BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Aug. 28) – Southern California native Ashley Sanford and her Gelish Gel Nail Polish A/Fuel dragster team have made the trek to Indianapolis for the legendary NHRA national event known by many simply as “The Big Go”. The 60th Annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, August 27 through September 1, is the one race that every drag racer wants to enter, and Sanford is doing just that for the first time this weekend.
“I'm blown away by the experience so far,” she said of the historic race. “It's kind of a racer's dream to come to Indy, especially coming from southern California. Making the trip to Indy is a big deal for a sportsman team like ours. It's the 60th anniversary, my first time here – I'm so excited for the experience.”
This is the first time 20-year old Ashley Sanford and her Gelish/Lucas Oil team have raced east of the Pacific Time Zone, which means new experiences for the driver and crew chief.
“I'm excited to meet new drivers. This race is going to be a challenge because there will be a lot of great A/Fuel cars. This will be a learning experience for me and my team. We're racing with drivers who we've never lined up against on a track that is new to us. I think we're up for the challenge though,” claimed the former sand dragster driver.
Sanford is looking to improve upon a first round loss at the Northwest Nationals in Seattle earlier this month.
“Seattle was after four months away from racing,” she noted. “We were all ready to be back but the car just had a few gremlins that have since been worked out. We're hoping to run some really great numbers. Our sixty-foot times are the best they've ever been so we have something to build on. Alcohol cars get four qualifying runs here instead of the typical three so we'll get that extra run and hopefully qualify in the top half of the field.”
Ashley is grateful for the efforts of her Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish team members, many of whom previously worked on her Top Alcohol sand rail.
“I wouldn't be able to do this without my crew's hard work. We all do this because it's what we love to do. Even when we aren't racing the team gets together to work on the car and plan for the next race. I really believe their hard work and time will be rewarded on-track soon – hopefully this weekend,” Sanford concluded.
The Sanford family also extended thanks to their sponsors, including new supporters K.C. Tint Works and No. 9 Saloon, two Kansas City-based businesses.
Top Alcohol Dragster qualifying at the 60th Annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals begins on Friday with sessions at 1:30 and 4:30 PM. Q3 is at 12:15 PM on Saturday. Teams get an Indy-exclusive fourth qualifying session at 9:45 AM Sunday, followed by first round of eliminations at 5:30 PM. Eliminations continue on Monday.
Frederosa's Team Extreme is a family-owned A/Fuel Dragster team competing in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. 20 year old Ashley Sanford drives the team's Gelish Soak-Off Gel Nail Polish, tuned by Troy Schweers. The Gelish team – team owner Shane Sanford, Dave, Ed, Mike, Jeff, Dean, Torrey, and Robin, formerly worked on the team's pair of high-powered, championship-winning sand dragsters. The team receives support from Gelish Soak-Off Gel Nail Polish, Lucas Oil Products, America's Best Value Inns, Lexington Hotels, Roscoe's Famous Deli, Heroes Bar & Grill, The D Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, and the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino.
For more information on Ashley Sanford and the Gelish A/Fuel Dragster team, please visit www.ashleysanforddragracing.com. Follow her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ashleysanforddragracing) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/ashleyracergirl).
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