Troxel third DNQ...

[DixonFan]

I see a crew chief change in the future... Brooks couldn't get Del's car to run right...... what makes you think he can do the same with a lower budget car?

 

[Gordon]

I know I'm going to take heat for this but anyway.....

IMO Mel should maybe go back in a top fuel car. I'm not doubting her driving skills but that FC program is just not working out. It worked for Del....

Whereas simply switching to a Top Fuel car isn't nearly as easy as Sam's post would lead one to believe it is, I do support the idea in theory. Consider this:

Funny Car is ridiculously tight in terms of competition. Between the JFR cars, the DSR cars, the Pedregons (especially Cruz lately, but Tony is ALWAYS a threat), and Tasca & Wilkerson, among others, it's difficult to get in the show, much less go rounds on Sunday.

Top Fuel on the other hand, while it has extremely quick and fast cars - Tony, Antron & Spencer, Larry & Del, the Kalitta gang, etc. - it is, from my outsider's perspective, easier to crack the top 16 than Funny Car and thus more sponsor coverage even if it's on smaller body panels.

Again, I know the jump isn't necessarily easy, but if the idea is to put a competetive car on the track every weekend, it's not a completely absurd idea to at least consider. Besides, it potentially tightens the competition in Top Fuel a little more, just like Funny Car is today. Yes, I know TF is already tight, but it's not as tight as FC is.

of course it worked for Del !! any driver that goes into an Alan Johnson Dragster will start winning multiple races, thats pretty much has been the case for the last 15 years !!

Now in contrast (or perhaps support) of what I wrote above, there's also this to consider... Perhaps Aaron Brooks would have an easier time tuning a digger than a flopper. And no, I am in no way, shape, or form suggesting that tuning either of them is easy - I'm merely saying that I've seen many great crew chiefs get a handle on the long cars quicker than the short ones. Heck, even the great Alan Johnson - arguably the most talented crew chief on the grounds - switched Del out of a Funny Car to a Top Fuel Car. Admittedly, that was partially due to a request from the sponsor, but does anyone wonder if that switch would've been pursued at all if the FC was as competitive as the digger? He simply hasn't won as easily with the flopper as he has with the digger.

I love Aaron Brooks and Melanie - they're great for our sport. And I'm glad Aaron got another shot at calling the tuning shots - but if I'm pulling the purse strings (and clearly, I'm not), I would at least consider the option of a switch.

 

[Bullard Anderson]

Quite frankly I wish Melanie Troxel would become the most successful Funny Car driver of today and in history. ASAP.

 

[SundayNiagara]

Put her back in a TFD!

 

[dragstats]

i bet mel could tune the car herself (not that she would want to)...back in the day, i would see her working on her tad...i know i used to see her work on her dad's car and mike was one of the greatest tuner/driver

 

[none]

Interestingly enough, Melanie was in a Top Fuel car sponsored by In N Out previously.........

 

[cephus]

Swearingen culd get her n tha show

 

[Treeshaker]

Before you guys roll the bus too far over Mr Burgess, it has been reported all winter that Melanie is the manager of the team and runs the day to day operations. Probably most of the personnel decisions are her's also.

There are many inner dynamics at play that have created the situation they are finding themselves. Could it be the chassis? Could it be personnel? Could it be a piece(s) of equipment on the car that isn't right? Proper assembly the problem?

It will take someone, and that person could be there now, to stand up and take a clear eyed view of everything, define the problem(s), and correct them.

I have been in a similar situation and when you are involved it is very hard to clearly define the problem. You end up looking over everyone's shoulders and all work is double/triple checked. We found ours to be a very simple item that a couple of team members were covering each other about improper servicing of one piece of the car/equipment. They were replaced along with the items they messed up, the problem went away, and all was good.

All is not lost, the answer(s) could appear anytime now, and the world will be kind to them again.

 

[Gordon]

I have been in a similar situation and when you are involved it is very hard to clearly define the problem. You end up looking over everyone's shoulders and all work is double/triple checked. We found ours to be a very simple item that a couple of team members were covering each other about improper servicing of one piece of the car/equipment. They were replaced along with the items they messed up, the problem went away, and all was good.

Interesting story. When I was volunteering with a Fuel team in San Diego, the owner/crew chief was adamant that when he taught me how to do something - no matter what it was and no matter how insignificant it seemed - he wanted me to do it EXACTLY the same way EVERY SINGLE time I did it. He often regaled me with numerous stories very similar to the story above.

In these stories I learned that one of the keys to being able to tune a fuel car successfully, or any race car for that matter, (not that I can do it) is to remove as many variables as physically possible. By doing your assigned maintenance/servicing the exact same way every time, the crew chief has hopefully removed those variables, thus increasing his ability to make changes and see the results of those changes on the track. It also increases the probability that you'll notice something out of place easier.

Despite my original post discussing the pros of a switch to Top Fuel, I sincerely hope the team figures out what's ailing them and gets that car flying again.

 

[Dubs]

With all the discussion about Melanie's team I decided it would be a good idea to do a story on her. Here's the link

Troxel Still Optimistic Despite Early Season Struggles

When I spoke with her she declined to comment on any changes for crew chief on the funny car, but she still talks about the team, goals and their struggles so far this season. Let me know what you think

 

[willy]

Nice job, Chris.

I hope they get it turned around..would be nice to see Melanie get some face time.

 

[DG]

With the changes at DSR, maybe Medlin could come on to help?

Two crew chiefs are working for some teams!

DG

 

[DG]

With the changes at DSR, maybe Medlin could come on to help?

Two crew chiefs are working for some teams!

DG

Looks like i guessed right !

 

[Paul]

New weekend same result, I feel so bad for that team. I hope they can pull it together soon.

 

[DragFan2]

Yeah, Melanie has to be getting discouraged, but I'm still pulling for her. The car (chassis) must just be bad. If it's still the one from 3 years ago or so, maybe it isn't as up to date as a new chassis. If they can afford a new rolling chassis, then I suspect that is gonna have to be done, unless Medlin can work some magic with what is there. Probably wasn't enough time this week for him to dial things in, and Aaron is probably still calling the shots. This is really disappointing, but I'm sure it hasn't been from lack of effort or parts.

 

[NitroRichFire]

It's only going to be a matter of time before this car will be on top. With a nitro brain trust of Brooks, Larsen and Medlen, they'll get this Nitro Solara Funny Car figured out and then LOOK OUT!!!

 

[jm]

If I delete this thread, would that increase her chance of making the show?

 

[NitroRichFire]

If I delete this thread, would that increase her chance of making the show?

John, I don't think so, isn't this a brand new car they are running this year? Didn't they ran a Dodge Charger funny car last year. They may not have had much time to test since John Medlen came over. They'll get it figured out!

 

[Butch]

If I was calling the shoots, we would be testing Monday.

 

[J]

But thney did make down the track at least