Troxel Puts the Boys to Bed
Written by Jory Elliott · May 4, 2006
The recent announcement that Melanie Troxel, driver of the Skull Gear top fuel dragster, on the NHRA POWERade drag racing tour, is the winner of first quarter balloting for the Driver of the Year Award comes as no surprise to those in the drag racing world. Her dominance over the first quarter of the NHRA season is unprecedented in drag racing by any driver, male or female, and is a feat not often accomplished in any other form of motor sport, let alone by a female participant.
The recognition given to Melanie is a true testament to not only the diversity that drag racing has in its driver population, but also to the performance levels and professionalism they are able to provide us with. Sure, there are other female drivers competing on other internationally recognized series but none has accomplished what this lady has. Her 5 final rounds to start the season with two victories along the way is a record never set by the likes of Don Garlits, Joe Amato or Shirley Muldowney.
The Driver of the Year Award is in its 40th year of existence and for the first time in that storied history a woman has emerged as the quarterly winner in the balloting. Troxel’s name will now be forever remembered amongst the likes of Mario Andretti, Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and John Force.
The recognition however is not to be solely focused on the driver. As we all know there is a team behind each and every participant that deserves as much credit as the person who pilots the car. Without the dedicated help of her crew chief Richard Hogan and all of the Skull Gear crew members, none of Melanie’s success would be possible. These men and women are some of the most dedicated and devoted professionals in any industry. They give up their home and family lives to tour the entire 23 event season with little or no recognition ever being focused on them.
A true team effort is what it takes to be the best and the Skull Gear team, with Melanie behind the wheel has emerged as one of the elite teams in all of motor sports.
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