Ashley holds on to No. 3 in Countdown points after early exit in Denver
MORRISON, Colo. (July 15, 2007) - Mike Ashley held onto third place in NHRA POWERade Funny Car points standings, critical for qualification in the Countdown for the Championship, despite losing in the first round of today's Mopar Mile High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway just outside of Denver, Colo.
In his first round pairing against Tony Pedregon, Ashley's Torco Race Fuels Dodge Charger R/T overpowered the 136-degree racetrack just past the 300-foot mark causing the tires to lose traction and giving Pedregon the win, 5.128/272.01 to Ashley's 6.117/167.91.
"We had everything working well, but the elements just got the best of us. Brian Corradi really had a handle on this mountain, but we just couldn't put it all together today," Ashley said.
The 41-year-old mortgage banker from Long Island, New York started the day from the No. 3 qualifying position, maintaining the momentum Team Gotham has built since winning his second event this year just two weeks ago in Norwalk, Ohio.
"This is the first time we've gone out in the first round since Las Vegas, so it was really out of character for our team. It was a disappointing finish, but we're still number three in the Countdown, and, this is a marathon, not a sprint," he said.
The first part of the Countdown to the Championship is essentially a 17-race "regular season" in which the full field of drivers in each pro category is reduced to eight who remain eligible for the 2007 POWERade Series world championship. With just four races left in the Countdown to Eight, Ashley knows every round is critical to qualifying for the playoffs.
"We've spent time working on several things that bothered us this weekend, and we'll be ready to tackle it again next weekend in Seattle," Ashley said.
Ashley and Team Gotham head next to the Schuck's Auto Supply NHRA Nationals at one of the tour's most breathtaking environments, the venerable Pacific Raceways dragstrip in Kent, Wash. In the shadow of majestic Mount Rainier, the event represents the middle stop on NHRA's long-running and much-publicized Western Swing and the fifth of six straight weekends of drag racing.
Gotham City Racing is fully sponsored by Torco Race Fuels, Inc., the world's largest independently owned race fuel manufacturer. Torco Race Fuels has a full line of racing gasoline in addition to methanol, nitromethane and fuel additives. Torco's fuel product line is complimented by SKULL Shine -- a complete line of car care appearance products and SKULL Gear -- an innovative and trendy clothing line. Products can be purchased by calling 1-800-67-TORCO or by visiting their website: Torco Racing Fuels
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For more information about Mike Ashley and Gotham City Racing, visit the team website: MIKEASHLEY.COM.
Mike Ashley's Gotham City Racing is also sponsored by:
* Knoll Gas Motorsports - Torco Racing Fuels
* Lucas Oil Products - Lucas Oil
* Dixie Chopper - Dixie Chopper
* Oakley - Oakley - The Official Site
* The Hyperbaric Therapy Center - Hyperbaric Therapy Center - Hyperbaric Chamber
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