Championship Drag Racing

Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals
Brainerd, MN
(August 9-12)

EVENT HOME
   Tickets
   Event schedule
   Results
   Team Reports
   Audio Broadcast
   Photo Galleries
   Video highlights
   Entry List
   Driver Appearances

Driver Profile

Melanie Troxel In-n-Out Burger Dodge R/T

Brainerd, prerace: You don't have to tell Melanie Troxel what she needs to do the next couple of NHRA races.

She clearly knows that it's going to take a 45-points swing advantage in her favor to overtake David Grubnic, thus entering her into the elite eight of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship. It just that simple and this weekend's 26th annual Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd Internationals Raceway that's exactly what she intends to do.

"That's what it boils down to is we have to win some rounds if we're going to get in the top eight," said a determined Troxel. "We haven't managed to do that, yet, but last weekend we (had) the opportunity to get a little more testing in and more track time on a hot racing surface. We've made some progress, so we're excited to get to the next race and see if we can turn that into the 45 points we need to make it in to that top eight."

She will have to fend off the advances of the other drivers, those who are in close proximity behind her, but her competitive philosophy is basic and to the point.

"The plan is to do your best and win the race," Troxel stated. "You go out and have a good weekend and in theory, you reach the finals, then that puts you in a good position, but you can't worry about each individual round, along with every single point. We'll go up there just like what we do for every race and if we keep that mindset that's the right way to approach it. Now we just need the results to go along with that if that is going to do us any good."

This will be her first time under the Morgan Lucas Racing fold and as the host of the race with the Lucas Oil sponsorship of the event, she would like nothing more than to give car owner and president and CEO of Lucas Oil Products, Forrest Lucas another win in 2007.

"We'd love to win the race for everyone at Lucas Oil Products," she said. "The entire Morgan Lucas Racing team could use a shot in the arm like that if either of our teams were able to go out and win the event. Who knows, that just might be the change of luck we need to go out there and turn it all around this weekend at the Lucas Oil Nationals."

E-mail this article   Print this article