R2B2 Racing teammates Melanie Troxel and Raymond Commisso are set for a showdown in the second
round of eliminations on Sunday in the Get Screened America Pro Mod Challenge presented by ProCare
Rx at the NHRA Virginia Nationals. Commisso tore down the track to victory in round-one action
Friday evening, sending current points leader Burton Auxier packing and giving owner/driver Roger
Burgess a boost in his bid to take the lead in the points race.
Commisso's victory over Auxier was exactly what the Boss ordered. Burgess is now less than two
rounds away from taking the lead and has his teammate Commisso to thank.
"That victory was huge," Burgess said. "We had to at least get one round on him to make a run on
the championship in Vegas. Danny Rowe was even down there on the other end cheering on Raymond. I
don't think we've ever seen Danny rooting for Raymond Commisso!"
Commisso said, "We're all pleased with how the car is running, improving every time it goes down
the track. Burton is a great driver and a tough competitor. It was great for the team to be able
to win against him first round and give Roger a shot at taking the lead in points."
Commisso is set to race against the "Voodoo Queen" Melanie Troxel in her '63 VooDoo Corvette in the
second round of eliminations tomorrow. Troxel ran a 5.877 at 245.63 mph in round one, taking out
veteran "Tricky" Ricky Smith.
When asked about a competitive rivalry, Commisso said, "No, Mel is great. There's no bragging, no
rivalry. I just want us to both go out there and have great runs."
Troxel agreed, saying, "We've both got great cars, it's kind of a bittersweet thing. We're both
going to go out there and give it our best shot and see what happens."
Unphased by the inner-team competition, Burgess said with a laugh, "I think the Voodoo Queen is
going to take him. You can quote me on that." Eliminations are scheduled to be completed Sunday
afternoon.
