Melanie Troxel, one very fast femme

Melanie Troxel is one of the world’s fastest females with her top speed on the quarter mile in excess of 332mph.

In 2008 she became the first woman to have won races in both Top Fuel and Funny Car, the NHRA’s premier classes. Articulate, approachable and talented it is no surprise that she is a popular ambassador for the sport.

Melanie took some time out of her busy race schedule to answer a few questions for Girlracer Magazine.

How and when did you get involved in drag racing?

"My father (Mike Troxel) was a Sportsman racer when I was growing up in Colorado, so I was always around the track. It wasn't until my early teens that I really started paying attention to the cars and helping out -- taking the spark plugs out. I remember looking at all the engine components and wondering how they all worked together, which led me to take auto shop in high school."

"There weren't any Junior Dragster programs when I was growing up, so I had to wait until I got my street license before I was able to start racing myself. When I turned 16, I started bracket racing at Bandimere Speedway and raced my street car. I knew right away I was hooked on racing."

What were some of the difficulties you faced in getting into the sport?

"I was fortunate I grew up around the sport because it gave me more opportunities that some other people on the outside looking in would not get. I knew a lot about racing and knew a lot of people in the sport, which gave me a leg up. That being said, money is always an obstacle when you are trying to race at a high level. As you move up in the ranks it takes money to go faster."

How did you overcome them?

"Every step of the way you just have to work really hard to find the funding to keep racing. You are always trying to figure out where your next big break will come from."

How have you progressed since then?

"I've always thought you have to take advantage of every opportunity you can, even if you have to race different kinds of car. I saved my money to go to Frank Hawley's Drag Racing School and get my Top Alcohol Dragster license when I was in my mid-20s. I didn't have the money at the time to race that class full time, but I thought it might give me a leg up on drivers because I could jump in one of those cars and race on short notice.

"There have been times when I have gone 16 or 18 months without a driving job, but you have to have the strength to keep showing up at the track and making the opportunities happen."

Tell me a bit about the car you race.

"I actually drive two cars this year. I drive an 8,000 horsepower nitromethane-fueled Funny Car. I also drive a 2,500 hp Pro Mod car. The Pro Mods are an angry little racecar -- they have a lot of power on a short wheelbase and can be a handful to control. The Funny Car is also a powerful car but is a total rush to drive."

What is your PB elapsed time? Fastest speed over the quarter mile?

"When I drove a Top Fuel dragster my best ET was 4.458 seconds. My best speed was 332.51 mph."

What is your proudest achievement on track?

"There are so many milestones I am proud of -- my first national event win and my first pro win. If I look at the overall picture, I am very proud that I am one of only 14 people who have won a race in both a Top Fuel dragster and a Funny Car. When you see some of the legendary names on that list, I feel fortunate to be included on that list."

How often do you race?

"The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series has 23 events on its schedule. The Get Screened America Pro Mod Series has 10 races a year, which run consecutively with the NHRA races."

Where do you race?

"We race all over the USA. My home track is Bandimere Speedway outside Denver. I currently live outside of Indianapolis, which is home to our biggest race of the year, the U.S. Nationals."

How much time do you spend working on the car between race meetings?

"Most drivers came up through the ranks working on their own cars, which does make you a better driver. Unfortunately at this level there is so much work to be done in such a short period of time, I don't get the opportunity to work on the cars. However I do everything I can to help the team."

Where do you work on the car?

"Our race shop is located in Duluth, Georgia."

What do you like most about drag racing?

"I am an adrenaline junkie, and the whole racing lifestyle really suits me. I enjoy doing something different every day. I'm not sure I could handle a 9 to 5 job where you do the same thing every day. I'm much happier traveling and mixing things up."

What do you like least about drag racing?

"Really hot, muggy racetracks where it's miserable and humid. That might be the girl side coming out in me -- I don't like those bad hair days I have in hot muggy weather."

What are your future drag racing aspirations?

"I want to continue to drive for as long as I can, but I can also see myself owning my own race team one day."

What is your day job?

"I'm a driver, I don't have another job, thankfully."

What do you like to do to relax?

"I am a big animal lover and I enjoy spending time with my dogs. When get to take my motorhome to the races, I like to go back there at the end of the day and spend time with them."

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

"When you are new in a car, it's better to lift off the gas a little early than end up on your roof. People might say you are a little chicken for lifting early, but it's so much better then wrecking the car."

What advice would you give to others wanting to break into the sport?

"Never stop listening. There's always a lot of experienced racers at the track, and they have a wealth of knowledge that they are usually willing to share it with you."

Who do you receive support from?

"In-N-Out Burger, which is an iconic fast food restaurant in founded in California is the primary sponsor on my Pro Mod Car and is my sponsor for eight Funny Car races this season. My team is still looking for sponsorship for the rest of the NHRA season in Funny Car."

Is there anything else you’d like to say?

"Thank you for your interest in my race team and my career."

On behalf of Girlracer Magazine, I’d like to thank Melanie for her time and for providing inspiration to women all over the world who are chasing their dreams! By Chelsea Woods http://www.girlracer.co.uk