Words by Jeff Burk
Photos by Chris Haverly and Ron Lewis
Layout by Marissa Gaither

Pro Mod racer Melanie Troxel made some history Sunday, Sept. 19, at zMax Dragway as she joined Shelly Payne as one of only two women drivers to win an NHRA Pro Mod race. Troxel got her win at the wheel of the Roger Burgess In-N-Out Burger-backed supercharged ’68 Camaro.

Troxel came from the 12th qualifying spot to meet Scott Ray in the Ohio Crankshaft-sponsored ’63 supercharged ‘Vette in the final round. Ray qualified 7th out of the 26 cars trying to qualify into the 16-car Pro Mod field.

In the semifinal Scott Ray ran 6.030/209.82 to take the win over Mike Janis. (Chris Haverly photo)

IIt was a disappointing finish for the Ray family as they trashed their engine in a semi-final win over Pro Mod veteran and past World Champ Mike Janis.

The Rays had a fresh bullet in the trailer but with NHRA allowing about 40 minutes between the semis and the final round -- added to the fact the engine in the trailer wasn’t an exact clone to what they had in the car and some pieces would have to be swapped out between the two engines --and they just ran out of time.