<img src="http://gallery.nitromater.com/files/6/5/M_Ashley.jpg" alt="M_Ashley" align="right"borders="0"/>
READING, Pa. – Knoll Gas-TORCO Race Fuels Funny Car driver Mike Ashley recorded his personal quickest and fastest lap in a Funny Car this weekend at the TOYO Tires NHRA nationals in Reading, Pa. He set a Maple Grove Raceway speed record, and qualified No.2 - his highest NHRA position ever.
And, on top of all of that - his son, Justin, won the Powerade Nationals for the second time this year. The only disappointment was a first round loss to Del Worsham.
"I'm so excited for Justin, and to run so well as to set a record - in the big picture it was a great weekend," Ashley said.
"Of course, I'm not happy about going out in the first round - it's the second time in the past six races, and both times to Del," he said.
After running a stellar 4.694 in qualifying to earn the number two spot, Ashley was favored against the No. 15 qualified Worsham. At the line, Ashley's reaction time in his Dodge Charger was .090 compared with Worsham's .113 - more than 2-hundredths - a sizable lead, but just off the line, the Dodge Charger struggled to get traction, giving Worsham more than enough time to take the line. At the stripe, Ashley delivered a 5.671 to Worsham's quicker 4.834.
Ashley has yet to beat Worsham this year in their five first- round meetings.
"Every time I go to the line, I really race myself - not the other driver, so to say that Del gets in my head is not true. If you look at the numbers, I had him off the line, but the tires couldn't stay connected to the track with all of our horsepower until about 200 feet, and by then he was gone."
For the second time this year, 11-year-old Justin Ashley won the Powerade Fan Nationals - a competition where fans compete in life-size Funny Car simulators to win the event title and an all-expense-paid trip to compete in the Finals at Pomona. Justin also won the Fan Nationals title in Denver at the Mopar Mile High NHRA Nationals.
Said the proud father, "Justin really has what it takes to be a great driver: quick reactions and a full grasp of how to handle the car. Mindy [Ashley's wife] and I are so proud of him. He's just a great kid.
"Overall, if you look at the big picture, this was an incredible weekend for us. We had the top position after Friday - my personal best, a speed record-breaking run, and after the one run on Saturday, we were only second by one-thousandth. I'd say that's not bad. Especially considering at the beginning of the season, we were just trying to get into the field," he said.
Ashley set the Maple Grove Raceway Funny Car speed record when he went 330.96 m.p.h. in his first qualifying pass for the weekend, breaking the 327.82 record set by John Force in October of 2004.
"I've said it all along - this is an incredible team. Brian Corradi as definitely proven over and over again that he knows how to get down the track blazing quick, and I know we are headed to the winner's circle.
"Now we can focus on the TORCO Nationals at Richmond next weekend. I really want to take that Wally home next Sunday," Ashley said.
The team will race the Knoll Gas-Torco Race Fuels Dodge Charger again next weekend, October 6-8, at their sponsor's race, the TORCO Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park in Richmond, Virginia.
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:
Mixed Emotions for Ashley After First Round Exit in Reading
READING, Pa. – Knoll Gas-TORCO Race Fuels Funny Car driver Mike Ashley recorded his personal quickest and fastest lap in a Funny Car this weekend at the TOYO Tires NHRA nationals in Reading, Pa. He set a Maple Grove Raceway speed record, and qualified No.2 - his highest NHRA position ever.
And, on top of all of that - his son, Justin, won the Powerade Nationals for the second time this year. The only disappointment was a first round loss to Del Worsham.
"I'm so excited for Justin, and to run so well as to set a record - in the big picture it was a great weekend," Ashley said.
"Of course, I'm not happy about going out in the first round - it's the second time in the past six races, and both times to Del," he said.
After running a stellar 4.694 in qualifying to earn the number two spot, Ashley was favored against the No. 15 qualified Worsham. At the line, Ashley's reaction time in his Dodge Charger was .090 compared with Worsham's .113 - more than 2-hundredths - a sizable lead, but just off the line, the Dodge Charger struggled to get traction, giving Worsham more than enough time to take the line. At the stripe, Ashley delivered a 5.671 to Worsham's quicker 4.834.
Ashley has yet to beat Worsham this year in their five first- round meetings.
"Every time I go to the line, I really race myself - not the other driver, so to say that Del gets in my head is not true. If you look at the numbers, I had him off the line, but the tires couldn't stay connected to the track with all of our horsepower until about 200 feet, and by then he was gone."
For the second time this year, 11-year-old Justin Ashley won the Powerade Fan Nationals - a competition where fans compete in life-size Funny Car simulators to win the event title and an all-expense-paid trip to compete in the Finals at Pomona. Justin also won the Fan Nationals title in Denver at the Mopar Mile High NHRA Nationals.
Said the proud father, "Justin really has what it takes to be a great driver: quick reactions and a full grasp of how to handle the car. Mindy [Ashley's wife] and I are so proud of him. He's just a great kid.
"Overall, if you look at the big picture, this was an incredible weekend for us. We had the top position after Friday - my personal best, a speed record-breaking run, and after the one run on Saturday, we were only second by one-thousandth. I'd say that's not bad. Especially considering at the beginning of the season, we were just trying to get into the field," he said.
Ashley set the Maple Grove Raceway Funny Car speed record when he went 330.96 m.p.h. in his first qualifying pass for the weekend, breaking the 327.82 record set by John Force in October of 2004.
"I've said it all along - this is an incredible team. Brian Corradi as definitely proven over and over again that he knows how to get down the track blazing quick, and I know we are headed to the winner's circle.
"Now we can focus on the TORCO Nationals at Richmond next weekend. I really want to take that Wally home next Sunday," Ashley said.
The team will race the Knoll Gas-Torco Race Fuels Dodge Charger again next weekend, October 6-8, at their sponsor's race, the TORCO Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park in Richmond, Virginia.
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
