ASHLEY RETURNS TO THE SITE THAT STARTED IT ALL IN READING

READING, Pa. - Second year NHRA POWERade Funny Car racer Mike Ashley may have debuted last year in Indianapolis but he got his first real taste of nitro racing two weeks later in Reading, Pa. The two-time Pro Modified champion and driver of the Knoll Gas - Torco Race Fuels Funny Car gained the opportunity to line up for final eliminations on Sunday.

Ashley qualified for the then quickest Funny Car field in the history of the sport on that cool weekend in the Keystone State. In a scene of forward progression, Ashley once again qualified for a record field two weeks ago in Indianapolis. He also reached the quarter-finals.

Ashley is looking to press forward once again with his Brian Corradi-led team during this weekend's NHRA Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals.

"I still had a lot of learning to do when I came to Reading," Ashley said. "It was a great experience just making the field. We were still aiming for the sky and I think it just shows that our persistence and dedication paid off when you see where we are today. We still have a long way to go in order to get where we want to be, but I think we are on the right road."

Ashley turned in a stellar performance during the NHRA MAC Tools U.S. Nationals. He qualified at a strong 9th and raced his way to a quarter-final finish. Such strong performances have become common for Ashley since was named the driver for Evan Knoll's team in June.

"We continue to get better with each outing and this is a team that has the right attitude and spirit to succeed," Ashley said. "Each time we go to the race track, I get really excited because I know the potential is there for a good showing. That's what really excites me. When we go to the track we have just as good of a chance to win as any front-running team out there."

That is not idle chatter on Ashley's behalf either. The brand-new team debuted with a qualifying effort in the less than admirable conditions of Denver and then posted an NHRA POWERade career-best 4th qualifying effort the following weekend in Seattle. The very next outing produced a semi-final berth in Seattle. Ashley has qualified as high as first (IHRA eMax competition) and has been no lower than ninth since.

Qualifying in the 19th of 23 events in the $50 million POWERade Drag Racing Series begins Friday, September 15 with sessions at 3:00 and 5 p.m., and continues Saturday with sessions scheduled at 12:00 Noon and 3:00 p.m. Eliminations will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 17.

Gotham City Racing is fully sponsored by Knoll Gas Torco Race Fuels, the largest independently owned race fuel manufacturer. Knol 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. Products can be purchased by calling 1-800-67-TORCO or by visiting their website: http://www.torcoracingfuels.com/

Mike Ashley's Gotham City Racing is also sponsored by:
* Oakley - http://www.oakley.com/
* Optima Aluminum Trailers - http://www.optimatrailers.com/
* Lend America - http://www.lendamerica.com/
* Impact Racing - http://www.impactraceproducts.com/
* Knoll Gas Motorsports - http://www.torco.com/
* SKULL Shine - http://www.torco.com/
* SKULL H2O - http://www.torco.com/