Posted by: Melanie Troxel, In-N-Out Burger Funny Car
I thought I would give you a quick update on what’s been happening as of late. There hasn’t been much to talk about with the racing side of things, so I thought I would give you an update on what Melanie and I have been up to personally.
I always look forward to the race in Indy because we get to spend three weeks at home. That is the longest time we are home for the entire summer. I love the traveling we do throughout the season (you had better love it as much as we are on the road), but I do enjoy spending time at home. I spent most of last week just doing odd jobs around the house and getting caught up with things. We got home from Reading late Monday morning and Melanie’s mom Barb arrived Monday afternoon. She had been in Detroit with her Corvette club for the big cruise they have there every year. She just got a new Vette and drove it to the cruise and then stopped by on her way back to Colorado for a visit and the race in Indy.
Friday night we went with several of our neighbors to a charity fund raiser for the local Humane Society. It was a wine-tasting fundraiser and Melanie, being the big animal lover, bid and won several items in the silent auction to help raise money. I had to borrow a dollar from a neighbor so we had enough money to leave with all her loot. Okay, so it wasn’t that much, but she did take all of my cash I had on me. Now I know why she didn’t bring her wallet with her Friday night. I see how this marriage thing works now.
We have grilled out several nights and Barb makes some good ribs so I had her teach me her recipe so I can make them for myself now. On Saturday we had our neighbors, the Knocks, over for ribs, and my sister and her family stopped by on their way from Charlotte to Iowa to visit my grandparents. Every year they take a vacation and go to Iowa to visit my grandparents and then come back to Indy for the race before heading home. We cooked out and then watched the Cup race at Bristol. That is my favorite NASCAR race of the year. I’ve been several time to it in person and in my opinion it is the best on their tour. Mike my brother in law works for Penske and builds their cars and after Bristol it looks like he has some job security with the torn up cars.
Melanie has been sick with a cold ever since we got home from Reading so she lounged around Sunday watching movies and TV with her mom. I, on the other hand, didn’t do the smartest thing. We have a wood storage box on our patio that hasn’t faired too well in the outdoor elements. I decided to sand it down and restain it with some good outdoor clear. I loved wood working when I was in school and don’t mind when I get a chance to work with it again. It was really hot out so I pulled off my shirt to be cooler and soak in some sun rays. I burn pretty easy and didn’t realize that I had been out there working for over a couple of hours. Let me tell you later that night I knew it. Hopefully it goes away before next weekend.
Sunday night we went to the grand opening Colts game in the new Lucas Oil Stadium. It wasn’t a very good football game for the Colts but the new stadium is beautiful. I don’t think there is a bad seat in the place. The retractable roof and end of the stadium that open up are pretty cool. I’m hoping to get tickets to the opening weekend game against the Bears and the Colts can get a victory to open the NFL season.
I just about forgot to tell you about my dad. He called me Saturday afternoon from the new ZMax Dragstrip in Charlotte to rub it in that he had made a pass on the new track before I had the opportunity. He has a pro street ‘69 Camaro that he took out to their open house Saturday. He made some runs down the new track and said it is outstanding. I personally can’t wait to get there. You know if Bruton builds it that it is going to be the best. I have a lot of guys in the NASCAR world that I know and they are all coming. That is going to be a huge event.
Finally we are in Martin, Mich., today doing some testing before Indy. Jeff Arend is here getting some shakedown passes in the Kalitta Funny Car along with Doug Kalitta driving his car and Grubnic’s. Our performance hasn’t been up to par lately and we thought it would be important to try and figure a few things out before the biggest drag race of the year. I’m headed back to Indy tonight after testing and will be at the shop tomorrow all day doing some filming. Then it is off to the Lucas Oil racer party at Land Sharks. I’ve got a busy week with things to do and it all started with driving to Michigan on Monday.
Better run for now, it is time to warm the car again for our second run.
TJ