ASHLEY TAKES WILD FIRST ROUND RIDE IN ST. LOUIS

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Mike Ashley realized the edge of the envelope for a Pro Modified car during Saturday’s first round of eliminations at the NHRA Midwest Nationals in St. Louis, Mo.

The two-time world champion drove to the edge and not one inch over.

Ashley’s incremental timings plotted a five-second course, but the second half of the race track yielded nothing less than a run for the drag racing highlight reels. The adventure cost Ashley what was destined to be a first round win opposite of recent NHRA Southern Nationals champion Eddie Ware.

“I kept pushing and the more I pushed, the more the car got out of the groove,” Ashley said. “I tried my best to straighten it out but then there comes a time when you just have to push in the clutch and realize there will be other races but there will not be another you.

“I love drag racing but there’s a point and time when you have to realize it’s time to get out of it.”

Ashley was driving a brand-new car with a limited number of passes.

“This car has a lot of potential,” Ashley added. “We’re going to test on Monday and get better acquainted towards its likes and dislikes. For a first time out on a race car, I’m satisfied with what we accomplished.”

Ashley entered eliminations as the tenth qualifier and left the starting line before Ware. He led the race until the thousand-foot mark.