New NHRA Top Fuel team owner and driver Audrey Worm made another significant announcement at the SEMA show this week in Las Vegas. The 28 year-old announced she will be welcome two new additions to her team – crew chief Ashley Fye and car chief Jenna Drake.
“The really, really, really big news that we wanted to announce this [week] at SEMA that I’ll be the first Top Fuel team as the owner/driver and three women – women of power and really strong women – Ashley Fye will be my crew chief and Jenna Drake, formerly Jenna Haddock, will be my car chief.”
Audrey Worm, team owner
After becoming only the second female team owner in NHRA history after legendary Shirley Muldowney, Worm aims to make her 2020 campaign a historic first by featuring an all-female team.
“I am so excited to own my own team, and can’t wait for the 2020 season, where we hope to show the boys what girl power looks like.”
Audrey Worm, team owner
Crew Chief – Ashley Fye
Ashley Fye began her NHRA racing career as part of Scott Palmer’s Top Fuel operation. Learning the ropes on a small, growing team meant Ashley often had to assume many roles during the average race weekend.
Ashley’s background growing up in a machine shop meant she was already suited to the mechanical side of the sport. Initially, she intended to tackle team marketing but quickly shifted focus, realizing she is a much better fit on the technical side of the ropes.
She served as crew chief under Scott Palmer previously. The hands-on experience in all roles of a smaller fuel team that grew into a respected operation helped to mold and shape those skills.
“I grew up in a machine shop and have been a gear head my whole life.”
Ashley Fye
Most recently, she has been an asset on the Hirata Motorsports A-Fuel team and has also jumped in to aid on Terry McMillan’s Top Fuel team in Bristol previously.
For 2020, Ashley will take on the role of Crew Chief on Audrey Worm’s newly formed Top Fuel operation.
Car Chief – Jenna Drake
Taking on the car chief position will be fellow Top Fuel driver Jenna Drake (formerly Jenna Haddock). A former top fuel driver herself, Jenna has direct experience driving the car Audrey purchased.
Drake competed in 15 national events during her driving role during the 2014-2015 seasons. She notably scored an upset victory against veteran Tony Schumacher in 2014 for her first round win. Drake also earned one of the nominations for rookie of the year honors for her efforts.
2020 NHRA Schedule
The team has selected 9 NHRA events as their preliminary schedule with main sponsor, Strutmasters. Those events primarily focus on the eastern coast events. They hope to add to the schedule with expanding dates as more sponsorship is secured entering the season.
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