Ashley Freiberg Ready For Skip Barber National Event

BRASLETON, Sept 21, 2009: Ashley Freiberg has been studying hard during her senior year at Lockport Township High School. She needs to get ahead on her studies as her racing schedule is busy as ever this week.

The 17-year-old open-wheel racer from Homer Glen, Ill., wanted to make sure she had her homework completed when she left today for her whirlwind racing trip through the Southeast with five days of racing and appearances.

Freiberg’s (pronounced Fry-Berg) primary racing endeavor will be practice, qualifying and two feature races in the Skip Barber BFGoodrich National Series presented by MAZDA competition beginning Tuesday, Sept. 22, during the Petit Le Mans weekend at Road Atlanta. The main event races are set for Thursday and Friday, Sept. 24-25, on the fast 2.54-mile, 12-turn circuit northwest of Atlanta. Freiberg, a series rookie, currently ranks seventh in the Barber National point standings.

“It will be a hectic week for me,” said Freiberg, who scored a podium finish last month at Road America. “I have been studying very hard to get ahead in my classes. That way I can concentrate on my races and special appearances this week. The special events are very exciting, too.”

Freiberg will kick off her busy week on Tuesday, Sept. 22, with participation in the 8th annual Motorsports Ministries Petit Kart Challenge in Atlanta. Invited by veteran woman racer Lyn St. James, Freiberg will team with Shannon McIntosh in the three-hour endurance contest, raising funds for Motorsports Ministries and Breast Cancer charities. The Gorsline Company of Rochester, N.Y., hosts the popular annual racing affair.

“I am honored to be invited by Lyn for this event,” said Ashley, a two-time WKA world karting champion. “She helps many young women racers each year, and I want to thank her for her guidance and assistance in racing in the prestigious charity event.”

Following her racing week at Road Atlanta, Freiberg will travel to West Palm Beach, Fla., to be part of the coveted AMG Mercedes Driving Experience at the new Palm Beach International Raceway. Ashley will drive AMG Mercedes sedans with world class female athletes from different forms of competition such as surfing world champions, Olympic skiing medalists, X Games snowboarding gold medalists and pro freestyle skiers. The two-day special event, set for Sept. 25-26, will be filmed for future telecasts.

“I am so excited to meet these amazing athletes in the spectacular event at West Palm Beach,” said Freiberg. “Plus, driving those amazing AMG Mercedes cars will be truly fantastic for a young racer like me. The whole week is something I will never forget.”