MADISON, ILL. (September 27, 2015) – Alexis DeJoria, driver of the Patrón XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car, had little fun in qualifying for the second consecutive weekend. However, the Patrón again rebounded on Sunday.
After a 4.073 second run in the first qualifying opportunity, DeJoria was unable to make her way cleanly down the track. The 4.073 second pass was good enough at the tim for sixth, however, she fell to 12th before racing began on Sunday.
Tommy Johnson Jr. was the first opponent for DeJoria. Johnson eliminated DeJoria last weekend in Charlotte and she was ready for a chance to return the favor. Johnson and DeJoria left together at the tree, but DeJoria was way ahead by the finish line running her first three second pass on the weekend. Although DeJoria posted another consistent light in second round, the Patrón XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car fell to tire smoke before half-track giving the win to Capps.
“Very much like our last weekend in Charlotte, we did not qualify the best but we got in the show and that is all that matters,” said DeJoria. “In the first round, we ran our best time of the entire weekend and won the round. We went into the second round and shook the tires. I still feel like we can do something in these last few races. We are just trying to find that consistency. I have to just keep sticking to my guns and work on my part and hope the best. I have the upmost faith in my team and I know we will have something for them in Reading.”
After 20 races, Team Kalitta nitro race cars have won five events, advanced to 11 final rounds and earned three no.1 qualifying positions. Kalitta Motorsports will make their way back to the team’s home base in Michigan, before returning to the road for the third consecutive weekend, this time for the Keystone Nationals in Reading, Penn.
Alexis DeJoria – Driver of the Patrón XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car:
No. 12 Qualifier (4.073 sec., 305.91 mph)
E1: DeJoria defeated Johnson Jr. – 3.966 sec., 292.77 mph to 4.332 sec., 211.49 mph
E2: DeJoria defeated by Capps – 7.810 sec., 87.23 mph to 3.949 sec., 324.67 mph
Mello Yello Championship Points:
Funny Car (Unofficial)
1. Del Worsham (2327)
2. Matt Hagan (2237)
3. Tommy Johnson Jr. (2211)
4. Jack Beckman (2208)
5. John Force (2178)
6. Ron Capps (2177)
7. Alexis DeJoria (2123)
8. Cruz Pedregon (2116)
9. Tim Wilkerson (2107)
10. Robert Hight (2099)
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
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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 100 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 Jimi Hendrix Foundation Top Fuel dragster while Connie’s nephew, Doug Kalitta, pilots the Mac Tools 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 Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster. Connie serves as crew chief on the Jimi Hendrix Foundation 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.