Alexis De Joria Sonoma wrap up

De Joria qualifies for ultra-tough Sonoma field

SONOMA, Calif. – Second-year NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Alexis De Joria and the Tequila Patrón/Jack O’Bannon Racing Team posted one of their most consistent outings to date to qualify for a near-record field at this past weekend’s Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. In a year that has been filled with up’s and down’s, the team was happy to make the field that saw heavy hitters such as last week’s winner Jay Payne, defending Division 7 Champ Sean Bellemeur and Seattle runner-up Steve Gasparrelli not make the field.

De Joria, 30, of Venice, Calif., qualified the Jack O’Bannon Racing Dodge Charger seventh in the field, with an off-the-trailer 5.718 second elapsed time at 253.61 mph, the second quickest run of her career. De Joria stayed consistent with a 5.758 at 254.38 mph in her round one matchup with Dennis Taylor, but could not keep up with his own near-personal-best 5.559 at 259.61 mph.

“What a turnaround this past weekend was,” said De Joria. “The whole team is really thrilled to start the weekend off like we did and make three solid runs. I was talking to Dennis Taylor before the first round, and we both said we felt like we were lucky just to make the field. We both were sitting on the guardrail watching last year at this race. This is such a great track; it’s always a really quick field.

“We started the weekend out with my second quickest lap ever,” De Joria continued. “I did everything right, hit my shifts and left at the right rpm. We finally have a consistent car, so we’re just looking to build from there. We’re all thrilled and very happy. This team has been working hard and hopefully there will be more weekends like this one to come.”

The next outing for the Tequila Patrón/Jack O’Bannon Racing Team will be the Division 7 event at Auto Club Famoso Raceway, Sept. 12-13.

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.

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

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