Photo by: Michael C. Johnson
Troxel lighting 'em up at Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indy
INDIANAPOLIS – (Sept. 4) R2B2 Racing's Melanie Troxel came oh-so-close to more NHRA history on Sunday, but ultimately came a few hundredths short of qualifying No. 1 in both Funny Car and Pro Mod at the 57th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil.
"We were shooting for that No. 1 spot," Troxel said. "To come away with two No. 1 qualifying positions would have been incredible. We can’t lose sight of the fact that a No. 1 qualifier in the Pro Mod and No. 2 qualifier in the Funny Car with career best ETs and speeds for me is great start to the weekend."
The performance of the In-N-Out Burger Toyota Funny Car has been a breath of fresh air for Troxel. The team has been chipping away at making that car better all season, and the disappointments of the spring are paying dividends at the end of the summer.
"Our consistency has come around and our performance is better too," Troxel said. "For quite a few races we've been able to put down one good run. Now we're getting more consistent and the ETs are getting better too."
Troxel ran a 4.068 second pass at 313.73 mph in Sunday's first qualifying session, which ended up being her best of the weekend and her career. Bob Bode, who is the No. 15 qualifier and Troxel's first round foe, ran a 4.185 at 295.79 mph.
In the Get Screened America Pro Mod Series, Troxel's turbocharged '53 Corvette, that is also sporting In-N-Out colors this weekend, was the No. 1 qualifier with a best pass of 5.907 seconds at 251.25 mph. She followed that up by overcoming Scott Ray's perfect light in the first round of eliminations on Sunday.
"It's always a little tough to run your first round of eliminations early," Troxel said. "You have to get yourself geared up early. Scott Ray cut a .000 green light against me today. He knew he had to step up and do everything they could.
"Fortunately (tuner) Steve Petty gave me a car that went right down the track."
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