Blake Alexander has a passion to race a nitro Funny Cars.

The 25-year-old was competing at the U.S. Nationals, qualifying No. 15 before stunning No. 2 qualifier Jack Beckman in the first round Monday.

Blake Alexander has a passion to race a nitro Funny Cars.

The 25-year-old was competing at the U.S. Nationals, qualifying No. 15 before stunning No. 2 qualifier Jack Beckman in the first round Monday.

Alexander clocked a 4.133-second lap at 304.39 mph, while Beckman smoked the tires at the 60-foot mark and never recovered.

“I don’t even think I hit the tree that well, but it doesn’t matter if they knocked the tire off,” Alexander said. “We were able to take advantage of it when they slipped up and they did, that’s what us little guys can do out here. I knew we were up against a giant in Don Schumacher Racing and Jack Beckman, but that didn’t change my procedure.”

Alexander qualified with a 4.144-second run at 299.46 mph at Lucas Oil Raceway.

Alexander has only competed at three races this season – Gainesville, Charlotte, and Indy in the Paul Smith-tuned Funny Car.

“We did well when we had to and we were opportunistic,” said Alexander about making the Indy field.

Although Alexander made it to the second round of Indy before losing to Alexis DeJoria, he’s unsure about what the remainder of 2014 season holds. DeJoria ran a 4.039-second run and Alexander came in at 4.112 seconds.

“I don’t think we are going to run for the rest of the year, probably,” Alexander said.

“I’m working on a lot of different stuff for next year and it’s pretty much more pertinent at this time (to focus on next year). If you don’t have enough money to make all the runs and do it right, then it’s not that fun to show up and do it because you just keep getting behind everybody else. I would like to get myself in a position where we can kind of catch up and I’m also getting married soon.”

Alexander is getting married Oct. 25 to Leah Miles.

“I’m living in Charlotte (N.C.) and that’s been a blessing to move there and get the opportunities I’ve had,” Alexander said. “I’ve been offered a bunch of different jobs there and I kind of deflected on them while I’m trying to get this (racing a Funny Car) worked out. If I’m still doing it (racing) part-time next year, I will probably work and do this. I have to make a living."

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