Sanford Looks to Impress at Season-Opening Home Race

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion



POMONA, Calif. (February 4) – Southern California native Ashley Sanford begins her third season in the NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster class this weekend at the Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway.

The excitement surrounding the season-opening race is present in Sanford's Gelish/Lucas Oil pit, but the Fullerton resident does have mixed feelings about racing at Pomona. Sanford was successful at several tracks across the country last year, but she has only qualified at her home track once in three attempts.

“It's kind of a bittersweet excitement only because for some reason we have not been able to figure out Pomona yet. I love it because it's my home track and I grew up coming to the races here but we have still not made a full pull on that track,” Sanford noted.

The former sand drag racer is confident that will change this weekend, adding, “Going into this I have a really good feeling about it. It's the season opener. It's going to be exciting no matter what and the adrenaline is going to be pumping.”

Sanford is returning with a loyal sponsor line-up, beginning with Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish and Morgan Taylor Nail Lacquer.

“I'm super excited to say we still have Gelish and Morgan Taylor on board as our main sponsors. Very happy to say we have Lucas Oil returning on a bigger level. CP-Carrillo Rods & Pistons is also joining us this year. We had the chance to visit their operation recently. It was top of the line so we're really happy to be working with them.”

Vantage Hospitality Group, whose brands include America's Best Value Inn and Lexington Hotels, is also returning as a sponsor. Las Vegas's The D Casino & Hotel and Golden Gate Casino & Hotel are now in their third year partnering with the popular young driver.

The Circle K NHRA Winternationals, Feb. 5-8, is the first race on the Gelish/Lucas Oil A/Fuel Dragster team's 2015 schedule, made up of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and NHRA Lucas Oil Series regional events.

“We have agreed upon 14 races and we're going back and forth on a 15th. For me that's a ton of races so I'm stoked on that. I think March is the only month we won't be racing. As a driver, more races means more seat time so I can continue to better myself. The car's performance is right there. It's just a matter of getting the consistency down and with more times being out there we have a better chance of getting that,” Sanford said.

Top Alcohol Dragster competition begins with qualifying sessions at 4 PM Thursday, 2:15 PM Friday and 11:15 AM Saturday. Eliminations start at 2:30 PM on Saturday and continue on Sunday afternoon.

David Smith/PSA photo

Frederosa's Team Extreme is a family-owned A/Fuel Dragster team competing in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. 21-year old Ashley Sanford drives the team's Gelish Soak-Off Gel Nail Polish dragster, owned by her father Shane. The Gelish team – Troy, Dave, Ed, Mike, Jeff, Dean, Torrey, Robin, Justin, Brian and Kit - 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, Morgan Taylor Nail Lacquer, Lucas Oil Products, America's Best Value Inns, Lexington Hotels, CP-Carrillo Rods & Pistons, 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).

A/Fuel Driver Ashley Sanford Anticipating First U.S. Nationals Experience

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

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).

Sanford Enters Northwest Nationals with New Support From Morgan Taylor Nail Lacquer

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

SEATTLE (August 1) – After a few months away from the racetrack, 20-year old Ashley Sanford is more than ready to strap into her Gelish Nail Polish/Lucas Oil A/Fuel Dragster at the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Northwest Nationals, August 1-3. Refreshed with new parts, a spare motor, and motivation from promising performance at their last race, the SummitRacing.com Nationals at Las Vegas in March, Sanford and team head back into a consecutive stretch of racing.

“Keeping up with the results is pretty much the closest we've been to racing since Vegas,” Sanford said. “Ever since that race I was hoping the time between races would fly by and fortunately it did. What's great is now we're going to be busy. We have at least one race per month until the Finals in November.

“I haven't raced since March, but the team has stayed busy over the summer to prepare for these races. We tested at Bakersfield one weekend. While we didn't get the data that we were looking for, we did learn something and I received valuable seat time. I also want to thank my team for their hard work putting together our spare motor.”

The Northwest Nationals is the debut race for a new Ashley Sanford Racing sponsor, joining prominent supporters Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish, Lucas Oil, and America's Best Value Inns on the pink and white nitro-injected A/Fuel Dragster.

“We have our Morgan Taylor Nail Lacquer on board now. They're a sister company to Gelish and we're very excited to have them on the side of the car. For me it's an honor to represent a girls' brand and a growing brand, like my team is; we're growing, too. It's two young girls who run the company so we can relate. It's a privilege to race for such great sponsors,” Ashley noted.

Ashley Sanford and her Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish/Lucas Oil Products Top Alcohol Dragster team will hit the track at 2:15 and 5 PM on Friday and 11:30 on Saturday for qualifying. Eliminations begin at 2:15 PM on Saturday and resume on Sunday morning.

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, Troy, 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, Morgan Taylor Nail Lacquer, 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).

Driver Profile - Ashley Sanford

Driver: Ashley Sanford

 

Car: Gelish/Lucas Oil A/Fuel Dragster

 

Age: 20

 

Hometown: Fullerton, CA

 

Occupation: Server 

 

Family: Shane (Dad), Michele (Mom), Sydney (sister), and our five dogs, Riley, Woody, Bella, Lily, and Sophie!

 

Accomplishments: Living my dream racing dragsters at over 270 mph with my family's support!

 

First race car: Honda ATV

 

Favorite movies: All of the Disney Classics, Girl Interrupted, and anything with Will Ferrell. 

 

Favorite music: Classic Rock

 

Favorite TV shows: Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy, and American Horror Story.

 

Favorite sports teams: San Francisco 49ers

 

Favorite racetrack: The Strip at the Las Vegas Motor speedway

 

When I'm away from the racetrack I: am either working or spending time with family, friends and my dogs!

 

Favorite racing memory: Getting to race my dad in the sand drags! He was in a top fuel dragster and I was in a blown alcohol dragster, and I won!

 

Top accomplishment in racing: Getting our Gelish dragster to qualify 2nd at a national event!

 

Toughest opponent: Couldn't say I have one. I like to treat every pass no different from any other. Just focus on myself and hope we get the win light! 

 

Favorite opponent: Chris Demke – he's an awesome guy!

 

Favorite drivers outside TAD: Tony Schumacher, Alexis DeJoria, and Erica Enders.

 

Personal heroes: My dad; he's the most hard-working and determined guy I know. He's helped make my dreams come true and has always believed in me; he's my rock!

 

I race because: There is something addicting about the way it feels to sit in a 4500 HP dragster, from getting strapped in to the launch. It feels like home to me! 

 

I race TAD because: I want to continue to push and challenge myself in racing. TAD is the perfect playground for that.

 

Pre-race rituals or superstitions: High five all of my awesome crew guys before every run and always get in on the right side!

 

Nobody knows that I: Cheered in high school – I traded in my pom poms for a fire suit no problem!

 

If I didn't race I would: Be totally lost! I would always have to be involved with racing, whether I'm in the seat or not. 

 

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AshleySanfordDragRacing

Twitter username: @ashleyracergirl

Instagram username: ashleyracergirl

Website: http://ashleysanforddragracing.com/

Top Alcohol News photos

 

Ashley Sanford Sets Career-Best Numbers at Vegas

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of Tim Marshall

LAS VEGAS (April 2) – Gelish A/Fuel Dragster driver Ashley Sanford made great strides at last weekend's NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The young Californian set multiple career-best numbers during qualifying and testing. Sanford lost a close first round race, but the outing was a big step forward for Ashley and her team.

“We were struggling for a while when the season started. We just couldn't figure out why we couldn't get the car to go down the track. That went on for weeks; eleven consecutive passes where it either shook or smoked the tires. We took a few steps back and found problems in the clutch. Once we started to fix the little issues we started making full pulls,” Ashley said.

Sanford started the race with a 5.38 at 270 MPH run, a career-best speed at the time, in the opening qualifying session. She followed that pass with a 5.309/268, enough to place the Gelish dragster second in the qualifying order.

“That first thirty-eight on Friday, man was that exciting,” Sanford exclaimed. “We weren't expecting that. And to back it up with a thirty flat? We were on cloud nine. All of the hard work to fight through the struggle was worth it. It was very rewarding to see those numbers.”

The Gelish Gel Nail Polish/America's Best Value Inns A/Fuel team entered first round of eliminations facing fellow A/Fuel driver Bill Litton. Ashley left with the starting line advantage, but had to pedal shortly into the run, allowing Litton to slip ahead for the win, 5.535 to Sanford's 5.575.

“That was a nail-biter,” Ashley added. “I knew with the shake and pedaling it that it would be a close race. I didn't see him until the very end. The car was running well so I really thought we had it. Bill and I both didn't see a win light come on and no one on the top end knew who won so we sat there for a few minutes biting our nails.”

Always thinking about the bright side, Ashley was quick to point out the positive aspects of the race weekend.

“Overall it was just a great experience. Making the first two full runs on Friday was unbelievable. Two five-thirty runs and my fastest mile-per-hour up to that point was exciting. On top of that, it was just a really fun weekend. I had the opportunity to meet great people; we talked to the Forces and Tony Schumacher gave me a behind-the-scenes tour of how the Top Fuel teams work. For the big picture, with me wanting to run Top Fuel some day, that was an amazing opportunity.

“This weekend was definitely a huge confidence boost for the Gelish team. We're at this point where we can really compete now. We all thought we had a chance to go rounds. It all happens for a reason. The baby steps will count. After this race we'll be ready to go to all of the other races with a different outlook on running the car and a higher confidence level. I think that will really help us in the end,” claimed the former Top Alcohol sand drag racer.

The Gelish team took the opportunity to test on the Monday following the race. Despite shaking the tires and pedaling, Ashley still ran a 5.44 at 272 MPH, further improving her career-best speed. Ashley Sanford and the Gelish Gel Nail Polish/America's Best Value Inns team will hit the track next in May.

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. The Gelish team – Troy Schweers, Dave McWilliams, Shane Sanford, Ed Sanford, Mike White, Jeff Monge, Dean Schweers, Torrey Paul, Justin DeCaprio and Robin Steeves, 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).

Sanford Set for TAD Sophomore Season Start

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

POMONA, Calif. (February 5) – SoCal native Ashley Sanford will be making her sophomore season debut this weekend at the NHRA Circle K Winternationals in Pomona. The popular A/Fuel Dragster driver is embarking on her first full season in the competitive Top Alcohol Dragster after joining the class last year. The 20-year old driver is eager to build upon her experience, starting this weekend at her home track.

“I'm really excited for this season because I know I'll be able to progress as a driver. Even in the five short races we competed in last year, I learned a lot. I think the extra seat time I'll have this year will be valuable. I'm just so excited for the season as a whole, getting to learn so much and hopefully making a final round,” said Sanford, who resides in nearby Fullerton.

Ashley and her Gelish/Lucas Oil team will again be joined by noted A/Fuel tuner Tom Conway, who tuned the car at the team's last three races in 2013.

“We're excited to have Tom Conway tuning the car again this weekend,” Ashley claimed. “Just as we're learning, Tom has been learning the tendencies of our car. We've all learned a lot since he first started working with us in Vegas last year. He's been great to work with and it's an honor to have him helping us.”

“The whole team has been working hard over the offseason to get the car ready for the Winternationals. We made a few changes to accommodate the new rules, which we hope will have a positive impact on our performance. With the combination of Tom Conway and our capable crew, I'm confident that we'll have a successful outing at Pomona,” added Shane Sanford, Ashley's father and team owner.

For Ashley, the aspect of racing 'at home' makes the start of the season even more thrilling.

“I think racing in Pomona is the most exciting part. Not only do I get to go out for the first time this season, I get to do it with all of my family and friends from the area. It's comforting to race so close to home. Though it can be more nerve-wracking – I always want to do better at my home track.”

The family-run team enters the 2014 season with the valued support from all of their 2013 sponsors, including expanded support from national hotel chain America's Best Value Inns.

“America's Best Value Inns has stepped up their support of us this year to help get us to more races. I'm also happy to have the continued support from all of our sponsors from last year – Gelish, Lucas Oil, Roscoe's Famous Deli, Heroes Bar & Grill, and The D and the Golden Gate Las Vegas hotels and casinos,” Ashley commented.

Top Alcohol Dragster qualifying at the Circle K Winternationals, Feb. 7-9, starts on Friday at 11 AM and 2:30 PM. Another final qualifying session is set for 10 AM Saturday. Eliminations start on Saturday afternoon and continue on Sunday.

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 dragster, tuned by Tom Conway. Frederosa's Team Extreme crew – Troy, 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 Nail Polish, 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).

Sanford Runs Career Best At Vegas Regional, Looks Ahead to Pomona

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of Tim Marshall

POMONA, Calif. (November 7) – A/Fuel Dragster rookie Ashley Sanford just barely missed qualifying for one of the quickest TAD fields in Lucas Oil Series history last weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Sanford’s Gelish Soak-Off Gel Nail Polish entry came just five thousandths of a second from qualifying at the Las Vegas Gambler Showdown Division 7 Finale.

After suffering a DNQ at the NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip the week before, Gelish Nail Polish and the team decided to bring in legendary Top Alcohol Dragster driver and tuner Tom Conway for the regional race. Conway provided critical information to the team, whose experience prior to this season was limited to sand drag racing.

“It was really great to have Tom join our team for this race. The crew had a lot of their questions answered. The improvements Tom made definitely showed on our two passes, with my career-best speed on the first and best E.T. on the second. We’re very thankful that we had the opportunity to have him out there with us. He really helped us step up our game and get ready for Pomona.”

“We’re very happy with how this weekend went. We have a great, hard-working crew – Troy, Dave, Ed, Mike, Jeff, Dean, Torrey, and Tanner. We won dozens of races and three championships together racing on the sand, but we needed a little extra guidance in our transition to asphalt drag racing. Tom answered our questions and shortened our learning curve,” added Shane Sanford, team owner.

Ashley two-stepped the throttle on her first pass, but the Gelish/Lucas Oil A/Fueler still managed a 5.57 at 264 MPH run. That gave the team optimism heading into the final qualifying session. Tom Conway used the data from the first run to tune Sanford to a career-best 5.426, good enough to move her from fourteenth to seventh at the time. The run was ultimately bumped out of the field to ninth.

“It was definitely a roller coaster feeling,” Sanford claimed. “You’re optimistic heading in to the last run, then you’re on top of the world when it makes it in, and then back to the disappointment of not qualifying. I would like to have qualified, but I can’t not be happy about running career-best numbers. It was a bittersweet moment. This weekend was all about learning and having fun, and we accomplished both,”

The weekend’s results were a welcomed surprise for the team, who originally planned to use the race as a test session for the upcoming Pomona race. The plan worked, as they’ve proven that the Gelish/Lucas Oil A/Fuel Dragster is capable of qualifying in national event sixteen-car fields.

“Our performance at Las Vegas was definitely a confidence booster. It’s a relief for the whole team to know that we have a car that can run times that should qualify at Pomona. As long as we keep up what we started at Vegas we’re all confident that we’ll get in the show next weekend.”

Ashley Sanford and her Gelish/Lucas Oil Top Alcohol Dragster team won’t need to wait long to continue their progress. Their next race, the Auto Club Finals, Nov. 7-10, is at Sanford’s home track, Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, Calif.

“I’m very excited to race at my home track, especially now after our promising runs at Las Vegas. A lot of our friends, family, and sponsors will be joining us this weekend. Having their support will give our team extra incentive to perform well,” said the Fullerton, Calif. native.

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, Dean, Torrey, and Tanner 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).

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).

Sanford Qualifies in NHRA Debut Race

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of Tim Marshall

LAS VEGAS (April 8, 2013) – Top Alcohol Dragster rookie Ashley Sanford impressed the Las Vegas crowd on Saturday when she qualified for her very first drag race on pavement. Running a best of 5.60 at 259 MPH during shortened qualifying, she took the #10 spot to earn a first round matchup with Chris Demke. She even got the starting line advantage over one of the best drivers in the class, but tire smoke put an early end to her debut weekend. Despite an early exit, it was a dream weekend for the former sand drag racer.

“I’m still a little overwhelmed. To me, my dream came true this weekend. As we were going through the tower for the first qualifying run, I had a couple happy tears come out of my eyes. It’s been a dream of mine for years to race an NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster. I’m so proud of myself and my team for making it this far, qualifying for a field with some of the top drivers in the country,” Ashley said after the SummitRacing.com Nationals.

Sanford’s Gelish Soak-Off Nail Polish A/Fuel Dragster ran a tuned-down 5.60 at 259 mph in the final session to qualify tenth. It was a quick ride for the 19-year old, who has just a few full passes in the car.

“We only had two qualifying sessions and it shook the tires on the first pass. We were aiming to go a little quicker but it was fast for me – it was my quickest time yet. We weren’t here to set records this weekend, we’re just trying to slowly make a name for our team,” Sanford claimed.

Qualifying was half the battle. Starting tenth meant a first round matchup with Chris Demke, one of the biggest names in the class.

“I had a feeling we would have a tough competitor first round. All I was thinking was ‘get him at the tree’. I was practicing my reaction times before the run. I knew they had a good car so I wanted every advantage I could take. I did get him at the tree, so that made me feel better. He (Chris) came over and congratulated me after the race so that was a huge complement. He was such a nice guy – I couldn’t have picked a better person to race in my first elimination round,” Ashley said, who ended up smoking the tires down-track after getting a .025 to .043 holeshot. Demke went on to runner-up.

In conclusion, Sanford was overjoyed with the way the weekend played out.

“I can’t complain. We didn’t have anything break and no one got hurt – that’s really all you can ask for. I did everything I could. I didn’t want to go crazy and start pedaling it. Overall, we had an amazing weekend. Nothing really went wrong. I had a great time and met a lot of great people. It was perfect to me.”

Sanford and her Gelish/Lucas Oil team will take a few weeks off before testing to get more seat time and to give Ashley’s father and team owner Shane the opportunity to get a feel for tuning the car after taking over for the car’s previous owner, Larry Miersch. The next planned race for the team is the Lucas Oil Series regional at Sonoma, July 19-21.

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, and Dean – are assisted by Larry Miersch and crew: Roy, Jimmy, Rick, and Victor. The team receives support from Lucas Oil, Roscoe’s Famous Deli, Heroes Bar & Grill, The D Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, Post Brothers Construction, and Sun Dial Powder Coating.

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

TAN

Ashley Sanford Making Competition Debut in Gelish A/Fuel Dragster

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photos courtesy of Tim Marshall

LAS VEGAS (April 4, 2013) – Following two weekends of testing and licensing in her new Gelish Soak-Off Nail Polish A/Fuel Dragster, 19-year old Ashley Sanford will make her NHRA competition debut at this weekend’s SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The former sand drag standout earned her license just a few weeks ago under the watchful eye of the car’s former owner and driver, Larry Miersch.

“We didn’t have the best weather when we tried to get my license. It was cold and rainy the first weekend and windy on the weekend that I got my license. We worked past it. We were able to get it done in seven passes. It was hard for me to make it down the track the first weekend. Everyone was a little nervous on the second weekend because I hadn’t been in the car in six weeks and I was supposed to make my first full pass right away. I was really determined and told myself, ‘I’m going to make it down there no matter what,’ and I did. The first two passes were full runs so I completed my license, and that’s all that matters to me. I’m just so excited to be racing this weekend,” Ashley said. 

It was a big change for the Californian, who’d previously never raced on the asphalt. Her last ride was a blown Top Alcohol rail that competed on a 300-foot sand strip – polar opposites from the nitro-injected A/Fuel Dragster that covers the asphalt quarter mile in 5.3 seconds at over 270 miles per hour.  The Spitzer-built nitro burner left a powerful first impression on Ashley.

“It’s an overwhelming feeling of pure power,” Sanford said about her first time in the car. “It’s very exciting – adrenaline is going crazy. It’s so hard to describe. I think it’s the best feeling in the world.”

The young driver’s goals for her first weekend in NHRA TAD competition are ambitious yet realistic.

“I would love to make it to Sunday; make it past first round. And if we don’t it’s ok; it’s my first race. I’m just trying to make passes and learning every pass. Past that, we want to get to as many national and regional races as we can. I would love to win a race this year. I’m very determined to and my team is determined as well. We’re going to reach for the stars,” Ashley claimed.

Ashley got a chance to meet fans and sign autographs at a special appearance Thursday night in front of The D Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, one of the team’s biggest supporters. Fans on Fremont Street lined up by the hundreds to take a photo with Ashley and the Gelish/Lucas Oil dragster.

With only 13 cars entered, the Top Alcohol Dragster teams will get only two qualifying runs to get ready for Saturday evening’s first round of eliminations. Qualifying sessions are scheduled for 4:30 Friday night and 11 AM on Saturday.

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, and Dean – are assisted by Larry Miersch and crew: Roy, Jimmy, Rick, and Victor. The team receives support from Lucas Oil, Roscoe’s Famous Deli, Heroes Bar & Grill, The D Las Vegas Hotel and Casino,  the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, and Post Bros. Construction .

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