Alexis DeJoria, Driver of the Kalitta Motorsports Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry Funny Car
Qualified:
No. 7 (3.998 E.T. at 295.08 MPH)
The Results:
E1: 4.246 E.T. at 278.75 MPH defeated by Ron Capps 4.104 E.T. at 315.34 MPH
Race Recap:
Despite struggling to get down the track in the first three qualifying sessions, Alexis DeJoria and the Tequila Patrón team ended qualifying strong at the Thunder Valley Nationals. As one of just seven drivers to dip into the 3-second range on the hot Bristol track surface and one of only three in Q4, DeJoria claimed a bonus point and the advantage of lane choice heading into the first round of eliminations.
Defending Funny Car champion Ron Capps was the first draw. DeJoria’s Toyota Camry dropped a cylinder early in the run which allowed Capps to cross the finish line first and claim the round victory.
Quotable:
Alexis DeJoria, Driver
I feel like I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but it was another rough weekend for our Patrón racing team. We’ve been really struggling through qualifying. Its been hot and nasty up here. First round, we had a matchup against Ron Capps. I was hoping it was going to go in our favor, it didn’t. We lost out at the top end. Our belt came off and that was it. We’ve got another race next weekend. We’re chipping away right now. We’ve been testing a lot of new stuff and we’re starting to figure things out. Hopefully we will have another hot weekend in Norwalk because we’ve got a hot weather setup.
NHRA Countdown to the Championship Points Standing:
Alexis DeJoria:
327 points, ranked 14th
70 points out of 10th
Leads 15th ranked Jeff Diehl by 121 points
Trails 13th ranked Jim Campbell by 51 points