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ENGLISHTOWN, New Jersey (June 18, 2008) - ProCare Rx nitro Funny Car driver Melanie Troxel is prepared to continue her steady march toward making the NHRA POWERade Countdown to the Championship this weekend as she competes in the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway. On the heels of a history-making No. 1 qualifying effort in Chicago where she became the first woman to take the top spot in Funny Car competition, Troxel is anxious to continue blasting her way to the top in her Brian Corradi-tuned Dodge Charger R/T.
"It was definitely a great thing to be number one in Chicago, and while I understand and appreciate the milestone, making the Countdown is really what we're all about right now," Troxel said. "Qualifying number one is wonderful, but it doesn't represent race-day conditions. Our goal as a team has been to be top-5 in any given race, and we're doing well with that.
"We're basically where we need to be right now, and the team is peaking at a great time. We've seen improvement in our performance over the last several weeks, and this weekend, we're going to go out and give it all we have to keep things moving," she said.
Team co-owner Mike Ashley calls the venerable Englishtown racetrack his home track, and the team will be entertaining guests from Ashley's mortgage bank, Lend America, as well as several family members and friends throughout the weekend. Troxel said she draws on the excitement of the crowd that's cheering for her as she prepares for a race.
"It's exciting to be racing at Mike's hometown track and to get to hang out all of the employees and family and friends that come to this event. They are such a great bunch of people, and I know that they will be in for a great show this weekend.
"Englishtown is one of the tracks I remember going to with my dad when he was racing, so I have a lot of personal memories of being here, too. It's one of those tracks I remember from a long time ago, and as I recall, there has always been a mixed bag of weather when we come here - we've had quite a few cold outings, and some really hot ones, too. The weather will dictate the way the cars grab the track, but I think the team has proven that we can run in hot weather as well as cold this season, so I'm really optimistic about this weekend," Troxel said.
Forecasts are calling for high-70s and low-80s with a mix of cloud cover and a slight chance of rain.
"One good weekend is all it takes to make a good jump in the points, and hot or cold, we're going to go up to the line every time and give it our all," she added.
Qualifying is scheduled for 4 and 7 p.m. Friday and 1 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, and eliminations are slated to begin Sunday at 11 a.m. Eastern Daylight time.
Troxel prepared to continue her march to the Championship in E-Town
ENGLISHTOWN, New Jersey (June 18, 2008) - ProCare Rx nitro Funny Car driver Melanie Troxel is prepared to continue her steady march toward making the NHRA POWERade Countdown to the Championship this weekend as she competes in the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway. On the heels of a history-making No. 1 qualifying effort in Chicago where she became the first woman to take the top spot in Funny Car competition, Troxel is anxious to continue blasting her way to the top in her Brian Corradi-tuned Dodge Charger R/T.
"It was definitely a great thing to be number one in Chicago, and while I understand and appreciate the milestone, making the Countdown is really what we're all about right now," Troxel said. "Qualifying number one is wonderful, but it doesn't represent race-day conditions. Our goal as a team has been to be top-5 in any given race, and we're doing well with that.
"We're basically where we need to be right now, and the team is peaking at a great time. We've seen improvement in our performance over the last several weeks, and this weekend, we're going to go out and give it all we have to keep things moving," she said.
Team co-owner Mike Ashley calls the venerable Englishtown racetrack his home track, and the team will be entertaining guests from Ashley's mortgage bank, Lend America, as well as several family members and friends throughout the weekend. Troxel said she draws on the excitement of the crowd that's cheering for her as she prepares for a race.
"It's exciting to be racing at Mike's hometown track and to get to hang out all of the employees and family and friends that come to this event. They are such a great bunch of people, and I know that they will be in for a great show this weekend.
"Englishtown is one of the tracks I remember going to with my dad when he was racing, so I have a lot of personal memories of being here, too. It's one of those tracks I remember from a long time ago, and as I recall, there has always been a mixed bag of weather when we come here - we've had quite a few cold outings, and some really hot ones, too. The weather will dictate the way the cars grab the track, but I think the team has proven that we can run in hot weather as well as cold this season, so I'm really optimistic about this weekend," Troxel said.
Forecasts are calling for high-70s and low-80s with a mix of cloud cover and a slight chance of rain.
"One good weekend is all it takes to make a good jump in the points, and hot or cold, we're going to go up to the line every time and give it our all," she added.
Qualifying is scheduled for 4 and 7 p.m. Friday and 1 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, and eliminations are slated to begin Sunday at 11 a.m. Eastern Daylight time.
