Ashley determined to keep the momentum after Indy Win 
"Trying to put that win into words is still difficult, but amazing and awesome come to mind right off the top," Ashley said. "I can't say it enough, that the win was a team effort, and I have the best team and sponsor in drag racing behind me."
Coming into Memphis, Ashley is ranked second in POWERade Championship points and just 21 points out of the lead -- solidly ensconced among the top four who will advance to the next stage in the NHRA championship battle: the Countdown to One. This weekend is the second of four events in the next month that determine which of the top teams will advance and compete for the Funny Car crown.
"We have a goal oriented culture. At the beginning of the year, the team set a goal to make it to the playoffs, and we accomplished that. Before the last race, we made another goal, to make it to the next step in the Countdown, and so far we're right on track," he said.
"Absolutely, winning Indy was huge, and moving into second place is an important milestone, but in the championship picture it's only the first step and there still are 12 rounds of racing left until the next cut, and we want to win as many of those as possible. I've won two world championships before in Pro Modified, and this class is no different. Every round, every run, every single action is critical to our outcome." Funny Car qualifying in the O'Reilly Mid South Nationals is scheduled for 4:30 and 7 p.m. Friday, September 14, and 12:45 and 3:15 p.m. Saturday, September 15. Eliminations are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, September 16. ESPN2/ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at midnight Saturday night (EDT). At 11 a.m. on Sunday, September 16, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute news magazine show, and follow with three hours of eliminations coverage beginning at 7 p.m.
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, Inc. has a full line of racing gasoline including methanol and nitromethane. Their full product line of fuels and additives is complimented by SKULL Shine -- a complete line of automotive care and appearance products and SKULL Gear -- an innovative and trendy clothing line. Product can be purchased by calling 1-800-67-TORCO or by visiting their website: www.torcoracefuels.com
Mike Ashley's Gotham City Racing is also sponsored by:
Knoll Gas Motorsports: www.torcoracefuels.com
Lucas Oil Products: www.lucasoil.com
Dixie Chopper: www.dixiechopper.com
A&R Transport: www.artransport.com
Oakley: www.oakley.com
The Hyperbaric Therapy Center: www.hypertc.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-RACE-LOAN.
Mike Ashley and Gotham City Racing support Autism Awareness through their support of the Hyperbaric Therapy Center. A 2007 Centers for Disease Control report found that 1 in 150 children in America today have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and an estimated 1.5 million Americans and their families are now affected. Autism is a national health crisis, and Gotham City Racing is working to help educate the public about ways they can get involved.
Visit the Heal Autism Now website for more information about how you can get involved: www.healautis mnow.org
