ESPY Nomination for Troxel a Step in the Right Direction
Written by David Lamm · June 29, 2006
NHRA Top Fuel points leader Melanie Troxel has honored with not only one nomination but two for the annual ESPY Awards. The ESPYS are ESPN’s answer to the Oscars and will be awarded on July 16th and hosted by cyclist Lance Armstrong. Although Troxel’s nominations are a bit of coup, sadly drag racing fans will be disappointed when she does not win either one.
NHRA.com: Troxel nominated for Best Female Athlete, Best Driver ESPYs
ESPN.com: ESPY Fan Voting Web Page
Don’t get me wrong. I want Melanie to win more than any of the other nominees. I think it would be a huge boost for the sport of drag racing if she was able to take home one if not both awards. The main problem I see if that the awards are voted on by the fans. Once the fans are involved the debate of who should win and who actually wins rages. Many times fans will vote for a name they recognize rather than taking the time research the nominees. There almost 40 categories that fans can vote on and they range from Best Female Athlete (which Troxel is one of the nominees) to best angler to best action sport athlete to best bowler. How are we to expect everyone that has an internet connection and can find their way to ESPYS voting page to know who is truly the best athlete with a disability much less the best driver? Sadly, much like John Force and Greg Anderson in years prior, Troxel will be in attendance and will have to applaud graciously when her name is not called in favor of a more recognizable name but less worthy.
This phenomenon is not unique to the ESPY Awards. Major league baseball has the same issue. The debate rages regarding if Jason Varitek should be starting over Joe Mauer in the All-Star Game. The main issue? Varitek is a more established and more recognizable name despite the fact that Mauer is having a spectacular year. The argument is the fans vote to see the players they want to see play. The same argument can be said of the ESPYS.
So what can we do? We as fans can actively vote for Melanie and hope that a drag racer can eventually win one of these. Don’t let the daunting and overwhelming task of voting for all 39 categories scare you away from voting. You can vote for one category and submit your vote and it will be counted without having to vote for all.
Make sure to vote for Melanie in the categories of Best female Athlete and Best Driver. Maybe with a little motivation and commitment we can have our voices be heard on ESPN.
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I think it is great for Melanie, but as an example of the recognition issue.. When the nominees were announced live on ESPN Radio, Mike Greenburg said Melanie was “leading the points in the women’s division”, when in fact, she is the only one of the female nominees that competes directly against men.
I think one of many points that’s endearing about Melanie is that she’s not in your face about being a woman - she’s a true racer, period.
Yeah, what a joke about the announcement; shows the ignorance (& even contempt) among many sports people regarding drag racing.