INDIANAPOLIS (September 7, 2015) – Alexis DeJoria, driver of the Patrón XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car, came into the weekend as the defending event champion. Last season, she defeated John Force in the final round to win the 60th U.S. Nationals. This weekend, she had another battle in mind. With just a three round advantage over Courtney Force for the final Countdown to the Championship spot, DeJoria was focused on going rounds and earning that spot.
A great evening effort for Tommy DeLago and DeJoria yielded a 4.000 second run and a top half starting spot. In their third first round match-up in just the last five races, DeJoria drew Courtney Force. DeJoria won the first two races, and had lane choice in this ESPN Marquee Matchup.
DeJoria came to the line with a great reaction time effort and a solid 4.08 second run, but Force was able to just get around her. However, DeJoria earned the final spot when Force was defeated by Tommy Johnson, Jr. in the quarter-finals.
“Well, this weekend did not go as planned. We were hoping to double-up,” said DeJoria. “We were hoping to at least go a few rounds and clinch our spot in the Countdown. Luckily, we got that last spot. It was stressful day of racing, but it went in our favor. We made some good runs in qualifying, but on raceday it was not enough. However, we did make it into the Countdown. I am looking at these next races with fire in my eyes and I am going to be fighting to the end.”
Alexis DeJoria – Driver of the Patrón XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car:
No. 6 Qualifier (4.000 sec., 314.97 mph)
E1: DeJoria defeated by C. Force – 4.085 sec., 307.02 mph to 4.064 sec., 316.67 mph
Mello Yello Championship Points:
Top Fuel (Unofficial)
1. Tony Schumacher (2110)
2. Antron Brown (2080)
3. Richie Crampton (2070)
4. Larry Dixon (2060)
5. Brittany Force (2050)
6. Shawn Langdon (2040)
7. Doug Kalitta (2030)
8. J.R. Todd (2020)
9. Steve Torrence (2010)
10. Dave Connolly (2000)
Funny Car (Unofficial)
1. Jack Beckman (2010)
2. Matt Hagan (2080)
3. Tommy Johnson Jr. (2070)
4. Del Worsham (2060)
5. John Force (2050)
6. Ron Capps (2040)
7. Robert Hight (2030)
8. Tim Wilkerson (2020)
9. Cruz Pedregon (2010)
10. Alexis DeJoria (2000)
Konnekt with Kalitta Motorsports:
For more info about Kalitta Motorsports including exclusive content such as videos, photos and more, please visit #KalittaStrong online –
Website: www.teamkalitta.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeamKalitta
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TeamKalitta
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/TeamKalitta
Instagram: www.instagram.com/TeamKalitta
About Kalitta Motorsports:
Based in Ypsilanti, Mich., Kalitta Motorsports is a Top Fuel and Funny Car drag racing team in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. The team was founded and is owned by drag racing icon Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta. For more than 50 years, Connie has been involved in the sport as a driver, tuner, and an owner. Kalitta Motorsports is one of the most successful teams in the history of auto racing with five world championships and over 50 national event titles in five different professional drag racing sanctioning bodies since it was established by Connie in 1959.
Del Worsham drives the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car for Team Kalitta. Alexis DeJoria pilots the Tequila Patrón XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car. J.R. Todd drives the Optima Batteries Top Fuel dragster while Connie’s nephew, Doug Kalitta, pilots the DEWALT Made in the USA Top Fuel dragster. Connie serves as head tuner for all Team Kalitta entries. He is assisted by co-crew chiefs Jon Oberhofer and Nick Boninfante on the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car, by Tommy DeLago and Glen Huszar on the Tequila Patrón XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car, and by Jim Oberhofer on the DEWALT Made in the USA Top Fuel dragster. Connie serves as crew chief on the Optima Batteries Top Fuel dragster.
Associate sponsors on Kalitta Motorsports’ race cars include Justice Brothers, Kalitta Air, Optima Batteries, Patrón XO Café Incendio, Phoenix Fuel Converter, Red Line Oil, SealMaster, Summit Racing Equipment, Technicoat Companies, TMS Titanium, Toyota and Ziebart.