INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (August 24, 2016)— In order for the Kalitta Motorsports Tequila Patrón Funny Car team to return to NHRA competition following Alexis DeJoria’s crash at Sonoma Raceway last month, both DeJoria and her race car needed time away from the race track to repair and recover. DeJoria required healing time for a fractured pelvis and her Patrón Toyota Camry needed repair following structural damage to the body and chassis.
Members of the Tequila Patrón Funny Car team have worked tirelessly upon returning to Kalitta Motorsports headquarters in Ypsilanti, Michigan following the crash that sidelined DeJoria and her team for the past two NHRA Mello Drag Racing Series events. After front-halving two chassis and preparing DeJoria’s repaired Toyota Camry body, Team Patrón, led by crew chiefs Tommy DeLago and Glen Huszar, feels confident that they have a car that’s ready to return to the race track.
This week, the NHRA hosts their annual open Indianapolis test session which gives teams the opportunity to test equipment and tune-up combinations prior to the NHRA U.S. Nationals. The test session offers DeLago the opportunity to make test runs with DeJoria’s newly rebuilt Funny Car. DeJoria’s teammate and mentor Del Worsham will pilot her Patrón Toyota Camry at the Indianapolis test session while DeJoria continues to undergo physical therapy and focus on her rehabilitation.
“We want to make sure this car is 100% ready for Alexis when she is prepared to make her return,” said DeLago.
“Putting Del in the seat gives us the opportunity to knock the rust off and make sure any gremlins are sorted out while Alexis continues to recover. We’re still hoping and planning on racing at Indy next week. Whether it’s Indy or not, we’ll know with complete confidence that we’re entering our first race back with a car that is ready to compete with the best of them.”
DeLago plans on making eight test runs with Worsham over the course of Wednesday, August 24 and Thursday, August 25. The newly front-halved Kalitta Motorsports’ produced Bounty Hunter chassis will be utilized during the test session and remain as DeJoria’s primary chassis.
Alexis DeJoria and the Kalitta Motorsports Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry Funny Car team are scheduled to compete next at the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, September 2-5, although their entry in the event remains uncertain at this time.
About Alexis DeJoria
Alexis DeJoria is a professional race car driver, competing in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. DeJoria drives the Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry Funny Car as a member of the legendary Kalitta Motorsports team. DeJoria, who had all of the opportunity in the world to pursue any type of career, felt strongly about following her passion, and her need for adrenaline drove her to pursue the unlikely profession of auto-racing. The determination to ‘blaze her own trail’ continues to drive her and push her to higher levels in the sport of NHRA drag racing. She is a four-time Funny Car winner and made history when she became the first woman to compete in 100 Funny Car events.
About Tequila Patrón
From hand-harvesting the highest-quality 100 percent Weber Blue Agave, to the traditional, time-honored distillation process and individual labeling, numbering, and inspection of each bottle, Patrón tequila is crafted with meticulous precision and care. Though Patrón has grown to become one of the most-recognized and respected luxury spirits brands in the world, it is still exclusively produced in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, in the same small batches and with the same commitment to quality and craftsmanship. For more information about Patrón tequilas and liqueurs, please visit www.patrontequila.com.