TOP FUEL POINTS LEADER TROXEL IS NO. 4 QUALIFIER IN ATLANTA
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus
COMMERCE, Ga. (May 6, 2006) - Melanie Troxel continued her top-drawer performance in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Top Fuel category this weekend, qualifying the Skull Shine/Torco Race Fuels Top Fuel dragster in the No. 4 spot at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway.
After qualifying No. 9 in her first pass on Friday, a 4.791-second elapsed time at 303.98 mph, she maintained the No. 4 position through the ensuing three rounds, after first posting a 4.541/327.03, then a tire-smoking 10.009/87.50 in the heat of the day, and, finally, a 4.625/324.98.
"The No. 4 spot is good," said the Top Fuel points leader. "It's not as good as the No. 1 spot we had last week in Bristol, but it's a lot better than we had been qualifying earlier in the year.
"We have a lot of confidence in the fact that we can qualify anywhere and do well on Sunday.
"This is the first race where it's been hot in qualifying," she explained. "Tomorrow, I know the weather is supposed to change, so who knows what that's going to do for everybody?
"We put a good number down on Friday, and then came out the first pass today and tried out the new one-piece body on the Skull Shine/Torco Race Fuels dragster. I think everything went pretty well with it, but we went ahead and put the old body panels back on for the final run. We want to go back to what we know for race day.
"The hot weather is a change for us. We haven't had that many passes in these conditions. We made it down one of the two today. We have a good feeling on what the track will hold, but, obviously, I feel better going down the track in a little cooler weather because we have more passes under those conditions. But, I guess everyone else out here is in the same position."
As for race day, "It's supposed to be overcast," she said, "and it'll be early in the day so we know the conditions will be cool. I'm just going to go up there and have the confidence that Richard (Hogan, crew chief) is going to do what he does best, and I'll go out there and do my job."
Troxel faces Bob Vandergriff Jr. in first round of eliminations on Sunday.
Contact: Judy Stropus
COMMERCE, Ga. (May 6, 2006) - Melanie Troxel continued her top-drawer performance in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Top Fuel category this weekend, qualifying the Skull Shine/Torco Race Fuels Top Fuel dragster in the No. 4 spot at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway.
After qualifying No. 9 in her first pass on Friday, a 4.791-second elapsed time at 303.98 mph, she maintained the No. 4 position through the ensuing three rounds, after first posting a 4.541/327.03, then a tire-smoking 10.009/87.50 in the heat of the day, and, finally, a 4.625/324.98.
"The No. 4 spot is good," said the Top Fuel points leader. "It's not as good as the No. 1 spot we had last week in Bristol, but it's a lot better than we had been qualifying earlier in the year.
"We have a lot of confidence in the fact that we can qualify anywhere and do well on Sunday.
"This is the first race where it's been hot in qualifying," she explained. "Tomorrow, I know the weather is supposed to change, so who knows what that's going to do for everybody?
"We put a good number down on Friday, and then came out the first pass today and tried out the new one-piece body on the Skull Shine/Torco Race Fuels dragster. I think everything went pretty well with it, but we went ahead and put the old body panels back on for the final run. We want to go back to what we know for race day.
"The hot weather is a change for us. We haven't had that many passes in these conditions. We made it down one of the two today. We have a good feeling on what the track will hold, but, obviously, I feel better going down the track in a little cooler weather because we have more passes under those conditions. But, I guess everyone else out here is in the same position."
As for race day, "It's supposed to be overcast," she said, "and it'll be early in the day so we know the conditions will be cool. I'm just going to go up there and have the confidence that Richard (Hogan, crew chief) is going to do what he does best, and I'll go out there and do my job."
Troxel faces Bob Vandergriff Jr. in first round of eliminations on Sunday.
posted by David @ 11:59 PM
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