Memphis: Melanie Troxel Saturday notes

Four consistent runs boost confidence for eliminations

MEMPHIS, Sept. 27, 2008 -- Crew chief Brian Corradi's game plan coming into the O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals at Memphis Motorsports Park was to make four consistent qualifying runs.

He accomplished that part of the plan by Saturday afternoon when Melanie Troxel secured the No. 6 starting position for Sunday's eliminations. Her Friday night run of 4.117 seconds at 302.28 mph -- the fastest qualifying speed -- wasn't threatened on a sunny, pleasant Saturday.

Troxel squares off against NHRA Funny Car point leader Tim Wilkerson (11th, 4.152 at 300.40) in the opening round. It's an important one for Wilkerson because this is the third of six playoff races. Troxel, meanwhile, wants another race win before the season ends

"We wanted to be more conservative (in tune-ups) and get down the track on every run, and we accomplished that," said Troxel. "We didn't smoke the tires at all . . . and we qualified in the top half of the field. We're looking forward to eliminations."

Her other 1000-foot times were 4.177, 4.211 and 4.178 seconds.

"I feel good going into Sunday," added Corradi. "We'll try to be a little faster."

-credit: r2b2