Mike Ashley
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World Champion Pro Modified racer Mike Ashley hadn't initially planned to go drag racing this
weekend in Hattiesburg, MS. That was the case before the phone rang. On the other end of that call
was a television producer inquiring as to whether his crew could shoot Ashley's Torco Racing
Fuels-sponsored team for a forthcoming reality show to air on The Men's Channel.
Ashley thanks his lucky stars for Alexander Graham Bell's invention.
"This was such a neat experience for me and my crew," Ashley said. "I'm glad that we had this
opportunity to open our team to millions of potential viewers. I think this is a great opportunity
for drag racing to market itself."
The six-episode series will air in the near future. The particular air dates have not been named
yet. As many as 12 teams could be featured over the course of the season.
According to the production company executives, the reality portion will be intermingled amongst
the racing action.
"That's a great angle to take," Ashley said. "I think the most positive thing is that it allows
the casual race fan an opportunity to see just how crucial of a role the entire team plays in the
race. The driver gets all the glory but this enables the fan to see how much effort goes into
racing. It does away with the myth that racing is a one-man thing."
MS2 Productions out of St. Louis, MO., is responsible for doing the show. For Ashley, the constant
presence of cameramen was something he had to get used to.
"I guess it all comes with the territory," Ashley said. "The big thing is that we were able to
show off our new sponsor Torco Racing Fuels and that our primary objective."
