Mike Ashley said he knew he had the car to beat in Indy, but a part of him couldn’t help but reflect to past Indy dreams.

After four rounds of grueling eliminations, Ashley drove the special-edition Eric Blake Faulkner Foundation Tribute Car all the way to the Winner's Circle and into second place in POWERade Championship points-race.
 
"This one is for the dreamers - because it's been a dream of mine to win at Indy since we debuted two years ago," said an ecstatic Ashley. "This means so much, not only for the team and for Evan Knoll, Torco, and all our sponsors, but because of the Eric Blake Faulkner Foundation and how important this win is to them."

It's funny that Ashley likens his 2007 success to that of the legendary Bronx Bombeer Babe Ruth. Ruth led baseball in home runs and strikeouts simultaneously.

Mike Ashley said he knew he had the car to beat in Indy, but a part of him couldn’t help but reflect to past Indy dreams.

After four rounds of grueling eliminations, Ashley drove the special-edition Eric Blake Faulkner Foundation Tribute Car all the way to the Winner's Circle and into second place in POWERade Championship points-race.
 
"This one is for the dreamers - because it's been a dream of mine to win at Indy since we debuted two years ago," said an ecstatic Ashley. "This means so much, not only for the team and for Evan Knoll, Torco, and all our sponsors, but because of the Eric Blake Faulkner Foundation and how important this win is to them."

It's funny that Ashley likens his 2007 success to that of the legendary Bronx Bombeer Babe Ruth. Ruth led baseball in home runs and strikeouts simultaneously.

"It's funny, really. We DNQ'd in Englishtown and won the next race in Norwalk. And then we DNQ'd in Reading and won here in Indy. I think that says so much about how we run this car - we swing for the fences with every pass. Sometimes you strike out - like in Reading - and sometimes you hit a home run, like we did here today at Indy.
 
"I can't say thank you enough to Evan Knoll, who two years ago said he believed in me and let me do this, and this is exactly what I said I would do for him - contend for the championship.  Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald [crew chiefs], Steve Boggs and the rest of the team - they all proved what we have been talking about all year: that we have a commitment to winning the Championship, and I think this really proved that today," he said.
 
The win catapults Ashley to second place in POWERade Championship points from sixth where he started before the race.

A PURPOSE WITH REASON 

Ashley unveiled a unique, Chip Foose-designed tribute car that he will drive only at the U.S. Nationals and then the car will be auctioned off at the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz. All of the funds raised will go to support the Eric Blake Faulkner Foundation. The Foundation was created to help parents who suffer the loss of a child before or just after birth.
 
“There’s nothing more tragic to lose a child, and my friends Donnie and Hollie Faulkner had to deal with that recently. Evan Knoll, my sponsor, called me and asked if I would run a special car for this race as a way to help the Foundation, and, of course, I didn’t hesitate to say yes.
 
“It’s amazing, really, to see how many people have gotten together to help – people like Evan and Jim Jannard of Oakley, Chip Foose, Mark and Allan Adkins of Illusions and so many more. This truly was an emotional outpouring of love and support, and it’s an honor to be carrying the banner for them,” he said.
 
After the unveiling, Ashley proceeded to run a straight shot down the left lane and post a 4.804/324.67 to take a provisional No. 9 spot after the first day of qualifying in Indy.
 
“It was a good, clean run, just a little soft,” Ashley explained. “We wanted to put down something like a ’77, but we didn’t hit it hard enough. No matter, though, it was a great baseline for the rest of qualifying, and will be something we can improve on tomorrow and Sunday.
 
“I can’t remember when I’ve had so much to do at the racetrack in one day, but, like I said, it was a great day, and I’m so glad to be back here at Indy, where it all started for me in Funny Car.”