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Troxel hoping to take her time getting ‘In-N-Out’ of Sonoma
Jul 13th
SONOMA, Calif. (July 12) — Drag racing superstar Melanie Troxel is loving her role at R2B2 Racing this year as she continues to campaign both the In-N-Out Burger Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car and the In-N-Out Burger Chevrolet Camaro Pro Mod machine. Her only wish is that she could roar down the strip a few more times each race weekend.
“We’re having fun and we’re learning so much every race,” Troxel said. “We just need to go more rounds. We certainly feel as though we have the ability to challenge for some of these trophies. I think consistency in reaching those later rounds and putting ourselves in position to win every time out is what we need to strive for the most.”
Troxel will be able to focus solely on her Funny Car at this weekend’s 24th annual Fram-Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway as this particular race doesn’t feature action in the Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. Considering she’s returning to the home state of In-N-Out Burger, the iconic California eatery that began sponsoring her again this year, Troxel says running one car should be plenty.
“We’re expecting lots of guests from corporate as well as everyone from all the northern California restaurants so we’re in for a party weekend,” said Troxel, who will display her Funny Car from 5-6 p.m. at the In-N-Out Burger in Napa this Thursday night. “Of course the best way top show everyone a great time is to have some success out there on the racetrack.
“This is another Bruton Smith track so you know it’s going to be first-rate. I’ve been racing here for years, going back to when In-N-Out sponsored by Top Alcohol Dragster in 1999 and 2000, so it’s a place where I’m very comfortable.”
In an effort to improve the car’s performance, crew chief Lance Larsen had Troxel and the Funny Car crew stay on for a few extra days after their last showing in Bristol, Tenn., to test some new combinations he thinks will lower their elapsed times and earn them some more wins.
“It’s a little harder on us because we’re not going to every race this year,” Troxel said. “So we need to take full advantage of the track time we do get. Sonoma is at sea level and it can be very, very fast there so I’m sure the guys will be stepping things up. That’s an exciting prospect for the driver.”
Professional qualifying for the 24th annual Fram-Autolite NHRA Nationals begins with two sessions at 4:45 and 7:15 p.m., Friday, at Infineon Raceway.
Heavy-hearted Lucas wins one round in Seattle
Jul 13th
SEATTLE (July 11) – A day that started with so much promise for Morgan Lucas and the GEICO Powersports Top Fuel dragster ended with a disappointment that went beyond wins and losses on Sunday at Pacific Raceways.
On Sunday, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Top Alcohol Dragster driver Mark Niver of Phoenix died following a crash following an elimination round run.
Lucas said he became close with Niver when Lucas was coming up the NHRA ranks in a Top Alcohol Dragster of his own.
“Mark Niver is one of the most awesome people I’ve ever met,” Lucas said. “He’s a great craftsman and a great human being. He was more optimistic than anyone I’ve ever met. The sport had a big loss today.”
On the track, Lucas advanced to the second round by beating Steve Torrence in the first round of Sunday’s eliminations at the NHRA Northwest Nationals.
Lucas ran a 3.905 second pass at 309.06 mph to Torrence’s 3.916 at 310.55 mph.
He fell to No. 1 qualifier Doug Kalitta in the second round. Kalitta ran a 3.886 at 306.95 mph and Lucas had to pedal the car to a 4.471 at 189.66 mph.
Lucas said the recent single round wins were nice, but he’s now wanting more.
“I’ll be pleased when we start seeing some semis and finals,” Lucas said. “As of right now I feel like we have a lot to accomplish and a lot to prove.
“We’re going to go to Sonoma and try to learn from the mistakes we made this weekend.”
Up next for Lucas and the GEICO Powersports Top Fuel team is the July 16-18 Fram Autolite Nationals at Sonoma, Calif.