NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car rookie Alexis De Joria gained valuable experience from this past weekend's CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona.  The rookie missed the cut in her first start behind the wheel of the Tequila Patrón/Jack O'Bannon Racing Camaro, but posted career-best numbers along with collecting valuable seat time.

 

De Joria, 29, of Venice, Calif., ran a career best 5.990 second elapsed time at 230.33 mph in her Randy Anderson tuned machine.  Despite missing the 5.788 bump to make the quick 16, De Joria feels the weekend was a big step in her development.

 

"It was a fun weekend and I learned a lot," said De Joria.  "I finally got to stage next to someone, so now I have that behind me.  It really wasn't that big a deal, I just made it into a bigger deal than it was.  I was pretty excited going into that first run, but I settled down from there.  The first run wasn't the best in the world, but it put us in the show at the time."

 

"Friday was a good day," De Joria continued.  "My dad [John Paul De Joria, founder of Tequila Patrón and Paul Mitchell Hair Care Products] was there for the first time.  He got to see me make my first run and get my first five-second pass, so I was thrilled about that.  It shook real hard the next run and I had to shut it off.  We didn't get to make the field, but I learned a lot as a driver, and I can't wait to get back behind the wheel."

 

The next outing for the Tequila Patrón/Jack O'Bannon Racing team will be the NHRA Division 7 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series opener at Firebird Raceway, just outside of Phoenix, Mar. 2-4. 

 

"The biggest disappointment about not qualifying is that I have to wait until Phoenix to drive the car again," commented De Joria.  "Right now I just want to make as many runs as I can and learn.  I have an excellent team and sponsors supporting me as I learn the ropes of this class.  With their support, I know it's only a matter of time before we turn the corner."