Melanie Troxel Las Vegas Saturday report

Troxel poised for Sunday success driving In-N-Out Burger cars

Melanie Troxel, In-N-Out/RoadRage.com Toyota Camry

Photo by: Michael C. Johnson

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 29) – Melanie Troxel's In-N-Out Burger cars are primed for an impressive showing Sunday at the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The In-N-Out Burger Toyota Funny Car qualified in the top half of the field of that class, and Troxel followed that up by putting the In-N-Out turbo Corvette into the Get Screened America Pro Mod Series show at No. 3 and winning her first-round matchup.

"It's exciting to have not just one, but two cars capable of winning rounds," Troxel said. "The guys in both pits have been putting in a lot of extra work, and we're all hoping there will be a lot more to do on Sunday."

Troxel's best lap in Funny Car was a 4.103 second run at 310.20 mph she made on Friday night, which stood up to land in the seventh spot. Troxel goes up against No. 10 Johnny Gray, who not only made a best lap of 4.118 seconds at 311.05 mph but also suffered an explosion that ripped his car body in half during the fourth and final qualifier.

"Johnny is not in the Countdown, but he's been the toughest non-Countdown car out there," Troxel said. "You know he's going to make a good run. We just have to make sure we make a better one. I think it's going to be a close race."

In the Pro Mod, Troxel's win wasn't picture perfect, but she said that silver Corvette has a knack of finding a way to get to the finish line first.

"That run wasn't perfect. It shook so hard it broke the wheelie bar," Troxel said. "It also knocked some stuff loose inside the car. But when it's not running well, it still makes a respectable pass. That gives you a lot of confidence going into Sunday that even if things aren’t perfect we can win rounds."

Troxel beat Clint Hairston with a pass of 5.935 seconds at 253.56 mph – the best ET of the round. Hairston crossed the finish line in 6.045 seconds at 245.18 mph.

Up next for Troxel is Donald Martin, who won his race over Rickie Smith with a 5.946 seconds at 244.12 mph. Troxel was the No. 3 qualifier with a best pass of 5.897 seconds at 253.28 mph.