Sat, 4 Jun 2011, 08:32 PM Troxel Gets Top Spot in Pro Mod Qualifying; Loses First Round at NHRA SuperNationals

Courtesy of NHRA Communications Photo copyright 2011 Auto Imagery, Inc.

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. --

Melanie Troxel

Melanie Troxel's national record-setting qualifying run was strong enough for a No. 1 qualifier, but not to get her past first round of the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series eliminations for the NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

Troxel's run of 5.772-seconds at 258.71 mph in her ProCare Rx '53 Corvette set the national record for both time and speed and gave the driver her first No. 1 qualifier of the season and second of her Pro Mod Drag Racing career. Troxel lost her first round matchup however on a holeshot to Dennis Radford, while fellow teammate Brad Personett matched her national record setting time with his first round win over Rickie Smith.

"I'm disappointed with first round," said Troxel. "Until Brad Personett's run, we had the best car consistently through the weekend. I just need experience with the starting line procedure in the silver car. I've found through testing the way you launch this car is awkward, and it's still awkward for me."

Points leader Khalid Balooshi fell first round to teammate Mike Castellana, while Troxel's team owner Roger Burgess held off Kenny Lang to advance to the second round.

Eliminations will continue Sunday.