NHRA - Ashley looking for Lightning Odds in Vegas

LAS VEGAS - According to a 2003 NASA-funded environmental study, once a bolt of lightning strikes, there is a more than 35 percent greater chance it will strike in the same area again, often-times repeatedly. Two-time Pro Modified World Champion Mike Ashley, driver of the Torco Race Fuels, Inc. Dodge Charger nitro Funny Car, is banking on that fact as he heads into Las Vegas for the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals.

The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway has been the site of several pivotal wins for Ashley, and he's looking for another. In both 2004 and 2005, Ashley walked away from the venerable facility with Pro Mod World Championships, having clinched the crown with round-wins at the track. In the spring of 2005, Ashley won the event in Pro Mod, and at the fall event of that same year, The Strip was the site of his first-ever round win behind the wheel of a nitro Funny Car in his abbreviated five-race rookie season.

"There's no doubt that I love coming to Vegas, I've had a lot of really good success here," Ashley said. "Although I don't really believe any of those wins were from luck, in this town, you always hope a little bit of that rubs off on you, too."

"We had the quickest and fastest car in Houston, and coming into this event, we're feeling really strong and confident. Brian [Corradi, crew chief], Mark [Oswald, former World Champion and Gotham City Racing's Engine Development chief] and the guys have the Torco Dodge flying, and I know we'll run some good numbers.

"They say that a smart man only places a bet when he's assured of the outcome, and I'd definitely place odds this weekend on 'The Kid from Long Island.' I am confident that we'll perform very well," he said.

Qualifying for the fifth of 23 events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series is scheduled to begin at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 13 and continue at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Eliminations are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 15.