Alexis De Joria Phoenix preview

De Joria ready for divisional debut in Phoenix

CHANDLER, Ariz. - NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car rookie driver Alexis De Joria and the Tequila Patrón/Jack O'Bannon Racing team will make their divisional debut at this weekend's Division 7 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series opener at Firebird Raceway just outside of Phoenix. De Joria earned her Top Alcohol Funny Car license here in January and hopes for a solid outing this weekend.

De Joria, 29, of Venice, Calif., is excited about continuing her Funny Car education this weekend. The daughter of Patrón Spirits Company and Paul Mitchell Hair Care Products founder John Paul De Joria hopes to learn the ropes of Funny Car racing in the alcohol ranks and make a move to Nitro Funny Car in the future.

"I'm just excited about getting back in the car," said De Joria. "I really enjoying being in the car; I feel at home there. I learned a lot in Pomona and hopefully we can build on that this weekend. Randy and the guys have given me a great car, I just need to keep getting better at my job - driving. Randy is really a great teacher. He's been very patient and he's shared quite a bit with me from when he was a rookie driver."

"Sometimes I just can't believe I'm racing on this level," De Joria continued. "When I was at this race last year, I was running Super Gas. Now I'm in Top Alcohol Funny Car. Hopefully we can continue to take steps forward and make a good showing for Tequila Patrón and Jack O'Bannon Racing."

Qualifying begins on Friday for the alcohol cars and continues on Saturday with two more sessions. Final eliminations will conclude the event on Sunday.

About The Patrón Spirits Company:
Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, the company's eight distinctive products now share the Patrón label; Gran Patrón Platinum, Patrón Añejo, Patrón Reposado, Patrón Silver, Patrón XO Café, Patrón Citrónge, Pyrat Cask 23, Pyrat XO Reserve. Each brand is the finest in their category. The newest, Gran Patrón Platinum, is an extraordinary triple distilled pure tequila. Patrón Tequila is today, the world’s number one ultra premium tequila. In 2004 & 2005, Patrón Tequila was recognized with the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences Five Star Diamond Award. Patrón is the first spirits brand ever to receive this prestigious honor. Patrón Tequila continues to set new sales records every year. Find out more at www.PatronSpirits.com

Contact: Will Hanna/ Pro Race Communications
Email: Will.Hanna@InsideTopAlcohol.com