<img src="http://gallery.nitromater.com/files/6/5/M_Ashley.jpg" alt="M_Ashley" align="right"borders="0"/>
SOMONA, Calif.(July 30) -- Mike Ashley predicted it would only be a matter of time before the new Evan Knoll Funny Car team managed by DSR realized its full potential. Ashley and the Knoll Gas - Torco Race Fuels-sponsored team got a glimpse of their future with an impressive semi-final finish. Best of all, it only took three races to show the same potential that propelled him to back-to-back Pro Modified World Championships.
Ashley's previous best behind the wheel of a nitro car was a quarter-final finish last year during the second Las Vegas event.
"I am very proud of our team and I promise you this is just a glimpse of what we can do," Ashley said. "This event is just a testament to the resolve of crewchief Brian Corradi and this team. When things looked tough yesterday, we rebounded and everything fell into place. This is a great experience and confidence builder."
24 hours separated a supercharger explosion in qualifying and consecutive elimination round victories against former teammate Phil Burkart and Robert Hight.
Ashley entered eliminations as the ninth quickest (4.851, 314.09) and his seeding paired him opposite of Burkart. Burkart was the quicker off of the line but that wouldn't deter Ashley, competing in only his 14th start, from driving around for the third quickest lap of the opening round with a 4.884, 313.73.
The road didn't get any easier as Ashley's victory paired him opposite Team Force driver Hight in the quarter-finals. Hight was one of the two drivers quicker than Ashley in the first round but once again Ashley was not intimidated. The two launched almost simultaneously and while Hight smoked the tires, Ashley never looked back en route to a 4.975, 309.06.
Just one round away from his first career NHRA POWERade Funny Car final, Ashley matched up with former world champion Tony Pedregon. Ashley left the starting line first but within sixty-feet of the starting line he overpowered the track and coasted to a 7.813. The culprit was a broken clutch.
Ashley was disappointed in the loss but more encouraged with the overall performance of the day.
"We are still climbing this mountain and doing it one step at a time," Ashley said. "I am very encouraged with the manner in which our team attacked the adverse situations put before us in the first three races."
Ashley and the team's successes included building a new car from a bare chassis as well as assembling a team in just two weeks and qualifying at Denver despite a 9,000 foot adjusted altitude. One week later he qualified a career best #4 in Seattle. And, Sonoma, well Ashley says it's just par for the course.
"It's just another positive step up the mountain," Ashley said. "One week off and we'll return ready to climb some more."
Mike Ashley Compiles Career-Best Semi-Final Finish in Sonoma
SOMONA, Calif.(July 30) -- Mike Ashley predicted it would only be a matter of time before the new Evan Knoll Funny Car team managed by DSR realized its full potential. Ashley and the Knoll Gas - Torco Race Fuels-sponsored team got a glimpse of their future with an impressive semi-final finish. Best of all, it only took three races to show the same potential that propelled him to back-to-back Pro Modified World Championships.
Ashley's previous best behind the wheel of a nitro car was a quarter-final finish last year during the second Las Vegas event.
"I am very proud of our team and I promise you this is just a glimpse of what we can do," Ashley said. "This event is just a testament to the resolve of crewchief Brian Corradi and this team. When things looked tough yesterday, we rebounded and everything fell into place. This is a great experience and confidence builder."
24 hours separated a supercharger explosion in qualifying and consecutive elimination round victories against former teammate Phil Burkart and Robert Hight.
Ashley entered eliminations as the ninth quickest (4.851, 314.09) and his seeding paired him opposite of Burkart. Burkart was the quicker off of the line but that wouldn't deter Ashley, competing in only his 14th start, from driving around for the third quickest lap of the opening round with a 4.884, 313.73.
The road didn't get any easier as Ashley's victory paired him opposite Team Force driver Hight in the quarter-finals. Hight was one of the two drivers quicker than Ashley in the first round but once again Ashley was not intimidated. The two launched almost simultaneously and while Hight smoked the tires, Ashley never looked back en route to a 4.975, 309.06.
Just one round away from his first career NHRA POWERade Funny Car final, Ashley matched up with former world champion Tony Pedregon. Ashley left the starting line first but within sixty-feet of the starting line he overpowered the track and coasted to a 7.813. The culprit was a broken clutch.
Ashley was disappointed in the loss but more encouraged with the overall performance of the day.
"We are still climbing this mountain and doing it one step at a time," Ashley said. "I am very encouraged with the manner in which our team attacked the adverse situations put before us in the first three races."
Ashley and the team's successes included building a new car from a bare chassis as well as assembling a team in just two weeks and qualifying at Denver despite a 9,000 foot adjusted altitude. One week later he qualified a career best #4 in Seattle. And, Sonoma, well Ashley says it's just par for the course.
"It's just another positive step up the mountain," Ashley said. "One week off and we'll return ready to climb some more."
