Ashley Plans on Rebound in Atlanta
Commerce, Georgia/May 2, 2006 - Since day one of the 2006 NHRA season, SKULL Shine/TORCO Race Fuels Funny Car driver Mike Ashley has been saying the same thing: the first half of the season will be spent concentrating on building the team, its engine and car combination, and gaining behind-the-wheel experience. Ashley's goal is to be a contender by mid-season, and, in spite of a DNQ in Bristol, he feels the team is right on schedule.
The mortgage banker from Melville, NY is more excited then ever as the tour pulls into Commerce, Georgia for the Summit Racing NHRA Southern Nationals, and he has good reason to be.
"What's important to realize is that our team put forth number one qualifier results at Bristol, but, unfortunately, I didn't," Ashley said. "The Friday night session was the one that 15 of the 16 cars qualified in. We were well on our way to a 4.74 - 4.75 run when I let the car get away from me, and that was the difference.
"The moral of the story is that we have a contending engine combination and now we need to combine that with my driving," he said.
Ashley and his crew chief, Mark Oswald, are no strangers to building championship teams. Both have won World Championships and both are currently focused along with the Worsham's on returning to championship form.
"I know where we're going with this program," he said. "The future of this team and our results are crystal clear for me. No matter the challenge we are committed as a team to do whatever it takes to contend in a long term and serious way."
Ashley qualified 18th in Bristol on a run that required more than just finesse, it demanded the strength of a physically fit driver to make it happen. For some inexplicable reason, his Chevrolet Monte Carlo darted across the track towards the other lane. If not for a masterful recovery job, Ashley's best run would have been disqualified for crossing the center-line.
Ashley, however, looks at the big picture; if not for that erratic turn of events he could have enjoyed a 4.74.
"That's just a part of racing you have to learn to accept," he said.
"I don't have to like it, but I do have to accept it. We'll just get after it more in Commerce."
Ashley and Team Gotham take to the quarter mile again at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. this Friday at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Georgia. Qualifying continues at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, and eliminations begin on Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
For More Information about Mike Ashley and Gotham City Racing, visit the team website: www.GothamCityRacing.com
The mortgage banker from Melville, NY is more excited then ever as the tour pulls into Commerce, Georgia for the Summit Racing NHRA Southern Nationals, and he has good reason to be.
"What's important to realize is that our team put forth number one qualifier results at Bristol, but, unfortunately, I didn't," Ashley said. "The Friday night session was the one that 15 of the 16 cars qualified in. We were well on our way to a 4.74 - 4.75 run when I let the car get away from me, and that was the difference.
"The moral of the story is that we have a contending engine combination and now we need to combine that with my driving," he said.
Ashley and his crew chief, Mark Oswald, are no strangers to building championship teams. Both have won World Championships and both are currently focused along with the Worsham's on returning to championship form.
"I know where we're going with this program," he said. "The future of this team and our results are crystal clear for me. No matter the challenge we are committed as a team to do whatever it takes to contend in a long term and serious way."
Ashley qualified 18th in Bristol on a run that required more than just finesse, it demanded the strength of a physically fit driver to make it happen. For some inexplicable reason, his Chevrolet Monte Carlo darted across the track towards the other lane. If not for a masterful recovery job, Ashley's best run would have been disqualified for crossing the center-line.
Ashley, however, looks at the big picture; if not for that erratic turn of events he could have enjoyed a 4.74.
"That's just a part of racing you have to learn to accept," he said.
"I don't have to like it, but I do have to accept it. We'll just get after it more in Commerce."
Ashley and Team Gotham take to the quarter mile again at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. this Friday at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Georgia. Qualifying continues at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, and eliminations begin on Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
For More Information about Mike Ashley and Gotham City Racing, visit the team website: www.GothamCityRacing.com
posted by David @ 11:01 PM
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