<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/1/M_Ashley_185144.jpg"align="right"borders="0"/>
DINWIDDIE, Va. -- NHRA POWERade Funny Car driver Mike Ashley raced a line-up of former world champions to reach the quarter-finals of the Torco Race Fuels NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park. Ashley, a two- time champion in the Pro Modified division, raced past titlist Tony Pedregon before smoking the tires against John Force in the quarter-finals.
The Knoll Gas-TORCO Race Fuels Funny Car was side-by-side with Force until the eighth-mile when it lost traction and smoked the tires. Force drove away for the win, posting a 4.834,302 to Ashley's wounded 8.663,86.72.
"In racing Force, I think we just lost to the lane," Ashley said. "Most cars didn't make it down the right lane, and the ones who did weren't very fast. I just don't think we could have kept pace with him being in that lane.
"Ultimately, I'm happy with this weekend. There's nothing I would have loved to do more than to win at my sponsor's race and hand Evan that Wally, but it wasn't meant to be. We're just in the throes of finding what it takes to get our car consistent again.
"That's the bottom line: we have a fast car, it's just not consistently fast as of late, and we are working to find out why," he said.
Ashley entered eliminations as the 11th quickest with a 4.838,302.01, and ran a 4.842,299.26 to stop Pedregon's 4.865,296.70 in the opening round of eliminations. That victory set up his first career race opposite of the 13-time world champion Force.
"Here's the way I look at it: we're a young team, we qualified for another race and we made it to the quarter-finals. I think that's really good. Now, we just get ready for the next race," he said.
Ashley and the Evan Knoll-backed team heads next to Las Vegas to compete in the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, October 26-29.
About Gotham City Racing
Gotham City Racing is fully sponsored by Knoll Gas Torco Race Fuels, the largest independently owned race fuel manufacturer. Knoll Gas - Torco Race Fuels has a full line of racing gasoline including methanol and nitromethane. Their full product line of additives is complimented by SKULL Gear -- an innovative and trendy clothing line. Product can be purchased by calling 1-800-67-TORCO or by visiting their website.
Website: http://www.torco.com
Torco Race Fuels CompetitionPlus.com
To keep up with the latest in drag racing news including same day coverage of NHRA POWERade national events, click on Torco's CompetitionPlus.com.
Mike Ashley's Gotham City Racing is also sponsored by:
ASHLEY REACHES QUARTER-FINALS OF TORCO-SPONSORED EVENT
DINWIDDIE, Va. -- NHRA POWERade Funny Car driver Mike Ashley raced a line-up of former world champions to reach the quarter-finals of the Torco Race Fuels NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park. Ashley, a two- time champion in the Pro Modified division, raced past titlist Tony Pedregon before smoking the tires against John Force in the quarter-finals.
The Knoll Gas-TORCO Race Fuels Funny Car was side-by-side with Force until the eighth-mile when it lost traction and smoked the tires. Force drove away for the win, posting a 4.834,302 to Ashley's wounded 8.663,86.72.
"In racing Force, I think we just lost to the lane," Ashley said. "Most cars didn't make it down the right lane, and the ones who did weren't very fast. I just don't think we could have kept pace with him being in that lane.
"Ultimately, I'm happy with this weekend. There's nothing I would have loved to do more than to win at my sponsor's race and hand Evan that Wally, but it wasn't meant to be. We're just in the throes of finding what it takes to get our car consistent again.
"That's the bottom line: we have a fast car, it's just not consistently fast as of late, and we are working to find out why," he said.
Ashley entered eliminations as the 11th quickest with a 4.838,302.01, and ran a 4.842,299.26 to stop Pedregon's 4.865,296.70 in the opening round of eliminations. That victory set up his first career race opposite of the 13-time world champion Force.
"Here's the way I look at it: we're a young team, we qualified for another race and we made it to the quarter-finals. I think that's really good. Now, we just get ready for the next race," he said.
Ashley and the Evan Knoll-backed team heads next to Las Vegas to compete in the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, October 26-29.
About Gotham City Racing
Gotham City Racing is fully sponsored by Knoll Gas Torco Race Fuels, the largest independently owned race fuel manufacturer. Knoll Gas - Torco Race Fuels has a full line of racing gasoline including methanol and nitromethane. Their full product line of additives is complimented by SKULL Gear -- an innovative and trendy clothing line. Product can be purchased by calling 1-800-67-TORCO or by visiting their website.
Website: http://www.torco.com
Torco Race Fuels CompetitionPlus.com
To keep up with the latest in drag racing news including same day coverage of NHRA POWERade national events, click on Torco's CompetitionPlus.com.
Mike Ashley's Gotham City Racing is also sponsored by:
- Oakley
- Optima Aluminum Trailers
- Lend America
- Impact Racing
- Knoll Gas Motorsports
- SKULL Shine
- SKULL H2O
