ASHLEY'S PURPOSE BEYOND REASON
Mike Ashley said he knew he had the car to beat in Indy, but a
part of him couldn’t help but reflect to past Indy dreams.
After four rounds of grueling eliminations, Ashley drove the
special-edition Eric Blake Faulkner Foundation Tribute Car all the way to the
Winner's Circle and into second place in POWERade Championship points-race.
"This one is for the dreamers - because it's been a dream of mine to win
at Indy since we debuted two years ago," said an ecstatic Ashley.
"This means so much, not only for the team and for Evan Knoll, Torco, and
all our sponsors, but because of the Eric Blake Faulkner Foundation and how important
this win is to them."
It's funny that Ashley likens his 2007 success to that of the legendary Bronx Bombeer Babe Ruth. Ruth led baseball in home runs and strikeouts simultaneously.
Mike Ashley said he knew he had the car to beat in Indy, but a
part of him couldn’t help but reflect to past Indy dreams.
After four rounds of grueling eliminations, Ashley drove the
special-edition Eric Blake Faulkner Foundation Tribute Car all the way to the
Winner's Circle and into second place in POWERade Championship points-race.
"This one is for the dreamers - because it's been a dream of mine to win
at Indy since we debuted two years ago," said an ecstatic Ashley.
"This means so much, not only for the team and for Evan Knoll, Torco, and
all our sponsors, but because of the Eric Blake Faulkner Foundation and how important
this win is to them."
It's funny that Ashley likens his 2007 success to that of the legendary Bronx Bombeer Babe Ruth. Ruth led baseball in home runs and strikeouts simultaneously.
"It's funny, really. We DNQ'd in Englishtown and won the next race in
"I can't say thank you enough to Evan Knoll, who two years ago said he
believed in me and let me do this, and this is exactly what I said I would do
for him - contend for the championship. Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald
[crew chiefs], Steve Boggs and the rest of the team - they all proved what we
have been talking about all year: that we have a commitment to winning the
Championship, and I think this really proved that today," he said.
The win catapults Ashley to second place in POWERade Championship points from
sixth where he started before the race.
A PURPOSE WITH REASON
Ashley unveiled a unique, Chip Foose-designed tribute car that he will
drive only at the U.S. Nationals and then the car will be auctioned off
at the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz. All of
the funds raised will go to support the Eric Blake Faulkner Foundation.
The Foundation was created to help parents who suffer the loss of a
child before or just after birth.
“There’s nothing more tragic to lose a child, and
my friends Donnie and Hollie Faulkner had to deal with that recently. Evan
Knoll, my sponsor, called me and asked if I would run a special car for this
race as a way to help the Foundation, and, of course, I didn’t hesitate to say
yes.
“It’s amazing, really, to see how many people have gotten together
to help – people like Evan and Jim Jannard of Oakley, Chip Foose, Mark and Allan
Adkins of Illusions and so many more. This truly was an emotional outpouring of
love and support, and it’s an honor to be carrying the banner for them,” he
said.
After the unveiling, Ashley proceeded to run a straight shot down
the left lane and post a 4.804/324.67 to take a provisional No. 9 spot after the
first day of qualifying in Indy.
“It was a good, clean run, just a
little soft,” Ashley explained. “We wanted to put down something like a ’77, but
we didn’t hit it hard enough. No matter, though, it was a great baseline for the
rest of qualifying, and will be something we can improve on tomorrow and
Sunday.
“I can’t remember when I’ve had so much to do at the racetrack
in one day, but, like I said, it was a great day, and I’m so glad to be back
here at Indy, where it all started for me in Funny Car.”