Ashley gunning for Jeg’s Crown in Columbus; Huge fan interaction contest scheduled
(7-25-2005) COLUMBUS. OH - Nothing inspires a driver like incentives. For defending NHRA AMS TLR Pro Modified Champion Mike Ashley has an agenda chock full of perks for himself and the eRaceFuels/TORCO/SKULL GEAR-sponsored team during this weekend’s Jeg’s Northern Sports Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. The New York mortgage banker from Long Island, NY, has four distinct objectives for the tenth stop on the twelve-race tour.
Not only is Ashley desirous of extending his healthy points lead, he wants to win not only this race but the Belle Rose AMS TLR event unfinished from earlier in the week. He wants to also capture the prestigious Jeg’s Crown award, a special award presented to the driver that wins both this event and the April Jeg’s Sports Nationals in Belle Rose. Beyond that, Ashley wants to perform well for the proud winner of a crewmember of the day contest for local Columbus radio station WHOK.
All in all, this will be a busy weekend for the seven-time national event winner.
“We have a lot we want to accomplish,” Ashley said. “The game plan is to focus on the tasks at hand and bring all to fruition. When you have as many things going on as we do in this instance…it demands that you pay even more attention to detail than ever before. I am confident in our ability to do that.”
Despite a first round forfeiture in Englishtown, New Jersey, and a dismal qualifying effort the following event in St. Louis, Missouri, Ashley and the team rebounded in Belle Rose earlier this month with a strong qualifying effort and a first round elimination of nearest points foe Jay Payne. Hurricane Dennis then slammed into the Gulf shore bringing torrential rainstorms that forced postponement of eliminations until this weekend. When quarter-final competition resumes, Ashley will have lane choice against Troy Critchley.
As unique as this event is, it gives Ashley a rare opportunity to gain a leg up on another winning streak like the 5-race span he generated earlier this season. If Ashley doubles-up in Columbus, he has the opportunity to top the earlier streak with four events left in the season.
Add into this the potential to win the Jeg’s crown, a coveted commemorative trophy, has Ashley brimming with excitement. The Jeg’s Crown was created to honor any racer who can win the same category at both events. The beautifully handcrafted Jeg’s Crown trophy was designed and created by Dan Dreisbach, the head fabricator at Rahal Racing. Ashley’s close ties with the Coughlin family, owners of the Jeg’s Mail Order company, is something that would make the reward larger than life.
Ashley added, “I have a very close relationship with the Coughlin family and everyone at Jeg’s and the more I get to know them, the more blessed I feel.”
Beyond all of the aforementioned possibilities, the one thing that has Ashley the most excited is the competition through WHOK. One lucky winner will receive an amazing package of gifts and opportunities including:
• Full pit access to Gotham City Racing, (including our the team’s trailer lounge and hospitality motor home).
• Starting line access when Mike runs providing the winner is of legal age to stand on the starting line.
• A Team Gotham shirt (the same shirt that the crew wears when they work on the car in the pit) they can keep.
• A Team Gotham Crew Shirt (the same shirt that the crew wears to the starting line) they can keep (a $250.00 retail value).
• A Mike Ashley Team Gotham/TORCO poster, (autographed by Ashley).
• A printed photo of the winner in his/her official uniform with Mike or Troy and the 67’ Shelby GT500E Race Car (also autographed by Ashley & Troy Coughlin).
• And to end the day, a Bar-B-Q dinner in the pit with Ashley, Coughlin and the entire Team Gotham/Team Jeg’s Crew.
Ashley is scheduled for a live radio interview on Tuesday morning, July 28th, at 9:00am on WHOK.
For same day coverage of this event, visit the Torco Race Fuels-sponsored
http://www.competitionplus.com/.
The official website for Gotham City Racing can be accessed at
http://www.gothamcityracing.com/
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 at
http://www.torcoracefuels.com/ or by calling 1-800-67-TORCO.
Please visit the websites of our associate sponsors InfiNet Insurance and Unique Performance at
http://www.infinetinsurance.com/ and
http://www.uniqueperformance.com/.
Photo courtesy of CompetitionPlus.Com
