<img src="http://gallery.nitromater.com/files/6/5/M_Ashley.jpg" alt="M_Ashley" align="left"borders="0"/>
ENNIS, Texas – Mike Ashley warned the press corps on Friday at the O’Reilly Texas Nationals (Dallas, Texas) that his Knoll Gas – Torco Race Fuels team was going to be a force to be reckoned with. Sunday his words proved prophetic.
The two-time Pro Modified world champion in his first full season as an NHRA POWERade Funny Car driver drove his Brian Corradi-tuned machine to his first career final round before losing a tough match against top qualifier Robert Hight. Ironically, it was Hight that Ashley beat for his first career round victory in Las Vegas last season.
“This was the battle the Funny Car fans deserved,” Ashley said. “We were on a collision course all weekend. We led qualifying and he bumped us down. It would have been fitting for us to repay the favor in the finals. It didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to but this was a great weekend for our team.
“We put up a fight and in the end we proved a lot of things to a lot of people and that is that we are serious about success and winning. We will do what it takes to win and that’s the attitude you have to have in this class. This class will chew you up and spit you out if you don’t give it every ounce of dedication you’ve got.
“We’re not finished yet. We’ve just scratched the surface of what we have to offer. Stay tuned there’s more to this show.”
From the first day until eliminations began, Ashley made his presence known. He entered eliminations as the third quickest with a 4.799 elapsed time at 314.53 miles per hour.
Ashley rated a huge advantage opposite of first round opponent Tim Wilkerson based on his Friday performance. He spent much of Saturday tuning for an even better performance but had limited success.
Ashley had just the opposite result in his victory over Wilkerson. Not only did he win convincingly, he also established the quickest elapsed time and top speed of the round with a 4.771, 323.97.
Ashley was not to be outdone in the second round as he repeated the feat in the second round with a win over point leader Ron Capps. He nailed his third semi- final berth of the season with a 4.821, 313.95 easily defeated the 4.890 from Capps.
A wounded motor in his semi-final victory over Tommy Johnson Jr., is all that kept him from potentially gaining a third consecutive performance standard. Ashley limped to a winning 5.311 at only 216.83 miles per hour. Johnson smoked the tires early and aborted the run.
In the final round, Ashley gave up only .03 on the starting line against Hight but had that covered by the sixty-foot mark and was actually pulling away at the 330 mark before he smoked the tires costing him the race.
“There are a lot of positive aspects to build on and all I can say is that we can’t wait for Reading,” Ashley said.
For More Information about Mike Ashley and Gotham City Racing, visit the team website: www.GothamCityRacing.com
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
ASHLEY THUNDERS TO FIRST CAREER FUNNY CAR FINAL ROUND
ENNIS, Texas – Mike Ashley warned the press corps on Friday at the O’Reilly Texas Nationals (Dallas, Texas) that his Knoll Gas – Torco Race Fuels team was going to be a force to be reckoned with. Sunday his words proved prophetic.
The two-time Pro Modified world champion in his first full season as an NHRA POWERade Funny Car driver drove his Brian Corradi-tuned machine to his first career final round before losing a tough match against top qualifier Robert Hight. Ironically, it was Hight that Ashley beat for his first career round victory in Las Vegas last season.
“This was the battle the Funny Car fans deserved,” Ashley said. “We were on a collision course all weekend. We led qualifying and he bumped us down. It would have been fitting for us to repay the favor in the finals. It didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to but this was a great weekend for our team.
“We put up a fight and in the end we proved a lot of things to a lot of people and that is that we are serious about success and winning. We will do what it takes to win and that’s the attitude you have to have in this class. This class will chew you up and spit you out if you don’t give it every ounce of dedication you’ve got.
“We’re not finished yet. We’ve just scratched the surface of what we have to offer. Stay tuned there’s more to this show.”
From the first day until eliminations began, Ashley made his presence known. He entered eliminations as the third quickest with a 4.799 elapsed time at 314.53 miles per hour.
Ashley rated a huge advantage opposite of first round opponent Tim Wilkerson based on his Friday performance. He spent much of Saturday tuning for an even better performance but had limited success.
Ashley had just the opposite result in his victory over Wilkerson. Not only did he win convincingly, he also established the quickest elapsed time and top speed of the round with a 4.771, 323.97.
Ashley was not to be outdone in the second round as he repeated the feat in the second round with a win over point leader Ron Capps. He nailed his third semi- final berth of the season with a 4.821, 313.95 easily defeated the 4.890 from Capps.
A wounded motor in his semi-final victory over Tommy Johnson Jr., is all that kept him from potentially gaining a third consecutive performance standard. Ashley limped to a winning 5.311 at only 216.83 miles per hour. Johnson smoked the tires early and aborted the run.
In the final round, Ashley gave up only .03 on the starting line against Hight but had that covered by the sixty-foot mark and was actually pulling away at the 330 mark before he smoked the tires costing him the race.
“There are a lot of positive aspects to build on and all I can say is that we can’t wait for Reading,” Ashley said.
For More Information about Mike Ashley and Gotham City Racing, visit the team website: www.GothamCityRacing.com
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
