Troxel qualifies No. 5 at National Trail in Columbus

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2006 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 8 of 23
Pontiac Performance NHRA Nationals
National Trail Raceway
Columbus, Ohio
Race Date: May 19-21, 2006


HEBRON, Ohio (May 20, 2006) - NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Top Fuel
points leader Melanie Troxel used a strong first-session qualifying run of
4.529 seconds at 303.03 mph to nail down the No. 5 spot for Sunday's
final eliminations at National Trail Raceway. It marks the fifth (of eight)
straight event in which she has qualified the Skull Shine/Torco Race Fuels
Top Fuel dragster in the top half of the 16-car field.

Troxel completed only two other qualifying rounds, as Friday night's session
was shortened because of rain. They produced a 10.061/79.06 lap after losing
traction, and a 4.607/300.53 when the engine expired at the end of the
quarter-mile.

"We were fortunate to run a really good number right out of the box," she
said. "It certainly puts you at ease for the rest of qualifying, where you
can focus on your race set-up.

"We would have liked to have taken a shot at the No. 1 spot in that Friday
night session, but it didn't happen because of the weather, which is fine
because we are more concerned with race-day conditions.

"Today we tried some stuff to see what we could get away with, and in the
first run we didn't get down the track. Then, in the second run the car was
going down the track, but we had some engine problems at the top end and it
let go," said the 33-year-old Colorado native.

"Looking at the bright side, at least it happened today instead of
Sunday when it would have cost us points in addition to the fine we will
have to pay," she said, referring to points penalties that are meted out to
teams that oil down the track in eliminations.

"The Skull Shine guys are going to have to work extra hard to get the
car ready for tomorrow, but they are great guys, so I know I'll have a
good race car on Sunday."

Troxel squares off against Morgan Lucas in the first round of final
eliminations, whom she's beaten four times so far this season. Neither has
lost in the first round after seven events. "Anything can happen on race
day, so we're definitely going to have to be on top of our game," she said.