<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/m_troxel_508502.jpg" alt="m_troxel_508502" align="left"borders="0"/>
CHANDLER, ARIZ. (February 22, 2008) - In a city that averages only seven inches of rainfall annually, water is a precious commodity, but for drag racing fans, any amount of the liquid sunshine can disappoint their plans of listening to the thundering nitro and watching the lightning-fast cars. ProCare Rx Dodge Charger driver Melanie Troxel's spirits were not dampened today , however, when persistent light rain showers forced the cancellation of the first day of qualifying at the Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals at Firebird International Raceway. She said her time Thursday with students at a local-area elementary school helped carry her through the day despite the clouds.
The 35-year-old four-time Top Fuel event winner spent several hours on Thursday morning with almost 300 third and fourth graders at Desert Sage Elementary School in the Deer Valley area, about 30 miles north of the track. Sharing her story of dreams and success with the students, Troxel said their energy helped her through the dreary day on Friday.
"I love spending time with kids because it gives me a different perspective on what I do. I get to see it with their eyes, and I love that. We showed them some footage of our race in Pomona, and to hear them cheer was especially fun, because I never get to hear a crowd's reaction from inside the car.
"We also talked about safety and how important it is to always wear seatbelts in the car and helmets when they ride their bikes. I think that really hit home because we had showed them the footage of Tony Pedregon's fire in Pomona and how he was able to walk away because he was so well protected," she said.
When she finished her time, she received a resounding response from the students, who shouted together, "Good Luck Melanie!"
"That's the kind of stuff that keeps you going sometimes," the Funny Car rookie said.
"I'd much rather be racing, don't misunderstand me, but I try to find some positive things about the down-time. It actually gave me a chance to talk with the fans who braved it through the sprinkles and rain. So many times you can't really have a full conversation, so today was a nice break. You've got to make lemonade out of lemons, right?
"When we were here for pre-season testing, we had a lot of difficulty making laps at all because we were still getting everything put together. We qualified well in Pomona, and our test sessions really went well in Vegas last week, so I know everyone on the team is excited about getting down the track here in Phoenix and going rounds on Sunday.
"Tomorrow, we basically have two shots to make the show, and I'm confident the team has a great hotrod ready to go," Troxel said.
Troxel said she will definitely think of the students' cheer tomorrow when she attempts to qualify. Sessions are scheduled for 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, and eliminations are scheduled for Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. Mountain time.
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MELANIE TROXEL QUICK FACTS:
* 35 years old, born Aug. 31, 1972
* Born in Littleton, Colo., lives in Avon, Ind., with husband, Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson Jr.
* Two wins in Top Fuel last year (Madison, Ill. and Memphis, Tenn.)
* Career quickest elapsed time in Top Fuel is 4.458 seconds (Dallas, 2005)
* Career fastest speed in Top Fuel is 332.51 (Pomona 1, 2007)
* 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.
Students' Cheer Keep Troxel's spirits high despite Rain
CHANDLER, ARIZ. (February 22, 2008) - In a city that averages only seven inches of rainfall annually, water is a precious commodity, but for drag racing fans, any amount of the liquid sunshine can disappoint their plans of listening to the thundering nitro and watching the lightning-fast cars. ProCare Rx Dodge Charger driver Melanie Troxel's spirits were not dampened today , however, when persistent light rain showers forced the cancellation of the first day of qualifying at the Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals at Firebird International Raceway. She said her time Thursday with students at a local-area elementary school helped carry her through the day despite the clouds.
The 35-year-old four-time Top Fuel event winner spent several hours on Thursday morning with almost 300 third and fourth graders at Desert Sage Elementary School in the Deer Valley area, about 30 miles north of the track. Sharing her story of dreams and success with the students, Troxel said their energy helped her through the dreary day on Friday.
"I love spending time with kids because it gives me a different perspective on what I do. I get to see it with their eyes, and I love that. We showed them some footage of our race in Pomona, and to hear them cheer was especially fun, because I never get to hear a crowd's reaction from inside the car.
"We also talked about safety and how important it is to always wear seatbelts in the car and helmets when they ride their bikes. I think that really hit home because we had showed them the footage of Tony Pedregon's fire in Pomona and how he was able to walk away because he was so well protected," she said.
When she finished her time, she received a resounding response from the students, who shouted together, "Good Luck Melanie!"
"That's the kind of stuff that keeps you going sometimes," the Funny Car rookie said.
"I'd much rather be racing, don't misunderstand me, but I try to find some positive things about the down-time. It actually gave me a chance to talk with the fans who braved it through the sprinkles and rain. So many times you can't really have a full conversation, so today was a nice break. You've got to make lemonade out of lemons, right?
"When we were here for pre-season testing, we had a lot of difficulty making laps at all because we were still getting everything put together. We qualified well in Pomona, and our test sessions really went well in Vegas last week, so I know everyone on the team is excited about getting down the track here in Phoenix and going rounds on Sunday.
"Tomorrow, we basically have two shots to make the show, and I'm confident the team has a great hotrod ready to go," Troxel said.
Troxel said she will definitely think of the students' cheer tomorrow when she attempts to qualify. Sessions are scheduled for 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, and eliminations are scheduled for Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. Mountain time.
###
MELANIE TROXEL QUICK FACTS:
* 35 years old, born Aug. 31, 1972
* Born in Littleton, Colo., lives in Avon, Ind., with husband, Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson Jr.
* Two wins in Top Fuel last year (Madison, Ill. and Memphis, Tenn.)
* Career quickest elapsed time in Top Fuel is 4.458 seconds (Dallas, 2005)
* Career fastest speed in Top Fuel is 332.51 (Pomona 1, 2007)
* 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.
