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COMMERCE, Ga. April 27 COMMERCE, Ga., April 25, 2008 - Mike Ashley is going Funny Car racing again.
Ashley, co-owner with Roger Burgess of Gotham City Racing's two-car Funny Car team, Saturday announced his return to NHRA Funny Car competition for the next five races, beginning Friday in the Midwest Nationals at St. Louis.
Ashley won three races - including the prestigious U.S. Nationals - and finished sixth in POWERade Series points in 2007. Melanie Troxel will continue driving the team's ProCare Rx Dodge Charger R/T that is tuned by Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald. Frank Hawley drove the second car here and at Gainesville, Fla.
"We've only been running our second car at select events," said Ashley. "It's important the way our team has progressed that we have two cars out here gathering data. We must come up with a master plan to master the combination. It's no secret there have been significant changes to the chassis this year."
And it gives Ashley an opportunity to get back into a Funny Car. He has been driving his Pro Modified car in 2008. "It's no big secret that I miss driving," he said. "I'm having fun driving the Pro Modified car, but I do miss my time with the Funny Car."
Ashley added the team is still seeking major funding for the second car and once the funds are secured, Frank Hawley will return to competition.
"We weren't planning on racing the second car at the next five races, so that's why I am returning to drive," Ashley explained. Aaron Brooks will tune Ashley's car.
Should the plan come to fruition, would that leave the door open for Ashley to remain in the Funny Car driver's seat?
"That depends on how we stand in points," he said. "It also depends on what my wife and family say, too." # # #
For more information about Gotham City Racing, visit the team website: Gotham City Racing.
Ashley Returns to FC for Five Races
Obtaining More Racing Data Main Object
COMMERCE, Ga. April 27 COMMERCE, Ga., April 25, 2008 - Mike Ashley is going Funny Car racing again.
Ashley, co-owner with Roger Burgess of Gotham City Racing's two-car Funny Car team, Saturday announced his return to NHRA Funny Car competition for the next five races, beginning Friday in the Midwest Nationals at St. Louis.
Ashley won three races - including the prestigious U.S. Nationals - and finished sixth in POWERade Series points in 2007. Melanie Troxel will continue driving the team's ProCare Rx Dodge Charger R/T that is tuned by Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald. Frank Hawley drove the second car here and at Gainesville, Fla.
"We've only been running our second car at select events," said Ashley. "It's important the way our team has progressed that we have two cars out here gathering data. We must come up with a master plan to master the combination. It's no secret there have been significant changes to the chassis this year."
And it gives Ashley an opportunity to get back into a Funny Car. He has been driving his Pro Modified car in 2008. "It's no big secret that I miss driving," he said. "I'm having fun driving the Pro Modified car, but I do miss my time with the Funny Car."
Ashley added the team is still seeking major funding for the second car and once the funds are secured, Frank Hawley will return to competition.
"We weren't planning on racing the second car at the next five races, so that's why I am returning to drive," Ashley explained. Aaron Brooks will tune Ashley's car.
Should the plan come to fruition, would that leave the door open for Ashley to remain in the Funny Car driver's seat?
"That depends on how we stand in points," he said. "It also depends on what my wife and family say, too." # # #
For more information about Gotham City Racing, visit the team website: Gotham City Racing.
