Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com has learned that Melanie Troxel will make
test runs in a Funny Car owned by Mike Ashley during the upcoming PRO
test session prior to the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. He's got the
blessings from sponsor Evan Knoll and Torco Race Fuels to make it
happen.
“We’ve had Melanie fitted for a Funny Car,” Ashley said. “I’m all for
doing this as long as it doesn’t interfere with our Countdown to the
Championship. We have to make sure our car is ready for that. We will
do it at the Indianapolis test session coming up.”
Ashley is aware that such a move will create a plethora of speculation.
While expansion of his Torco Race Fuels-sponsored team is clearly
something he has publicly admitted, he’ll admit that adding Troxel to
his team would clearly be an asset.
“Evan is really happy with our program and we are seriously looking at
the prospects of running a multi-car team,” Ashley said. “Melanie
Troxel has expressed an interest in driving a Funny Car. I think she
would be a great spokesperson for the class but most of all I think she
would be a top-notch driver.
“From a media standpoint, I think she would be great and really it
would be neat to see a husband and wife racing against each other in
the class. I would be very interested in putting together a team one
day with Melanie and I have spoken together with Evan. If it’s going to
happen, it’s going to happen. It will be under my umbrella if it
happens.”