Troxel reinvigorated for Richmond
DINWIDDIE, Va. (Oct. 3, 2006) - Melanie Troxel is ready to attack the Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals this weekend at Virginia Motorsports Park at a venue unknown to her and one at which her seasoned opponents have not raced since 2000.
Driving the Skull Shine/Knoll Gas-Torco Race Fuels Top Fuel dragster for Don Schumacher Racing in her first full season of Top Fuel competition, Troxel is fresh off a runner-up finish at Reading, Pa., on Sunday after reaching her eighth final round of the year. And, with the level playing field expected here this weekend, she's poised to continue her return to the top of the standings. After leading the rankings through the first 12 races of the season, Troxel is fourth, 150 points short of the lead, 98 out of second, with three events remaining.
"Obviously, coming off of a runner-up finish, we're kind of reinvigorated, ready to go out there and see what we can do," says the Colorado native, who was named a finalist in the Women's Sports Foundation's Sportswoman of the Year voting, the winner of which will be named in New York City on Oct. 16. "I think we have had an incredible season for my first full year in Top Fuel and our first full year as a team. To be able to finish on a high note with strong finishes in these last three events would be great."
She is also eager to put on a good show for the team and event sponsor, Torco Race Fuels. "Our objective is to do the best job we can for Evan Knoll and Torco Race Fuels and hopefully reward them for their continuing support," she says.
"It has absolutely been a dream season for me," Troxel adds. "The mid-season slump we had takes a little of the excitement out of it, but if you had talked to us before the season started and said we'd be in fourth position after leading the points and winning twice with three races to go, I'm not sure any of us would have realized what an incredible accomplishment that would be.
"And I think we're all looking forward to a strong finish of this great season."
Troxel has visited several new venues for her this season. "I think that you never know what's going to happen going to an unknown track, but I feel confident that we'll run well here. If anything, the fact that NHRA hasn't raced here since 2000 should play into our favor because we don't have as much experience together as a team at a lot of race tracks. This should level the playing field a little bit."
MELANIE TROXEL QUICK FACTS:
* Currently fourth in Top Fuel point standings after 20 events, 150 points
behind leader Doug Kalitta
* First NHRA Top Fuel driver to reach the final round in the first five
events of a season (2006)
* Troxel has reached six consecutive final rounds (two wins) dating back to
the final event of 2005. The string was broken at Bristol Dragway this year
* She has now reached eight final rounds in 20 events in 2006
* With Tony Schumacher's five straight final-round appearances to end 2005,
Don Schumacher Racing has been in 12 consecutive final rounds
* Has never raced at Virginia Motorsports Park
* Was named the first quarter winner of 2006 Driver of the Year voting
* Was nominated for Best Driver of the Year and Best Female Athlete of the
Year by the ESPYS awards
* Was just named a Sportswoman of the Year finalist
* Won her first national Top Fuel event in Pomona, Calif., Feb. 12, 2006
* 2006 is her first full season of Top Fuel competition
* 34 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)
* Has four runner-up finishes in Top Fuel; in 2000 (Dallas 2), 2005 (Pomona
2), Phoenix 2006, Gainesville 2006
* She has qualified No. 1 twice so far, at Bristol Dragway in 2006 and
Heartland Park Topeka in 2006. She also has two No. 2s (Dallas '05 and
Pomona 2 '05)
*Drove limited schedule for Don Schumacher Racing in 2000, her first year in
Top Fuel
* Rejoined DSR in the 13th event of 2005 (Denver)
* Runner-up in Alcohol Dragster in 1999
* Ran limited Top Fuel schedule in 2002 and 2003
* Career quickest elapsed-time in Top Fuel is 4.458 seconds, set in 2005 in
Dallas
* Career fastest speed is 331.04 mph, set 5/7/06 at Atlanta Dragway
* In 2005, in 11 races, Troxel had eight round wins
* Troxel is now the quickest and fastest female driver in NHRA history,
after clocking the 4.458-second pass and 330.31-mph speed in Dallas in ’05.
She has since upped that speed to 331.04 mph
WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, Oct. 6 - Professional Qualifying Sessions at 3 and 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, Oct. 7 Professional Qualifying Sessions at noon and 3 p.m.
SUNDAY, Oct. 8 Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. Final Eliminations begin at 11
a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, Oct. 7, ESPN and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying
highlights at 10 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 7, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute
magazine show at 12:30 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 8, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of eliminations
at 7 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE:
Friday, Oct. 6, 9-9:30 p.m. (ET) SBS 6, Transponder 16K (12092.5 MHz,
Vertical)
Saturday, Oct. 7, 7:30-8 p.m. (ET) SBS 6, Transponder 16K (12092.5 MHz,
Vertical)
Sunday, Oct. 8, 7-7:30 p.m. (ET) SBS 6, Transponder 16K (12092.5 MHz,
Vertical)
Feeds include action with natural sound of Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro
Stock, plus interviews with qualifying leaders on Saturday and winners on
Sunday.