Championship Drag Racing

Schuck's Auto Supply NHRA Nationals
Seattle, WA
(July 21-23)

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Driver Profile

Mike Ashley ProCare RX Dodge Charger

Seattle, prerace: Most of the current NHRA POWERade professional competitors rate the NHRA’s Western swing of back-to-back-to-back events as their least favorite experience throughout the 23-race race tour. Mike Ashley, driver of the Knoll Gas- Torco Race Fuels/Skull Gear-sponsored Dodge Stratus Funny Car, is one of the few that looks forward to the stretch of consecutive races which began last week in Denver and moves this week to the Pacific Northwest for the CSK NHRA Nationals at Seattle International Raceway.

Ashley is looking forward to this triple-header of events because it enables the Evan Knoll-owned team to establish continuity for the balance of the season and beyond. The new car and team under Don Schumacher Racing management was formed in less than three weeks and yet managed to qualify last week at the NHRA Mopar Mile High Nationals.

“This is a great opportunity for our team to step forward on the baseline we established last weekend,” Ashley said. “We plan to continue building on what progress we made in Denver. As good as we did in Denver that race also served as the test session we never had. Brian and I spoke today and we both feel good about our program. He feels he has the typical new car challenges addressed and I’m feeling comfortable in the car.”  

Ashley has never raced in Seattle and is excited about the experience. Prior to last season, Ashley traditionally competed in only 12-events a year on the Pro Modified tour where he is a two-time world champion.

“I know it’s been said before but it holds true,” Ashley said. “Pacific Raceways is just like any other track; it has a start and finish line and one has to accept the conditions the track gives them. That’s a universal code that remains the same whether or not you’ve run there before.”

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