MELANIE TROXEL AIMS HIGH AT FAST TEXAS MOTORPLEX

Source: Judy Stropus
Date: 09/20/2006

Since then, the driver of the Skull Shine/Knoll Gas-Torco Race Fuels Top Fuel dragster has surpassed two of those stats, by upping her speed to 331.04 mph (Atlanta '06) and qualifying No. 1 two times in '06 (Bristol and Topeka). Also in '06 she became the First NHRA Top Fuel driver to reach the final round in the first five events of a season and had reached six consecutive final rounds dating back to the final event of 2005, before the string was snapped at the season's sixth event.

The Texas Motorplex is also where Troxel earned her first runner-up finish in Top Fuel, in 2000, when she competed in a limited number of events. So, returning here this weekend as she battles her way back from fourth place to the points lead, which she had held through the first 12 races, is her goal, as the season winds down to the final five events.

"This is definitely one of the tracks that we ran well at last year. It's nice to go back to a place where you know you had good success," says Troxel, who is 140 points out of the points lead, held by Doug Kalitta, and just 86 markers behind her teammate Tony Schumacher, in second. Right in front of her is Brandon Bernstein, 44 points ahead.

"When you start getting to the fall weather and the cooler air, you start seeing the cars run big numbers again, and that's always exciting.

"I've done well here. It's not something I can put a finger on and say why that is. The track has definitely been good to me over the years.

"I think the biggest factor that helps the cars run good at Dallas is the time of year. Being able to run here when it's cool plays a big factor in the performance of the car, but certainly if the track surface isn't there, it won't hold the kind of numbers that the crew chiefs are trying to run, and it doesn't do you any good. And this is definitely a good track."

As for the championship chase, "We haven't really lived up to our potential lately," she says, "but we're fortunate to still have a shot at the championship. But we are really going to need to see a big change - not so much in our performance, but in the results."

MELANIE TROXEL QUICK FACTS:

* Currently fourth in Top Fuel point standings after 18 events, 140 points behind leader Doug Kalitta

* First NHRA Top Fuel driver to reach the final round in the first five events of a season (2006)

* Troxel has reached six consecutive final rounds (two wins) dating back to the final event of 2005. The string was broken at Bristol Dragway this year

* She has now reached seven final rounds in 18 events in 2006

* With Tony Schumacher's five straight final-round appearances to end 2005, Don Schumacher Racing has been in 12 consecutive final rounds

* At 2005 O'Reilly Fall Nationals, she qualified No. 2, lost semis to Tony Schumacher

* Was named the first quarter winner of 2006 Driver of the Year voting

* Was nominated for Best Driver of the Year and Best Female Athlete of the Year by the ESPYS awards

* Was just named a Sportswoman of the Year finalist

* Won her first national Top Fuel event in Pomona, Calif., Feb. 12, 2006

* 2006 is her first full season of Top Fuel competition

* 34 years old, born Aug. 31, 1972

* Born in Littleton, Colo., lives in Avon, Ind., with husband and Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson Jr.

* Two national event wins in Alcohol Dragster in 1999 (Seattle and Topeka)

* Has four runner-up finishes in Top Fuel; in 2000 (Dallas 2), 2005 (Pomona 2), Phoenix 2006, Gainesville 2006

* She has qualified No. 1 twice so far, at Bristol Dragway in 2006 and Heartland Park Topeka in 2006. She also has two No. 2s (Dallas '05 and Pomona 2 '05) *Drove limited schedule for Don Schumacher Racing in 2000, her first year in Top Fuel

* Rejoined DSR in the 13th event of 2005 (Denver)

* Runner-up in Alcohol Dragster in 1999

* Ran limited Top Fuel schedule in 2002 and 2003

* Career quickest elapsed-time in Top Fuel is 4.458 seconds, set in 2005 in Dallas

* Career fastest speed is 331.04 mph, set 5/7/06 at Atlanta Dragway

* In 2005, in 11 races, Troxel had eight round wins

* Troxel is now the quickest and fastest female driver in NHRA history, after clocking the 4.458-second pass and 330.31-mph speed in Dallas in ’05.

She has since upped that speed to 331.04 mph

WEEKEND SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, Sept. 22, PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 4 and 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, Sept. 23, PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at noon and 3 p.m.

SUNDAY, Sept. 24, Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:

Saturday, Sept. 23, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will telecast two hours of qualifying highlights at 11 p.m. (ET) Sunday, Sept. 24, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will telecast NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET).

Sunday, Sept. 24, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of final eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).

SATELLITE:

Friday, Sept. 22, 10-10:30 p.m. (ET) ­ Galaxy 11/Transponder 15K (12003 MHz, horizontal)

Saturday, Sept. 23, 8:30-9 p.m. (ET) ­ Galaxy 11/Transponder 15K (12003 MHz, horizontal)

Sunday, Sept. 24, 10:30-11 p.m. (ET) ­ Galaxy 11/Transponder 15K (12003 MHz, horizontal)

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