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MADISON, Ill. (May 6, 2007) - New York mortgage banker Mike Ashley has learned that a key to success in business and in racing is maintaining focus on the big picture, and for the driver of the Torco Race Fuels, Inc. Dodge Charger, the picture keeps getting brighter and brighter. Ashley drove to an impressive semifinal finish this weekend in the O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals in Madison, Ill. and continued his move toward the top of the Funny Car pack.
On the heels of his third-straight No.1 qualifying effort, Ashley dispatched Tim Wilkerson and former world champion Gary Scelzi before going down in the semi's to former-teammate Del Worsham. Having negotiated the extremely tricky track conditions all day at Gateway International Raceway, Ashley smoked the tires just after the launch in his match against Worsham, giving up the finish line 7.584/110.44 to Worsham's 4.925/314.53.
"You know your team is really doing well when you're disappointed with a semifinal finish - right?" Ashley said with a smile.
"We really worked so hard this weekend, and all of the guys, Brian Corradi, Mark Oswald, Steve Boggs, Dan, Robb - all the team, and it really shows in just how far we've come in such a short time," he said.
Ashley leaves the weekend No. 4 in POWERade points and just one round out of third place, and in fifth place in SKOAL Showdown points as well. His Fuel Doctor Funny Car has run the quickest and fastest at the past four events, set three track records including recording the fastest pass in Funny Car history, and has been the No. 1 qualifier at the past three events.
"It's definitely something to be proud of. We took the same core principles we used to build a two-time World Championship-winning Pro Mod operation and applied them to Funny Car, and you can see the results.
"It's three things really: creativity, strategy and a lot of hard work that have gotten us so far so fast. The trend is definitely up, and I know that the win will come soon enough, but until then, we'll just keep working on what we know how to do," Ashley said.
Next up for Ashley and his Gotham City Race Team is the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tenn. May 18-20.
About Mike Ashley's Gotham City Racing
Gotham City Racing is fully sponsored by Torco Race Fuels, Inc., the world's largest independently owned race fuel manufacturer. Torco Race Fuels, Inc. has a full line of racing gasoline including methanol and nitromethane. Their full product line of fuels and additives is complimented by SKULL Shine -- a complete line of automotive care and appearance products and SKULL Gear -- an innovative and trendy clothing line. Product can be purchased by calling 1-800-67-TORCO or by visiting their website: Torco Racing Fuels
Website: Torco Racing Fuels
Mike Ashley's Gotham City Racing is also sponsored by:
Knoll Gas Motorsports: Torco Racing Fuels
Lucas Oil Products: Lucas Oil
Dixie Chopper: Dixie Chopper
A&R Transport: A&R Transport Home Page
Oakley: Oakley - The Official Site
The Hyperbaric Therapy Center: Hyperbaric Therapy Center - Hyperbaric Chamber
Lend America: Lend America
Lend America is a nationwide direct lender, specializing in residential financing for one to four family homes. Lend America combines a flexible, common sense loan review process with hundreds of loan programs to provide exceptional service for its clients. Lend America's Motto "Don't take NO for an answer" is in direct relation to its commitment to service borrowers with "lending or credit challenges." Contact Lend America today, (877) 4-RACE-LOAN.
Mike Ashley and Gotham City Racing support Autism Awareness through their support of the Hyperbaric Therapy Center. A 2007 Centers for Disease Control report found that 1 in 150 children in America today have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and an estimated 1.5 million Americans and their families are now affected. Autism is a national health crisis, and Gotham City Racing is working to help educate the public about ways they can get involved.
Visit the Autism Society website for more information about how you can get involved: Autism Society of America:
Upward Trend Continues for Ashley with Semifinal Finish in St. Louis
MADISON, Ill. (May 6, 2007) - New York mortgage banker Mike Ashley has learned that a key to success in business and in racing is maintaining focus on the big picture, and for the driver of the Torco Race Fuels, Inc. Dodge Charger, the picture keeps getting brighter and brighter. Ashley drove to an impressive semifinal finish this weekend in the O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals in Madison, Ill. and continued his move toward the top of the Funny Car pack.
On the heels of his third-straight No.1 qualifying effort, Ashley dispatched Tim Wilkerson and former world champion Gary Scelzi before going down in the semi's to former-teammate Del Worsham. Having negotiated the extremely tricky track conditions all day at Gateway International Raceway, Ashley smoked the tires just after the launch in his match against Worsham, giving up the finish line 7.584/110.44 to Worsham's 4.925/314.53.
"You know your team is really doing well when you're disappointed with a semifinal finish - right?" Ashley said with a smile.
"We really worked so hard this weekend, and all of the guys, Brian Corradi, Mark Oswald, Steve Boggs, Dan, Robb - all the team, and it really shows in just how far we've come in such a short time," he said.
Ashley leaves the weekend No. 4 in POWERade points and just one round out of third place, and in fifth place in SKOAL Showdown points as well. His Fuel Doctor Funny Car has run the quickest and fastest at the past four events, set three track records including recording the fastest pass in Funny Car history, and has been the No. 1 qualifier at the past three events.
"It's definitely something to be proud of. We took the same core principles we used to build a two-time World Championship-winning Pro Mod operation and applied them to Funny Car, and you can see the results.
"It's three things really: creativity, strategy and a lot of hard work that have gotten us so far so fast. The trend is definitely up, and I know that the win will come soon enough, but until then, we'll just keep working on what we know how to do," Ashley said.
Next up for Ashley and his Gotham City Race Team is the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tenn. May 18-20.
About Mike Ashley's Gotham City Racing
Gotham City Racing is fully sponsored by Torco Race Fuels, Inc., the world's largest independently owned race fuel manufacturer. Torco Race Fuels, Inc. has a full line of racing gasoline including methanol and nitromethane. Their full product line of fuels and additives is complimented by SKULL Shine -- a complete line of automotive care and appearance products and SKULL Gear -- an innovative and trendy clothing line. Product can be purchased by calling 1-800-67-TORCO or by visiting their website: Torco Racing Fuels
Website: Torco Racing Fuels
Mike Ashley's Gotham City Racing is also sponsored by:
Knoll Gas Motorsports: Torco Racing Fuels
Lucas Oil Products: Lucas Oil
Dixie Chopper: Dixie Chopper
A&R Transport: A&R Transport Home Page
Oakley: Oakley - The Official Site
The Hyperbaric Therapy Center: Hyperbaric Therapy Center - Hyperbaric Chamber
Lend America: Lend America
Lend America is a nationwide direct lender, specializing in residential financing for one to four family homes. Lend America combines a flexible, common sense loan review process with hundreds of loan programs to provide exceptional service for its clients. Lend America's Motto "Don't take NO for an answer" is in direct relation to its commitment to service borrowers with "lending or credit challenges." Contact Lend America today, (877) 4-RACE-LOAN.
Mike Ashley and Gotham City Racing support Autism Awareness through their support of the Hyperbaric Therapy Center. A 2007 Centers for Disease Control report found that 1 in 150 children in America today have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and an estimated 1.5 million Americans and their families are now affected. Autism is a national health crisis, and Gotham City Racing is working to help educate the public about ways they can get involved.
Visit the Autism Society website for more information about how you can get involved: Autism Society of America:
