ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 8) -- While most of the drivers in the Get Screened America Pro Mod Series sat idle for the past few weeks, megastar Melanie Troxel got some extra seat time by traveling to England to race in the FIA Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway.
"It was a great experience to go over there and race for a whole new group of fans," Troxel said. "And it's always good to get seat time, no matter where you are in the world. But I will say it's going to be nice to get back behind the wheel of my In-N-Out Burger Corvette this weekend in Englishtown."
Team owner Roger Burgess sent Troxel and crew over at the last minute and customs processing of her racecar and some rainy English weather limited Troxel's time behind the wheel to four total passes at Santa Pod. However, she did cap her weekend by making the quickest and fastest Pro Mod lap in European drag racing history during an exhibition pass.
"It got us so excited we're talking about doing the entire FIA tour now," she said. "I'd be okay with that, for sure. It was also an awesome chance to tell the world about the World Wide Pro Mod Association. I think we got the message out pretty well."
Stateside, Troxel's In-N-Out Corvette has possessed a Jekyll and Hyde personality so far this season. Case in point -- Troxel followed a runner-up finish in Houston with a DNQ in St. Louis.
Despite it all, the popular pro sits sixth in the series standings, 20 points outside of the top five and just 56 markers out of first place, a perch she held earlier this season. She's now looking forward to gaining a few rounds on the frontrunners at this weekend's 41st annual United Association NHRA SuperNationals.
"My crew chief, Bob Newberry, came over from Top Alcohol so he's still learning the quirks of these Pro Mod cars," Troxel said. "He's one of the best tuners in the business so we know he'll have us up to speed real soon. This particular car ran ETs in the 5.80s last year so we know it's a good car.
"We're getting better with each run we make and I know it won't be long before we're running 5.80s again. Hopefully, it's this weekend."
Get Screened America Pro Mod qualifying begins at 2:30 p.m. EDT on Friday with eliminations starting Saturday afternoon.
