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CLERMONT, Ind. (September 1, 2007) On the eve of NHRA POWERade Funny Car's most prestigious event, Mike Ashley sent a strong statement to the competition. The driver of the Torco Race Fuels Dodge R/T recorded a 4.779 ET at 327.35 MPH during the Saturday evening session at the NHRA MAC Tools U.S. Nationals at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis.
Ashley is one of eight drivers that will compete in Sunday's $100,000-to-win Skoal Showdown. The New York mortgage banker's run may have been the second quickest amongst those select few competing in Sunday's bonanza, but he warned the run had more potential.
"The car ran through the clutch on that one," said Ashley, who enters the event seeded 6th. "It was on its way to a 4.70-flat. I am very excited about our performance tonight and I couldn't be happier with this Torco Race Fuels Dodge Charger."
Ashley moved up to the sixth position from Friday's ninth provisional effort. He's got two more opportunities to improve on Sunday.
Today's performance brings yet another enthusiastic finish to another positive day for Ashley. Ashley's team unveiled a special one-off theme car on Friday night honoring the Eric Blake Faulkner Foundation and their support of families who lose a child at, or just before birth.
The Eric Blake Faulkner Foundation is named after their son who passed in May of this year.
"This has been a special race for us," Ashley said. "What a fantastic cause we are racing for out here. Thanks to Evan Knoll, Jim Jannard, MAC Tools, Chip Foose, Mopar, Valspar and Illusions. Thanks to everyone who chipped in to support this wonderful cause.
"Donnie and Hollie Faulkner, for everything they've been through, are nothing short of wonderful in the way they have stepped forward to raise money for this wonderful cause. I am truly, truly blessed to be the driver of this wonderful cause."
Ashley and Team Gotham compete in the Skoal Showdown on Sunday, Sept. 2, beginning at 12:30 p.m., with qualifying runs scheduled between rounds of the Showdown. Eliminations are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 3.
About Mike Ashley's Gotham City Racing
Gotham City Racing is fully sponsored by Torco Race Fuels, Inc., the world's largest independently owned race fuel manufacturer. Torco Race Fuels, Inc. has a full line of racing gasoline including methanol and nitromethane. Their full product line of fuels and additives is complimented by SKULL Shine -- a complete line of automotive care and appearance products and SKULL Gear -- an innovative and trendy clothing line. Product can be purchased by calling 1-800-67-TORCO or by visiting their website: www.torco.com
Website: http://www.torco.com
Mike Ashley's Gotham City Racing is also sponsored by:
Knoll Gas Motorsports: www.torco.com
Lucas Oil Products: Lucas Oil
Dixie Chopper: Dixie Chopper
A&R Transport: A&R Transport Home Page
Oakley: Oakley - The Official Site
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. Lend America combines a flexible, common sense loan review process with hundreds of loan programs to provide exceptional service for its clients. Lend America's Motto "Don't take NO for an answer" is in direct relation to its commitment to service borrowers with "lending or credit challenges." Contact Lend America today, (877) 4-RACE-LOAN.
Mike Ashley and Gotham City Racing support Autism Awareness through their support of the Hyperbaric Therapy Center. A 2007 Centers for Disease Control report found that 1 in 150 children in America today have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and an estimated 1.5 million Americans and their families are now affected. Autism is a national health crisis, and Gotham City Racing is working to help educate the public about ways they can get involved.
Visit the Heal Autism Now website for more information about how you can get involved: www.healautis mnow.org
Ashley ascends to sixth following second-day Indy qualifying
CLERMONT, Ind. (September 1, 2007) On the eve of NHRA POWERade Funny Car's most prestigious event, Mike Ashley sent a strong statement to the competition. The driver of the Torco Race Fuels Dodge R/T recorded a 4.779 ET at 327.35 MPH during the Saturday evening session at the NHRA MAC Tools U.S. Nationals at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis.
Ashley is one of eight drivers that will compete in Sunday's $100,000-to-win Skoal Showdown. The New York mortgage banker's run may have been the second quickest amongst those select few competing in Sunday's bonanza, but he warned the run had more potential.
"The car ran through the clutch on that one," said Ashley, who enters the event seeded 6th. "It was on its way to a 4.70-flat. I am very excited about our performance tonight and I couldn't be happier with this Torco Race Fuels Dodge Charger."
Ashley moved up to the sixth position from Friday's ninth provisional effort. He's got two more opportunities to improve on Sunday.
Today's performance brings yet another enthusiastic finish to another positive day for Ashley. Ashley's team unveiled a special one-off theme car on Friday night honoring the Eric Blake Faulkner Foundation and their support of families who lose a child at, or just before birth.
The Eric Blake Faulkner Foundation is named after their son who passed in May of this year.
"This has been a special race for us," Ashley said. "What a fantastic cause we are racing for out here. Thanks to Evan Knoll, Jim Jannard, MAC Tools, Chip Foose, Mopar, Valspar and Illusions. Thanks to everyone who chipped in to support this wonderful cause.
"Donnie and Hollie Faulkner, for everything they've been through, are nothing short of wonderful in the way they have stepped forward to raise money for this wonderful cause. I am truly, truly blessed to be the driver of this wonderful cause."
Ashley and Team Gotham compete in the Skoal Showdown on Sunday, Sept. 2, beginning at 12:30 p.m., with qualifying runs scheduled between rounds of the Showdown. Eliminations are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 3.
About Mike Ashley's Gotham City Racing
Gotham City Racing is fully sponsored by Torco Race Fuels, Inc., the world's largest independently owned race fuel manufacturer. Torco Race Fuels, Inc. has a full line of racing gasoline including methanol and nitromethane. Their full product line of fuels and additives is complimented by SKULL Shine -- a complete line of automotive care and appearance products and SKULL Gear -- an innovative and trendy clothing line. Product can be purchased by calling 1-800-67-TORCO or by visiting their website: www.torco.com
Website: http://www.torco.com
Mike Ashley's Gotham City Racing is also sponsored by:
Knoll Gas Motorsports: www.torco.com
Lucas Oil Products: Lucas Oil
Dixie Chopper: Dixie Chopper
A&R Transport: A&R Transport Home Page
Oakley: Oakley - The Official Site
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. Lend America combines a flexible, common sense loan review process with hundreds of loan programs to provide exceptional service for its clients. Lend America's Motto "Don't take NO for an answer" is in direct relation to its commitment to service borrowers with "lending or credit challenges." Contact Lend America today, (877) 4-RACE-LOAN.
Mike Ashley and Gotham City Racing support Autism Awareness through their support of the Hyperbaric Therapy Center. A 2007 Centers for Disease Control report found that 1 in 150 children in America today have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and an estimated 1.5 million Americans and their families are now affected. Autism is a national health crisis, and Gotham City Racing is working to help educate the public about ways they can get involved.
Visit the Heal Autism Now website for more information about how you can get involved: www.healautis mnow.org
