Mon, 21 Sep 2009, 11:00 PM Troxel is Runner-Up in Charlotte

Courtesy of Matthew Brammer

CONCORD, N.C. -- R2B2 Racing Melanie Troxel drove to her first final round behind the wheel of a Pro Mod in today's Get Screened America Pro Mod Challenge event at the NHRA Carolinas Nationals, losing to Rick Stivers.

Troxel is one of a select few drivers to have won in both nitro Funny Car and Top Fuel and was hoping to add a Pro Mod victory to her list of accomplishments, but the Avon, Ind. resident will have to wait for another weekend to advance her stats.

Troxel banked on the skill of her crew chief Al Billes and consistency of her ProCare Rx/R2B2 Motors '63 Corvette to advance throughout eliminations. After qualifying No.8 with a 6.004 at 238.98 mph, defeated Al-Anabi Racing driver Mike Castellana with a 5.986 at 240.81 to his 6.004 at 233.84 mph in the opening stanza.

In round two, she ran a 5.971 at 242.54 to take out the No. 1 qualifier Brad Personett, and then ran a 5.983 at 241.89 to dismiss Joe Baker and advance to the final where she faced off against Stivers.

In the thrilling side-by-side final, Troxel recorded her best ET of the weekend and set her personal-best mark of 5.946 at 242.36, but came up short at the finish line against Stivers' 5.908 at 241.89.

"Al kept after it all weekend, and we were able to get the R2B2 Motors/ProCare Rx Corvette into the finals by being consistent and improving nearly every pass down the track. In that last round, we knew we had to give it all we had, and we just didn't have quite enough. It was a great weekend, a great race, and we're all really proud of what we were able to do.

"We're leaving with our heads held high, because we know we gave everything we had, and it was really successful.

"I love racing here in Charlotte, the track is amazing - you don't have to worry about bumps or problems, and both lanes are pretty much equal, so you can take the lane choice pretty much out of the equation. It's a great facility, one of the very best," she said.

Next on the calendar for Troxel and the R2B2 Racing team is the Virginia NHRA Nationals in Richmond, Va. scheduled for October 9-11.

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