Wed, 2 Sep 2009, 09:28 PM Burgess, Troxel and Commisso Resolute Heading into Indy

Courtesy of Matthew Brammer

CLERMONT, Ind. -- Although adversity is difficult to endure, one lasting effect is clarifying focus; another is bringing people closer together to reach a common goal. The R2B2 Racing team led by drivers Roger Burgess, Raymond Commisso and Melanie Troxel has experienced huge emotional highs and extreme lows since their last Get Screened America Pro Mod Challenge race, and the crew and drivers are more resolute than ever before. Coming into the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, the sixth of ten Pro Mod Challenge events, each has prepared to bring their very best with the goal of winning the crown jewel of drag racing for the team.

The passing of teammate Bobby Monacelli affected the most change and joined the team in unspoken ways of the reality of life, and death. As they gathered to celebrate his life and laugh at stories, their bond strengthened.

By itself, an event like that could change a person's thinking, but for the team, it came on the heels of Commisso's own highs and lows: first winning his first Pro Mod Challenge event at Englishtown, N.J., and then a devastating crash at an IHRA race in Grand Bend, Ontario - an accident that left the world's quickest Pro Mod driver bruised and greatly disappointed as he watched his record-setting car get dragged from the track: practically totaled.

Burgess said, "All of the things that have happened are a part of the journey we're on. I mourn the loss of Bobby, and I'm so glad Raymond walked away with only a few bruises from Grand Bend. But here's the thing: we're focusing on everything that's going right, and moving forward having learned from our experiences.

"If you look at Englishtown, our team had a stellar weekend. Melanie got down the track well, improved at Grand Bend and then at the IHRA race in Martin she had her first five-second run. She's the quickest and fastest female Pro Mod driver in the world - and that's saying a lot about the team and the strength of our will.

"Of course, Raymond won Englishtown in the quickest-ever side-by-side Pro Mod drag race, and he set the world record to boot. I ran really well there too, a 5.945 at almost 243 - so, we're all doing great. We just take things as they happen, one at a time."

Commisso added, "It's been a whirlwind, with a lot of highs and lows, but this team is closer and I think better than we were before. Al Billes has a look in his eyes that I haven't seen in a long time - it's like the eye of the tiger. He's ready for Indy, and we are too."

Troxel said, "We have tested since the IHRA events and everything else, and it went really well. I know we're all focused and ready to go. I think there's just more of a bond between each of us, and I know that will translate to our performance on the track. This weekend will be great. It's the U.S. Nationals, and of itself it's a huge race. For us, it just means more."

Qualifying at O'Reilly Raceway Park is scheduled with one round at 5:00 p.m. Friday evening, two rounds Saturday scheduled for 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. and a final qualifier at 2:00 p.m. Sunday. Eliminations begin at 5:00 p.m. Sunday evening and continue Monday.

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