As she rolls into just her third national event competition behind the wheel of the R2B2 Racing "Voodoo" '63 Corvette Pro Mod, Melanie Troxel is using her experience as a professional driver in other drag racing cars to work her way to success in her latest challenge. Although she will readily admit to still learning the finer points of the fully suspended Pro Mods she jokingly refers to as 'angry little cars,' she maintains the goal of winning every race she enters. This weekend, she will once again grace the quarter-mile, this time at the IHRA Northern Nationals presented by Dart Machinery at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Mich.
 
A fan favorite wherever she goes, Troxel said she is anxious to go back to Martin, the site of her IHRA Top Fuel debut in 2007. "The fans are really important to me, wherever I am, maybe even more so because of the current economic conditions. They are spending their hard-earned money to come for a show, a day at the race track - and I try to spend as much time with them as I can," Troxel said.

As she rolls into just her third national event competition behind the wheel of the R2B2 Racing "Voodoo" '63 Corvette Pro Mod, Melanie Troxel is using her experience as a professional driver in other drag racing cars to work her way to success in her latest challenge. Although she will readily admit to still learning the finer points of the fully suspended Pro Mods she jokingly refers to as 'angry little cars,' she maintains the goal of winning every race she enters. This weekend, she will once again grace the quarter-mile, this time at the IHRA Northern Nationals presented by Dart Machinery at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Mich.
 
A fan favorite wherever she goes, Troxel said she is anxious to go back to Martin, the site of her IHRA Top Fuel debut in 2007. "The fans are really important to me, wherever I am, maybe even more so because of the current economic conditions. They are spending their hard-earned money to come for a show, a day at the race track - and I try to spend as much time with them as I can," Troxel said.
 
Along with being with the fans, Troxel's time is split between her sponsors, the media, and actually doing her job - driving a 2,700 horsepower supercharged door slammer, something that requires consistency to be successful.
 
"I don't have quite the routine I did with the nitro cars, mostly because these cars are so different and I'm still learning. It takes a lot of passes before you build up a real comfort level," she explained.
 
"My routine before a race, especially in eliminations, starts when I take a little time alone to prepare. I stretch my muscles to help my mindset and to be comfortable, and then try to prepare mentally, analyze the situation.
 
"I focus on what I need to do in the car, and that's different for every pass you make, whether it's qualifying or eliminations and what position you're in. I'm trying to get to the place with the Pro Mods where the driving comes naturally enough that I can really focus on trying to do my job on the starting line and hope the stuff down the track falls into place.
 
"I do like to be in the car a little early because there's nothing I hate more than to jump into the car and try to get strapped in while they are pulling us to the water box. It's really nice for me to have a few extra minutes to sit in the car, relax, and make sure my focus is where it needs to be," Troxel said.
 
When she gets to the line, her reaction times are historically among the best in the sport, and as she gets more and more comfortable with her new ride, her results are sure to prove her abilities.
 
"Right now, it's all about getting seat time, and learning from every pass," she said.
 
"After a run, I really like to go back and analyze all the data. I will go and watch the videotape to see if I can find anything I didn't see while I was in the car. I look to see if what I felt in the car is what happened on the tape. Then, I'll go in and try to look over Al Billes, my crew chief's, shoulder to see what the data says. If possible, I'll ask him a few things about what happened in the car and why. I think that makes me a better driver knowing what's going on, and since these cars are fairly new to me, I'm trying to learn as much as possible."
 
Billes, a veteran driver and standout crew chief and tuner, has said that Troxel is one of the most professional drivers he's ever worked with. "She is coming along so well, I've got nothing but good things to say about her and her ability to drive," he said.
 
The feeling of respect is mutual for Troxel, who said, "I've really enjoyed the fact that I can work directly with Al, and that he is so open to explaining things. Some crew chiefs keep all that information to themselves, but he's really been an open book. I think part of that is the fact that he is both a driver and a tuner, and that really helps both of us. He's been great to discuss how things feel in the car and get suggestions and his insight.
 
"It's very obvious Al is a very smart guy, very methodical, and I think that's probably one of the main reasons why he is so successful. He's not only a tuner, he is an innovator in this class - and that's a great thing to be a part of. Roger Burgess, our sponsor and teammate has put together an incredible team, and I know I'm in great hands when I get into the car. As more time passes and we get more laps, the results will follow," Troxel said.
 
Troxel is counting on improved results this weekend, knowing that the team is still getting things ironed out to make the setup and the driver perfectly in tune. "That's the plan, and we'll get there one lap at a time," she said.

 

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