Freiberg Seeks Another Barber National Win

ELKHART LAKE, Aug. 19, 2010: Ashley Freiberg made Skip Barber racing history last month when she became the first female to win a BFGoodrich/Barber National Series presented by Mazda event.

Freiberg, currently tied for third in the national point standings, sets her sights on another Barber National Series win this Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 21-22) at the legendary Road America four-mile road circuit as part of the American Le Mans Series weekend. Ashley won her first series race at New Jersey Motorsports Park last month.

Freiberg has been rewriting Barber Series history this year after being the first woman to capture a Barber Series championship with the Southern Regional title in April. Then, the 18-year-old Homer Glen, Ill., racer, in her second year on the Barber National Series, walked to the top of the podium at the National Series race.

“It has been a very busy and exciting season for me,” said Freiberg, who has won 15 Barber series competitions in 2010. “Winning races was my goal from the start of the year. I wanted to win the Southern Region championship and then win in the Barber National Series. I have been able to do that so far. Then I wanted to be competitive in a Star Mazda Series race (finished fifth at the Autobahn) and I think I did that. So now I would love to win again in the Barber National Series. But it won’t be easy at Road America.”

Freiberg has a good background at the famed Elkhart Lake circuit, having driven the course in karts and finished third in last year’s Barber National Series race.

“I feel pretty confident coming to Road America this weekend,” said Ashley. “But the straightaways are so long that drafting is the key. It seems we have been drafting at every track, but Road America will be much tougher. You have to have a strategy at that track. Everyone is so close in competition. It is just as tough mentally as physically. You have to be patient and thinking about your racing plan.”

Freiberg will continue her racing throughout the 2010 season by also driving in the Barber Summer Series in her quest to win a second regional title in the same year.

“After I graduated from high school (from Lockport High School in December), I wanted to race as much as I could,” Freiberg said. “We have a limited budget compared to other young drivers, so I am attempting to learn as quickly as possible. I have been able to win races and continue my learning curve. Racing at tracks like Road America, Road Atlanta, Lime Rock, Sebring and others is very important. Those tracks are legendary and racing on them is a great thrill.”

Freiberg’s goal is to compete in the IZOD IndyCar Series someday.

“There is a long way to go to get to that place (Indy cars),” Ashley admits. “I just want to win each race right now and that means this weekend at Road America. I’m focused on this weekend. Another win in the Barber National Series is my current goal, and winning at Road America would be super.”

Freiberg came close last year at Elkhart Lake by leading a portion of the Barber race before settling for third. Now, Ashley is prepared to visit the top of the podium.