One year ago, Mike Ashley announced he would field a championship-contending Nitro Funny car team in 2007. As he rolls into Pomona this weekend with his Torco Race Fuels, Inc.-sponsored Dodge Charger R/T for the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals, he has fulfilled his goal and expanded his vision for the future.
 
Ashley's sponsor and longtime friend Evan Knoll was so pleased with the progress of the team after only one year, he decided to move his driver, Melanie Troxel, from the Lucas Oil-operated Top Fuel dragster she raced this season and put her in a Knoll Gas Motorsports /Torco Race Fuels-backed nitro Funny Car under Ashley's Gotham City Racing team. As of this point, it has been confirmed by Torco that Gotham City Racing will definitely be running two Funny Cars and Ashley said he will be driving alongside Troxel, subject to his commitments in the ongoing business requirements of Lend America.
 
"Having Evan trust us to field a championship-contending car for Melanie is an honor as much as a huge responsibility which I take very seriously. Just like I said last year when we announced that I would both Owner and Driver of my own team, we are following the model of finding the very best people and building our program with their talents and dedication.
 
"Brian Corradi is an amazing crew chief and has proven himself time after time this season. Four wins, five No. 1 qualifiers, and a whole bunch of track speed records - he and the guys have proven they are true champions, and I think this weekend you will see exactly the same kind of performance you've come to expect," he said.
 
"This has been an amazing season, to be sure, and I have every intent to keep our momentum going into the years to come," Ashley said.
 
"I'm looking forward to ending the season on a positive note, and I have one more shot to win with my wife Mindy at my side.  There isn't a better way to close this chapter of the book, and I'm confident we have what it takes to get it done," he added.