<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/1/M_Ashley_185144.jpg"align="right"borders="0"/>
POMONA, CALIF. (November 10, 2006) - Mike Ashley, driver of the Knoll Gas -TORCO Racing Fuels, Inc. nitro Funny Car, remained strongly in the field on the strength of yesterday's run at the Auto Club of Southern California NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif. Ashley also announced during a press conference his plans to return to the role of team owner/driver.
"We went out there and tried to make a hero run," he said. "We were trying to run a 4.69, and we knew it was going to do that or nothing - and that's exactly what we got - nothing."
In his only qualifying attempt of the day, Ashley smoked the tires about 200feet past the start and aborted the run. His previous performance of 4.762/328.38 was good enough for the provisional No. 7 spot, with two chances to better that mark tomorrow.
"In spite of our run, it was a really exciting day because of the announcement of running our own team next year," Ashley said. "We've gotten a lot of positive feedback already, and we already have a couple companies that have approached us about working with us next year."
Ashley said he will return to the familiar role of team owner/driver and field his own nitro Funny Car team in 2007 with primary sponsorship from Torco Racing Fuels, Inc. and Evan Knoll's group of successful companies. The two-time Pro Modified world champion from Long Island, New York, will conclude his program with Don Schumacher Racing at the end of this weekend's race.
Not getting ahead of himself and looking to next year, Ashley said he is focused on his performance this weekend.
"We'll come back tomorrow and look at the race track, and give it all we've got. Tomorrow is another day," he said.
ASHLEY PROVISIONAL No. 7, ANNOUNCES 2007 PLANS
POMONA, CALIF. (November 10, 2006) - Mike Ashley, driver of the Knoll Gas -TORCO Racing Fuels, Inc. nitro Funny Car, remained strongly in the field on the strength of yesterday's run at the Auto Club of Southern California NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif. Ashley also announced during a press conference his plans to return to the role of team owner/driver.
"We went out there and tried to make a hero run," he said. "We were trying to run a 4.69, and we knew it was going to do that or nothing - and that's exactly what we got - nothing."
In his only qualifying attempt of the day, Ashley smoked the tires about 200feet past the start and aborted the run. His previous performance of 4.762/328.38 was good enough for the provisional No. 7 spot, with two chances to better that mark tomorrow.
"In spite of our run, it was a really exciting day because of the announcement of running our own team next year," Ashley said. "We've gotten a lot of positive feedback already, and we already have a couple companies that have approached us about working with us next year."
Ashley said he will return to the familiar role of team owner/driver and field his own nitro Funny Car team in 2007 with primary sponsorship from Torco Racing Fuels, Inc. and Evan Knoll's group of successful companies. The two-time Pro Modified world champion from Long Island, New York, will conclude his program with Don Schumacher Racing at the end of this weekend's race.
Not getting ahead of himself and looking to next year, Ashley said he is focused on his performance this weekend.
"We'll come back tomorrow and look at the race track, and give it all we've got. Tomorrow is another day," he said.
