4/28/08

Now THAT’S what I’m talkin’ about!

Sunday’s final round may be one of the most memorable moments I’ve ever witnessed in all the years I’ve been covering NHRA national events. Every fan in the Atlanta grandstands was on their feet; the starting line area was buzzing with crew members, VIP’s, photographers, NHRA officials, and many of the drivers from all the professional classes; the skies were gray and the sun was going down creating an almost surreal visual backdrop as John and Ashley rumbled to the starting line.

When history is about to be made, the atmosphere possesses its own, indescribable energy.

I could ramble on and on about the general buzz that was circulating through Atlanta Dragway as the final round was edging closer, but I would rather touch upon a subject that gets addressed on rather infrequent occasion.

Ashley is a very cool chick.

I’m not referring to the fact she has cover girl looks, a radiant personality, and terrific sense of humor. And I’m not alluding to her tremendous relationship with her fans or perpetual smile that could easily light up a room. I’m talking about the coolness she displays in the heat of competition when she would have every right to get stressed, moody, or quick-tempered when she’s about to race in a critical round. That girl never changes! On Sunday, as everyone was gearing up for that dramatic final round against her dad, Ashley was patiently signing autographs, pleasantly answering a barrage of questions from the media and the fans, and calmly discussing the upcoming final with her crew chief, “Guido” Antonelli.

I asked her if I could get a quick picture of her with Guido for the ESPN.com feature I was planning on writing after the race and she gladly complied, wearing her ever-present smile. I can think of more than a few racers who would have been a bit more touchy about being asked for a photo under the same circumstances. Ashley has star power but it’s what she has inside that I most admire.

I’d also like to point out that she has become an extraordinarily gifted driver in her rather short tenure in the Funny Car class. I’ll give you two graphic examples. This year in Phoenix qualifying, Ashley made an incredible pass during Saturday’s first session in the right lane when her car began making a move toward the wall and then veering toward the centerline without ever lifting before getting all the way through the run under power. It was an exceptional driving job and I told her that when I saw her later in the day.

In the second round in Atlanta on Sunday, she may have executed the best driving magic of her Funny Car career against Jim Head. Both cars left together but Head’s car dropped a cylinder and he started moving out of the groove toward the left retaining wall. For a moment, it looks as if Ashley had this one in the bag. But just as she got to around 1000 feet, her car started edging toward the right-side wall and she had to tug it back into the groove. Head, in the meantime, had gotten his car hooked up again and was closing on Ashley, who had to give her car one last yank to get it to the stripe just as Head had closed up on her. She was able to save the car and win the round simultaneously. Yup, that girl can drive.

It has been quite the week for women in racing. Danica Patrick got the headlines last week with her Indy Car win and Ashley will get lots of ink after her win on Sunday—and of course, the fact that she beat her dad in the final round will give the media even more grist for their mills. But for me, I feel fortunate to have been there, spent a fair amount of time with the team over the weekend, and got to enjoy one of the NHRA’s most riveting final rounds in history from an up-close perspective. I’ve got a pretty neat gig and I was reminded of that again in Atlanta.

Only a few days rest and then we’ll all be in Madison, Illinois this weekend for the next race. I’ll have more from “In the Groove” on Monday so I hope you’ll remember to log on and check in after the race.