Funny Car’s Alexis DeJoria is Eager to Get on Track at NHRA Northwest Nationals
After two weeks off, Funny Car’s Alexis DeJoria is ready for a swift turnaround at this weekend’s 35th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways.
The race kicks off the second half of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season and DeJoria is eager to get back on track after a month of struggles in June. After a strong start to the season in her 11,000-horsepower Bandero Premium Tequila Toyota GR Supra, including a final-round appearance in Phoenix, things didn’t go as planned over the past four races, picking up just one round win.
But there’s ample time for a turnaround and DeJoria believes it can come in Seattle, where her crew chief, Del Worsham, still holds the Funny Car track E.T. record (3.832-seconds). That came in 2016 and conditions could be ripe for stellar runs this weekend, especially as racers will compete under the lights for the first time in Pacific Raceways history on Friday.
The first-time night session in the nitro ranks is a definite highlight for the weekend and DeJoria will try to take advantage, setting the tone for what she hopes is a big event.
“We’re looking to continue our progress and have a long Sunday of going rounds,” DeJoria said. “This year at Seattle will be unique because we’ll have an evening qualifying session there for the first time. We’re scheduled for 9:15 p.m. (PT for the second round of Funny Car qualifying) so we should see some great runs in those cooler conditions.”
Last season, Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Tim Wilkerson (Funny Car) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won in Seattle and this year’s race will be shown on FS1 and the FOX, including eliminations on FOX at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 21. It is the 11th of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA season, kicking off the second half of the season, as the weekend in Seattle will feature all four pro classes for the first time in history and the popular Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge specialty race on Saturday.
DeJoria, meanwhile, is looking to right the ship as the Countdown to the Championship playoffs approach. Now is the perfect time to do so with back-to-back races in Seattle and Sonoma and the Funny Car veteran, who is currently eighth in points, could take a major leap forward over the next two weeks.
To find sucess in Seattle she’ll have to get past the likes of points leader Austin Prock, Norwalk winner Bob Tasca III, Daniel Wilkerson, defending world champ Matt Hagan, Ron Capps, J.R. Todd and Chad Green, but DeJoria always has confidence in a group that has shown it can rise to the occasion.
“We do really well under pressure,” said DeJoria., who has six career Funny Car victories. “This team has been together a long time and Del has given our Toyota Supra a worthy setup for the weekend’s conditions.”
In Top Fuel, Torrence would love a repeat win in Seattle as he takes on the likes of points leader Doug Kalitta, who is also the reigning world champion, Shawn Langdon, Antron Brown, Tony Schumacher, Brittany Force, Clay Millican and Top Fuel newcomer Tony Stewart.
Herrera has dominated the Pro Stock Motorcycle division and won last year’s NHRA Northwest Nationals en route to sweeping the Western Swing and winning the world title. He is undefeated in 2024, while other riders in the class to watch are the six-time champion Matt Smith, Richard Gadson, Angie Smith and Chase Van Sant.
The popular Pro Stock class will make its return to the Pacific Northwest this year and fans will want to keep an eye on rivals Greg Anderson and Erica Enders. Currently leading the points is standout and Seattle native Dallas Glenn, who has a pair of wins on the season.
The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, featuring some of the top drivers in the sport. The weekend includes the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League Shootout and Drag & Drive Shootout, which is a must-see for any car enthusiast.
The weekend kicks off with a fan fest at Auburn Outlets Collection on Thursday, July 18 at 5 p.m. PT, where fans can meet their drag racing heroes. On Friday between qualifying sessions, fans can take part in a special SealMaster Track Walk and an autograph power hour in the pro pits, while the nitro at night qualifying session will give fans an opportunity to win a unique wristwatch from Ben Bridge Jewelers TAG Heuer.
Fans will also be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans at Pacific Raceways can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners.
As always, fans get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Seattle. Fans get a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. They can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 3:30 p.m. and 8:15 PT on Friday, July 19 and two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, July 20 at 1:30 and 3:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. PT on Sunday, July 21. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, 1 p.m. on Sunday, and then eliminations on FOX at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday.
To purchase tickets to the NHRA Northwest Nationals, fans can visit www.nhra.com or call 800-884-6472. For more information about NHRA, visit www.nhra.com.
This story was originally published on July 16, 2024.
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