Athletes

In September 2005, Melanie Troxel became the quickest and fastest woman in auto racing with her career-best elapsed time (4.458 seconds) and her career-best speed (330.31 mph). In February 2006, Troxel became the sixth woman in NHRA history to win a Top Fuel event by winning the 46th annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. In April, Troxel made drag racing history by opening the season with five consecutive final round appearances (she has appeared in a Top Fuel-leading seven final rounds through 15 events), and she added her second victory of 2006 (at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas). In May, Troxel clocked her fastest speed (331.04 mph) at Atlanta Dragway, and she became the first female in its 40-year history to be honored by the Driver of the Year Foundation (winning its first quarter award over NASCAR's Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson and IRL's Helio Castroneves). In June, Troxel was nominated for ESPY Awards for Best Female Athlete and Best Driver. Troxel was in first place through the first 12 events in the 23-event POWERade Series season and, as of July 31, was in second place (thru 15 of 23 events) in her quest to become the first female to win a Top Fuel championship in a quarter century (Shirley Muldowney, 1982). Most recently, she was presented The USAC Kara Hendrick Spirit Award at the fourth annual Women in the Winner's Circle 2006 luncheon, benefiting the Lyn St. James Foundation.