Troxel qualifies 10th at Mopar Mile-High Nationals

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series
Round 13 of 23
MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS
Bandimere Speedway
Morrison, Colo.
Race Dates: July 15-17, 2005


MORRISON, Colo. (July 16, 2005) - Melanie Troxel and her new Skull Race Gear
Top Fuel Dragster team from Don Schumacher Racing and tuned by Richard Hogan
hit the quarter-mile for the first time this weekend and qualified solidly
in 10th for the 26th annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.

Troxel, who has not competed in a Top Fuel dragster since 2003, posted her
best qualifying pass of 4.847 at 281.19 mph in the final round. The former
Littleton, Colo., resident will face Doug Herbert in the first round of the
NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series eliminations on Sunday.

"Not exactly what we were looking for," she said, following that pass, "but
we made it to the finish line and have a decent number going into race day.

"I had a two-year break from driving a Top Fuel car, so I had a lot of stuff
going on trying to get my head right and focused on what was going on with
the Skull Race Gear dragster.

"I can't say enough about this whole team, including the U.S. Army guys and
all the new Skull Gear guys. It says a lot about everybody over here at Don
Schumacher Racing. I have a lot of confidence in the team, the car, and
Richard Hogan's tuning. And I think if we can just improve a little bit off
of this last qualifying session, we should be good to go on Sunday.

"Obviously we don't have a perfect car yet, but I think that gives us an
opportunity to be a little bit of a spoiler on Sunday. People don't know
what to expect from us.

"We are learning so much every pass. With a few breaks and a few more passes
we could be right there with everyone else."