Troxel confident heading into Phoenix

CHANDLER, Ariz. (February 19, 2008) - After running top speed in her class at the Winternationals in Pomona two weeks ago along with a stellar No. 3 qualifying effort in just her first race as a Funny Car driver, Melanie Troxel said she is anxious to hit the track in her ProCare Rx Dodge Charger R/T at this weekend's Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Ariz.

Troxel was eliminated first round in Pomona when her car smoked the tires in her match against fellow rookie Bob Tasca III, and after the disappointing first outing, the Gotham City Racing team headed to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for testing to improve their performance and setup on the car.

"We had a great test session in Vegas, and like I've said before, every lap I get to take gives me just that much more experience in a Funny Car, and I feel more and more comfortable every day," Troxel said.

"Brian [Corradi] and Mark [Oswald, crew chiefs] found some things in the clutch setup, and everyone on the team was extremely happy with the results of our time up there," she said.

Last year in Top Fuel, Troxel was runner-up at the Phoenix event, and she said she is very comfortable on the track that others have called unpredictable.

"I've had really good success at this track, and I think that gives me an edge coming into this weekend. We tested her in January, and I got a lot of seat time, and coming off last week's tests I'm really positive about our performance coming up," she said.

Nitro qualifying sessions are scheduled for 2 and 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22. Qualifying continues at 12:30 and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23. Final eliminations are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24. ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise qualifying highlights at 2 a.m. (ET) on Sunday, Feb. 24. ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute pre-race show, at 11 a.m. (ET) on Sunday, Feb. 24., and will televise the race beginning at 7 p.m. (ET) that evening.

MELANIE TROXEL QUICK FACTS:
* 35 years old, born Aug. 31, 1972
* Born in Littleton, Colo., lives in Avon, Ind. with husband, Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson Jr.
* Two wins in Top Fuel last year (Madison, Ill. and Memphis, Tenn.)
* Career quickest elapsed time in Top Fuel is 4.458 seconds (Dallas, 2005)
* Career fastest speed in Top Fuel is 332.51 (Pomona 1, 2007)
* Troxel is the quickest female driver in NHRA history
* Ran top Funny Car speed at the Winternationals in Pomona at 327.90 m.p.h.
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For more information about Melanie Troxel and Gotham City Racing, visit the team website: Gotham City Racing.

About ProCare Rx:
Roger and Barbara Burgess founded ProCare Rx in 1988 to provide prescription drug claims processing, clinical services and support for any organization that provides a Prescription Drug Benefit to its employees or members. Clients include self-insured businesses, unions, hospices, worker compensation plans, local and county governments, health maintenance organizations, associations and other insurance plans.

Today, after almost 20 years in business, ProCare Rx is one of the largest privately held Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) and administrators in the United States, experiencing 19 straight years of continual growth. The company works with pharmacies and prescription drug manufacturers to ensure that clients save money while managing the health of their members thru the application of innovative technologies and population health services directed to all members, with focus on those with chronic conditions.

For more information, visit the company web site at ProCare Rx - Better, Faster, Cheaper & Customized!.

Gotham City Racing is also sponsored by:
* Oakley - Official Site for Oakley Sunglasses, Goggles, Shoes, Watches and Apparel
* The Hyperbaric Therapy Center - Hyperbaric Therapy Center - Hyperbaric Chamber
* Lend America - Nationwide, direct lender, Lend America offers mortgages, loans, with little to no money down, quick loan process

About Lend America
Lend America, a National Mortgage Banking Organization and one of New York's largest privately owned direct lenders, has proudly served the residential mortgage marketplace for more than 20 years. The company is one of the most successful direct-to-consumer lenders in the United States and is the region's largest and most well known FHA direct lender. Lend America is also the originator of the successful nationwide broadcast-television educational seminar programs titled "The Mortgage Insider." Lend America offers a wide range of home purchase and refinance programs to meet their clients' individual requirements. Lend America employs approximately 650 employees and is headquartered in Melville, New York. For more information on Lend America, visit Nationwide, direct lender, Lend America offers mortgages, loans, with little to no money down, quick loan process or call (877) 4-RACE LOAN.