rx:
Roger and Barbara Burgess founded ProCare Rx in 1988 to provide prescription drug claims processing, clinical services and support for any organization that provides a Prescription Drug Benefit to its employees or members. Clients include self-insured businesses, unions, hospices, worker compensation plans, local and county governments, health maintenance organizations, associations and other insurance plans.
Today, after almost 20 years in business, ProCare Rx is one of the largest privately held Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) and administrators in the United States, experiencing 19 straight years of continual growth. The company works with pharmacies and prescription drug manufacturers to ensure that clients save money while managing the health of their members thru the application of innovative technologies and population health services directed to all members, with focus on those with chronic conditions.
For more information, visit the company web site at ProCare Rx - Better, Faster, Cheaper & Customized!.
About Gotham City Racing:
In January 2008, entrepreneur and race enthusiast Roger Burgess joined Mike Ashley as co-owner, and together they formed Gotham City Racing LLC. Mike and Roger share the same vision for continued growth of the team into an organization determined to set the standard within the drag race industry, from on the track performance to marketing and sponsor activation.
Gotham City Racing is also sponsored by:
* Oakley - Official Site for Oakley Sunglasses, Goggles, Shoes, Watches and Apparel
* The Hyperbaric Therapy Center - Hyperbaric Therapy Center - Hyperbaric Chamber
* Lend America - Nationwide, direct lender, Lend America offers mortgages, loans, with little to no money down, quick loan process
Lend America is a nationwide direct lender, specializing in residential financing for one to four family homes. Contact Lend America today at (877) 4-RACE LOAN or visit them online.
