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TOPEKA, Kan. -- With three number one qualifying performances in a row at NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events, New York mortgage banker Mike Ashley, driver of the Torco Race Fuels Dodge Charger nitro Funny Car, is intent on maintaining his momentum with hopes to land in the winner's circle at the O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals, June 1-3 at Heartland Park Topeka. Ashley currently shares the No. 4 spot in POWERade points with Gary Scelzi.
Ashley, the vice president and founder of Lend America, the official mortgage source of NHRA, said he has used the unexpected time off due to the re-scheduled Bristol, Tenn. to get ahead with his projects and is ready to get back on the quarter-mile.
"We've been running so well, I'm really anxious to go racing again," Ashley said. "Brian [Corradi, crew chief] and the guys got some extra time at home, and then got ahead on some of their development projects, too."
Ashley's Gotham City Racing team has been consistently moving up in the POWERade points race and is a scant 19 points out of third place. A two-time Pro Modified World Champion, his formula for success has been proven by stellar results.
"It's all about consistency and focus," he said. "We decided as a team to go for it on every run, push our limits and really be a leader, not just trying to be safe and 'just get in the field.' Since Houston, we've had the fastest and quickest Funny Car at the track, and that really shows just how much focus the guys have.
"They've made my job as a driver a lot easier, that's for sure. I'm so proud of all of them," Ashley said. "Now we just have to win one more round on Sunday to make the package complete."
In the past four events, Ashley has delivered a runner-up finish, a semifinal finish, a quarterfinal finish and a first round finish - everything except win - which is exactly what he hopes to do this year in Topeka. At Topeka 2006, Ashley qualified 14th with a 4.988/301.00 and lost first round to Eric Medlen: 4.977 to 4.972.
Funny Car qualifying in the 19th annual O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals presented by Castrol GTX, is scheduled at 5 and 8 p.m. on Friday, June 1 and noon and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 2. Eliminations are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 3. (All times EDT.)
TELEVISION SCHLEDULE:
* Saturday, June 2, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 5:30 p.m. (ET).
* Sunday, June 3, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, at 11 a.m. (ET).
* Sunday, June 3, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of eliminations at 4 p.m. (ET).
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: Torco Racing Fuels
Website: Torco Racing Fuels
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
A&R Transport: A&R Transport Home Page
Oakley: Oakley - The Official Site
The Hyperbaric Therapy Center: Hyperbaric Therapy Center - Hyperbaric Chamber
Lend America: Lend America
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 Autism Society website for more information about how you can get involved: Autism Society of America:
Ashley Intent Maintaining Momentum in Topeka
TOPEKA, Kan. -- With three number one qualifying performances in a row at NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events, New York mortgage banker Mike Ashley, driver of the Torco Race Fuels Dodge Charger nitro Funny Car, is intent on maintaining his momentum with hopes to land in the winner's circle at the O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals, June 1-3 at Heartland Park Topeka. Ashley currently shares the No. 4 spot in POWERade points with Gary Scelzi.
Ashley, the vice president and founder of Lend America, the official mortgage source of NHRA, said he has used the unexpected time off due to the re-scheduled Bristol, Tenn. to get ahead with his projects and is ready to get back on the quarter-mile.
"We've been running so well, I'm really anxious to go racing again," Ashley said. "Brian [Corradi, crew chief] and the guys got some extra time at home, and then got ahead on some of their development projects, too."
Ashley's Gotham City Racing team has been consistently moving up in the POWERade points race and is a scant 19 points out of third place. A two-time Pro Modified World Champion, his formula for success has been proven by stellar results.
"It's all about consistency and focus," he said. "We decided as a team to go for it on every run, push our limits and really be a leader, not just trying to be safe and 'just get in the field.' Since Houston, we've had the fastest and quickest Funny Car at the track, and that really shows just how much focus the guys have.
"They've made my job as a driver a lot easier, that's for sure. I'm so proud of all of them," Ashley said. "Now we just have to win one more round on Sunday to make the package complete."
In the past four events, Ashley has delivered a runner-up finish, a semifinal finish, a quarterfinal finish and a first round finish - everything except win - which is exactly what he hopes to do this year in Topeka. At Topeka 2006, Ashley qualified 14th with a 4.988/301.00 and lost first round to Eric Medlen: 4.977 to 4.972.
Funny Car qualifying in the 19th annual O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals presented by Castrol GTX, is scheduled at 5 and 8 p.m. on Friday, June 1 and noon and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 2. Eliminations are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 3. (All times EDT.)
TELEVISION SCHLEDULE:
* Saturday, June 2, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 5:30 p.m. (ET).
* Sunday, June 3, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, at 11 a.m. (ET).
* Sunday, June 3, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of eliminations at 4 p.m. (ET).
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: Torco Racing Fuels
Website: Torco Racing Fuels
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
A&R Transport: A&R Transport Home Page
Oakley: Oakley - The Official Site
The Hyperbaric Therapy Center: Hyperbaric Therapy Center - Hyperbaric Chamber
Lend America: Lend America
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 Autism Society website for more information about how you can get involved: Autism Society of America:
