Alexis DeJoria hopes for continued success at second event of 2014 NHRA season

The Kalitta Motorsports Patrón XO Cafe Toyota Camry Funny Car team rides the momentum of their history making run into Phoenix, Ariz. today as they setup camp for the weekend’s CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.

After piloting her purple, gold, and matte-black 10,000 horsepower Patrón XO Cafe Camry to an impressive 3.997-second pass at the previous race in Pomona, Calif., driver Alexis DeJoria became the first woman and ninth Funny Car driver to join the coveted ‘three second run club.’ “That was a huge accomplishment for our team,” said DeJoria, a third year Funny Car driver. “We made some serious headway running under four seconds, and we’re hoping to build upon that momentum and carry it into Phoenix this weekend.”

“Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park has a tendency to be a fast track. I’m looking forward to seeing how the track is now compared to how it used to be,” she said, referring to the newly revamped facility formerly known as Firebird Raceway, which boasts a repaved track, new timing system, scoreboards and new grandstands. “There used to be bumps in both lanes, and I’ve heard both lanes are much smoother now. That combined with the potential of fast track conditions should produce some more great runs from the Patrón XO Cafe team this weekend.”

Being able to achieve the accomplishments of both their career best run, and highest qualifying position since the team’s inception in the first race weekend of the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Series was a fantastic way for the Tommy DeLago-led team to set the tone for the 24-race season. “We qualified in the Top Three at the last race; hopefully we’ll do the same this weekend and continue to collect bonus points. The vibe is really good in our pit, and we’re all looking forward to qualifying well, going rounds on Sunday, and hopefully picking up that first win as a team.”