FACTOIDS
Full Name: Melanie Troxel
Nickname: Melanie
Birthday: Aug. 31 1972
Height: 5’9”
Hometown: Avon, Indianapolis
Sports: Car Racing
PROFILE
Melanie Troxel, Top Fuel Driver, NHRA PowerAde Drag Racing Series.
Attractive. Articulate. Confident. Accomplished. Competing in the NHRA’s Top Fuel division, Melanie Troxel is one of drag racings fastest female drivers.
The appeal of women sports figures has never been greater; from Marion Jones and Gabriella Reese, to Annika Sorenstam and the Williams sisters, women today rival men for marketability and profitability. And rightly so. Fans of all ages, sexes and backgrounds appreciate the skill and commitment required to succeed.
Melanie has credibility. She's spent a lifetime perfecting her craft and earned her place in the drag racing community by learning everything there is to know about the equipment and the people. She grew up around the racetrack, assembling cars like other girls assemble outfits. Her father is veteran drag racer Mike Troxel. Her mother, Barbara, was an accomplished airplane mechanic before marrying Mike. She made the transition to cars easily, and inspired Melanie with her example.
Melanie inherited both their love for the sport and their work ethic. She ran her first race at age 16 - the soonest she was able to get her racing license - in a car with an engine she rebuilt herself. Today Melanie is not only one of the fastest female drag racers, she is also one of the fastest in the world; her top speed is 326 miles per hour.
