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CHANDLER, Ariz. (February 23, 2008) - It was a "chamber of commerce" day in Chandler, Ariz. at the Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals - sunny skies and 75 degrees, but the postcard weather wasn't enough to put ProCare Rx driver Melanie Troxel into the show on Sunday. Because of rain Friday, qualifying was limited to Saturday’s two sessions, and the Funny Car rookie failed to make the 16-car eliminations field.
"It's disappointing, to say the least," Troxel said. "I think it was a combination of a lot of things that kept us from getting in, but overall, I feel really comfortable about how I did today driving.”
In her first attempt, she ran 5.731/259.11, smoking the tires at 300 feet and then pedaled the throttle to get down the track under power. Her second lap netted a disappointing 5.853/166.35, landing her in the 18th spot overall.
"That first pass was just strange," Troxel said. "It felt good when I left the line, then it slipped a little so I pedaled it, and at the end of the track, it smoked the tires again. The second lap felt better from the hit, and then it lost traction and I couldn't get it to grab again."
"When I got back to the pit, I was really frustrated with myself because I felt like I'd let the team down, but Brian [Corradi, crew chief] and I looked at the video of the lap and talked about what was going on with the car, and now I feel I’ve got a good handle on what needs to happen from here.
"We're going to stay in Phoenix after the race to test, and I'll have a chance to get some more laps under my belt to get ready for Gainesville next month. We all knew that there'd be a learning curve, and today was just part of that," Troxel said.
Troxel and Gotham City Racing team head next to Gainesville, Fla. for the ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals, March 13-16, where she will be joined in competition by former world champion Frank Hawley who will be driving Funny Car for the first time in 18 years.
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MELANIE TROXEL QUICK FACTS:
* 35 years old, born Aug. 31, 1972
* Born in Littleton, Colo., lives in Avon, Ind.
* Married to Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson Jr.
* Two wins in Top Fuel last year (Madison, Ill. and Memphis, Tenn.)
* Career quickest et in Top Fuel is 4.458 seconds (Dallas, 2005)
* Career quickest et in Funny Car is 4.810 seconds (Pomona 1, 2008)
* Career fastest speed in Top Fuel is 332.51 (Pomona 1, 2007)
* Career fastest speed in Funny Car is 327.90 (Pomona 1, 2008)
* Troxel is the quickest female driver in NHRA history
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For more information about Melanie Troxel and Gotham City Racing, visit the team website: Gotham City Racing.
About ProCare Rx:
Roger and Barbara Burgess founded ProCare Rx in 1988 to provide prescription drug claims processing, clinical services and support for any organization that provides a Prescription Drug Benefit to its employees or members. Clients include self-insured businesses, unions, hospices, worker compensation plans, local and county governments, health maintenance organizations, associations and other insurance plans.
Today, after almost 20 years in business, ProCare Rx is one of the largest privately held Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) and administrators in the United States, experiencing 19 straight years of continual growth. The company works with pharmacies and prescription drug manufacturers to ensure that clients save money while managing the health of their members thru the application of innovative technologies and population health services directed to all members, with focus on those with chronic conditions.
For more information, visit the company web site at ProCare Rx - Better, Faster, Cheaper & Customized!.
Gotham City Racing is also sponsored by:
* Oakley - Official Site for Oakley Sunglasses, Goggles, Shoes, Watches and Apparel
* The Hyperbaric Therapy Center - Hyperbaric Therapy Center - Hyperbaric Chamber
* Lend America - Nationwide, direct lender, Lend America offers mortgages, loans, with little to no money down, quick loan process
About Lend America
Lend America, a National Mortgage Banking Organization and one of New York's largest privately owned direct lenders, has proudly served the residential mortgage marketplace for more than 20 years. The company is one of the most successful direct-to-consumer lenders in the United States and is the region's largest and most well known FHA direct lender. Lend America is also the originator of the successful nationwide broadcast-television educational seminar programs titled "The Mortgage Insider." Lend America offers a wide range of home purchase and refinance programs to meet their clients' individual requirements. Lend America employs approximately 650 employees and is headquartered in Melville, New York. For more information on Lend America, visit Nationwide, direct lender, Lend America offers mortgages, loans, with little to no money down, quick loan process or call (877) 4-RACE LOAN.
Disappointing day in Phoenix for Troxel
CHANDLER, Ariz. (February 23, 2008) - It was a "chamber of commerce" day in Chandler, Ariz. at the Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals - sunny skies and 75 degrees, but the postcard weather wasn't enough to put ProCare Rx driver Melanie Troxel into the show on Sunday. Because of rain Friday, qualifying was limited to Saturday’s two sessions, and the Funny Car rookie failed to make the 16-car eliminations field.
"It's disappointing, to say the least," Troxel said. "I think it was a combination of a lot of things that kept us from getting in, but overall, I feel really comfortable about how I did today driving.”
In her first attempt, she ran 5.731/259.11, smoking the tires at 300 feet and then pedaled the throttle to get down the track under power. Her second lap netted a disappointing 5.853/166.35, landing her in the 18th spot overall.
"That first pass was just strange," Troxel said. "It felt good when I left the line, then it slipped a little so I pedaled it, and at the end of the track, it smoked the tires again. The second lap felt better from the hit, and then it lost traction and I couldn't get it to grab again."
"When I got back to the pit, I was really frustrated with myself because I felt like I'd let the team down, but Brian [Corradi, crew chief] and I looked at the video of the lap and talked about what was going on with the car, and now I feel I’ve got a good handle on what needs to happen from here.
"We're going to stay in Phoenix after the race to test, and I'll have a chance to get some more laps under my belt to get ready for Gainesville next month. We all knew that there'd be a learning curve, and today was just part of that," Troxel said.
Troxel and Gotham City Racing team head next to Gainesville, Fla. for the ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals, March 13-16, where she will be joined in competition by former world champion Frank Hawley who will be driving Funny Car for the first time in 18 years.
###
MELANIE TROXEL QUICK FACTS:
* 35 years old, born Aug. 31, 1972
* Born in Littleton, Colo., lives in Avon, Ind.
* Married to Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson Jr.
* Two wins in Top Fuel last year (Madison, Ill. and Memphis, Tenn.)
* Career quickest et in Top Fuel is 4.458 seconds (Dallas, 2005)
* Career quickest et in Funny Car is 4.810 seconds (Pomona 1, 2008)
* Career fastest speed in Top Fuel is 332.51 (Pomona 1, 2007)
* Career fastest speed in Funny Car is 327.90 (Pomona 1, 2008)
* Troxel is the quickest female driver in NHRA history
###
For more information about Melanie Troxel and Gotham City Racing, visit the team website: Gotham City Racing.
About ProCare Rx:
Roger and Barbara Burgess founded ProCare Rx in 1988 to provide prescription drug claims processing, clinical services and support for any organization that provides a Prescription Drug Benefit to its employees or members. Clients include self-insured businesses, unions, hospices, worker compensation plans, local and county governments, health maintenance organizations, associations and other insurance plans.
Today, after almost 20 years in business, ProCare Rx is one of the largest privately held Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) and administrators in the United States, experiencing 19 straight years of continual growth. The company works with pharmacies and prescription drug manufacturers to ensure that clients save money while managing the health of their members thru the application of innovative technologies and population health services directed to all members, with focus on those with chronic conditions.
For more information, visit the company web site at ProCare Rx - Better, Faster, Cheaper & Customized!.
Gotham City Racing is also sponsored by:
* Oakley - Official Site for Oakley Sunglasses, Goggles, Shoes, Watches and Apparel
* The Hyperbaric Therapy Center - Hyperbaric Therapy Center - Hyperbaric Chamber
* Lend America - Nationwide, direct lender, Lend America offers mortgages, loans, with little to no money down, quick loan process
About Lend America
Lend America, a National Mortgage Banking Organization and one of New York's largest privately owned direct lenders, has proudly served the residential mortgage marketplace for more than 20 years. The company is one of the most successful direct-to-consumer lenders in the United States and is the region's largest and most well known FHA direct lender. Lend America is also the originator of the successful nationwide broadcast-television educational seminar programs titled "The Mortgage Insider." Lend America offers a wide range of home purchase and refinance programs to meet their clients' individual requirements. Lend America employs approximately 650 employees and is headquartered in Melville, New York. For more information on Lend America, visit Nationwide, direct lender, Lend America offers mortgages, loans, with little to no money down, quick loan process or call (877) 4-RACE LOAN.
