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After
Strong 2016 Finish, Ashton Intending to be Back with SCSCS
Mount
Joy, Pennsylvania (December 15, 2016) – Bill Ashton had his
best year to date in 2016. His
third full season in the Super Cup Stock Car Series was capped off
with a big win at his home track and a career best fourth place
finish in points. Nevertheless,
at the time the Hopwood, Pennsylvania veteran hinted that it could
be his final year competing.
Fast forward a few
months and the current intention is to return for another slate of
races as another page of the calendar turns.
“Finally got the
car to where I’m less likely to have problems, so why quit now?”
Ashton remarked. “I
couldn’t have asked for a better season, finishing every race
without tearing it up.”
The
63-year-old driver is anxious to get rolling once again, and since
the conclusion of the SCSCS season has already competed in a Street
Stock he also owns at a couple tracks down south.
Almost immediately after the New Year rings in, Ashton plans
to motor down to Dillon Motor Speedway in South Carolina to race
again.
“We’ll get back
at it in January,” Ashton said.
“I’m trying to have as much fun before I get too old.”
Following the
winter months, the preparations will build and the time dwindles
before the new SCSCS season. Perhaps
the place Ashton looks forward to most will be Pennsylvania’s
Jennerstown Speedway in July and August, the site of his recent and
only win in the series. That
summer night was certainly an exceptional moment for many, including
his crew members and his wife and two sons, who have all stood by
him through several years of racing and cheered from the pit area.
“I’m just not
used to crossing the finish line first,” Ashton, an occasional
frontrunner locally over the last few decades, commented.
“That was pretty special, especially at Jennerstown.
There were a lot of people I knew; old school friends
watching in the stands.”
It
was momentous for the series as well, as it displayed the fact that
a high-dollar motor or operation is not necessarily always the
deciding factor. Ashton
uses a CT 525 spec engine that runs on standard pump gas, a legal
and now winning combination in SCSCS.
Even at a 1/2-mile oval like Jennerstown, sometimes the key
is all about mastering the right setup.
“Not only were we
under power, but had only two (fresh) tires,” Ashton indicated
regarding the race where he maneuvered to the outside of current
series champion Harvey Harrison and multiple-time winner Brent
Nelson. “I’ve been
thinking about hitting the setup for 30 years, and never hit on it
like that. It was one of
the easiest jobs of driving I’ve had to do.”
Whether he finds
his way back to victory lane or not, look for the No. 35 group to
contend and have a good time while making their best effort in 2017.
“We have fun even
the races we don’t do well,” Ashton said.
“The car is actually good to go.
I’ve put the springs and shocks back in it.
All we have to do is fill up at Sheetz and we’re good.”
To learn more about
the Super Cup Stock Car Series and its partners, please visit www.supercupstockcarseries.com
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