Alexis De Joria Pomona preview

De Joria set to start 2008 season with new Crew Chief DeVour

POMONA, Calif. - With her rookie season behind her, NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot Alexis De Joria is looking forward to blasting into the 2008 season with new Crew Chief Bob DeVour at this weekend's CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, Calif. The duo has already produced career-best numbers out of the Tequila Patrón backed, Jack O'Bannon Racing Dodge Charger during preseason testing.

De Joria, 30, of nearby Venice, Calif., always gets up for her hometown race. The daughter of Paul Mitchell Hair Care Products and Patrón Spirits Company founder John Paul De Joria will have several family members and friends on hand for her 'sophomore' debut. The Jack O'Bannon Racing team is also headquartered just a few miles down the road in Ontario, Calif., so the event will be a 'home' game for the entire team.

"The offseason was too long," said De Joria. "I'm so glad this weekend is finally here. It's always so much fun racing here in Pomona; it's the biggest two races of the year for me. We didn't make any full runs in testing, but the short numbers were the best I've ever ran, so I hope we can duplicate that this weekend. I have really high expectations for myself this year, but I'm not putting any extra pressure on myself to get there."

De Joria is also excited to attend her first race with DeVour. DeVour brings 30 plus years of tuning experience to the table and most recently tuned Sean Bellemeur to a third place national finish and Division 7 Championship last year.

"I'm excited to see what the future holds with Bob on board now," stated De Joria. "He moved some things around in the car that has made it more comfortable for me. He's a great teacher and I can't wait to work with him this season."

Qualifying begins on Thursday for the alcohol cars, followed by two more sessions on Friday. Eliminations begin on Saturday with round one and will conclude on Sunday.

Simply Perfect in every way, Patrón is the world’s No. 1 selling ultra-premium tequila. From the finest, most expensive Weaber Blue agave plants grown in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, to the centuries-old distillation process, to the signed, handcrafted glass bottles, Patrón is produced with unparalleled attention to detail. Imported and marketed by Las Vegas-based The Patrón Spirits Company, brands in the portfolio consist of Patrón Gran Platinum, Patrón Anejo, Patrón Reposado, Patrón Silver, Patrón XO Café (tequila and coffee blend), and Patrón Citrónge (extra fine orange liqueur), Ultimat Vodka (80 proof, Black Cherry and Chocolate Vanilla), as well as Pyrat Pistol, Pyrat Cask, and Pyrat XO Reserve Caribbean rums.

To find out more about the Jack O'Bannon Racing Team, visit their website at www.JackOBannonRacing.com

To find out more about Jack O'Bannon Racing's quality partners, visit these websites:

www.PatronSpirits.com - Find out more about the world's number one tequila - Tequila Patrón.

www.HoosierRacingTire.com - "Tires Designed for Champions"

www.LE-Inc.com - Lubrication Engineers - "Leaders in Lubrication"

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