Ashley Takes Columbus
Jeg's Crown

Words by Scott Woodruff
Photos by John Ulman
8/4/05

eter Biondo and Mike Ashley emerged as two of the biggest stars from the inaugural Jeg's NHRA Northern SPORTSnationals at National Trail Raceway.

Biondo, of Maspeth, NY, became just the ninth driver in NHRA history to record a double win when he claimed the Super Stock and Stock eliminator titles. The former NHRA World Champion drove his ’69 Camaro to a win over Jim Boudreau of Tewksbury, MA, in Stock eliminator after Boudreau red-lighted. Minutes later, Biondo returned to the starting line to complete the historic dual win by driving his GT/FA Firebird to a final round victory over James Vester of Carlisle, IN.

Ashley, of Melville, NY, won the coveted Jeg’s Crown trophy after driving his Gotham City Racing Mustang (near lane in lead photo against Jay Payne) to a win in the AMS Staff Leasing/TLR Pro Mod event. Ashley qualified No. 1 with a 6.229/228.19 and finished the day with a final round victory over Josh Hernandez of Conroe, TX. Ashley was eligible to win the Jeg’s Crown trophy because he won both the Jegs.com NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals in Belle Rose, La., and the Northern SPORTSnationals in Columbus.

In addition to Mike Coughlin’s runner-up finish in Super Comp, Team Jeg’s driver John Coughlin posted round two finishes in Super Stock and Super Comp.

Troy Coughlin was defeated in the second round of Super Gas but later advanced to the semifinal round of Pro Mod (seen here against Glen Kerunsky) before losing a close race (6.302/226.96 to 6.343/222.00) against his teammate, eventual winner Ashley.