Women in Racing News - Horsepower & Heels

News about female racers, women in the pits and other news stories from the motorsports and automotive world.

Brittany Force finishes Runner Up at Maple Grove

October 3, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

For the second time in three years, NHRA Top Fuel driver Brittany Force finishes runner up at Maple Grove during the Dodge NHRA Nationals. She faced two-time world champion Antron Brown in a rematch of the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in what has been one of the closest final rounds so far in the Countdown as both dragsters ran identical elapsed times of 3.721 seconds. Force came up .003 of a second short to Brown after both drivers had nearly equal reaction times with Brown slightly edging Force, a three-time winner this season at the stripe.

“It was definitely a crazy challenging weekend. Everyone only got one qualifying pass, we blew up in the second round and that just makes it tough on everyone. I have a strong team behind me. They pulled through today and we made it to the finals. I have the greatest group of guys on this Monster Energy team. When I saw the time slip I couldn’t believe how close that race was,” said Force.

After qualifying in the No. 12 position, Brittany Force and the Monster Energy team would pick up her first career win over three-time world champion Larry Dixon in a very pivotal first round. It was a close race, with Force’s 3.728 second run prevailing over Dixon’s 3.760. Force got the win by a wing at the finish line. This was Force’s first win over Dixon in five previous races. Force ran the same elapsed time as her second round opponent Doug Kalitta, but he was awarded lane choice into round two based on the higher speed posted.

When Force pulled up beside Mac Tools teammate Doug Kalitta in the second round for her third consecutive semifinal appearance at the Dodge NHRA Nationals, Kalitta was already in motion when the tree dropped, earning a redlight disqualification and handing Force’s Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster the win. Force was so focused on her run that when her dragster shook she pedaled her race car leading to a massive motor explosion. It was a costly win for Force, but it moved her up to the No. 4 position in the Mello Yello point standings.

“When you are further down the track and you blow the tires off it is easier to handle. You know where you are at on the race track and you know what is happening. When it happens instantly it just rattles your head and it is just hard to focus on what is going on,” explained Force. “I didn’t notice that he red-lit beside me because I am trying to get this Monster Energy dragster to hook back up and get down the track. When I felt it blow up and there was nothing happening I saw him out the window and I thought he was going to get the win. At the same time I saw our win light and all that was happening in two seconds. There was a lot going on and that was a lot to wrap your head around. I wish I would have seen my win light sooner and maybe I wouldn’t have blown it up but hey it was a show for the fans watching on Fox.”

Brittany Force finishes Runner Up at Maple Grove — Photo: Gary Nastase

In the semifinals, Force was paired up with fellow Countdown competitor and No. 1 qualifier Leah Pritchett. Both drivers launched simultaneously, but Pritchett went up in smoke while Force made the strongest Top Fuel run of the semifinals. Force’s winning time of 3.731 seconds at 325.06 mph was the quickest and fastest of all four Top Fuel dragsters. The win set up a replay of the Brainerd Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals against Antron Brown where Force got her third win of the season.

“I was trying to do what I did first round and second round which was stay positive. I went up there thinking we are going to get this win. I said it with Dixon. I said it with Kalitta and I said it before the semifinal race. I used that positive energy to really drive myself. That is what I using to make sure I did my job every round today,” concluded Force.

This set the stage for one of the most exciting final rounds of the Countdown. Both Force and Brown left with nearly identical reaction times, running nearly identical E.T.’s at the finish line. But it was Brown who would take the win, by a mere 19 inches.

“This was still a great weekend for us. We would have obviously have liked to be in the winner’s circle but we still have a lot of positives. We moved from 5th to 3rd in the points. The tough part is we have to keep this momentum and keep moving up. The No. 4 and No. 5 drivers are right on our tail. We are going to have to stay on our game. Hopefully at the next race we will get all four of our qualifying passes and do exactly what we did this weekend to get the win,” added Force.

Maria Costello Women’s Trackdays

September 29, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Maria Costello Women’s Trackdays staged another highly successful workshop event at the East Midlands circuit, just two days after the stars of British Superbikes had battled it out on the twists and turns of Donington Park.

The BMW Motorrad UK trackday, presented by Focused Events, Maria offered guidance, support and one-to-one tuition to Maria Costello Women’s Trackday participants, who made the most of fantastic track conditions to improve their riding skills.

With over fifty women in attendance, the day was another big success, proving that these dates are becoming a firm favorite on the motorcycling calendar for many female riders.

“I’m thrilled by the progress all the women made,” Costello said. “Everyone improved their riding skills and took something away with them, whether it was going home a better rider or simply riding more confidently than before. These days have become a true highlight of my year. I really want to make more happen in 2017 because it’s proving to be an important and great way for women to enjoy motorcycling and remain a biker for longer.”

Participant Carmel Kammeier said: “I am not generally into idolizing, but I saw Maria ride at the Classic TT a few weeks ago and on the podium with John McGuinness. Next thing I know, here she is, in the flesh, encouraging and coaching me and many other women. I am back in the office today, but dreaming of my next track day with Maria Costello MBE.”

Sue Ward said she had “an awesome day and learned loads.” She added, “I am still buzzing. Had loads of support from my garage buddies who helped with calming nerves, tire pressures and technique. Most of all huge thanks to Maria Costello, you are so kind as you take so much time for every individual person.”

Costello added: “I need to thank BMW Motorrad UK and Focused Events for making the day possible, along with NGK Spark Plugs (UK), CPL Print Ltd, Arai helmets, EBC Brakes and Towergate insurance for their support of the event. Special thanks to my instructors Rupert & Virgil and finally, a huge thank you to the all the women that played their part in making it a memorable and rewarding day!”

More Information on Maria Costello Women’s Trackdays

To join the Facebook group Woman On A Motorcycle (WOAM) go here.

Dates for future Maria Costello Women’s Trackdays will be announced on Maria’s website, which can be found here.

Desert Storage sponsors land speed racer Valerie Thompson

September 26, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Desert Storage is the newest sponsor to announce support for Arizona resident and seven-time land speed record holder, Valerie Thompson.

Redefining the self-storage business category with a variety of solutions for customers facing the challenge of moving and downsizing, Desert Storage provides air conditioned drive-in storage access, covered outdoor facilities for RV’s/boats/automobiles, wine storage, mailbox rentals and document shredding in a safe and secure environment. A locally owned business headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ, Desert Storage owns and operates 16 storage centers in Arizona and Nevada.

“When I needed a secure storage facility to keep our motor coach in Scottsdale, Desert Storage was an easy choice. They offer the widest variety of services at the best price,” said Thompson. “Scott Brawn and his staff at Desert Storage are very professional and attentive. They are my last stop after every race since they provide a well-lit cleaning/sanitary dump station and covered parking for our motor coach and motorcycle hauler. I never have to worry about security or access. They really take the hassle out of storing our most critical equipment,” added Thompson.

Thompson is an independent team owner/driver, fielding a record setting BMW S 1000 RR land speed racing motorcycle with plans to compete in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle class in 2017. In addition to 7-land speed records, she is a lifetime member of six-land speed racing 200 MPH Clubs, including the prestigious Bonneville 200 MPH Club and first female member of the Colorado Mile. She earned the title of world’s fastest female motorcycle racer with an average one measured mile speed of 304.263 mph and exit speed of 313 mph at the 2016 Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials.

Anosh Vasani, Director of Marketing for Desert Storage, says, “We are really excited to support Valerie in her endeavors. She is a great athlete and we look forward to her breaking even more records.”

Christina Nielsen poised for GTD championship

September 26, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

24 year-old IMSA breakout talent, Christina Nielsen, is poised to make sports car racing history Sept. 29-Oct. 1 during Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. The GT Daytona (GTD) racer is on the brink of winning the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship class title.

If Nielsen completes her required minimum of three of the 10 hours of the final event of the season in the No. 63 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3, she will become the first female driver to win a major North American sports car racing championship, including IMSA, GRAND-AM and ALMS.

The 10-hour event on Road Atlanta’s 12-turn, 2.54-mile course, located in Braselton, Georgia, begins at 11:10 a.m. (ET) Saturday, Oct. 1.

“Petit is definitely my favorite event of the entire year, but I think it’s also the event that I’m most nervous about,” Nielsen said. “I know I was last year because we were in contention to win the championship, and we’re going into the same position this year. We do have a much bigger lead this year, which makes me a little bit more calm.”

Following a third-place finish Sept. 17 in Lone Star Le Mans at Circuit of the Americas, Christina Nielsen and Scuderia Corsa teammate Alessandro Balzan lead the GTD class by 32 points, 299-267, over the second-place duo of Ben Keating and Jeroen Bleekemolen.

The sixth podium finish of the season, at Lone Star Le Mans, is a career best for Christina Nielsen. Last season, she stood on the podium five times en route to a second-place finish in the GTD standings by just two points.

“I know we still need to bring it home,” Nielsen said. “We always want to finish on a good note. My dad (former Danish driver Lars-Erik Nielsen) used to say, ‘You’re never better than your last race,’ because people always remember the last race. It’s always great to do well at the end of the season. Road Atlanta is my favorite track. It’s the first track I ever raced on in America. It scared me, and I remembering thinking, ‘Is every track like this here?’ I’ve grown to love it, though; it has an amazing flow and setup. Plus I think a 10-hour race will be a great length for our team.”

Jeff Segal, the team’s third driver for endurance events, will join Christina Nielsen and Alessandro Balzan behind the wheel of the No. 63 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3 at Petit Le Mans presented by Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.

The trio has been formidable this season, winning two of the three previous endurance races, the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida in mid-March and the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen in early July. Following the team’s success in these endurance races, Nielsen and Scuderia Corsa are also in the running for the IMSA Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup. Nielsen is in second place by just two points and the upcoming Petit Le Mans endurance race will determine the winner.

Event Info

Race: Petit Le Mans (IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

Date: Thursday, Sept. 28 to Saturday, Oct. 1

Venue: Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia. Turns: 12. Circuit Length: 2.54 miles.

Car: No. 63 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3 (GT Daytona class)

Co-Drivers: Christina Nielsen, Denmark |Alessandro Balzan, Italy | Jeff Segal, United States

Race broadcast: Saturday, Oct. 1 – 11:00 a.m. to 9:10 p.m. (ET) on IMSA.tv; 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. (ET), FOX Sports 1, and 2:30 – 6 p.m. (ET), FOX Sports 2, FOX Sports GO; audio from all sessions live at imsa.com and radiolemans.com.

Live Timing: www.imsa.com, IMSA app for iOS, Android

Schedule (all times local, ET):

Thursday, Sept. 29 –

Practice 1: 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Practice 2: 3:25-4:25 p.m.
Practice 3: 7:30-9 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 30 –

Practice 4: 10:15-11:15 a.m.
Qualifying: 3:30-3:45 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 1 –

Warm-up: 8:40 – 9 a.m.;
WeatherTech Championship race: 11:10 a.m. – 9:10 p.m.

About Christina Nielsen

Christina Nielsen has emerged as one of the brightest young talents in global sports car racing since she began competition in North America in 2014.

Nielsen, 24, was a breakout star in 2015 during her first season in the GT Daytona (GTD) class of the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the most prestigious sports car series in North America. She finished second in the championship standings, just two points behind the winner, and scored the most podium finishes in the class.

Denmark native Nielsen is racing for the GTD class championship in 2016 in a Ferrari 488 GT3 car. She earned her first career victory in the WeatherTech Championship in March at the 12 Hours of Sebring, becoming the first female class winner at that legendary race in a decade. She also is driving a Ferrari F458 Italia in the LM GTE class in the European Le Mans Series with Formula Racing.

A resident of Los Angeles, Nielsen is focused on being one of the most skilled, well-rounded drivers in global motorsport by also studying for a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management communication, as she aims to deliver results for her team and personal commercial partners both on and off the track.

For the latest news from Christina Nielsen, please visit christinanielsenracing.com.

For updates, like her on Facebook and follow @ChristinaRacing on Twitter.

Salemi runner up | Shakedown at the Summit

September 23, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Buffalo, NY based drag racing driver Melanie Salemi and her Melanie Salemi Motorsports Pro Mod team entered the 2016 Shakedown at the Summit last weekend with high expectations to take home the richest Pro Mod purse in the history of the class. Summit Motorsports Park Owner Bill Bader Jr. vowed to make the “Shakedown” a race that everyone would place on their schedules for years to come because simply “you just can’t afford not to be there.”

Salemi started the Shakedown at the Summit strong, netting a No. 4 qualifying position in the rain shortened program with a 5.91 at 238 mph. The weather cleared on Sunday morning and sun was shining, so it was time to “Put up or Shut up” in true Shakedown lingo.

Melanie stomped through the 24 car field with a string of 5.87 second performances, eliminating fellow competitors RubenT, Bruce Boland, and Billy Harper in her wake. In the semi final round, she dispatched fellow Canadian and friend Wes Goddard with a 5.86 @ 242 mph to Wes’ 5.87 at a fast 252 mph.

This set the Shakedown at the Summit finals to be a blower vs. turbo battle for the money and the glory. Salemi would match up against the turbocharged entry of Kevin Fiscus, and the pair left almost dead even in reaction time on the tree. But Fiscus pulled away after Melanie experienced tire shake at the hit, trying to pedal and regain traction to no avail.

Although it was not Melanie’s day for the big Shakedown at the Summit win, she showed her skill on the track all weekend and was stellar on the tree to advance through 4 tough rounds of competition.

I am just really excited that I get to race with these guys a lot of them have way more experience than me in these cars and I’m really happy that I can class myself as one of them,” stated Melanie. “My guys send me down the track with a perfectly prepared car each time and it makes my job that much easier. I don’t know if there is a harder working bunch of guys in this sport. We have had a lot going on the past couple of weeks and I owed it to Jon, Jim, Mike and the rest of our crew to do my job on the tree and go rounds last weekend.”

Although Melanie didn’t take home the Shakedown 14 title, she took home more experience in the ¼ mile and posted one of her best racing weekends to date in the books.

Watch for the Melanie Salemi Motorsports team at their next outing at Virginia Motorsports Park, October 21-22 at the 2016 PDRA World Finals and then their final event of 2016 will be The Street Car Super Nationals in Las Vegas November 17-20.

Mechanical issues sideline Katie Vernola

September 23, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Mechanical issues sideline Katie Vernola in round 9 of the WORCS series UTV race at Glen Helen Raceway in Devore, CA. The UTV offroad racer suffered bad luck and mechanical issues that kept her from the podium finish she was working towards.

She began the first race looking good, but her luck quickly turned for the worse when she suffered some mechanical issues that took her out of the race.

I got a good start, but was hit going into turn one still managing to hold second going into the second turn of the course. After we came around the turn all the sudden I started hearing what sounded like a bucket of bolts rattling and had no power, so I called my pit and let them know,” explained Vernola.

A quick response from her pit crew enabled Vernola to rebound for race number two.

Luckily Pete and his crew were able to work on the car between races.”

Vernola regrouped and returned for the pro race, putting in her best efforts. An on course incident where fellow competitor Jared Blitz hit Vernola from behind multiple times throughout the race, ended up causing damage to her exhaust and rear bumper. Despite the damage and stress, Vernola was able to finish the race in the No. 12 position out of 17 in the Pro STX Class.

I fought through the challenging course with no front wheel drive and no exhaust,” stated Vernola.

Though she did not have the finish she was looking for, Vernola stays full of positivity and thankful for any opportunity to get out on the track.

I am trying to get more seat time. I am not doing well in the points this year but the more seat time the better.”

Her next race will be at the Camp Lejeune Support our Troops Terracross in Jacksonville, NC October 1-2. Vernola will continue her training, improving her program, and looking for redemption leading into the event.

Holeshot win for Erica Enders in Seattle

August 9, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

When the pressure is on, champions rise to the occasion. A key holeshot win for Erica Enders in Seattle this weekend helped push the reigning NHRA Pro Stock World Champion into Countdown contention.

When Erica Enders and her Elite Motorsports/Mopar Dodge team needed to have a good performance in the opening round of the 29th annual Protect The Harvest.com NHRA Northwest Nationals presented by Lucas Oil on Sunday at Pacific Raceways, they got the job done.

Enders ripped off a .009-second reaction time against Alex Laughlin, winning a crucial round despite a slower elapsed time. And in beating Laughlin, who came into the race 10th in the points standings, Enders took over 10th, the final spot in the Countdown to the Championship.

“I said in my interview at the top end that it reminded me of the U.S. Nationals last year, racing Greg Anderson in the semifinals, where the winner of that round got to go into the Countdown in the No. 1 position,” Enders said. “If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times: Under pressure, we are awesome together.”

Enders’ pass was 6.581 seconds at 209.39 mph, but her .048-second advantage on the starting line was enough to hold off Laughlin’s 6.569 at 210.90 mph.

“My guys gave me a good race car,” Enders said. “It wasn’t a great run. We feel like we could have definitely gone a .56 out there first round, and it was important to put a little bit of a spread on Alex. It’s not a big spread, but we will take what we can get at this point.”

Enders now unofficially leads Laughlin by nine points with two races before the Countdown.

Enders had another excellent reaction time in the second round, .031, and was in front of No. 14 qualifier Aaron Strong before she had engine issues. Strong had beaten No. 3 qualifier Greg Anderson in the first round.

“We got a break with Greg going out first round,” Enders said. “Performance-wise, we had him covered a little bit and shoulda, coulda, woulda gone to the semifinals at least today. Jeggie (Coughlin Jr.) and I had a chance to meet up in the semifinals. He had Bo (Butner) covered three-hundredths on the Tree, I had Aaron covered five and a half and everything went away.”

Courtney Force injured in Seattle

August 8, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

NHRA Funny Car racer Courtney Force injured in Seattle after a racing incident in the first round of Sunday’s eliminations at Pacific Raceways. Force’s Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car made contact with the left guard wall.

Force exited the vehicle on her own power and was checked by NHRA emergency services personnel before heading to Valley Medical Center in Renton, Wash., where she was evaluated for head, neck, knee, elbow and shoulder injuries.

“I am beat up pretty good. My arm, my shoulder, and my right knee are banged up. I am really thankful that the second I got out of the race car there was already a Safety Safari person right there to help me get down. I couldn’t put any weight on my right knee. I want to say thanks to everyone that was at the track who helped me. I got right to the ER and the doctor checked me out. I am extremely relieved nothing is broken,” said Force.

Doctors released Force from the hospital Sunday evening, but expect her to be very sore following the accident. X-rays of her right knee, left elbow and left shoulder along with a CT scan of her head and cervical spine were negative. The tendon on the knee was intact but there was a contusion from contact with the steering wheel. Force will see a sports orthopedist in Lake Tahoe, Nev., where the family has a summer home for continued evaluation and to make sure there is not a partial tendon tear in the knee.

“I have to thank everyone at Simpson Racing and their Stilo helmet for protecting me. To hit a concrete guard wall and move it two feet and not break any bones is a testament to their equipment and NHRA safety requirements,” said Force.

Force will focus on her rehabilitation with the goal being to race at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota in two weeks.

“I am going to see a physical therapist in Tahoe. Thankfully we have a weekend off. My goal is to get healed up as soon as possible. I want to say sorry to my team to have to witness that. We were planning on making a lot of changes to my car after this race and my dad joked that I gave them a head start,” explained Force. “I definitely feel bad we ruined the body and the chassis. Luckily we have some time and can get the car fixed up and my own body fixed up. I am looking forward to getting back as fast as I can. I want to thank all the fans for all their support.”

Force, the No. 3 qualifier, was racing Jeff Diehl in the first round when her Traxxas Funny Car smoked the tires. Force attempted to pedal her 10,000 hp race car before it made hard contact with the guard wall.

“I am really bummed out about the run. I am disappointed because I really wanted that win. I pedaled the car repeatedly hoping to just run him down but I got a little too aggressive. I think I hit the wall right where Ashley crashed a few years ago. I definitely have a love/hate relationship with this track since I have won here twice and have had two incidents but happy to be safe,” joked Force.

Papa John’s Pizza joined Leah Pritchett

August 8, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

The Top Fuel class just got a little more appetizing. National pizza franchise, Papa John’s Pizza joined Leah Pritchett and her Don Schumacher Racing Top Fuel dragster team at this weekend’s NHRA national event in Seattle, Wash. and will continue on with them on board at the upcoming race in Brainerd, Minn.

Papa John’s Pizza joined Leah Pritchett at the 29th Annual Protect the Harvest NHRA Nationals in Kent, Wash., ranked 10th in championship points in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. She won this year’s second event title near Phoenix. Pritchett would qualify in the No. 8 position for the event, pairing her first round against Morgan Lucas for Sunday’s opening round of eliminations.

Career-best E.T. leads to first round loss

Sunday morning’s routine for the popular 28-year-old driver from Redlands, Calif., who lives near Indianapolis, was disrupted by a rushed early call for prerace driver introductions. Race officials pushed the morning schedule ahead in an attempt to beat pending precipitation arriving before scheduled opening rounds of eliminations at Pacific Raceways.

The rain did come, and after about 90 minutes, the sky cleared and track was dried to set the stage for Leah Pritchett to race Morgan Lucas. As the higher qualified dragster, her crew chief, Todd Okuhara, had choice of lanes.

Pritchett beat Lucas to the finish line with her career-best elapsed time of 3.707 seconds at 325.30, but her day unfortunately ended before that when she was disqualified for leaving the starting line prematurely by 33-thousandths of a second and recorded a redlight (false) start.

“It’s going to take a lot more than that to break my spirit,” she said. “We win as a team and lose as a team. My guys have my back and I always have theirs. The plan today was to leave (the starting line) first and we definitely did that,” she joked. “I know I’m a better driver than that. That (3.70) was the best E.T. of my career, and we have a great car.”

It was her first red-light start in a side-by-side race in four years of driving a Top Fuel dragster.

One bright spot for her on the cloudy day was that she maintained her hold on 10th place in the Top Fuel standings when her closest challenger, Terry McMillen, also lost in the opening round. Pritchett, who won this year’s second event title in the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, holds a 19-point lead over McMillen heading into the next event in two weeks at Brainerd, Minn.

“We get to race at Brainerd with Papa John’s, and we continue our chase to get into the Countdown thanks to Papa John’s, FireAde, Mopar and Pennzoil. Stability is something I’ve been hunting for for a very long time, and Don Schumacher has been able to provide that with our partners.”

Papa John’s founder, chairman and chief executive officer, John Schnatter, visited DSR headquarters a few weeks ago and got his first experience with nitro when DSR fired up Pritchett’s dragster.

“This means so much to me, our team and the sport of NHRA drag racing,” said the graduate of Cal State San Bernardino. “We are huge fans of Papa John’s Pizza and are confident it will help fuel us to victory,” added Pritchett. “My dream is one day to walk into a location and order a ‘Leah’s Nitro Pizza’ on the Papa John’s menu. One requirement – it has to be spicy!”

Schnatter founded Papa John’s in 1984 when he knocked down a wall to a broom closet in his father’s tavern in Jeffersonville, Ind.. He then sold his prized 1972 Z28 Camaro to purchase $1,600 worth of used pizza equipment and began selling pizzas to the tavern’s customers out of the converted closet to help save the business. Today, Papa John’sis the world’s third largest pizza delivery company with over 4,900locations in 50 states and 40 countries and territories.

“I am excited to add another quality ingredient to our Papa John’s team with our sponsorship of Don Schumacher Racing and Leah Pritchett,” said “Papa John” Schnatter. “Leah’s passion for racing is like my passion for pizzamaking; always looking for ways to improve and get better.”

Pritchett’s dragster is a salute to his iconic, gold muscle car that he reacquired and owns today.

Alexis DeJoria injured in first round accident

August 1, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

NHRA Funny Car driver, Alexis DeJoria injured in first round accident during the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals, is undergoing treatment for a broken pelvis after a trip to the local trauma center.

DeJoria, driver of the Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry, was competing in the left lane alongside opponent John Force in the opening round of eliminations on Sunday morning at Sonoma Raceway. The Patrón Toyota Camry lost traction and made a violent turn to the left as soon as DeJoria stepped on the throttle, causing her Camry to make impact with the left retaining wall.

DeJoria exited the vehicle under her own power, but immediately knew something was wrong. Upon a quick evaluation from on-site medical personnel, she was transported via ambulance to Queen of the Valley Medical Center in nearby Napa. After x-rays and a CT scan, doctors diagnosed DeJoria with a high-energy fracture of the left pelvis. The fracture was caused when she struck the wall. The injury does not require immediate surgery, but is extremely painful. DeJoria is in good spirits and was more concerned with the condition of her race car, and if it was ok. She was released from the hospital on Sunday afternoon, and will start intense physical therapy as soon as possible, determined to get back on the track.

The Patrón Toyota Camry qualified No. 11 with a 3.946 second, 319.45 mph performance before Alexis DeJoria injured in first round accident.

DeJoria and the Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry Funny Car team were scheduled to compete next at the NHRA Northwest Nationals in Seattle, Washington, but due to injuries sustained, that race is to be determined.