A/Fuel Rookie Ashley Sanford Continuing Learning Experience at Vegas

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photos courtesy of Tim Marshall

 

LAS VEGAS (October 23) – A/Fuel Dragster rookie Ashley Sanford returns to Las Vegas, the site of her TAD licensing and national event debut, to compete in the Toyota NHRA Nationals, Oct. 25-27. The 19-year old Californian has just a few races under her belt, but Sanford and her Gelish Nail Polish team have spent countless hours preparing their parts and personnel for their return to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“We’re still trying to familiarize ourselves with the car. We’re doing anything we can do to practice and prepare so everything is working flawlessly when we hit the track. I’m still learning as a driver. I’m not trying to put too much pressure on myself but I still want to be successful. I’m comfortable in the car but there is still a lot to learn. I learn something on every run I make,” Ashley said.

Ashley’s father and team owner, Shane, added, “Seattle was our most recent event and our first running the car on our own without the guidance of its former owner, Larry Miersch. We were able to run a 5.46 but it took a 5.43 to get in to the eight-car show. Since then, we’ve been preparing spare parts and going through routines. We’ve had some time away from the track, but we’re ready to get back to racing.”

Ashley and the Gelish/Lucas Oil A/Fuel team, who previously only had experience racing Top Alcohol and Top Fuel sand dragsters, will be met with tough competition this weekend. Therefore, Sanford’s goals for the weekend are realistic yet optimistic.

 

“Looking at the entry list, there are twenty-one cars entered for a sixteen-car field. So for that reason I would say qualifying is goal number one. After that, we want to go rounds. Everyone has been working so hard, dedicating a lot to making this work. I feel like I owe it to my team to take it further than we’ve gone at the past few races,” Ashley commented.

Frederosa’s Team Extreme is a family-owned A/Fuel Dragster team competing in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. 19 year old Ashley Sanford drives the team’s Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish dragster, tuned by Troy Schweers and Dave McWilliams. Frederosa’s Team Extreme crew – Ed, Mike, Jeff, Torrey, Robin, and Dean, formerly worked on the team’s pair of high-powered sand dragsters. The team receives support from Lucas Oil, America’s Best Value Inns, Lexington Hotels, Roscoe’s Famous Deli, Heroes Bar & Grill, The D Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, and the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino.

For more information on Ashley Sanford and the Gelish/Lucas Oil team, please visit www.ashleysanforddragracing.com. Follow her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AshleySanfordDragRacing) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/ashleyracergirl).