Ashley Force Topeka wrap up

ASHLEY FALLS IN SEMIFINALS AT HEARTLAND PARK POINTS RACE

Ashley Force ran afoul of nemesis Randy Meyer in the semifinals of a Lucas Sportsman Series race at Heartland Park-Topeka on Saturday, spoiling her last tune-up prior to the 52nd annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals which begins Thursday at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Ind.

The No. 4 qualifier, Ms. Force drove her Castrol Top Alcohol Dragster past Jeff Hamelink in round one of the Friday-Saturday event but was no match for Meyer’s 5.482 second elapsed time in the semifinals.

It was Ashley’s fourth points meet appearance this season and just the second time she didn’t reach the final round. Despite her early exit, the result likely will enable her to move up in the standings going into Indy.

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Race Winners At-A-Glance:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER – Lee Calloway, Channelview, Texas, 5.436, 259.66 mph, def. Randy Meyer, Olathe, Kan., foul
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR – Jonathan Johnson, Beaumont, Texas, 2005 Dodge Stratus, 5.755, 247.57 mph, def. Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 2002 Chevrolet Camaro, 8.975, 96.91 mph.
COMPETITION – Tom Schmidt, Lindstrom, Minn., 1934 roadster, def. Clint Sallee, Glendive, Montana, dragster.
SUPER STOCK – Chris Chaney, Claremore, Okla., 1992 Chevrolet Camaro, def. David Bogner, Kearney, Neb., 1992 Dodge Daytona.
STOCK – Gene Mosbeck, Elk River, Minn., 1964 Plymouth Savoy, def. Jerry Hefler, Kennedale, Texas, 1965 Chevrolet Impala.
SUPER COMP – Sheldon Gecker Sr., Surprise, Ariz., dragster, 8.906, 168.22 mph, def. Kyle Lawrence, Manhattan, Kan., dragster, 8.917, 155.61 mph.
SUPER GAS –Tommy Maedgen, Troy, Texas, 1964 Chevrolet Corvette, 9.911, 137.99 mph, def. Scott Robinson, Princeton, Minn., 2000 Pontiac Firebird, 9.888, 158.39.
SUPER STREET – A.J. Percival, Littleton, Colo., 1969 Dodge Dart, 10.879, 143.66 mph, def. def. Rick Milinazzo, Ft. Collins, Colo., 1961 Chevrolet Impala, foul.
MOTORCYCLE – Terry Blakely, Hope, Ark., Kawasaki, def. Brian Johnson, Anoka, Minn., Suzuki..

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TEAM CASTROL Details:

ASHLEY FORCE, 23, Castrol Top Alcohol Dragster
Qualifying position and performance: 4th at 5.607 seconds, 255.97 mph.
Race results: Beat Jeff Hamelink; lost to Randy Meyer.
Notable: Last tune-up before the start of the 52nd annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis.

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Ashley’s NEXT EVENTS:
Aug. 30-Sept. 4 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Indianapolis, Ind.
Sept. 8-10 Lucas Sportsman Series/Division 1 Englishtown, N.J.
Sept. 15-17 Toyo Tires Nationals Reading, Pa.
Sept. 22-24 O’Reilly Fall Nationals Dallas, Texas

-www.Castrol.com/us-