Funny Car standout Alexis DeJoria experienced a breakout 2014 season in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, and it all started at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.
DeJoria picked up her first career Funny Car victory a year ago at the track, kicking off her ascension to a championship contender in the star-studded class. Two more victories followed the Phoenix win, as well as qualifying for the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship for the first time.
With those memories still fresh in her mind, DeJoria will compete in her first event as the reigning event champion at the 31st annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, Feb. 20-22. Now a known contender, DeJoria hopes to apply those lessons she learned one year ago toward a successful 2015 season at the controls of her 10,000-horsepower Patron XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry.
“I learned a lot of things last year, especially in the Countdown,” DeJoria said. “With that knowledge and my first Countdown under my belt, I should do a much better job this year. All the wins, the losses, being in the hunt; all of that combined made for a really big year for us. We want to continue that momentum.”
The top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock are heading to Phoenix for the second of 24 races on the 2015 circuit. Antron Brown (Top Fuel) and Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) joined DeJoria as winners last year of the event that will again be televised nationally on ESPN2.
That Phoenix victory jump-started DeJoria’s standout season, which also included victories in Las Vegas and at the prestigious Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. In all, DeJoria advanced to at least the semifinals at 10 races, posting a top-10 finish for the first time in her Funny Car career.
DeJoria also became the first woman to record a three-second run in Funny Car, one more highlight in her breakout season. But the victories started in Phoenix, and DeJoria, who lost in the first round in Pomona to kick off the 2015 season, wouldn’t mind repeating the process.
“I’m really excited to come back as the CARQUEST Nationals defending champion,” DeJoria said. “Hopefully we can back up what we accomplished there last year and get another Phoenix Wally.”
The victory at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park continues to stand out for DeJoria for a number of reasons. She knocked off a standout list of drivers in eliminations, including Robert Hight in the final round, but DeJoria also has one unique aspect of her Phoenix win that quickly comes to mind, and it revolves around her husband, Jesse James.
“My favorite memory would have to be after my final run when I won, all the guys were so excited, and they jumped into our van and raced down the return road to come meet me,” DeJoria said. “Well, they forgot Jesse was standing in the doorway of the van hanging on to the outside. They took a corner really fast, and as soon as they turned the corner, he tumbled right out of the van as they were driving! He got cut up pretty good, but he put some duct tape on it and was good to go.”
To succeed in Phoenix for a second straight year, DeJoria will need to overcome a huge list of challengers. Reigning Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan is off to a quick start after winning the season opener in Pomona, and John Force has eight wins at the track. Other top standouts include three-time Phoenix winners Jack Beckman and Ron Capps, two-time winner Del Worsham, and Funny Car’s winningest woman, Courtney Force.
In building a championship resume a year ago, DeJoria and her Kalitta Motorsports team, led by crew chief Tommy DeLago, came together in impressive fashion. Considering there was no turnover for the entire organization, which includes Worsham and Top Fuel drivers Doug Kalitta and J.R. Todd, team cohesiveness should continue to be a strength and is a dynamic that DeJoria is counting on in 2015.
“As a team, we became stronger because of everything we’ve been through over these past few years, both the good and the bad,” DeJoria said. “We have the same guys on the team as last year. In fact, we had no turnover at Kalitta Motorsports whatsoever from 2014 to 2015. It feels good to have that family unit.”
One year ago, Brown raced to his first of six season wins in Top Fuel. That was the most for the class in 2014, but it was Tony Schumacher, who has four Phoenix wins, who claimed the world championship crown. Three-time winner Larry Dixon, 2001 winner Kalitta, Spencer Massey, rookie of the year Richie Crampton, Pomona winner and 2013 world champ Shawn Langdon, Brittany Force, and second-place points finisher Todd also figure to be in the running in Phoenix.
Reigning Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders-Stevens won in Phoenix in 2013 and will be looking to open her championship defense in style. Jason Line, a two-time world champ and the 2012 Phoenix winner, who also won in Pomona to kick off 2015, is among the top challengers in the Pro Stock lineup, which also includes four-time world champ Greg Anderson; Gray Motorsports teammates Shane Gray and Jonathan Gray; surprise rookie challenger Drew Skillman, the runner-up in Pomona; 2014 Phoenix winner Allen Johnson; and last season’s runner-up, V. Gaines.
As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds and enjoy cherished face time with and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.
Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food, and fun for the entire family.
The event will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, Feb. 20, with sessions at 1:30 and 4 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, Feb. 21, at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 22.
