Martin: Mike Ashley preview

Ashley rolls newest car into competition at IHRA Martin event

MARTIN, Mich. (August 1, 2007) - Mike Ashley, driver of the third-ranked NHRA Torco Race Fuels Dodge Charger R/T nitro Funny Car, will take a break from the grueling 23-race POWERade Drag Racing series this weekend and return to the series where he launched his career more than 17 years ago and race in the IHRA Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals at Knoll Gas Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan.

"I've really been looking forward to this race," said the 42-year-old mortgage banker from Long Island New York. "Racing IHRA is like a homecoming for me because it's where I started drag racing. Plus, it's a Torco race at Evan Knoll's track, so, we really want to put on a good show for the fans."

Ashley said his "Fuel Doctor" Charger that proudly bears the image of Torco's founder and owner, Evan Knoll, will be carried into competition by an entirely new Murf McKinney chassis.

"It's great because we can debut the new car at such a great facility, and race without the pressure of points chases or title contention. It's like taking a break and doing what we really love to do -- drag race.

"I'm looking forward to spending time with Evan, Latrell [Preston, Torco CFO], and all the folks from Torco and Seelye Wright. It will be an exciting, relaxed weekend, and I'd love nothing more than to come out of the event on Sunday and hand Evan an Iron Man [event trophy] to go along with the two Wallys we've been able to get him on the NHRA side," Ashley said.

Qualifying for the Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals at Knoll Gas Motorsports Park is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, August 3, and noon and 7 p.m. Saturday, August, 4. Elimination rounds are scheduled at 10:30 a.m., 12 noon, 2, and 4 p.m. (All times EDT).

-credit: gcr