Nitro Bits in the Pits W/ Alexis Dejoria

With the off season testing complete, it is now time for  the @NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series to start the 2013 campaign at the AAA Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, CA. Tequila Patron Funny Car Driver Alexis DeJoria looks to improve on her 2012 rookie campaign as her Kalitta Motorsports Team hired crew chief Tommy Delago after Del Worsham returned to driving this season. In an interview from her pits before thursday qualifying at the recent O Reilly Auto Parts Winternationals, she talked about how ready she is for the new season to begin:

" We tested alot in West Palm Beach Florida (Palm Beach International Raceway) making some good consistent runs. We made a new addition to the team, things were moved around somewhat, but other than that our crew is intact and that has me very excited for the new season to begin. "

Does that give you and the team a sense of calmness knowing the crew is intact for the 2013 season?" Very much so, though there some movements within the team, no one has left, and that has us very excited. "

And the consistency during off season testing showed that?
"I think of all the runs that we completed during testing, we didn't make it down the track on 2 of them, so that is a very good sign for the team. "


Without giving away too much in terms of setup, did anything change on the car itself for the 2013 season?" Not much has changed, a few minor things here and there. The team disasembled the car from front to back, finding some issues with the steering box which has helped the car to stay straight during a run. "

What is it like having one of the very few female crew members on the Tequila Patron team?


" Marla Weidnaar is amazing, she does rods & pistons for the team. She's extremely quick which is a great asset for our team. I don't look at her different because she is a female, so it's great to have her be a part of the Tequila Patron team."

With the mountains being a backdrop, is pomona one of your favorite tracks on the NHRA Schedule?" Yes and No, I love it for the fact that it is my home track, but Gainsville, Englishtown, and Bristol are my absolute favorites. But the history that surrounds Pomona makes it a favorite of mine for sure. Plus the fans that come here are very important to me. They have followed my career from alcohol funny car and anytime you have their support it helps you to realize that you have done well in the sport of NHRA Mello Yello Drag racing. "


What do you expect when the first qualifying session of funny car begins here at Pomona?


" For us, its is a continuation of off season testing. We believe Pomona is a great track and we hope that car run a great number and hope to start the season off on a positive note. "