NORWALK, Ohio (June 21) – ProCare Rx driver Melanie Troxel is riding high after winning last weekend’s NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series national event at Bristol Dragway.

Now, Troxel and her R2B2 Racing team hope the victory — her second in the class in the last seven races — will help them continue to climb the 2011 Pro Mod championship points standings.

Troxel currently is tied for sixth in the rankings, but in the wacky world of Pro Mod, ground can be made up quickly, especially considering the world-record-setting turbocharged Corvette Troxel will be driving at this weekend’s fifth annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park.

“We’re a ways down in the championship but we really feel strongly that this combination is good enough for us to still make a run at it,” Troxel said. “The Norwalk race is an important one for us. We need to go out there strong, go some rounds, and make up as much ground as we can on the championship.

“When we come back from the summer break, those final races are going to come quick, and we need to be prepared if we’re going to have a real shot at winning the whole thing.”

After this weekend, the Pro Mod class is off until September for the 57th Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis. For now, though, Troxel is only thinking about Norwalk.

“This car is so solid. It goes right down the track,” Troxel said. “I almost feel guilty how easy this makes it on us, especially now that I’ve got a better handle on the staging procedure. I’m not worried one bit about the racetrack. I know Steve Petty, our tuner, has got an incredible handle on these cars, and that makes it fun to go racing.”

Across the R2B2 Racing pit, Troxel’s ProCare Rx Funny Car crew has shown it’s gaining a handle on her Toyota Camry in recent races, winning first-round matches in the last two national events.

But that’s not enough for the only female racer in history with wins in both Top Fuel and Funny Car.

“Just like it is in Pro Mod, every race is important for our Funny Car team right now,” Troxel said. “We’ve got to get some round wins coming so we’ll have a legitimate shot at making the Countdown (playoffs). We’re running well right now, so for us to continue on to another race with no time off certainly isn’t a bad thing. It helps us keep the momentum going and moving in the right direction.”

Troxel is 15th in Funny car points, but 10th place – and a spot in the Countdown to the Championship – is within reach. And Norwalk’s famed track would be a good place to continue a climb up the standings – both in Funny Car and Pro Mod.

“It’s a good track,” Troxel said. “I love the people there and the atmosphere – and the $1 ice cream, of course. They’re just great to the fans there. It makes for an enjoyable weekend.”

Qualifying for both classes begins Friday afternoon.

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