Charlotte: R2B2 Racing Friday notes

Frank Hawley surprising No. 1; Troxel 7th at Carolina Nationals
Hawley's Rite Aid Funny Cars posts 4.072-second time; Troxel runs 4.100

CONCORD, N.C., Sept. 12, 2008 -- Frank Hawley erased all the memory of a disappointing outing at the U.S. Nationals two weeks ago when he surprised the large zMax Dragway crowd with a run of 4.072 seconds at 307.16 mph to claim the provisional No. 1 starting position for Sunday's inaugural Carolina Nationals.

He drove the red, white and blue Rite Aid Dodge Charger R/T to the top of the ladder with a stellar 4.072-second time at 307.16 mph in the night session of the inaugural Carolina Nationals.

R2B2 Racing teammate Melanie Troxel, meanwhile, came back with a 4.100 time at 304.53 mph to wind up seventh in the much-awaited debut of the new race track.

Hawley and Troxel definitely liked the new racing surface -- and the rest of zMax Dragway.

Hawley, a two-time NHRA series Funny Car champion (1982-83), has an opportunity to claim his first low qualifier honor in 25 years and his first since 1991, when he drove a Top Fuel dragster.

"We will be trying to keep our Rite Aid Dodge Charger in the No. 1 position so people will stop asking me how long it's been since I qualified No. 1," said Hawley, tongue-in-cheek. "We are really happy with our performance.

"The track's racing surface is really good . . . and so is the rest of zMax Dragway."

TROXEL, meanwhile, opened with a 4.162 at 300.46 mph in the R2B2 Racing Dodge Charger R/T and followed with the 4.10, to continue the good performance she had at the U.S. Nationals.

"We had two good runs Friday and came away feeling confident", Troxel said. "We came in not knowing what to expect."

The last two qualifying laps are on tap Saturday.

-credit: R2B2 Racing