Freiberg Returns Home To Race In Star Mazda This Weekend

JOLIET, July 27, 2010: Teenage racer Ashley Freiberg, coming off a big Skip Barber National Series win ten days ago in New Jersey, returns home this weekend (July 31-Aug. 1) to compete in the Star Mazda Series event, Harrah’s Autobahn Grand Prix presented by Mazda, at the Autobahn Country Club.

Freiberg (pronounced FRY-BERG) made Barber Series history when she became the first female driver to capture a Barber National Series feature on July 18 in the road circuit at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

Now Freiberg moves up to a higher racing division this weekend as the 18-year-old Homer Glen, Ill., resident attempts to climb the racing ladder that could eventually lead her to the IZOD IndyCar Series.

Freiberg, a Barber regional series champion earlier this year in the Southern Region, will race against some of the brightest young driving talent in North America this weekend on the 3.6-mile road circuit. Freiberg has already won one Barber National Series race and 12 Barber Regional events in 2010.

“I am very excited to move into the Star Mazda Series this week at the Autobahn,” said Freiberg, who graduated from Lockport High School last December. “After winning the Barber National race last week, I feel confident moving into the new class this time. I raced at the Autobahn last year in Star Mazda, so I know what to expect. And I expect to be very competitive this weekend.”

The personable woman racer is establishing herself as a young driver to watch in the future. Her goal is to race in the IZOD IndyCar Series.

“This weekend in Star Mazda is a big jump for my racing career,” she admits. “Sure, I would love to be the next Danica. But to get to the IndyCar Series, I need to compete in each division and show my talent. Whenever you move up to the tougher division, it isn’t easy. But I think I know what expect this time around. Last year, I don’t think that was the case.”

Freiberg is no stranger to winning, either. She won five World Karting Association championships in her progression to the cars. This is Freiberg’s second full season in auto racing after a successful career in karting.

“Every young racer wants to compete in the top level, the Indy cars,” said Freiberg. “But you have to work your way through the racing levels, and you must be successful at each level too. This weekend will be my new jump in order to get to the top class.”

Following this weekend’s action, Freiberg will return to the Barber series’ as she attempts to win championships in the BFGoodrich National Series as well as the Barber Summer Series regional circuit.