Congratulations, Mel!

NHRA Top Fuel driver -- and Sirius Speedway favorite -- Melanie Troxel was honored by Billie Jean King’s Women’s Sports Foundation last night, as its 2006 Sportswoman of the Year.

She was chosen from among 10 Sportswoman of the Year finalists at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, where she was accompanied by her ever-loving husband, Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson, Jr.

Past winners of the "Sportswoman Of The Year" Award include golfer Annika Sorenstam, figure skaters Sarah Hughes and Michelle Kwan, and tennis legends Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. Troxel is the first racer to win the award. Earlier this year, she was nominated for ESPY Awards as “Best Driver” and “Best Female Athlete,” and also beat out NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson and IRL’s Helio Castroneves to win the First Quarter Driver of the Year Award; become the first female winner in the award's 40-year history of the award.

Melanie will join us on today's show, to talk about the honor.