This weekend is critical for team R2B2 at the Get Screened America Pro Mod Challenge event at the
NHRA Virginia Nationals. Roger Burgess is number two in the points, just 54 points out of first
with two races left to catch the leader Burton Auxier. Raymond Commisso is currently sixth and
solidly in the top eight to compete in the Matco Tools Pro Mod Clash, but the Toronto restaurateur
and current ET world record holder will be fielding a new car, adding an unknown commodity for the
team; and Melanie Troxel is looking to follow-up on her runner-up finish at the last event and take
it all the way this weekend. Each driver has a specific mission, and each is anxious to hit the
throttle on the quarter-mile at Richmond.
"It's now or never," Burgess said. "Burton has had the most consistent car and so far, he has been
the best driver in our class this year. It will take a combination of getting the tune up right,
getting the job done as the driver, and finding some luck to catch him. Having said that, we can't
wait to get to Richmond. As always, we will do our best, una alla Volta."
Commisso said, "After we crashed the car in Grand Bend earlier this year, we've been struggling to
get the program back together. We tried with the old Firebird, but just couldn't get the right
combination, so we went and found another car that would work for us. That's no easy feat in just a
short amount of time.
"We were able to buy a car, and Al Billes (crew chief) and the guys have all been working overtime
to get things ready for this weekend. It's a proven car, and we should be able to run it well. I
know that we're all up to the task and excited about racing in Richmond."
Troxel said, "Charlotte was a great race for us, we ran better and better every lap, and I know
that we can just pick up right where we left off. We've got a great team, and the conditions should
prove to be really positive for running fast. Our goal is to get all the cars into the show, and
then work hard to keep the team going."
Qualifying rounds are scheduled for 1:00 and 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, and 2:00 p.m. Saturday,
Oct. 10. Eliminations begin Friday evening with the B&J Transmissions Bonus round scheduled for
4:00 p.m. Saturday, and the balance of eliminations scheduled to run Sunday afternoon.
