ANOTHER SEASON IN THE BOOKS FOR FUNNY CAR DRIVER ALEXIS DEJORIA

Alexis DeJoria and the Patrón XO Cafe Incendio team competed in the NHRA Auto Club Finals, the final race of the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Series this past weekend.

I'd like to start off by congratulating my teammate Del Worsham and the DHL Toyota Camry team. Del just won the 2015 NHRA Funny Car championship. I'm so incredibly proud of that team -- they've worked so hard this year, and they deserve that championship.

Del has been my mentor from Day 1. He taught me how to drive a nitro Funny Car, and he's been my best buddy out here. When times get tough, I always kind of lean on him as a confidante. As a fellow driver, I just have so much respect for him and his team. Nicky [Boninfante] , JonO [Jon Oberhofer] and the entire DHL team just did an incredible job so huge congrats to them.

As for us, we didn't have the best day Sunday -- getting beat in the second round -- but we did do well earlier this weekend in qualifying. We ran a 3.987-second pass on Friday evening that got us safely into the show on the first night. We've run a lot of three-second runs this season. That's important because that's where our class is at right now. If you're not running in the three-second zone consistently, you're not a contender.

We ended up finishing the season ranked eighth among the Funny Car class. That's one position lower than we finished last year, but last year we won three races. Even though we didn't win any races this year, we did improve on our Countdown performance. We won more rounds this year during the six-race Countdown than we did last year, so there is something to be said for that.

My guys did such a good job not only this weekend but throughout this entire season. You're not always going to have the best days, but you have to be able to get through them. When you win, it's all worth it. All the hard work does eventually pay off. It's a roller-coaster ride, but when you do win, the wins are that much sweeter because you know how hard it is to get that point. The DHL team can attest to that. They've gone through it all over there.

I'm just going to take these next two months of the offseason to recuperate and get in the gym -- although not too soon. I want at least a couple of days off to have some fun and relax in my sweats. I'm sure I'm going to spend my first 24 hours at home in bed watching movies.

Tonight we have the banquet and that's always exciting. Del is going to be up on stage giving his speech, and I'm going to be up on stage all dressed up to the nines in my gown. This is always a fun time of year, but I'm already looking forward to the next season. I'm sure it's going to be a very, very competitive season. With all of the record-breaking numbers we've seen this year, you just know next year is going to be very intense. I cannot wait. I love my guys. I'm going to miss them over the next few months, but we'll be right back at it at the end of January for preseason testing, and then we start our season the week after that.

That's the end of my 2015 espnW NHRA Countdown to the Championship blog. Thank you all for following along. Hopefully I'll be checking back in with you guys next year!

Team Kalitta adds Flynn to elite crew chief stable

Respected nitro tuner Rob Flynn will return to the Kalitta Motorsports camp in 2016 as co-crew chief with team owner Connie Kalitta on the Top Fuel dragster driven by J.R. Todd.

Flynn spent time working for both Scott and Connie Kalitta in the 1987 and 1988 NHRA seasons before embarking on an outstanding and long-running NHRA career. In the early 2000s, Flynn was a part of the team fielded by current Kalitta driver Del Worsham and most recently worked at Bob Vandergriff Racing and Don Schumacher Racing. Since late 2014, he has been employed by Dote Racing, which recently announced their hiatus from NHRA action. He led driver Leah Pritchett to her career-best season in 2015 and first ever final-round appearance.

 “I am excited to return to Kalitta Motorsports and be able to work alongside Connie Kalitta,” said Flynn. “J.R. is an excellent driver and I look forward to an outstanding season.”

This will be the second time that Flynn and Todd have teamed together. In 2010, Flynn was the crew chief on the Al-Anabi Racing Pro Mod entry that Todd drove in Qatar.

“Team Kalitta continues to make moves to improve my chances at winning races and the championship. I am excited about the opportunity to work with Rob again,” said Todd, who will enter his season with Kalitta Motorsports. Since joining Team Kalitta, he has earned two victories and 45 round wins and made the Countdown for the Championship in both seasons. Todd earned his career-best championship finish, a runner-up, in 2014.

The remainder of the Kalitta Motorsports’ four-car roster will remain under the same leadership. Championship-winning co-crew chiefs Jon Oberhofer and Nicky Boninfante will continue to guide the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car for Worsham, while Tommy DeLago and Glen Huszar will lead Alexis DeJoria and her Tequila Patrón XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car. Jim Oberhofer will continue in his role as crew chief for the Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster driven by Doug Kalitta.

“I am excited to have Rob working with us here at Kalitta Motorsports,” said Jim Oberhofer, who also is the Vice President of Operations for Team Kalitta. “When I first came to Kalitta’s, Rob worked here and was an early mentor of mine. Not only is he going to add to make J.R.’s team more solid but he will add in making Kalitta Motorsports better as a whole.”

An announcement regarding sponsorship of Todd’s Top Fuel dragster for the entire season will be made in the near future.

Alexis DeJoria, Toyota in the pink for NHRA events in October

DeJoria's car to sport pink livery, pink parachutes for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Alexis DeJoria debuted a hot pink Toyota Camry nitro Funny Car during the 31st annual NHRA Keystone Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, Pennsylvania,on Saturday. DeJoria is running the pink Patrón XO Cafe Incendio Toyota Camry body in NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series competition throughout the month of October, national Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

 

This is in conjunction with the team’s “Free Mammograms for the Fans” campaign, a program that offers free mammograms to female race fans, regardless of health insurance status.

 

“October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and we got to debut our bright pink Toyota Camry today during the first round of qualifying. We’re going to be running this pink scheme at the Dallas and Las Vegas October events as well. I’m looking forward to blinding all of my competitors!” joked DeJoria of her neon pink Camry and matching pink parachutes. 

Alexis DeJoria and her Toyota Camry Funny CarPHOTO BY GARY NASTASE

ALEXIS DEJORIA MAKES A MOVE IN NHRA'S FIRST COUNTDOWN RACE

Alexis DeJoria and the Patrón XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car team qualified 10th for the NHRA Countdown to the Championship. This past weekend they raced in Charlotte, North Carolina, in the first of a six-race playoff series.

Last year at this race we were the No. 1 qualifiers, and even though it's nice to come back here knowing that we accomplished that last year, it really doesn't mean anything because it's a completely different day, a different year and a different race altogether. In this industry, you can be the No. 1 qualifier one race and then not even qualify the next.

As it would turn out, qualifying was pretty tricky for us this time around. We had some mishaps in the first three rounds and didn't make it down the track, so it all came down to the last qualifying run for us to get into the 16-car field and have a chance at racing on Sunday. Thankfully, we did it -- but just barely. We ended up qualifying in the No. 13 spot for race day.

Although we weren't in the top half of the qualifying field, I didn't get too discouraged because in the past we've had races where we've not qualified well and then we went on to win the whole event. Even though it does matter where you qualified, at the same time, it really doesn't. As long as you qualified, then you still have a shot -- you can win from anywhere, but you've got to be in it to have that shot.

In the first round we were up against Tim Wilkerson. We ran a 4.107, which was our best run of the weekend at that point and enough to defeat him. Man, can one run really change everything. We came back to the pit after the first round and everybody was super stoked and I had a second wind. I felt like maybe we really did have a shot at this -- maybe we could have a good day and move up in points and be a serious contender in the Countdown. If you can run a number like that 4.107 in the heat of the day, you're doing pretty good and you know you have a good car. As it would turn out, that run held up to be the second best of that round.

My mind-set after that first round was focused on just wanting to have good reaction times and make consistent runs. We went up there for the second round and I was racing against the car that I got licensed in years back. It's my teammate Del Worsham's dad's car, so there were some sentimental feelings. That team is made up of a great group of guys. They're not a full-time team on the NHRA tour so obviously they weren't in Countdown contention, but when they do come out and race, they get down the racetrack and make good runs.

You can't count anybody out, and I'm sure they wanted to play spoiler. Every round counts right now so we knew we'd have to work just as hard to get past them as any Countdown-qualified car. I didn't have the greatest reaction time, but the car made another consistent run and we got the round win.

After that, we were off to the semifinals, and what a great feeling that was. We came into the race ranked 10th and to know that we were going to the semis in the first race of the Countdown just felt so good.

For the semis, we were up against Tommy Johnson Jr. I knew I had to step it up and cut a good light against him because he's pretty consistent on the tree. In the round before, his car ran a little bit better than ours so I knew I had to do my part and get him on the starting line.

Before the semifinal round, I went in to my lounge and practiced my reaction times a little bit. Then I dimmed the lights, put on my iPod and listened to music and just tried to calm myself and get myself in that very balanced state of mind. As a driver, it's important to achieve that perfect balance with your mind-set. You want to have that "ready to battle'' mentality but at the same time, you don't want to overdo it and get too jacked up because that can mess with you, too.

When it was time to go up for the semis, I was in a good place and felt really confident, solid and pumped. All I could think was "we are in the semifinals coming from the No. 10 spot at the start of the weekend, and now here we are getting round wins and moving up in the points rankings.'' I pulled up to the starting line for the round, and Tommy Johnson double staged (turned on both staging bulbs), and something like that can really throw you off your game. I knew he didn't do that to me on purpose, but it's moments like that being a mature driver and someone that's been out here for a while and has dealt with a bunch of different scenarios -- all that seriously came into play at that moment.

I just took a big deep breath, staged and cut a mean light! Unfortunately, the car smoked the tires (lost traction) right at the hit of throttle, and Tommy was able to get the round win. That was the end of our day and we wouldn't advance to the finals, but my Funny Car teammate Del did. He and the DHL team made it to the finals and went on to win the race! It was great to see our teammates win the first race of the Countdown, and not only that, they moved into the Funny Car points lead.

When it was all said and done, we moved up from 10th to seventh, which is pretty awesome. I'm definitely excited for our next race in St. Louis in a few short days.

Five things to know for Saturday

Happy Labor Day weekend! Here are five things to know to get your Saturday started.

1. Highs today will reach the low 90s, with the slight chance for an isolated shower or thunderstorm. If you have plans Monday, temperatures remain warm, in the low 90s with partly cloudy skies.  As of right now, Monday looks dry. Check the latest forecast and radar.

2. The 61st annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals take place at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis this weekend. The race will feature competition in all four pro categories: Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle. The race will be televised on ESPN2. The 2015 Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals winners were Richie Crampton in Top Fuel; Alexis DeJoria in Funny Car;  Shane Gray in Pro Stock; and Eddie Krawiec in Pro Stock Motorcycle.Tickets and info.

3. Celebrate Indy's south side at the Miracle Mile Parade this morning! The Gateway Community Alliance is marking Labor Day weekend with a parade, car show and bike ride today as part of their efforts to promote the Madison Avenue corridor. Events start at 11:00 am on Madison Avenue from Southern Avenue to Murry Street. Over 1,000 people will march in the parade, including Southport, Roncalli, Perry Meridian and Manual High School marching bands along with IMPD, IFD, DPW, local business and organizations. Madison will close at 10:40am and be closed till 1:00pm on Saturday.

Friends of Garfield Park is hosting the "Star Zone viewing area" on the Parade route at 2829 Madison providing free candy to the first 200 kids. City Barbeque is hosting a Parade VIP Tent for local businesses and dignitaries and they will also be selling to the public.

Southern Plaza is organizing a car show Saturday morning and Bert & Den's and Kroger are providing breakfast for participants. Registration starts at 8:00am at Southern Plaza. The cars in the show will be featured at the end of the Parade.

Direct Connect Printing located on Hanna Avenue, is organizing a 7,14 and 47-mile bike ride "Pedal for Paws" open to all participants with registration starting at 9:00am at the University of Indianapolis. The routes take place on the southside of Indianapolis. Bike ride participants will get to kick-off the Parade. Proceeds from the bike ride will go to FACE Animal Clinic.

More info: Miracle Mile Parade

4. Get your neon on with the Glo Run tonight at White River State Park! Costume contest starts at 8:15 pm and 5K starts at 8:30 pm.

5. Three cities. Two lanes. One great time! Hit the highway and check out ArtsRoad 46, where arts and culture abound. Bloomington, Nashville, and Columbus are home to an abundance of arts, and it's a great weekend to pay a visit. Bloomington will host its famous 4th Street Festival of the Arts & Crafts this weekend. This long-running art event, which has been occurring annually for nearly 40 years, is beloved by locals and visitors alike. Taking over a downtown section of 4th Street, over 100 art vendors will fill the area, representing a wide range of mediums and styles.

Check out more events on WTHR.com's community calendar.

Brandon Farris of VAVEL USA had the opportunity to sit down with Alexis DeJoria at the NHRA Northwest Nationals and ask her a few questions about her season thus far and more.

Photo: Alexis DeJoria Racing

When VAVEL USA recently attended the NHRA Northwest Nationals, this writer had the opportunity to sit down with Alexis DeJoria and ask her a few questions about her season and the event. She had an eventful weekend in Seattle including having her body blow off the car in Friday’s afternoon qualifying session before eventually being eliminated in the second round.

---

VAVEL USA (VU) - How was the weekend for you?

Alexis DeJoria (AD) - The weekend was alright; it wasn’t the greatest but we did leave here with another round win and some bonus points, and we’re now tied in ninth, up from tenth.

VU - Talking about that body explosion, what was going through your mind as it happened? Take us through the run from the drop of the light to the end.

AD - We were on a good pass and I didn’t have any warning. All of a sudden I saw sparks, the engine detonated and the body blew up into a million pieces and flew by me. The back end came up off of the car but the parachutes were out and I was able to get it under control pretty quickly, keep it out of the other lane and off the wall, and get it stopped.

VU - How does your backup [body] compare to your original?

AD - The backup body is the body that we won Indy with, so it’s just as good, if not better.

VU - How long did it take your team to recover from that overnight?

AD - They worked at it all night. They were here until well after two in the morning finishing it up.

VU - Was that the craziest thing that has happened to you before?

AD - My crash in Englishtown is the only thing that I can really compare it to, but one is not anywhere near like the other. The crash in Englishtown was way worse, but nothing has really happened to me since then. I’ve had some fires, brushed the wall with my headers, but nothing really other than that.

VU - How do you feel about your car going into the final race?

AD - I feel really good becauseIndy is a place where we’ve done really well in the past and last year we won at Indy.                                            

VU - Is there any kind of additional pressure when taking on a fellow female driver in Courtney Force?

AD - I think if any, it’s just because the media makes it such a big deal. If that wasn’t the case, Courtney is a good driver and so am I, and it shouldn’t be any different but the media tends to put a lot on it.

---

DeJoria would go on to Brainerd and qualify in the third position where she had a weird run in round one and was eliminated after smoking her tires and having part of her car tap the wall, giving her a DQ for her run and putting her on the trailer early.

Entering Indy, she sits 10th in points, holding a 73-point advantage over Courtney Force in the last race before the Countdown to the Championship. That advantage is not as large as it may seem; keep in mind that points at Indianapolis are 1.5-times their normal value.

2015 NHRA: JFR In Mix On Epic Day Of Qualifying At Northwest Nationals

Today at the 28th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals records were broken and fans were treated to history making runs. John Force Racing was well represented on the final day of qualifying and will head into race day tomorrow with three Funny Cars in the top six qualifiers and the lone Top Fuel dragster in the No. 4 position.
Led by defending event winner John Force and the Blue Def Peak Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car John Force Racing made the most out of both of their qualifying runs on Saturday. Force started his day with a stout 4.054 second run at 304.46 mph. It was the fourth quickest run of the session and put the 143-time Funny Car winner at the back of the pack for the final round of qualifying.

Force had to wait out a 25 minute rain delay before he could make is final pass. The cool air conditions gave crew chief Jon Schaffer the perfect chance to step up his tune-up and show off for the fans that waited out the brief rain shower. Force did not disappoint with a 3.996 second run at 318.32 mph which jumped him to the No. 3 qualifying position. While Force did not grab the top spot the winningest driver in NHRA history was undeterred in his quest to impress his fans and sponsors with success on race day.

“We aren’t where we need to be but we have gone through a lot. I have told all my sponsors and fans if this bothers me and I told them that nothing bothers me. I told everyone that I will fix this and I will. I am excited about race day and I am excited that all my race cars qualified in the top half of the fields,” said a defiant and motivated Force in his pits.

Right behind Force was Robert Hight who is steadily moving up the point standings and looking for his first win of the season and first at Pacific Raceway. Hight also made a tremendous run in the final session of qualifying. In the first session Hight lost power at the top end and was relegated to an earlier start time in the final session. Hight and crew chief Mike Neff made the most of their opportunity running a 4.000 second elapsed time and moving up to the No. 2 position before moving back to No. 4 at the end of the day.

After the run Hight was pleased with the effort of his team and he knows they are moving in the right direction. He will face Chad Head in the first round with a 5-2 career record against the second generation Funny Car driver.

“That is exactly what we needed. I am sure that is going to put us in the top half which is what we are looking for. We were kind of looking for that last night. Everything didn’t cooperate. Good job to Mike Neff. We just have to keep moving up and that is what we are working on. We are working very hard over here,” said Hight, who last raced to the finals at Pacific Raceway in 2005.

Courtney Force and the Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro SS team continued to impress on Saturday at the NHRA Northwest Nationals throughout the second day of Funny Car qualifying. The 27-year-old made two solid runs to qualify in the No. 6 position going into race day on Sunday against Alexis DeJoria.

“We have another tough first round match-up with Alexis, but I feel good that my team is giving me a great car and I just have to perform well as a driver tomorrow. Hopefully we can take the win. This has always been a favorite track of mine because I got my first win in Top Alcohol Dragster and my first win in Funny Car here. We have another big race tomorrow and we’re going to do the best we can,” said Force.

Force will line up beside DeJoria in the opening round for the second time in the past three races. This is the twelfth time they have faced each other in eliminations, but only the fourth time this season. Force is 6-5 to DeJoria in previous match-ups. Force beat DeJoria in the second round at Houston earlier this season, but DeJoria took the win two races ago in Denver when Force left the starting line early and fouled out. 

“We’ve had some consistent passes out here in Seattle. We’re really excited. We improved today from yesterday running a better 4.06 earlier today and came out in the second run with great conditions. We improved with a 4.01 to move us to the No. This Traxxas car seems to be really coming around and I’m hoping that we can have some better luck on race day tomorrow,” said Force.

The pair is fighting for the No. 10 position in the NHRA Mello Yello points standings with just three races left before the 2015 Countdown to the Championship.

While the Funny Cars were impressing the near capacity crowd Brittany Force and the Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster were pushing the limits of their 10,000 horsepower dragster in both sessions today. In the opening session Brittany stepping up from her Friday night run with a 3.782 second run at 321.50 mph which was the second quickest run of the session.

“That is absolutely the kind of run we were looking for. We made a pretty decent run last night. We got lucky with the conditions but we should have nailed it better so we wanted to improve on that. That first run was exactly what we wanted,” said Force.

The run afforded Force the chance to run at the back of the pack in the final session and once again crew chiefs Todd Smith and Ronnie Thompson took advantage of the chance to watch their competition run and then make aggressive tune-up decisions. In the final session the Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster made its strongest run of the weekend, 3.760 seconds at 325.14 mph which catapulted the 3rd year driver to the No. 4 qualifying position.

“We wanted to go down there and get it set up for tomorrow. I am very proud of the entire Monster Energy team. I have to thank my crew chiefs Todd Smith and Ronnie Thompson. They are figuring this dragster out and I am ready to go into race day,” said Force.

Force will race Troy Buff for the first time in her career in the first round tomorrow. 

Tommy Johnson Jr. wins at NHRA Northwest Nationals

KENT, Wash. (AP) — Tommy Johnson Jr. won in Funny Car on Sunday at the NHRA Northwest Nationals, spoiling teammate Jack Beckman's bid to sweep the NHRA Western Swing.

Johnson beat Beckman in the semifinals after Beckman's Dodge Charger R/T dropped a cylinder at the hit of the throttle, then topped Del Worsham in the final with a 4.073-second run at 308.00 mph.

Johnson raced to his second victory of the season and 10th in his Funny Car career. He also became the third driver to win in at Pacific Raceways in both Top Fuel and Funny Car.

"We've got the most consistent car," Johnson said. "The last seven races, including this one, we have been to four finals. We've got a really good car and team. We struggled early in the season with stupid stuff that bit us. Everybody has stepped up to the plate lately and it is showing."

J.R. Todd won in Top Fuel, and Chris McGaha topped the Pro Stock field.

Todd raced to his first victory of the season and eighth overall, beating Shawn Langdonwith a 3.820 at 322.04. McGaha beat Jeg Coughlin with a 6.507 at 212.59 in a Chevy Camaro for his second straight win.

RESULTS

Final Finish

TOP FUEL

1, J.R. Todd. 2, Shawn Langdon. 3, Larry Dixon. 4, Tony Schumacher. 5, Steve Torrence. 6, Terry McMillen. 7, Brittany Force. 8, Richie Crampton. 9, Clay Millican. 10, Troy Buff. 11, Spencer Massey. 12, Jenna Haddock. 13, Doug Kalitta. 14, Antron Brown. 15, Ron Smith. 16, Dave Connolly.

FUNNY CAR

1, Tommy Johnson Jr.. 2, Del Worsham. 3, John Force. 4, Jack Beckman. 5, Ron Capps. 6, Tim Wilkerson. 7, Chad Head. 8, Alexis DeJoria. 9, Robert Hight. 10, Matt Hagan. 11, Courtney Force. 12, Cruz Pedregon. 13, Paul Lee. 14, John Hale. 15, Jeff Diehl. 16, Terry Haddock.

PRO STOCK

1, Chris McGaha. 2, Jeg Coughlin. 3, Allen Johnson. 4, Shane Gray. 5, Erica Enders. 6, Vincent Nobile. 7, Greg Anderson. 8, Jonathan Gray. 9, Jason Line. 10, Bo Butner. 11, Larry Morgan. 12, Matt Hartford. 13, Aaron Strong. 14, Joey Grose. 15, Deric Kramer. 16, V. Gaines.

Final Results

Top Fuel — J.R. Todd, 3.824 seconds, 323.04 mph def. Shawn Langdon, 3.902 seconds, 307.51 mph.

Funny Car — Tommy Johnson Jr., Dodge Charger, 4.073, 308.00 def. Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 4.042, 307.51.

Pro Stock — Chris McGaha, Chevy Camaro, 6.507, 212.59 def. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.532, 212.63.

Top Alcohol Dragster — Megan McKernan, broke def. Garrett Bateman, broke.

Top Alcohol Funny Car — Annie Whiteley, Chevy Camaro, 5.546, 265.43 def. Shane Westerfield, Chevy Monte Carlo, 13.848, 58.04.

Super Stock — Dan Fletcher, Chevy Camaro, 10.276, 120.09 def. Jody Lang, Chevy Malibu, 11.084, 117.39.

Stock Eliminator — Steve Wann, Plymouth Fury, 10.172, 128.93 def. Brian Thompson, Ford Mustang, 13.032, 92.58.

Super Comp — Tommy Phillips, Dragster, 8.882, 166.25 def. Nick Drzayich, Dragster, foul.

Super Gas — Glen Paine Jr, Chevy Beretta, 9.888, 155.20 def. Gene Heaton, ‘27-T Ford, 9.884, 145.23.

Super Street — Josh Dalrymple, Chevy Camaro, 10.869, 156.50 def. Fred Hoffman, Camaro, foul.

Final Round-by-Round ResultsTOP FUEL

ROUND ONE — Richie Crampton, 3.740, 322.96 def. Ron Smith, broke; Brittany Force, 3.774, 324.51 def. Troy Buff, 3.846, 315.34; Terry McMillen, 4.530, 272.56 def. Dave Connolly, broke; Tony Schumacher, 3.773, 323.66 def. Jenna Haddock, 4.123, 241.07; Larry Dixon, 3.753, 325.85 def. Doug Kalitta, 4.552, 172.04; J.R. Todd, 3.763, 327.35 def. Clay Millican, 3.783, 320.89; Steve Torrence, 3.795, 322.19 def. Spencer Massey, 4.105, 232.03; Shawn Langdon, 4.419, 199.64 def. Antron Brown, 4.714, 225.11.

QUARTERFINALS — Schumacher, 3.846, 299.06 def. Torrence, 3.832, 310.63; Todd, 3.830, 308.78 def. McMillen, 3.899, 309.84; Dixon, 3.791, 303.16 def. Force, 3.899, 315.71; Langdon, 3.810, 301.07 def. Crampton, 9.909, 82.35.

SEMIFINALS — Todd, 3.844, 319.29 def. Schumacher, 7.997, 83.19; Langdon, 3.816, 319.90 def. Dixon, 3.952, 240.85.

FINAL — Todd, 3.824, 323.04 def. Langdon, 3.902, 307.51.

FUNNY CAR

ROUND ONE — John Force, Chevy Camaro, 4.065, 306.60 def. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Solara, 9.951, 90.05; Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 3.978, 316.60 def. Terry Haddock, Solara, 11.560, 86.32; Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 4.018, 314.17 def. John Hale, Charger, 6.796, 72.58; Chad Head, Camry, 4.017, 310.34 def. Robert Hight, Chevrolet Camaro, 4.137, 252.00; Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.075, 307.02 def. Paul Lee, Charger, 5.044, 150.77; Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.373, 259.51 def. Courtney Force, Camaro, 4.461, 226.66; Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.010, 312.50 def. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 5.038, 152.49; Ron Capps, Charger, 4.091, 303.78 def. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.356, 225.79.

QUARTERFINALS — Johnson Jr., 4.057, 308.07 def. Head, 6.481, 143.02; Beckman, 4.024, 312.50 def. Capps, 4.108, 302.28; Worsham, 4.041, 310.41 def. Wilkerson, 4.171, 291.82; J. Force, 4.152, 300.13 def. DeJoria, 10.552, 82.15.

SEMIFINALS — Worsham, 4.039, 310.27 def. J. Force, 4.094, 308.00; Johnson Jr., 4.070, 310.41 def. Beckman, 4.166, 301.47.

FINAL — Johnson Jr., 4.073, 308.00 def. Worsham, 4.042, 307.51.

PRO STOCK

ROUND ONE — Vincent Nobile, Chevy Camaro, 6.516, 212.59 def. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.514, 212.13; Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.518, 212.13 def. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.524, 212.39; Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.544, 211.83 def. Larry Morgan, Camaro, 6.547, 212.09; Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.523, 212.83 def. Matt Hartford, Pontiac GXP, 6.570, 211.49; Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.502, 212.29 def. V. Gaines, Dart, 18.453, 44.01; Jonathan Gray, Camaro, 6.521, 212.03 def. Deric Kramer, Dart, foul; Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.488, 213.40 def. Joey Grose, Camaro, foul; Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.500, 212.56 def. Aaron Strong, Camaro, 6.589, 209.01.

QUARTERFINALS — Johnson, 6.570, 212.03 def. J. Gray, 15.593, 52.60; S. Gray, 6.739, 210.93 def. Anderson, 14.840, 56.87; Coughlin, 6.532, 211.96 def. Enders, 6.530, 211.89; McGaha, 6.524, 212.76 def. Nobile, 6.538, 212.43.

SEMIFINALS — Coughlin, 6.521, 212.33 def. Johnson, 6.572, 211.26; McGaha, 6.533, 212.23 def. S. Gray, 15.389, 67.19.

FINAL — McGaha, 6.507, 212.59 def. Coughlin, 6.532, 212.63.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Alexis DeJoria Interview: Always on the go!

Alexis DeJoria Interview: Too busy to exercise?

by Josh Anderson 
M.S., CPT, and Founder Always Active Athletics

Editor’s Foreword: We’ve been honored to have Alexis DeJoria on the site before. Not only is she a premiere racecar driver,  but she is also one of the fittest! We were lucky that she took the time to answer a few questions to let us know about her exercise and nutrition system during her crazy-busy lifestyle! On-the-go tips from someone literally always on-the-go. Check out this quick Alexis DeJoria interview!  

Quick Insight From a Top Pro!

We know you’re a badass driver, but how did you get started?

I got started from my love of all things motorsports. I went to a drag race when I was 16 years old and fell in love with nitro Funny Cars. I had hoped that one day I’d be in the position I’m in now. After I worked for the family business for a few years right out of high school, I still had that urge to drive, so I made it happen. I went to driving school, worked my way up and here I am.

As part of your job, how important is being fit?
It’s extremely important to be in good shape. Drag racing is not only a physically demanding sport, but it’s also important to be mentally strong.

I believe that how physically in shape you are is also connected to how healthy & strong you are mentally.

Have you always been focused on your health/fitness as part of your overall approach?
Yes, especially since becoming a pro four years ago. It was then when I really kicked it into high gear.

How many times a week do you exercise?

Our schedule is pretty intense. We’re on the road 24 weekends out of every year, but when I am home, I work out every day. When I’m on the road, I’ve developed different fitness routines that I can do in a hotel gym or on my motorcoach.

What’s the best part about having a fluid workout program that you can do anywhere?
I think it just keeps you on your game. If you can develop something like I have, no matter where you are, you can still stay fit. I obviously can’t do everything on the road that I would at home, but I do as much as possible. Not to mention, when I’m on the road, I’m still racing and that’s a big part of it as well. What I can’t do out on the road, driving the racecar itself makes up for it.

On the flipside, what’s the worst part?
The downside of having a consistent routine away from home is you know you can do it, so there’s no excuse to take a day off. It’s not like I can say ‘oh I don’t have my treadmill or my stationary bike out here so I guess I won’t be working out today.’

There are other things you can do to replace that, so there’s really no excuse to slack and miss a workout.

Being on the road a majority of the year, does your nutrition approach differ when you are at home? How?
Either way, I try to stick to the game plan of eating really healthy. I try to stay away from bad carbs. I always drink fresh pressed veggie juices and try to stay away from super fatty foods, but it is good once in a while to have pasta or something like that. For the most part, I generally stick to the same eating plan.

What’s new going on in your career?
Something new that we’re doing this year is adding another location to our ‘Free Mammograms for the Fans’ program during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness month. During the past two years, we have partnered with Nevada Health Centers and brought their mammovan out to the racetrack when we raced in Vegas and offered free mammograms to any female ticketholder over the age of 40. This year, we’re expanding our program to now include the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals in Dallas when we race there in mid-October.

Do you have any advice for those striving to reach their dreams or even their health goals?

I think it’s just common sense – what you put into your body is a direct reflection as to how you’re going to feel.

If you constantly eat heavy fattening foods, you’re going to feel lethargic. You have to have discipline to eat the right foods and workout regularly.

What’s your favorite Patrón concoction? 

My favorite Patrón drink would be the Perfect Patrón Margarita. I just learned how to it make a few races ago when I did a guest bartending appearance in Chicago. It’s my father’s favorite drink. It’s one shot of Roca Patrón Añejo, lime juice, and simple syrup on ice with a salt rim and a lime garnish – it’s so refreshing.

To keep up with Alexis DeJoria and the Patrón XO Cafe Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car team, please visit www.alexisdejoriaracing.com, Follow her on Twitter @ADRnhra, and Like her on Facebook, Alexis DeJoria

With that, we want to thank Alexis for taking the time to bust out a few answers for us! Keep up the great work and best of luck the rest of the season!

Want more interviews, workout videos, recipes…etc? Become a member of the DIY Nation and get exclusive DIY Fitness, Food and Lifestyle tips!

Megan Meyer blazing her own drag racing trail

Pitt State student to compete this weekend at HPT

SUBMITTED

Megan Meyer is quickly moving up the drag racing ladder. The 22-year-old will compete in this weekend's races at Heartland Park.

By Rick Peterson

rick.peterson@cjonline.com

Being the daughter of a world drag racing champion didn't guarantee Megan Meyer anything — except a love for the sport.

But the 22-year-old daughter of veteran Spring Hill racer Randy Meyer appears to be well on her way to carving out her own niche in racing after making a successful debut last weekend in the Top Alcohol Dragster class of the NHRA's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

Meyer, who will graduate from Pittsburg State in December with a degree in graphic design, advanced to the finals in her initial Top Alcohol appearance last weekend at Gateway Motorsports Park in St. Louis and she will be back in action this week in the Division V event at Heartland Park Topeka.

After cutting her racing teeth in the Junior Dragster and Super Comp ranks, Meyer is now just one rung below the NHRA's premier series, the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

While making it to drag racing's major leagues was once just a dream, now it's what Meyer feels is a realistic goal.

“I'd love to do that,” she said. “I can see it (as a reachable goal), definitely, especially if I can do Top Alcohol for a few years and get my name out there.

“I know I can do well and win some races, especially with the team that we have. Our cars have proven to be able to win races and get championships and I know I'll be able to do that.”

Meyer looks at former/current racers like Ashley Force Hood, Courtney and Brittany Force, Alexis DeJoria and Leah Pritchett as role models as she moves up the drag racing ladder.

“Especially Alexis and Leah reach out to the Alcohol classes all the time and always welcome us to their pits and we can go hang out with them,” said Meyer, whose younger sister, Rachel, is also a drag racer. “When Ashley drove, we were probably 10 or 12 years old and we'd always hang out at Ashley's pits and watch everything.

“They were all super nice and friendly and they want us to come with them (into the sport). As long as I can remember I always wanted to (race). I was 10 years old when I got my Jr. (Dragster) and ever since then that's what I wanted to do.”

Meyer, who got her Top Alcohol license back in March at Gainesville, Fla., took a big step in her development with her breakthrough performance at St. Louis, exceeding even her own expectations.

“We just wanted to qualify and make it to the first round because the first round was actually the first time I had ever been against another car in the other lane,” she said. “All the other times I had been by myself.

“It was a really good learning experience, but I wasn't nervous or anything. I've been around it my whole life so I know how everything's supposed to sound and what it looks like. So I just went through the motions and it all just came natural to me.”

Now Meyer is hoping to follow up last week's showing with another solid performance at a Heartland Park dragstrip she knows well.

“That's my home track, so I've been racing there for years and I like it,” she said.

The Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car classes will run a qualifying session at 5 p.m. Thursday and also qualify at 5 and 7 p.m. Friday. Eliminations are set to start at 5 p.m. Saturday.

The Alcohol classes will compete as part of a Division V Doubleheader Weekend at HPT, which is open for the first time since the Kansas Nationals in May.

This week's races come in wake of last week's announcement that CoreFirst has taken over ownership of the facility and that the bank has reached an agreement with a new track owner/operator.

Gates will open at 7 a.m. Thursday and time trials and qualifying in the Sportsman classes will start at 8 a.m. Sportsman eliminations for the first of the two Division V events will start at 8:30 a.m. Friday.

Racing will continue at 8 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

In addition to the Top Alcohol classes, competition will be held in Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Top Sportsman, Top Dragster and Sportsman Motorcycle.

Spectator tickets are $25 per day ($10 for children 4-12), although free tickets are available at several local businesses, including The Capital-Journal.

Alexis DeJoria

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alexis DeJoria
Nationality	United States
Born	September 24, 1977 (age 37) Venice Beach, California
Related to	John Paul DeJoria
NHRA Funny Car
Years active	2005 – ?
Crew Chief	Tommy DeLago
Wins	5

Alexis DeJoria (born September 24, 1977) is an American drag racer competing in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). She is a member of Kalitta Motorsports and sponsored by Patrón Spirits Company. She drives a Toyota Camry funny car. ^[1]

Contents

  [hide] 

• 1 Career
• 2 Filmography
• 3 Personal Life
• 4 Philanthropy
• 5 References

Career[edit]

Alexis began her NHRA career in 2005, initially competing in the Super Gas category before moving into a rear engine Super Comp dragster. Eight months after her NHRA debut, she went on to win the Sportsman Nationals in Fontana, California.

DeJoria spent the next two years racing along the West coast in to a Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC).

In 2009, Alexis built her own racing team, Stealth Motorsports. At the 2011 NHRA Northwest Fall Nationals, she won her first ever NHRA national event win in TAFC, becoming the second woman ever to do so. She co-owned and operated the team for three years, leaving in 2011 to join Kalitta Motorsports as their fourth member and second Funny Car driver. This move coincided with her transition to racing a nitro powered Funny Car at the 2011 Texas Fall Nationals. ^[2]

In 2012, Alexis raced her first final-round appearance at Bristol. That year she also set both a career best for time with a run of 4.032 and speed of 319.07 at Reading.^[3]

During the 2013 season, Alexis had 4 semi-final finishes.

In 2014, Alexis became the first woman ever to make a sub-four second run, with a 3.997-second ET In Pomona, Calif. during the NHRA Winternationals. At her next race in Phoenix, Alexis won her first race in the Funny Car category. In March 2014, she picked up the second win of her professional career in Las Vegas. That May, she broke a Funny Car track record at Atlanta Dragway (4.012-second ET) while earning her the Number One qualifier position. That summer, she went on to break Brainerd International Raceway’s Funny Car ET record when she ran a 4.010-second pass and then reset her own record with a 3.998-second run, the first sub-four second Funny Car run recorded at BIR. In September she won the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. ^[4] June 7, 2015 advanced to the finals in Nitro Funny Car in the Summernationals at Englishtown NJ.

Filmography[edit]

She played the role of Paula, in the movie Snake and Mongoose released in 2013.^[5]

Personal Life[edit]

In late 2012, DeJoria became engaged to American television personality and motorcycle customizer Jesse James. They married on March 24, 2013 at the estate of her father,entrepreneur John Paul DeJoria.

DeJoria has a daughter, 10-year-old Bella, from a previous relationship.^[6]

Philanthropy[edit]

Alexis, along with her mother Jamie Briggs, joined Sallie Latimer's efforts to raised money to repair the Earles Court water tower^[7]