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).

Michalek Brothers Renew Sponsorship with Federal-Mogul's Champion Spark Plugs Brand

Courtesy of Michalek Brothers Racing

Vehicle Components Manufacturer's Fel-Pro, Sealed Power, and Speed-Pro Brands to also Sponsor Team

Michalek Brothers Racing (MBR) is excited to announce a continued sponsorship with Federal-Mogul Corporation’s (NASDAQ: FDML) Champion® Spark Plugs brand for the 2013 race season. Kyle and Corey Michalek won the brand’s inaugural “Search for a Champion” contest in 2012 and carried the iconic Champion bowtie branding on their Super Comp dragster this past season. In 2013 MBR and Federal-Mogul will collaborate to compete in an A/fuel dragster within the NHRA’s Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

“As Michalek Brothers Racing continues to grow by moving up to an A/fuel dragster, it is important to have support from partners like Federal-Mogul who understand the long-term goals of MBR,” stated Kyle Michalek. “The partnership between MBR and the Champion brand has mutual benefits and we look forward to continuing our successful working relationship during the 2013 race season.”

The Champion brand will be an associate sponsor on MBR’s NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series A/fuel dragster with additional Federal-Mogul brand support coming from the company’s Fel-Pro® Gaskets and Sealed Power® and Speed-Pro® engine components brands. MBR and Federal-Mogul’s Champion marketing team will continue to collaborate in social media engagements and at-track promotions.

“Michalek Brothers Racing embodies everything we look for in a race team. Their character on and off the track combined with hard work, dedication and knowledge of their sport and mechanics of their dragster made it an easy decision to continue to support their program,” said Federal-Mogul Brand Strategy Manager Jessica Wynn.

MBR is currently scheduled to compete in two events this season at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. The team will race at the NHRA Division 3 LODRS North Central Regional Cavalcade of Stars, May 17-19, and the Summit Racing NHRA Nationals, July 5-7. Humbled by the opportunity to extend MBR’s partnership with Federal-Mogul outside of the “Search for a Champion” contest, Corey looks forward to an exciting year.

“It’s incredibly exciting to extend our relationship,” said Corey Michalek. “Federal-Mogul and Champion have continuously associated themselves with best teams in the NHRA, including John Force Racing and Kalitta Racing to name a few, and it’s a huge honor to join that group. We want to be on that same level in the future and racing a 270mph A/fuel dragster this year is a great step in the right direction. Without their help, none of this would be possible; we’re extremely grateful for their continued support.”

To learn more about Champion Spark Plugs and other “Performance Driven” Champion products, visit www.alwaysachampion.com for more information. Federal-Mogul is a leading global vehicle components manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of quality products, trusted brands and creative solutions to the automotive aftermarket.

For additional MBR information and updates, visit www.MichalekBrothersRacing.com, “like” the Michalek Brothers Racing Facebook page, and follow @MichalekRacing on Twitter.