Blake Alexander Qualifies in Pro Debut

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

MOHNTON, Pa – Blake Alexander can now say that he has done what very few people before him have done; he made the field in his NHRA Fuel Funny Car debut. Driving the Auto Plus-backed car owned and tuned by Paul Smith, Alexander ran 4.18 and 4.19 in qualifying, runs good enough to put him in the 14^th spot heading into eliminations at the Auto Plus Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

“It was great to see the result of all of my hard work. When the crew told me that I was locked in to the field, that’s when I realized that I’m a Funny Car driver, not just a kid with money and a funny car license,” said Alexander. 

Though he lost in a tire-smoking battle against Matt Hagan in round one of eliminations, the 23 year-old student is happy with his debut performance.

This past weekend’s race was Blake’s first and last Funny Car appearance of 2011, but it wasn’t his last appearance on track for the year.

“In a couple weeks I’ll head out to Las Vegas for the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals to race in the Top Alcohol Dragster class. I’ll be back behind the wheel of Larry Miersch’s A/Fuel Dragster, which receives primary backing from Exide Technologies. After that, I’ll stay in Vegas for the SEMA show, where I’ll meet with my marketing partners to discuss next year’s plans,” noted the former Jr. Dragster driver.

Blake is quick to note that his progressing career in drag racing wouldn’t be possible without the help of his sponsors.

“I want to thank all of the people at Uni-Select Auto Plus for giving me the opportunity to do this. Exide has also been instrumental in moving me up, along with Gates and Tenneco. They’ve been long time supporters of my career. I’d like to congratulate Gates Belts and Hose on their 100^th Anniversary, which is today (October 5, 2011). To last that long is truly impressive,” Blake said.

The next race for Blake Alexander is the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals, October 27^th-30^th at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Blake will be piloting Larry Miersch’s Exide-backed A/Fuel Dragster in the ultra-competitive Top Alcohol Dragster class.

Follow along with Blake Alexander Racing on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AFMRacing) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/afmracing).

Blake Alexander partners with the following high-quality companies: Auto Plus Parts Stores, Exide Batteries, Standard Motor Products, Gates Belts and Hoses, Wix Filters, Valvoline, Monroe Shocks, Thrush Exhaust, Rancho Lifts, and Pro Jack Race Car Stands.