Troxel geared up for U.S. Nationals with new car, outlook

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2005 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 18 of 23
NHRA U.S. NATIONALS
INDIANAPOLIS RACEWAY PARK
Race Dates: Sept. 2-5, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Judy Stropus, 203-438-0501; cell 203-243-2438;
jstropus@earthlink.net

TROXEL GEARED UP FOR U.S. NATIONALS WITH NEW CAR, OUTLOOK

INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 30, 2005) - Melanie Troxel is geared up for the
prestigious U.S. Nationals this weekend, her sixth NHRA POWERade Drag Racing
Series event this season for Don Schumacher Racing in the Skull Gear/Torco
Race Fuels Top Fuel Dragster.

With Indianapolis Raceway Park just up the road from the Indianapolis home
she shares with Funny Car driver and husband Tommy Johnson Jr., the
32-year-old Colorado native is ready for a hometown advantage here this
weekend with a new car and new outlook.

Troxel, who returned to the Top Fuel class after a two-year hiatus, has one
round win under her belt so far, against the current Top Fuel points leader
Doug Kalitta, at the last race in Memphis. The new car, which was tested by
her teammate Tony Schumacher at a match race at Cordova Dragway Park in
Illinois last weekend, is ready to go and Troxel is eager to get behind the
wheel.

"The U.S. Nationals is the big race of the year," she says. "I'm excited to
be racing here. It will be the first time racing here since it became my
hometown track. And with that round win in Memphis in the plus column, I'm
looking forward to seeing some increased performance.

"I believe we're at that point where we're becoming more competitive," says
Troxel, who has qualified for each of the six events, despite some new-team
teething problems early on. "We will have a brand-new chassis this weekend
and that's just one step closer to making our setup like Tony's, so that
will help us share information. That is definitely a good thing, and I'm
more than a little excited about driving this car.

"I'm looking forward to making passes in it. Our first pass will be in that
Friday night session. Making that initial lap in a new car at night will
throw even a little more excitement into it.

"We're looking forward to going out and hopefully throwing down a big number
right out of the box."

SCHEDULE:  
On Friday, Sept. 2, professional qualifying sessions begin at 6:15 p.m. On
Saturday, Sept. 3, professional qualifying sessions are at 1:15 p.m. and
6:15 p.m. On Sunday, Sept. 4, pro qualifying sessions continue at 11 a.m.
and 3 p.m., Skoal Showdown Eliminations are at 12:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m., and 4
p.m. On Monday, Sept. 5, pre-race ceremonies are at 9:30 a.m., and final
eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:     
On Saturday, Sept. 3, ESPN2 will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at
1:30 a.m. (ET). On Sunday, Sept. 4, ESPN2 will televise NHRA 2Day, a
30-minute magazine show at 11:30 a.m. (ET). Also on Sunday, Sept. 4, ESPN2
will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at noon (ET), and ESPN2 will
also televise three hours of qualifying coverage at 10:30 p.m. (ET). On
Monday, Sept. 5, ESPN2 will televise a special presentation of NHRA 2Day at
11:30 a.m. (ET). Also on Monday, Sept. 5, ESPN2 will televise one hour of
eliminations coverage at noon (ET), and ESPN2 will also televise three hours
of eliminations coverage at 8 p.m. (ET).

MELANIE TROXEL QUICK FACTS:
* 32 years old, born Aug. 31, 1972
* Born in Littleton, Colo., lives in Avon, Ind., with husband and Funny Car
driver Tommy Johnson Jr.
* Two national event wins in Alcohol Dragster in 1999 (Seattle and Topeka)
* Runner-up finish best Top Fuel result, in 2000 (Dallas 2)
* Drove limited schedule for Don Schumacher Racing in 2000, her first year
in Top Fuel
* Runner-up in Alcohol Dragster points in 1999
* Ran limited Top Fuel schedule in 2002 and 2003
* Career quickest elapsed time in Top Fuel is 4.576 seconds
* Career fastest speed is 326.08 mph

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