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MORRISON, Colo. (July 15, 2006) - Top Fuel points leader and Colorado native Melanie Troxel claimed the No. 12 spot in qualifying for the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals today, with a 4.785-second elapsed time at 312.42 mph, established in the first round on Friday.
The Skull Shine/Knoll Gas-Torco Race Fuels Top Fuel dragster team struggled through the next three sessions in the near 100-degree ambient temperatures and track temperatures in the high 140s, clocking an .361/94.12, a 10.009/85.40 and, finally, a 5.206/221.42.
"In that last pass we made it closer to making it down the track, but we seem to have a problem with dropping holes (cylinders)," she explained. "I think that could be our biggest issue. If we could get it to stop dropping cylinders, then I think we'll be OK.
"This track is tricky, and tomorrow it's supposed to be the hottest day of the weekend, so it's going to be tough on everybody. Anybody can win tomorrow," continued Troxel, who is celebrating her one-year anniversary with Don Schumacher Racing this weekend, in her home state.
"We've struggled. I'm not the most comfortable I've been going into race day, but Richard (Hogan, crew chief) does a great job figuring things out for Sunday. We've struggled before in qualifying, and then on race day we have had one of the best cars. So, I feel like we have a good chance tomorrow.
"Tony Schumacher (DSR teammate) laid down a nice number in the last session (4.731-second elapsed time), so maybe we can lean on the U.S. Army team a little bit to get some information.
"I've been drinking a lot of fluids to be ready for all of this heat. I don't normally drink a lot of fluids, but when it's hot it has a cumulative effect. You have to stay ahead of it, and then it won't catch up to you on Sunday. It's tough out here for the drivers, crews and fans alike."
Troxel faces No. 5 qualifier David Grubnic in first round of eliminations on Sunday.
POINTS LEADER TROXEL TAKES NO. 12 IN DENVER QUALIFYING
MORRISON, Colo. (July 15, 2006) - Top Fuel points leader and Colorado native Melanie Troxel claimed the No. 12 spot in qualifying for the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals today, with a 4.785-second elapsed time at 312.42 mph, established in the first round on Friday.
The Skull Shine/Knoll Gas-Torco Race Fuels Top Fuel dragster team struggled through the next three sessions in the near 100-degree ambient temperatures and track temperatures in the high 140s, clocking an .361/94.12, a 10.009/85.40 and, finally, a 5.206/221.42.
"In that last pass we made it closer to making it down the track, but we seem to have a problem with dropping holes (cylinders)," she explained. "I think that could be our biggest issue. If we could get it to stop dropping cylinders, then I think we'll be OK.
"This track is tricky, and tomorrow it's supposed to be the hottest day of the weekend, so it's going to be tough on everybody. Anybody can win tomorrow," continued Troxel, who is celebrating her one-year anniversary with Don Schumacher Racing this weekend, in her home state.
"We've struggled. I'm not the most comfortable I've been going into race day, but Richard (Hogan, crew chief) does a great job figuring things out for Sunday. We've struggled before in qualifying, and then on race day we have had one of the best cars. So, I feel like we have a good chance tomorrow.
"Tony Schumacher (DSR teammate) laid down a nice number in the last session (4.731-second elapsed time), so maybe we can lean on the U.S. Army team a little bit to get some information.
"I've been drinking a lot of fluids to be ready for all of this heat. I don't normally drink a lot of fluids, but when it's hot it has a cumulative effect. You have to stay ahead of it, and then it won't catch up to you on Sunday. It's tough out here for the drivers, crews and fans alike."
Troxel faces No. 5 qualifier David Grubnic in first round of eliminations on Sunday.
