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| September 18, 2012 News |
| eKartingNews.com Driver of the Month - Ashley Rogero - August 2012 |
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 | Rogero earned a come from behind victory in WKA, following it up with a last to 11th at the Rotax Grand Nationals
(Photo: Sean Buur - Go Racing Magazine) |
In a continued effort to highlight the many outstanding performances by drivers around the country, eKartingNews.com is proud to introduce the ‘Driver of the Month’ program. Each month, the staff at EKN will determine the one driver who stood out above the rest and give the viewers a chance to know exactly what they accomplished and who they are.
No matter what you do in life, the ‘never quit’ attitude will take you places. It helps you earn respect from your peers, as they know you will always give it your best no matter the situation or obstacles before you. Ashley Rogero demonstrates that type of attitude every day, especially when at the race track. The Florida driver spent most of the summer away from home, racing across the east coast with her family, including father and mechanic Jim Rogero. Rogero’s positive attitude and performances on the track help her earn the eKartingNews.com Driver of the Month title for August 2012.
Rogero’s big win came at the WKA Manufacturers Cup Series KartLift Nationals at the Concept Haulers Motor Speedway in Norway, Illinois. Rogero qualified seventh in the Komet Jr. Heavy category to kick off the weekend. Running in the top-five during the Prefinal, she was involved in an incident that dropped her outside the top-10. She worked her way to tenth in the final laps to start from outside row five in the 14-lap main event. A great start moved her to seventh in the opening lap and after gaining two positions the next two laps, she took advantage of the hard racing to move into the second position. Lap 11, Rogero moved into the lead and drove away to a two-second advantage when the checkered flag fell - putting in one of the best performances of the weekend. The next day in the Lite category, she advanced from fifth to third to earn her second podium finish of the weekend.
The next weekend at the United States Rotax Max Challenge Grand Nationals in South Bend, IN at the Michiana Raceway Park, Rogero was making her third start in the Junior category, looking for another ticket to the Grand Finals. She was top-10 in practice but rain hit before qualifying and she ended up 33rd overall. After a tough opening heat race, Rogero drove up to a fourth and sixth in her final heat races to secure a 19th place start in the Prefinal. An opening lap crash put her on the sidelines and sent her to 33rd on the main event starting grid. Rebounding back once again and benefitting from the conditions returning to back to dry weather. Cautious on the opening laps, she began making her way forward and reached the top-20 by lap seven. Pushing each lap, finding the right opportunities to gain another position, she managed to cross the line in the 14th position after 26 laps, and then moved up to the 11th spot after penalties, all while recording the fast laps of the race.
Rogero contested the WKA Manufacturers Cup Series Grand Nationals this past weekend at the New Castle Motorsports Park, earning a victory in the Yamaha category. Her win gives her the chance to test a F2000 Ralph Firman Car, presented by McLaughlin Motorsports. This weekend, she and her father are making the trip to Colorado for the Rotax Pan American Challenge Championship event, looking to secure a ticket to the Rotax Grand Finals in Junior Max.
August 2012 EKN Driver of the Month - Ashley Rogero
 | Ashley Rogero - EKN Driver of the Month - August 2012
(Photo: Go Racing Magazine) |
Bio
Born: October 7, 1997
Hometown: Naples, FL
Parents: Jim & Tammy Rogero
Siblings: Abbey Rogero
Height/Weight: 5’6” / 130lbs.
Education: 9th grade
Job: N/A
Racing Resume
Chassis: Tony Kart
Engine/Engine Builder: Comet Kart Sales/Ocala Grand Prix
Sponsors: Ocala Grand Prix, Comet Kart Sales, Orlando Kart Center, Advanced Automotive
Series You Compete In: Florida Winter Tour, Florida Karting Championship Series, World Karting Association, North Florida Rotax Max Challenge, OGP local series
Years Karting: 9
How did you get started in karting? My dad has been in racing his whole life
What has been the high point in your racing career? Representing Team USA in Italy for the Rotax Grand Finals 2010, and receiving the GoPro Hard Charger award last year at SKUSA SuperNationals
What are your goals in racing? Become some sort of famous race car driver
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Smooth, aggressive, determined
Funniest moment at the race track? Anytime I’m with Panch and the rest of OGP.
Likes
Favorite Track: New Castle Motorsports Park, Pittsburgh International Race Complex
Favorite form of professional motorsports: NASCAR
Favorite karting driver: Gary Carlton, Alex Speed
Favorite professional driver: Ayrton Senna, Dan Wheldon
Favorite website: Facebook
Favorite movie: Senna
Favorite actor/actress: Channing Tatum
Favorite music/group: Anything
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Indiana with family
Favorite food: Chicken
The Real Deal
What do you do when not at the track? Hang out with friends, long board, school
What are your goals outside of karting? To become a successful racecar driver
What type of street car do you drive? N/A
What type of street car would you like to drive? BMW
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? People who don’t tell the truth
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? Listen to the driver’s opinion
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? The competition, spending time with my family/friends, and meeting new people
August 2012 Driver of the Month - Honorable Mention:
- Kyle Kirkwood: WKA Manufacturers Cup Series KartLift Nationals - 2 wins (Yamaha Jr. Heavy/Komet Jr. Lite)
- Scott Ferris: WKA Manufacturers Cup Series KartLift Nationals - 2 wins (TaG Masters)
- Joey Wimsett: US Rotax Grand Nationals - DD2 champion
- Danny Formal: US Rotax Grand Nationals - Senior Max champion
- Johnny Blair: US Rotax Grand Nationals - Masters Max champion
- Alan Rudolph: US Rotax Grand Nationals - DD2 Masters champion
- Santino Ferrucci: US Rotax Grand Nationals - Junior Max champion |
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