R2B2 Racing, Newest NHRA Multi-car Team, To Make First Appearance at U.S. Nationals
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/burgess_666085.jpg" alt="burgess_666085" align="left"borders="0"/>
Drag racing's newest multi-car team, R2B2 Racing, makes its official debut at the sport's most prestigious race, the U.S. Nationals, with five vehicles in three classes: two Funny Cars, two Pro Mods, and, new for this race, a Pro Stock Motorcycle, ridden by fan favorite Peggy Llewellyn.
The Funny Cars are driven by Bristol winner Melanie Troxel and by Frank Hawley, a finalist at the most recent event, in Reading , Pa. , in his first start for new sponsor Rite Aid Pharmacy. Troxel's team is, in a way, the defending U.S. Nationals champion; former driver Mike Ashley defeated Robert Hight in the 2007 Funny Car final, when the team was known as Gotham City Racing.
Team owner Roger Burgess, whose Atlanta-based R2B2 Motors is a high-end specialty auto dealer and authorized Eliminator Boat dealer, will be competing in Pro Mod and looking to improve on his finish in Atlanta , where he reached his first career NHRA final. Pro Mod teammate Joe Baker has two wins already this season.
"I look forward to racing at the biggest race of the year with a new sponsor," said Llewellyn, who last fall became the first black woman to win an NHRA POWERade Series event but has seen limited action this year. "I'm excited just to be able to go down the race track again. This has been a tough year for me, watching and not being able to race."
Llewellyn, who will compete under the R2B2 Motors banner just for this event, will ride a Buell prepared by Matt Guidera's team.
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/burgess_666085.jpg" alt="burgess_666085" align="left"borders="0"/>
Drag racing's newest multi-car team, R2B2 Racing, makes its official debut at the sport's most prestigious race, the U.S. Nationals, with five vehicles in three classes: two Funny Cars, two Pro Mods, and, new for this race, a Pro Stock Motorcycle, ridden by fan favorite Peggy Llewellyn.
The Funny Cars are driven by Bristol winner Melanie Troxel and by Frank Hawley, a finalist at the most recent event, in Reading , Pa. , in his first start for new sponsor Rite Aid Pharmacy. Troxel's team is, in a way, the defending U.S. Nationals champion; former driver Mike Ashley defeated Robert Hight in the 2007 Funny Car final, when the team was known as Gotham City Racing.
Team owner Roger Burgess, whose Atlanta-based R2B2 Motors is a high-end specialty auto dealer and authorized Eliminator Boat dealer, will be competing in Pro Mod and looking to improve on his finish in Atlanta , where he reached his first career NHRA final. Pro Mod teammate Joe Baker has two wins already this season.
"I look forward to racing at the biggest race of the year with a new sponsor," said Llewellyn, who last fall became the first black woman to win an NHRA POWERade Series event but has seen limited action this year. "I'm excited just to be able to go down the race track again. This has been a tough year for me, watching and not being able to race."
Llewellyn, who will compete under the R2B2 Motors banner just for this event, will ride a Buell prepared by Matt Guidera's team.
