NHRA (INDY) - Consistency Offers Troxel High Performance

Melanie Troxel, driver of the Vietnam Veterans POW/MIA Top Fuel dragster, knows that consistency in the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals qualifying rounds relates to superb performance on Labor Day Monday. Troxel posted a time of 4.520 seconds, 329.18 mph in Friday’s lone qualifying session, which so far isher best of the weekend, and on today runs, her popular dragster had a tough time in Saturday’s first session negotiating a hot racetrack and ended up with a time of 10.85 seconds after losing traction. Her pass from the evening produced the desired results and gained her the additional consistency she desires after running a time of 4.542 seconds at a spectacular speed of 329.50 mph to place her in the No. 4 position. “It’s always great to put down the big numbers in the nighttime session considering this being our second twilight qualifying pass of the weekend," said a positive-minded Troxel. “I think we made an absolutely great run, so we’re thrilled with that. The real challenge starts tomorrow when we try to get down a hot race track. That’s how it’s going to be when we’re racing on Monday. Sunday is important, if not more important, to get the tune-up right and see what that will tell us for Monday’s big race.” Those qualifying tests of power and steadiness will be taken to task at 12:30 p.m. and 3:40 p.m. and will wrap up the five qualifying rounds that make up the Labor Day drag racing classic. ESPN2-HD will show the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals qualifying highlights starting at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 2 preceded by NHRA Race Day airing at 11 a.m.