RAIN FORCES POSTPONEMENT OF NHRA TORCO RACE FUELS NATIONALS;

Ashley busiest racer at Virginia Motorsports Park this weekend

DINWIDDIE, Va. - Persistent rain showers forced NHRA officials to postpone the Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park until next weekend.

The rain was a disappointment for the hundred of race teams and tens of thousands of race fans expected to race and attend the $1.6 million race, the 21st of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. This marks the first time NHRA has held an event at the quarter-mile drag strip near Richmond, Va. since 2000.

Ashley took advantage of the break in the action to tend to family obligations. The Knoll Gas - Torco Race Fuels Funny Car driver flew into Richmond on Thursday for the traditional pre-race press conference where he spoke highly of his sponsors and the event before excusing himself to return to Long Island, New York for an even higher cause - his family.

Ashley's 11-year-old son, Justin, an avid drag racing fan and two-time POWERade Fan Nationals Champion in 2006, gained the opportunity to start for his school's seventh grade team at quarterback.

"Because his game was scheduled at the same time we were scheduled to make our first qualifying attempt, I wanted to spend as much time as I could with him before the game," Ashley said. "We both had crucial commitments and we needed that time to draw moral support from one another. I was prepared to push as close to the limit to spend as much time with him as possible. I was in constant contact with the team and had a private jet on call."

Friday's qualifying was cancelled due to heavy rains, so Ashley never had to make the call.

Ashley was able to attend the game and share in the excitement as Justin directed the team's first touchdown drive of the season. They won the game 14-8.

This is not the only time Ashley has ever put action to his words when it comes to his family. One year ago, Ashley rode a four-race Pro Modified winning streak into last season's NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, NJ. However, Ashley's daughter Alexa was celebrating her bat Mitzvah on Saturday which overlapped the first round of eliminations. Ashley was a no-show for eliminations because he was dancing with his daughter.

"It's a no-brainer," Ashley said. "Family comes first and we should all remember that."

Next weekend's race schedule will be the same with qualifying rounds scheduled for 3 and 6 p.m. on Friday the 13th, noon and 3 p.m. on Saturday the 14th and eliminations set for 11 a.m. on Sunday the 15th.

The value of tickets purchased for this weekend can be applied to tickets for next weekend or next season's event here. For ticket information, contact Virginia Motorsports Park at (804) 862-3174.

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/