Looking to the sky...
There are a ton of drivers out there who truly embody what I hope to be as a driver and many of the things I hope to accomplish in my coming years. Whether it be for their pure driving talent, their heart and drive to win, or their sportsmanship and love for drag racing, there are many drivers that I admire and respect.
But there is one in particular that I aspire to emulate my own driving career on, and that is Torco Nitro Funny Car driver and former Pro Mod World Champion, Mike Ashley.
Being a die-hard Ford girl, I've been a fan of the Gotham City team since I first laid eyes on Mike's Gone in 6.0 Seconds '67 Shelby GT500 "Eleanor" Pro Mod. It is what ignited the love for Pro Mod in me, and still is my favorite Pro Mod to this day. I can still remember the first race I got to see Eleanor up close... it was the Inaugural Dragstock in Jackson, SC. I believe Mike ran one of the first 3 second 1/8 mile times that weekend. I know that he was giving away t-shirts, and I ran down from the pits to grab one.
The Gotham Team definitely stood out amidst the local outlaws when it came to their showmanship and flair. Mike is an outspoken individual all over the drag racing community, and always exhibits such great "confidence", which some (myself included initially) might mistake for arrogance/cockiness. But what I've learned after spending just a small amount of time in their pits and with their team, is that the Gotham team is passionate, and Mike's approach to life... Racing, Business and his Family is the key to their unstoppable success. That positive approach is what I hope to emulate the most...
What sets him apart is how hard he works at everything without making it feel like "work". He focuses on positive thinking, and achieves everything he sets out to do with hard work. His approach is very different from other drivers, crew chiefs, team owners, etc. He takes efforts to be both mentally and physically at the top of his game, and he doesn't let pride stand between him and being the best driver he can be. I read a very interesting article earlier last year on Competition Plus that talked in depth about his training regimen. How many drivers work that hard to be successful?
So its no surprise that Mike achieved one of his goals and dreams this weekend in Topeka, KS at the NHRA event. He won his first race as a Nitro Funny Car driver, also placing him #3 in the points chase. With as hard as Mike and his crew work, their determination, and most importantly their hearts.... their work is finally paying off and I expect that they will be a great force to be reckoned with for the rest of the season and beyond.
During his top end interview holding his very first Funny Car Wally, Mike made a statement that I hope to carry on with my own racing. He said
"For you dreamers out there... This was my dream, and I was able to do it. There's no reason why anyone can't do what they want to do with their life."
Its that dream that drives me through thick and thin everyday, and the hopes that my dreams will be answered that keeps me to it.
But there is one in particular that I aspire to emulate my own driving career on, and that is Torco Nitro Funny Car driver and former Pro Mod World Champion, Mike Ashley.
Being a die-hard Ford girl, I've been a fan of the Gotham City team since I first laid eyes on Mike's Gone in 6.0 Seconds '67 Shelby GT500 "Eleanor" Pro Mod. It is what ignited the love for Pro Mod in me, and still is my favorite Pro Mod to this day. I can still remember the first race I got to see Eleanor up close... it was the Inaugural Dragstock in Jackson, SC. I believe Mike ran one of the first 3 second 1/8 mile times that weekend. I know that he was giving away t-shirts, and I ran down from the pits to grab one.The Gotham Team definitely stood out amidst the local outlaws when it came to their showmanship and flair. Mike is an outspoken individual all over the drag racing community, and always exhibits such great "confidence", which some (myself included initially) might mistake for arrogance/cockiness. But what I've learned after spending just a small amount of time in their pits and with their team, is that the Gotham team is passionate, and Mike's approach to life... Racing, Business and his Family is the key to their unstoppable success. That positive approach is what I hope to emulate the most...What sets him apart is how hard he works at everything without making it feel like "work". He focuses on positive thinking, and achieves everything he sets out to do with hard work. His approach is very different from other drivers, crew chiefs, team owners, etc. He takes efforts to be both mentally and physically at the top of his game, and he doesn't let pride stand between him and being the best driver he can be. I read a very interesting article earlier last year on Competition Plus that talked in depth about his training regimen. How many drivers work that hard to be successful?
So its no surprise that Mike achieved one of his goals and dreams this weekend in Topeka, KS at the NHRA event. He won his first race as a Nitro Funny Car driver, also placing him #3 in the points chase. With as hard as Mike and his crew work, their determination, and most importantly their hearts.... their work is finally paying off and I expect that they will be a great force to be reckoned with for the rest of the season and beyond.During his top end interview holding his very first Funny Car Wally, Mike made a statement that I hope to carry on with my own racing. He said
"For you dreamers out there... This was my dream, and I was able to do it. There's no reason why anyone can't do what they want to do with their life."
Its that dream that drives me through thick and thin everyday, and the hopes that my dreams will be answered that keeps me to it.
Posted by Erica Ortiz on Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 4:04 PM | Permalink 
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