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POMONA, Calif. (November 2, 2007) - After two days and two attempts at qualifying for the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., Torco Racing Fuels Dodge Charger R/T nitro Funny Car driver Mike Ashley is sitting on the outside looking in. Currently No. 22, Ashley has two more qualifying attempts on Saturday to make the 16-car field.
"Some of the other drivers have gotten hold of the track and made some good passes, but we've been trying some more experimental things on the car, and, although we've gotten some very good data, our runs just haven't been enough to make the field yet," Ashley said.
"I'm not worried at all, though, because we have two more laps tomorrow, and Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald are geniuses at what they do. We'll be in the show come Sunday, no problem," he said.
Ashley's Thursday lap netted a tire-smoking 8.905/94.86 and 19th place, and Friday's results, however improved at 5.205/222.69, drop him to 22nd place as all of the other drivers improved as well.
"The team made a commitment to finish the season strong, and that's exactly our plan. Tomorrow, we'll be working as hard as we have all year, and I'm very confident you'll see great results," Ashley said.
Qualifying concludes tomorrow, Saturday, November 3 with sessions scheduled for noon and 3:30 p.m. Eliminations are scheduled to begin Sunday, November 4 at 11 a.m.
Ashley is outside the pack but confident heading into Saturday in Pomona
POMONA, Calif. (November 2, 2007) - After two days and two attempts at qualifying for the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., Torco Racing Fuels Dodge Charger R/T nitro Funny Car driver Mike Ashley is sitting on the outside looking in. Currently No. 22, Ashley has two more qualifying attempts on Saturday to make the 16-car field.
"Some of the other drivers have gotten hold of the track and made some good passes, but we've been trying some more experimental things on the car, and, although we've gotten some very good data, our runs just haven't been enough to make the field yet," Ashley said.
"I'm not worried at all, though, because we have two more laps tomorrow, and Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald are geniuses at what they do. We'll be in the show come Sunday, no problem," he said.
Ashley's Thursday lap netted a tire-smoking 8.905/94.86 and 19th place, and Friday's results, however improved at 5.205/222.69, drop him to 22nd place as all of the other drivers improved as well.
"The team made a commitment to finish the season strong, and that's exactly our plan. Tomorrow, we'll be working as hard as we have all year, and I'm very confident you'll see great results," Ashley said.
Qualifying concludes tomorrow, Saturday, November 3 with sessions scheduled for noon and 3:30 p.m. Eliminations are scheduled to begin Sunday, November 4 at 11 a.m.
