Mike Ashley is the boss of his race team but when his team speaks he will yield to their demands.

That’s not because Ashley is weak in leadership. It’s just the opposite.

He’s such a confident leader, and habitual assembler of a successful nucleus, that when his people provide instruction, the New York mortgage banker from Long Island knows they speak with his best interests in mind.

That’s why when Ashley proclaimed that he was planning a return to nitro racing this fall, his crew chiefs and supporting cast would only give their blessings for a dragster. 

Ashley Re-enters Nitro Racing As A Top Fuel Driver …

Mike Ashley is the boss of his race team but when his team speaks he will yield to their demands.

That’s not because Ashley is weak in leadership. It’s just the opposite.

He’s such a confident leader, and habitual assembler of a successful nucleus, that when his people provide instruction, the New York mortgage banker from Long Island knows they speak with his best interests in mind.

That’s why when Ashley proclaimed that he was planning a return to nitro racing this fall, his crew chiefs and supporting cast would only give their blessings for a dragster.

“I would love to run a Funny Car but I was overruled on that by Brian and the team,” Ashley confirmed.

Ashley will begin the Top Fuel licensing process on the day after the NHRA Carolinas Nationals in Concord, N.C., and begin competition as early as the following event in Memphis, Tenn. He will come to battle with a rookie crew chief with a championship mentality.

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SIDEBAR – THE INHERENT DANGERS

It’s a bit of trivia that Mike Ashley would rather see forgotten.

Twice in his career, the two-time world champion has been next in line to run following a fatal drag racing accident.

The first time was back in 1989 in Atco, N.J., during an exhibition for the newly announced Pro Modified class. Ashley was just behind the burnout box when Walter Henry lost control of his supercharged Corvette and struck a barrier killing him instantly.

Fast forward to 19 years later at the NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, Ashley now a seasoned nitro racer, waiting on his turn to run, was just behind the burnout box when Scott Kalitta ran off the end of the track in a fatal accident.

Ashley hasn’t driven a nitro car since.

“That was a tragedy and heart wrenching for me,” said Ashley, who initially questioned his future as a driver. “It was one of the most memorable moments in my career. It was very upsetting.

“One of the things that I realized is the amount of respect for the drivers and the drag racing community in the way that everyone came together to make our sport safer. When I think about that day, I think about the steps we are taking to make our sport safer have been so significant that I feel safe in a Top Fuel car.” - Bobby Bennett

“We won two world championships together,” Ashley beamed. “He made the commitment to step up to nitro racing as long as I went with a Top Fuel dragster and not Funny Car. In his honor, I am going to drive a Top Fuel car.”

The interaction between Ford and Ashley on the dragster will likely be different than the exchanges the two had back in Pro Mod. Ashley smiles, when he recalls the friendly chastising, he used to receive from Ford after an erratic run.

That chastising was always aimed at Ashley’s well-being.
Having a strong supporting cast of former flopper tuners Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald, as well as point leader and teammate Antron Brown should cut down on the learning curve. Besides, Ashley, having never driven a dragster in his life, believes the steering similarities between a Top Fuel dragster and a Pro Modified doorslammer will speed up the process.

“You have to remember, I believe that the Funny Car, you have to muscle it around, but it is totally different than the dragster,” Ashley explained. “In the Pro Mods, it may look like they are moving around but they have the same steering as a Top Fuel car.

“I think the Top Fuel dragster is actually a hybrid car. I think it is a cross between a Pro Mod and a Funny Car. it has the horsepower of a Funny Car with the steering of a Pro Mod. I’m just going to have to focus on not muscling it around.”

Ashley insists that he’s returning for no other reason than he just wants to compete again. Ever since last season’s NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, N.J., Ashley has been nose to the grindstone navigating his successful Lend America mortgage business through the treacherous waters of a slumping economy. He’s even made a few infomercials as well.

He’s put in the hours and wants to play the game again. There are no ulterior motives and certainly no chance of running interference for his Matco Tools team.

“I missed driving and that’s the reason I’m coming back,” Ashley said. “I totally believe in this team and Antron. I don’t think having a blocker is necessary. I missed being out there [racing]. I promised myself [when I walked away from driving] that I would be back as soon as I possibly could.”

WATCH A MIKE ASHLEY/LEND AMERICA INFOMERCIAL