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Mike Ashley Looking For Sponsor Satisfaction In Richmond
 MIKE ASHLEY LOOKING FOR SPONSOR SATISFACTION IN RICHMOND
DINWIDDIE, Va. -- Winning a sponsor’s event can send the ultimate message for any drag racer, and Knoll Gas - Torco Race Fuels Funny Car driver Mike Ashley wants to get his point across – his team can and will win. Ashley feels he has the perfect opportunity to drive home that point at this weekend’s Torco Race Fuels NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park near Richmond.
“Things are going so well with the team — everyone has jelled, and Brian [Corradi, crew chief] has definitely found the right combination to get horsepower and speed,” Ashley said.
Ashley has driven Evan Knoll’s Knoll Gas – Torco Race Fuels Funny Car in nine national events (including one IHRA eMax Drag Racing Series stop) and in that time has amassed one final round, two track records, one pole position, two sem-final finishes and two quarter-final appearances. He has qualified in nine consecutive events, and beside the one top spot, three times he has been in the top four. In fact, he’s held the provisional top spot going into the final session for the past two races. On top of that, since joining Knoll’s team in July, Ashley has been the eighth largest point earner amongst the NHRA Funny Car contingent.
Those credentials are plenty to be proud of, but Ashley wants more. He wants that elusive first national event in a Funny Car.
“And we’re going to get it too,” he said. “We have the right equipment, right personnel and right attitude to make it happen. I am extremely pleased with the direction we are headed in. This is a good team that has a solid direction and game plan. We will win and for us the perfect time will be this weekend at Evan Knoll’s event.”
Ashley’s goal for the weekend is definitely attainable, and he has the momentum to prove it. Last week in Reading he set his personal best records of 4.694/330.96 and established a new Maple Grove Raceway track speed record en route to a No.2 qualifying position.
Two weeks ago in Dallas, Ashley thundered to the top spot on Friday, with only two drivers surpassing him in an incredibly quick session the next day, putting him at an impressive No.3. Working his way through eliminations and establishing low elapsed time in two of the four eliminations rounds, he finished runner-up to Robert Hight.
“You just know when things are about to happen,” Ashley said. “When the momentum swings your way, you just have to drive with it. That’s all I am doing. I’m driving with the momentum.”
WEEKEND SCHEDULE: FRIDAY, Oct. 6 – Professional Nitro Qualifying Sessions at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY, Oct. 7 – Professional Nitro Qualifying Sessions at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. SUNDAY, Oct. 8 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. Final Eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION: Saturday, Oct. 7, ESPN and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 10 p.m. (ET). Sunday, Oct. 7, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute magazine show at 12:30 p.m. (ET). Sunday, Oct. 8, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE: Friday, Oct. 6, 9-9:30 p.m. (ET) – SBS 6, Transponder 16K (12092.5 MHz, Vertical) Saturday, Oct. 7, 7:30-8 p.m. (ET) – SBS 6, Transponder 16K (12092.5 MHz, Vertical) Sunday, Oct. 8, 7-7:30 p.m. (ET) – SBS 6, Transponder 16K (12092.5 MHz, Vertical) Feeds include action with natural sound of Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock, plus interviews with qualifying leaders on Saturday and winners on Sunday.
For More Information about Mike Ashley and Gotham City Racing, visit the team website: www.GothamCityRacing.com
About Gotham City Racing
Gotham City Racing is fully sponsored by Knoll Gas Torco Race Fuels, the largest independently owned race fuel manufacturer. Knoll 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. Product can be purchased by calling 1-800-67-TORCO or by visiting their website.
Website: http://www.torco.com
Torco Race Fuels CompetitionPlus.com
To keep up with the latest in drag racing news including same day coverage of NHRA POWERade national events, click on Torco's CompetitionPlus.com.
Mike Ashley's Gotham City Racing is also sponsored by:- Oakley
- Optima Aluminum Trailers
- Lend America
- Impact Racing
- Knoll Gas Motorsports
- SKULL Shine
- SKULL H2O
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