Charlotte: Melanie Troxel preview

Troxel's Funny Car to salute gold-medal-winning USA bobsled team

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 23) -- Funny Car superstar Melanie Troxel will give the gold-medal-winning USA men's four-man bobsled team the ride of its life this weekend at zMax Dragway when she drives a special "Night Train"-themed racecar down the strip at speeds in excess of 300 mph.

"Night Train" is the nickname the men's four-man team gave its bobsled after it was delivered to them from the BoDyn Project, the non-profit organization started by Daytona 500 winner Geoff Bodine that makes U.S. athletes the most competitive bobsleds in the world. Led by pilot Steve Holcomb, the "Night Train" crew broke a 62-year Olympic drought in February when they rode their BoDyn sled to gold in at the Vancouver Games.

Holcomb and pushers Steve Mesler, Justin Olsen, and Curt Tomasevicz were recently named grand marshals of the inaugural NHRA 4-Wide Nationals and will be in attendance at this weekend's drag race.

"We're very proud to salute Steve and the rest of our Olympic bobsledders and their incredible effort in Vancouver," Troxel said. "Our car will be draped in an American flag and will have big 'Night Train' and Bodyn Project logos on there to drive home the 'Made in America' theme my buddy Geoff Bodine has worked so hard at portraying over the past 18 years. I have a feeling this car is going to be a crowd favorite."

Troxel should gain some good mojo from Holcomb and crew. In her first attempt at the annual Lucas Oil Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge presented by Whelen Engineering this past January, Troxel beat all the boys and took home a gold medal of her own in the charity event, which pits NASCAR drivers against their NHRA counterparts.

"We've been getting quicker every race and that's very encouraging," Troxel said. "We're ready to break into the 4.0-second range and as smooth and quick as zMax is this weekend could be the perfect time to make it happen.

"Running consistent 4.0s will make us competitive with the top cars. If we can get in that range we'll most likely qualify in the top half of the field and have a better draw on Sunday. We're definitely ready to go some rounds and put ourselves in position to win one of these things."

The Night Train Dodge Charger R/T will be unveiled for the first time Friday during the two professional qualifying sessions slated for 2 and 4:30 p.m.

Joining Troxel in honoring Team USA this weekend will be fellow Bodine Bobsled Challenge participants Morgan Lucas, Shawn Langdon, and Jeg Coughlin Jr.

-source: melanie troxel racing