Troxel runs strong in Chicago; loses first round on holeshot

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2005 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 20 of 23
Ameriquest Mortgage NHRA Nationals
Route 66 Raceway
Joliet, Ill.
Race Dates: Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2005


TROXEL RUNS STRONG IN CHICAGO; IS OUT IN FIRST ROUND ON A HOLESHOT

JOLIET, Ill. (Oct. 2, 2005) - Melanie Troxel's strong elapsed time of 4.527
seconds in the opening round of Top Fuel eliminations today at the
Ameriquest Mortgage NHRA Nationals was second only to her teammate and
points leader Tony Schumacher (4.526), but it didn't deliver her a victory.

It was clear that her opponent Morgan Lucas knew he had to cut an excellent
reaction time against the Skull Gear/Torco Race Fuels Top Fuel dragster, and
he did. While Troxel launched with a .099 light (Tony Schumacher's was a
.100 in his first-round win), Lucas responded with a .033.

Troxel flew straight down the quarter-mile to a quicker 4.527/326.63 pass,
but fell .0537 of a second short to Lucas' slower yet winning 4.540/322.65,
losing on a holeshot advantage.

"That's a pretty tough deal," she said. "To beat him I would have had to cut
an .040-something light and there's no way that was going to happen with the
car staged shallow.

"The upside is the Skull Gear/Torco Race Fuels car ran good; we ran some
nice numbers.

"I think we've got some things sorted out where the car is a lot more
drivable, so we've made progress.

"The two Don Schumacher Racing dragsters were very similar. Obviously, they
ran the same, but being the first pair down the track was kind of tough.
Maybe we could have been a little more aggressive, but, even with not
knowing how the track was going to be, we still ran a great number.

"We'll work on things and be better next race."

Troxel has a chance to earn a spot in the Wild Card drawing for the eighth
spot in the $100,000 Budweiser Shootout bonus event in Las Vegas next month.
Her qualifying results in Dallas will determine her placement, as she is
just 10 points out of 15th in the Top Fuel standings.

Next up is the re-scheduled O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals in Dallas, Texas,
Oct. 7-9, 2005.