It takes a special kind of person to strap themselves into a nitro funny car. The shame is that too many people think that it is an easy business and they are wrong. Alexis DeJoria knows this as she cut her teeth in the alky ranks (surviving an incredible wreck) before moving up to the nitro funny car ranks in the NHRA Mello Yello series. Last weekend in Seattle she had a rough experience when the engine of the car violently exploded at the finish line and took the body with it. Despite the massive concussion and sudden al fresco conditions, DeJoria literally bounded out of the car, adrenaline pumping. Her reaction is priceless and reminiscent of Raymond Beadle’s after flipping the Blue Max over in the early 1980s at Gainesville.
Perhaps a minor detail to the non racing fans out there, but pay attention to what happens after the explosion. DeJoria never ONCE loses the handle on that car. She even makes some small steering adjustments as the thing is coming to a stop so the Safety Safari people can get to her easier. This is living proof of the old adage, “never stop driving”. Someone not experienced in one of these things would likely have wrecked their drivers suit, pulled their hands from the wheel, and careened screaming into the wall. Not her.
This season has been a bit of an uphill struggle for DeJoria and her Patron XO Café Incendio team. She is currently holding onto the 10th point spot but has close competition from Courtney Force. There are two races left (Brainerd and Indy) before the 10 spots for the Countdown are set. It is going to be an interesting couple of weeks for the team coming!
