LAS VEGAS -- Pro Mod driver Melanie Troxel will lead her R2B2 Racing teammates Roger Burgess and Raymond Commisso into eliminations battle Sunday in the Get Screened America Pro Mod Challenge presented by ProCare Rx at the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals. Troxel finished qualifying in the No. 3 spot, followed by Burgess at No. 8 and Commisso at No. 13.

Troxel took her position in the first qualifier on Friday, while both Commisso and Burgess were not in the show heading into the final qualifier on Saturday. To add pressure, both were competing in the Matco Tools Pro Mod Clash and hoping to win the $25,000 grand prize.

In their last qualifying laps that also doubled as the first round of the Matco Clash, Commisso ran a 6.052 at 239.65 in a losing round to Burton Auxier, while Burgess delivered a 6.016 at 239.70 to beat Danny Rowe who redlighted on his lap.

Burgess said, "We dodged a bullet in that round, because Danny had a killer time of 5.975 but left before the lights were green. Al (Billes, crew chief) had his hands full all day, and we've been struggling to keep my car going straight, but we were able to put down a good run and get into the show. And, getting into the show was paramount for me if I'm going to have a chance at beating Burton for the Championship.

"In the second round of the clash, I just couldn't keep it going straight, and we just let Mike Castellana get away with a win. It was disappointing, but I'm really focused now on getting into the winner's circle and taking the Championship - one round at a time," Burgess said.

Commisso added, "We had a good round against Burton, and it was a good side-by-side race. He just had the quicker car on that lap, but I know we'll be running for everything tomorrow." Commisso faces Danny Rowe in the first round of eliminations.

After blasting to the top of the pack and taking the honors of being the first in the fives at Las Vegas, Troxel struggled to get down the track in the Saturday heat.

"The car just didn't like our setup, for whatever reason, but I know Al will have everything right back where it needs to be tomorrow morning," Troxel said. She will face Dennis Radford and Burgess will face Kenny Lang in round one.

Eliminations are scheduled to begin Sunday morning at 9:15 a.m.