Ashley Aims for a "Drag Racing Superfecta" in Las Vegas
(10-19-2005) LAS VEGAS, NV - Winning is why people visit Las Vegas, and for Mike Ashley, the primary objective is securing an unprecedented quadruple payout at the ACDelco NHRA Nationals hosted by The Strip at Las Vegas. At the top of his list, Ashley is hoping to repeat as the AMS/TLR Pro Modified Challenge World Champion, the goal he and his entire team has worked all year to achieve. In addition, Ashley is aiming to take home his first nitro Funny Car win. Ashley also has the opportunity to win one of the largest Pro Modified purses available as a participant in the prestigious Flowmaster Clash and if that happens, he's eligible for a $5,000 bonus if he also wins on Sunday.
For Ashley, it's a "drag racing superfecta," and he's focused on making it all happen.
"This weekend is like an opportunity to win a Super Bowl," Ashley said. "It's what we have prepared for all season and it has our complete focus. This team has always had clearly defined goals that have been championship oriented. We have a chance to lock up a world championship in Pro Modified and we are going to focus in on that."
Ashley enters Vegas with a 591-point advantage over second place Jay Payne in the bid for the Pro Modified 2005 crown. A maximum of 716 points is available for both drivers during the course of the event. Ashley needs only to qualify and win the first round to clinch the Title. Payne would have to win the event to unseat Ashley.
In the Flowmaster Clash, a bonus event for the AMS/TLR series' most consistent qualifiers, Ashley is seeded in second position. The top eight most- consistent qualifiers in the 2005 season will fight for their share of a total purse of $44,000, with the winner receiving $25,000.
"Having an brilliant Pro Modified crewchief like Chuck Ford in a situation like this brings confidence to the table. We have a chance to gain a lot of prestige this weekend and I am more than up for that challenge," Ashley said.
As a Funny Car driver, Ashley continues to break new ground with every pass down the track and is hoping to turn heads with a win in Vegas.
Two weeks ago in Dallas, Texas, Ashley qualified in the top-half of the field for the first time in his short Funny Car career. In the four events since making his debut during the Labor Day classic NHRA Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, he has recorded back- to-back personal-best elapsed time and mile per hour marks at each race, currently clocked at 4.766 seconds and 327.27 miles per hour.
"We've learned a lot in four outings with our SKULL GEAR/Torco Race Fuels Monte Carlo and I'm pleased with the progress we've made in such a short time. Mark [Oswald, Funny Car crew chief] is a true champion in every sense of the word and he's been a very influential part of my growth as a driver."
"It sounds like a lot to work for in one weekend, but I am surrounded by the very best in the sport and we are all working together to do one thing - win, and win big," Ashley said with a grin.
Pro Mod Qualifying sessions are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. And 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, and 2:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. The first round of Pro Mod eliminations is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. Saturday with the balance of the ladder to be run on Sunday. Nitro Funny Car qualifying is scheduled for noon and 3:30 on Friday, and1:45 and 5 p.m. on Saturday. Final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 23. ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise three hours of qualifying at 11 p.m. (ET) on Oct. 22. and three hours of final eliminations coverage beginning at 8 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, Oct. 23.
Mike Ashley to display Funny Car and Pro Modified during Budweiser Fan Fest at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
NHRA POWERade Funny Car driver and defending NHRA AMS TLR Pro Modified driver Mike Ashley will have both his SKULL GEAR/Torco Race Fuels-sponsored Monte Carlo Funny Car and his rare Carroll Shelby-endorsed Shelby GT500E race car on display during the traditional Budweiser Fan Fest at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Thursday, October 20, 2005. The Melville, NY.- based driver will display his cars from 3 PM until 7 PM. He will be available for interviews and autographs.
"Two years ago we took part in this incredible show and I'm happy to be back again," Ashley said. "This event is a lot of fun and I'm grateful that Budweiser has invited us to participate again. I'm really looking forward to the interaction with our race fans."
Ashley will be joined by fellow NHRA AMS TLR Pro Modified driver Troy Critchley, who will also display the AMS-sponsored Corvette. As many as twenty- one professional and sportsman drivers will be in attendance.
The Budweiser Fan Fest, which begins at noon and will be available to fans until 7 p.m., will include interactive displays, race car simulators, show cars, live entertainment, radio remotes, and lots of raffle prizes throughout the day, including race-themed merchandise and tickets for both the Budweiser Draw Party and the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals.
About our sponsors:
Gotham City Racing is fully sponsored by Torco Race Fuels, the largest independently owned race fuel manufacturer. Torco Race Fuels has a full line of racing gasoline including methanol and nitromethane. Their full product line of additives is complimented by an innovative clothing line. Product can be purchased by logging onto their website [url]www.torcoracefuels.com or by calling 1-800-67- TORCO.
Please visit the websites of our associate sponsors InfiNet Insurance and Unique Performance at
www.infinetinsurance.com and
www.uniqueperformance.com .
Jeg's Mail Order is an associate sponsor of Gotham City Racing. Please visit their website at
www.jegs.com.
To learn more about Roger McCombs RV SuperCenter & Race Car Trailer Sales and to search their extensive inventory of RVs and Trailers, the company's website address is:
www.rogermccombsrvsupercenter.com.
