Memphis: Mike Ashley Friday notes

Ashley Provisional Eleventh in Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (September 14, 2007) - Mike Ashley, driver of the Torco Race Fuels Dodge Charger R/T, sits in the No. 11 provisional qualifying spot with two rounds of qualifying remaining in the O'Reilly NHRA Mid South Nationals in Memphis, Tenn.

The Torco Dodge was consistent in both rounds of qualifying Friday, posting 4.916/311.13 in the first round and 4.921/267.37 in the Friday night run.

"Actually, we were on a high 4.70 run to take the top qualifying spot on that second pass, but we lost a cylinder and broke a blower belt at about 1000 feet and it slowed down too much to do us any good," Ashley explained.

"I'm really pleased, though, because we know we have the power do get down both sides of the track, and we have a good opportunity to make progress tomorrow too, because the weather is supposed to be cool - which is great for these cars," he said.

Weather forecasts call for 69 degrees at noon Saturday, and a high of 73 degrees some time after 3 p.m. Qualifying runs are scheduled for 12:45 and 3:15 p.m. Saturday, September 15.

"I'm confident we'll run really well tomorrow, and that Brian [Corradi, crew chief] will have another stellar tune-up in the car to shoot us into the top half of the field. The weather will be great, and, we've got the best hot rod out there," Ashley said.

-credit: gcr