MELANIE TROXEL MAINTAINS POINTS LEAD IN TOPEKA

She is now 96 points ahead of Doug Kalitta, who won today's event.

No. 1 qualifier for the second time this season, and of her career, Troxel lost to Brandon Bernstein in the quarterfinals with a 4.786-second elapsed time at 293.09 mph to Bernstein's 4.648/311.27. Reaction times: .080 for Troxel, .088 for Bernstein.

Troxel's first-round win was a nail-biter under the hot Kansas sun, as she lost traction, was forced to pedal, then coasted across the finish line to defeat Alan Bradshaw, who also smoked the tires, with a 6.492/177.30 to Bradshaw's 9.793/86.32

"We knew from the first pass that we were going to have to back it down a little bit; the track was hotter second round," said Troxel. "We went up and gave it a shot. They (Bernstein's team) went out and laid down a great run. We didn't necessarily make a mistake.

"We still went a round. We haven't gone out yet this year in first round. If this is the worst we do all year I guess that's something to be proud of."

On the first round: "That was definitely an ugly way to win. I had the car crossed up and it just didn't want to hook back up. A win's a win and we learned something about the track (for the second round). There's a lot to be said for not going out in the first round, so that in itself is somewhat of an accomplishment.

"Of course, we're not happy with the loss, but for the first weekend out with the really hot weather, I think we fared pretty well."

Next up is the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., June 9-11.

TOP FUEL POINT STANDINGS:

1. Melanie Troxel, 748
2. Doug Kalitta, 652 (winner today)
3. Brandon Bernstein, 608
4. Dave Grubnic, 558
5. Larry Dixon, 509
6. Rod Fuller, 503
7. Morgan Lucas, 498
8. Tony Schumacher, 466
9. Cory McClenathan, 423
10. Doug Herbert, 399

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