Strong Qualifying Performance Allows a Day of Testing for Mike Ashley
Press Release For Immediate Release Contact: Matthew Brammer - Active Marketing pr@activemarketing.com 602-882-4290 Strong Qualifying Performance Allows a Day of Testing for Mike Ashley PHOENIX, Ariz. (February 24, 2007) - Torco Race Fuels nitro Funny Car driver, Mike Ashley, will start eliminations in the No. 5 position Sunday at the Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals at Firebird Raceway in Chandler, Ariz. Ashley's Friday night best of 4.727 was strong enough to allow the Gotham City team to use the day to test without fear of being bumped from the field. In Saturday's first round of qualifying, almost to a car no team was able to improve on their previous positions - and Ashley's tire-smoking 7.111/116.12 was in league with the pack. In the final round, Ashley had a great start to the run until his Goodyears lost traction, giving him a 9.594/86.23. "It was a day of testing for us, and we learned a lot," said Ashley. "Tomorrow's track conditions will be very similar, if not even more extreme, and we were able to try several different things on the car to see what will work for us. It's really nice to be in the position to work like that. "When the track gets hot, like it did today, it gets slippery, and it won't hold a lot of power, so Brian [Corradi, crew chief] will have to finesse the clutch tomorrow to get the most speed we can without breaking the tires loose. We experimented with a couple of things, and feel we have a really good handle for race day," he said. "This is where the science of racing becomes an art - and Brian, Mark [Oswald] and the guys are all masters of what they do. I'm very confident that tomorrow will be a great day for all of us," Ashley said. Pre-race ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday Feb. 25, followed by the first round of eliminations at 11 a.m. where Ashley will face off against Tim Wilkerson in the first round. TELEVISION: ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise one hour of qualifying at 12 midnight (ET) Saturday night. On Sunday, Feb. 25, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will broadcast NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute pre-race show, at 11 a.m. (ET) and televise three hours of eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET). ### For more information about Mike Ashley and Gotham City Racing, visit the team website: www.mikeashley.com. About Mike Ashley's Gotham City Racing: Gotham City Racing is fully sponsored by Torco Race Fuels, Inc., the world's largest independently owned race fuel manufacturer. Torco Race Fuels has a full line of racing gasoline in addition to methanol, nitromethane and fuel additives. Torco's fuel product line is complimented by SKULL Shine -- a complete line of car care appearance products and SKULL Gear -- an innovative and trendy clothing line. Products can be purchased by calling 1-800-67-TORCO or by visiting their website: http://www.torco.com Mike Ashley's Gotham City Racing is also sponsored by: * Knoll Gas Motorsports - www.torco.com * Lucas Oil Products - www.lucasoil.com * Dixie Chopper - www.dixiechopper.com * Oakley - www.oakley.com * Lend America - www.lendamerica.com Lend America is a nationwide direct lender, specializing in residential financing for one to four family homes. Lend America combines a flexible, common sense loan review process with hundreds of loan programs to provide exceptional service for its clients. Lend America's Motto "Don't take NO for an answer" is in direct relation to its commitment to service borrowers with "lending or credit challenges." Contact Lend America today, (877) 4-RACELOAN.