" title="Read the rest of the story" rel="nofollow">Ashley Taws Finishes Second Place In Ontario Sportsman Series Race At Sauble Speedway
Toronto, Ontario
Jul 02, 2007
Barbie Racing
Ashley Taws was noticed for more than her pink “Barbie at Wal*Mart” stock car on Saturday night as she charged to second place in the feature Ontario Sportsman Series race at Sauble Speedway. Competing against experienced oval racers, including well-known veterans, the 23-year-old from Newmarket with just two prior stock car races under her belt gained well-deserved respect for her spectacular performance.
The second-place finish was a great end to a day that began with a disappointing qualifying run. Starting tenth for the first of two 50- lap races, Taws appeared to struggle, but halfway through the heat she went on the offensive. First taking ninth place, she then made a string of assertive passes, climbing to fifth. Then, with just a few laps remaining, she was pushed to the outside and fell back to ninth as a line of cars freight-trained past. She gained back one place to finish eighth.
Taws was revved up for the main event and crew members, especially Chief Mechanic Bob Wilson and Spotter Rob Fletcher, were confident of a good result. Fletcher, a 35-year oval racing veteran, coached Taws on not letting the guys push her around on the track and boldly suggested she could beat them all in the feature: a comment that evoked a look from Taws that hinted she questioned his sanity.
Starting the race from second place, Taws held the position until eventual winner Mike Hryniuk passed her and pole starter, Al Lebert. With heat-race winner Steve Robblee and his son Matt breathing down her neck, Taws displaced Lebert with a fine outbreaking move to take second, but the Robblees were soon filling her mirrors again.
When Steve Robblee took second place, Matt clearly intended to follow his father past the pink car, but Taws held him at bay and eventually pulled away.
As she closed on the leaders halfway through the race, a restart caused by a spinning car concerned Taws as Matt Robblee was sure to take advantage of any opportunity. Taws proved a tough customer and, after several attacks, Robblee overdid it at corner three and made light contact with the wall, but but was able continue.
With Taws half a second behind Steve Robblee and Hryniuk a few car- lenghts further up the road, another caution gave her a shot at the leaders while dropping her into the sights of fourth-placed Dave Connelly. Again Taws kept her place, then sped away with the leaders.
After 45 of 50 laps, Steve Robblee suddenly slowed and pulled off. Taws found herself chasing only Hryniuk. She reeled of the final five laps pulling away from the field and gaining slightly on Hryniuk. A clearly excited crowd cheered her to the flag while an emotional crew jumped and screamed.
“The Barbie car was just hooked up, the crew did and awesome job, “ Taws enthused of the DJK Racing team that fields her car. “Bob [Wilson] is really supportive and has taught me so much. And Rob [Fletcher] was just so enthusiastic on the radio, he got me really fired up. That was the most fun I’ve ever had racing! “
Wilson and Fletcher praised Taws without hesitation.
“This girl learns real quick, “ said Fletcher. “She’ll be at the top soon. “
Wilson, a driver and mechanic with over 30 years experience said, “She was consistent at first. Now she’s fast and consistent. Look out! “
Taws’s next oval race will be at Cayuga Speedway on July 14. For now though she must change to road racing mode as she’ll drive the “Barbie at Wal*Mart” Super Touring BMW in the Grand Prix of Toronto, July 6-8.
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