Last run puts Troxel into No. 14 Funny Car slot at Brainerd
BRAINERD, Minn., August 9, 2008 – It was an important run and Melanie Troxel and the Gotham City Racing Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car team made it a good one Saturday afternoon at Brainerd International Raceway.
Troxel stopped the clock at 4.276 seconds, 290.32 mph to earn the 14th starting berth for Sunday’s Lucas Oil Nationals. It was the only run that didn’t smoke the tires this weekend.
“We were very happy with the run,” Troxel said. “It was exactly where we needed to be. All of the guys did a good job. We struggled with this track and we were very happy to get down it.
“It’s always tough to be conservative when you go up to the starting line in situations like that. Brian (Corradi, crew chief) now has a baseline to help him tune for tomorrow’s eliminations. He can sneak up on the tune-up and get more aggressive.”
Corradi, meanwhile, worked on the chassis and Troxel credits the changes for helping get her down the track. “Basically, the front end was welded and it helped me steer the car,” she said.
Troxel races Robert Hight (third, 4.119 at 300.26 mph) in the first round.
