Interview: Alan Johnson, Brittany Force, Alexis DeJoria




The following are excerpts from a teleconference featuring NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series guests including Top Fuel tuning consultant Alan Johnson, Brittany Force (Top Fuel), and Alexis DeJoria (Funny Car).

MODERATOR: Thank to members of the media for calling in today. We are four races into the 2016 season, have already seen some incredible racing thus far, and the next event coming up is the very unique NHRA Four-Wide Nationals April 22-24. Alan Johnson is the tuning consultant this season for Brittany Force and Steve Torrence. The two teams have created an informal strategic alliance with Johnson to help them increase their on-track performance and consistency. Brittany Force won the event in Gainesville and is the sixth driver to claim a first career victory with Johnson’s assistance. The others were Blaine Johnson, Gary Scelzi, Bruce Sarver, Shawn Langdon and Khalid alBalooshi. Johnson has 11 NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel world titles to his name with five different drivers. Alan, we’ll start, first off, thank you for your time, and we’ll start with the partnership with Torrence and Brittany that’s paid dividends with both combining to win this season; Brittany in the points lead for the first time in her career and Steven fourth. Would you categorize this strong start, is this kind of where you thought everything would be this early in the season?

ALAN JOHNSON: Well, I fully expected the performance to be on par with where we’ve been. I think that Brittany has exceeded my expectations in her ability to drive and adapt to our procedures, which is certainly to my delight and everyone on the team. So yeah, we’re pleased with the performance, and I think we’re on track to be where we want to be.

MODERATOR: Brittany talked about her win in Gainesville about you had a lot of suggestions and ideas what to do, and she even bought into that as much as she started a new workout routine to help her do some different things in the car. How important is that for Brittany or Torrence or Langdon or any of the drivers you’ve worked with for them to have as in buy-in as possible to get them to where you need them to be?

ALAN JOHNSON: You know, I think that for one thing, like for example, Brittany’s workout program, the fact that she’s a woman and races against men, it’s not necessarily a mental problem as much as it can be physical, because reaction for them is basically an explosion after they see the light, and they have to react. So our efforts is just to make sure that she doesn’t have to give up anything to the guys, so she started that program, which I think is going to help her. It will take time. And then the mental part of it is just a matter of her continuing to make all of her staging consistent from run to run, whether it’s qualifying or eliminations, so she doesn’t have to think of anything, it’s just driving. So far it’s working well, but you know, it’s a long season, and we plan to grow and get better.

Q. Alan, in making the decision to put Brittany under your hands and work with her, what was it about her that made you believe you could get her into victory lane and you could improve her performance?

ALAN JOHNSON: Well, okay, so Brittany of all my drivers that I’ve had in the past is probably near the top as far as her passion to want to do this, so she’s fully committed to driving a dragster and winning. So that part makes it easy. There’s certainly things that she’s going to have to do and adapt to and buy into, but as long as she has that passion, which it appears that she does, it’s going to be — she’s going to end up being a great driver.

Q. When we go to Charlotte in a couple of weeks, what is the difference from a Top Fuel standpoint in having four cars going down the track at one time versus just having two?

ALAN JOHNSON: Oh, from a driver’s standpoint, certainly the difference is staging. You’ve got four lanes to keep track of versus just two, so there’s an added element there. The other probably thing that some people don’t think about is in a normal drag race when there’s just two cars, if you smoke the tires and you don’t see the other car, you’re certainly going to pedal on it, right? So in four cars, if you’re in the outside lane, it’s very difficult for you to know anything that’s going on in the inside lane. It creates a completely different dynamic when it comes to actually trying to save the run for the driver. I think that’s probably one of the biggest challenges that they see. As far as tuning the race car, there’s really not much difference there. We’re just — you don’t have to be the fastest in the first couple of heats, you just have to finish second and try and get yourself into the final, and then obviously that’s where you want to win. But it’s still just a matter of racing the racetrack and making your car perform at its best.

Q. What traits have you seen in Steve and Brittany that you’ve seen in other drivers that you’ve tuned to championships?

ALAN JOHNSON: You know, like I said about Brittany, it’s the passion, which that’s going to get her a long ways. And Steve, as well; he’s passionate about it. It’s going to take some time to really be able to see each driver’s strengths and weaknesses as we go along here. We’re still pretty new into the season. I worked with Steve a little bit last year, and there’s some work that we need to do there to get him up to the level that he needs to be, but like I said, they’re both passionate drivers, and they want to do this, so it makes my job a little bit easier.

Q. Has there been anything that’s happened so far this season that’s been maybe the biggest learning curve for you in terms of having two cars on two different teams?

ALAN JOHNSON: You know, not really, and it sounds like it could be a lot harder than it is. But the biggest thing is just to make sure that we maintain good performances in each car. It could be — it could get a little sticky if one car falls into a little bit of a slump where the other car is doing well. That could create some issues between the two teams. But hopefully we’ll never get to that situation. Hopefully both cars will maintain that high level of performance that they’ve had so far this year and we can avoid any of those traps along the way.

Q. When you join a new team, is it with the understanding that the current crew chiefs will defer to you? In other words, you have control of the program from a tuning standpoint?

ALAN JOHNSON: Not necessarily. We don’t have anything that cut-and-dry. It’s not structured that way. What we do is we meet with — we actually talk between races. We meet before we begin qualifying. We create kind of a roadmap to how we plan to address the weekend. There’s different track conditions everywhere we go, different air atmosphere conditions, so we review those things. We get together. We talk about it, and we decide how we’re going to approach the weekend, and then we kind of go from there. After every run, then we get together and decide what we’re going to change, how we’re going to adapt. But there’s no — certainly I would have probably the final say if there was some disagreement along the way somewhere, but generally we’re just keeping the ship headed in the right direction.

Q. As a follow-up, when you join a team, is there a specific list of parts that you bring that you want to use on the car that maybe they don’t have? What is different about what you bring to the team parts-wise?

ALAN JOHNSON: Well, that’s a good question, and yes, there is. There’s Alan Johnson Performance Engineering, which manufactures a large amount of parts for Top Fuel dragsters. We certainly want to use those components because that’s what we’re used to. That’s what we’ve designed specifically for this type of racing, so that’s what we’re going to use. John Force’s program, they build a lot of the same parts for their Funny Cars, but they may not necessarily be designed for a Top Fuel dragster but more for a Funny Car. We’ve kind of pushed some of that stuff aside and come in with the products that we have designed. So both cars, Brittany’s and Steve’s, both have exactly the same engine components and clutch components.

Q. What’s the feeling of seeing — you now have six drivers that have claimed their first victory with your assistance. What’s the feeling of seeing the first win and then a lot of those drivers going on to have some great success under your tutelage?

ALAN JOHNSON: I think probably my brother’s first win was — that was obviously the most gratifying one of all of them. But I think a close second to that would be Brittany because she’s — like I said, she’s got so much passion for it, and she’s been out here for three years, been in a number of finals, just haven’t got it done. To see her finally break through and get a win was very gratifying, and I’m just happy for her and her family that she was able to get it done. And as far as going on and doing well and winning championships, that’s why we’re here. That’s why we do this. That’s why I do it is to get out there and mix it up and get some wins, and to have the drivers be able to experience that, that just adds a whole element of fun to it, as well.

Q. And I guess the other question is one of the big stories this week, Bob Vandergriff closing his doors. Do you have a reaction to that?

ALAN JOHNSON: Well, you know, other than that it’s unfortunate, I don’t know — I’m not privy to any details other than what we all read in the press release. It’s unfortunate.

Q. Is this a new career path, being advisor, for Alan Johnson, or is the ultimate goal still to be back having your own cars with your own drivers?

ALAN JOHNSON: Well, we’re confidently working to that end. Our marketing team is still out there, and we’re entertaining people as we speak. Hopefully our goal is to still have our team back out there in 2017. Yeah, this is — this just keeps us out there. It keeps my involvement in the sport fresh, so hopefully if everything goes our way, we’ll have three teams out there next year.

Q. In your relationship with Brian Husen in the past, did it just kind of move forward, because it always seemed as though you guys were seamless in your approach to putting the car down the track. Still work that way?

ALAN JOHNSON: Yeah. I mean, Brian has been — he worked for me back in probably 2001 on one of my Funny Cars back then, and then I rejoined them when I went to the U.S. Army team in 2003, so we’ve been together ever since. He’s just a good, talented individual who loves the sport, and he’s committed to what he’s doing. We’ve done quite well together, and I’m really excited to see how well he’s grown as a crew chief. I think he’s got a lot of potential going forward, as well.

MODERATOR: Brittany recorded her first career Top Fuel win at the historic Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals earlier this year when she defeated Terry McMillen in the finals, and she’s also raced to another final round appearance this season. She became the first member of John Force Racing to win outside of the Funny Car ranks in the pro category and is currently the Top Fuel points leader. Brittany, obviously social media is really busy right now and we’ve watched you since that win. We’ve had another event, but have things kind of settled down for you a little bit since recording that first career victory?

BRITTANY FORCE: A little bit, but there’s still so much excitement just around all of it. There was a lot to take in that day. Our first win with Monster Energy, point leaders, getting into the Traxxas Shootout, first Top Fuel win for John Force Racing. There was so much around it, and it was huge. It was a huge moment for everyone at John Force Racing. I’m still over the moon about it. I’m still so beyond excited and proud about that, and I definitely want more.

MODERATOR: Right before you joined us we were talking about Alan Johnson, and you were the sixth driver to claim the first career victory with Alan, the others being Blaine Johnson, his brother, Gary Scelzi, Bruce Sarver, Shawn Langdon and Khalid alBalooshi, and somebody asked where your win kind of ranked in there, and he said obviously his brother’s first win in 1995 was huge, but he said second behind that would probably be your win because of how much you put yourself into not only his program but the sport in general. Does that kind of give you pause, going up against names that I read off in Alan’s career, that he thinks that that win was so special to him and not only to you?

BRITTANY FORCE: That’s really huge. For him to say that on his side, that makes me feel great as a driver, makes me feel proud to work with him. I mean, obviously it was something I’ve been chasing for so long, and it felt good to finally accomplish that. Obviously we wouldn’t have made it there without him and Brian Husen and the entire team. It really is touching to hear him say something like that.

Q. What’s something that you learned that day when you got your first win that you think you’ll remember for the rest of your career?

BRITTANY FORCE: Oh, just that it is possible. There were so many times when I came so close, but if you don’t take it all home that day, you’re not the winner, you’re not the champ that day. Just no matter how many negative things come up, how many times you end up in a final, how many first rounds you drive, you just have to keep pushing, and one thing I’ve always been pretty good about is staying positive. We’ve had great days, we’ve had bad days, but to keep positive and to keep that momentum moving forward, and keep pushing for it because it’ll happen.

Q. I was standing out at the far end after you won, and your dad was one of the first people that you talked to down there. Do you remember what that conversation was like between the two of you?

BRITTANY FORCE: Actually I don’t know if there was much of a conversation. He was speechless for — I mean, my dad is a talker, and it’s like one of the first times I think I’ve ever seen him speechless. He didn’t know what to say. But you could just tell by looking at him, he was just so excited. There was so much emotion, and you could tell he was very proud, and it was awesome to have my entire family out there. Courtney came down with them, Robert was there in the winner’s circle with us, my mom, Ashley and the kids were there, so it was very special to be able to have my whole family there.

Q. As you look now towards the four wide and the challenges that it brings within all of the challenges that the rest of the season still holds, how are those different for you now with Alan Johnson on your side versus before?

BRITTANY FORCE: You know, there’s still going to be challenges. That’s not going to change. Really my focus is the same thing it always is: Doing my job as a driver, making sure I’m listening to the advice that Alan gives me, that Brian gives me, focusing on what we need to do together as a whole to get the car down the racetrack and turn those win lights on Sunday. You know, I’ve learned so much over the years from so many different teachers, so many different crew chiefs I’ve been involved with, so many other drivers, and I kind of just keep all of that. That’s stuff I’ll never forget, and I believe it got me — it’s definitely gotten me where I am today. But every round, every run you make down the racetrack, you learn something new.

Q. Brittany, at the end of February when Leah (Pritchett) won her race, there was all this buzz about you and her and a female winner in Top Fuel, and now yesterday Bob Vandergriff closes his shop. What is that impact going to be on your class on Leah being out there now as a free agent and Dave Connolly, too?

BRITTANY FORCE: That’s definitely tough for the entire sport. I don’t know if I really feel like I’m in a place to comment on it, but we need those cars out there. We need — they’re great for the sport, and we want to keep growing the sport. I hope everything works out for both drivers, teams, everybody involved. I hope they all get something worked out because we need all of them out here.

Q. Is there one specific thing that Alan has brought to your team that you really never thought about before that’s helped you get your first win, et cetera?

BRITTANY FORCE: I think the biggest thing is consistency, and you definitely — we’ve all seen that in our team since coming out to Pomona. Even testing in Phoenix at the beginning of the year, I think we made about 12 passes, and the race car went down there every single run, just right down the racetrack. I think we had one run where it went halfway down the track, and I think that’s been the biggest key, and especially helping us to go around, make it to the final, make it to the winner’s circle is just all those qualifying passes, four qualifying passes, four great runs, and signing us up for race day on Sunday.

Q. Brittany, was it you or your car owner who made the decision to try to bring Alan Johnson in? That’s number one. And number two, what was your first meeting like with Alan Johnson?

BRITTANY FORCE: That was all John Force Racing. It had been in the works for a while. We’d been talking about it. The first time I actually really spoke to him, I never really spoke to him before out at the races or anything like that, was through email. He sent me an email talking about — introducing himself to me, and he wanted to get to know me better as a driver, wanted to know my routines, how I work, how — just everything involved that I do at home and what I bring to the racetrack. He sent me a list of questions and asked, when you have the chance, when you have a chance, can you answer these. I just want to get to know you better as a driver since we won’t be meeting until Phoenix when we test. I went through all the questions and probably gave him more than he needed to know, so our first actual — the first time we actually talked was through email, going back and forth a few times, and then obviously we started out in Phoenix, and that’s where we began testing.

Q. Did he scare you at all the very first time you met him face to face?

BRITTANY FORCE: Definitely. I was definitely intimidated when it was all in the works. We were talking about — nothing was settled. Nothing was confirmed yet that we were going into the season with him. But it was definitely in the works. We were talking about it. I was definitely very intimidated just because I never really spoke to him at the racetrack. I didn’t really know much about him. I know what he’s done for the sport. I know what a big name he is in the sport and how much he’s accomplished, and it was definitely a little intimidating, but after a few emails and working with him in Phoenix and then in Pomona, he’s an awesome guy, and I feel very lucky to be teamed up with him, working with him, and I’m really glad with where we’re at.

Q. Whenever a driver picks up their first win at a top level like that, they get inundated with people who suddenly want to talk to them, meet them, thank them, and congratulate them, the whole nine yards. Who is the most unbelievable person that reached out to you to tell you great job?

BRITTANY FORCE: You know, at the Gatornationals, at the end of the day, once I finally went home, I looked at my phone, and I mean, it was just blown up with text messages and calls, and it felt really good to see that, that people went out of their way just to text me congrats; we were watching at home; good job; cheering you on the whole way. And it felt really good to see that, especially because this is such a huge moment for me, something I’ve worked so hard for, and it’s something I’m very proud of. I think some of the coolest people that reached out to me were people that I actually worked with over the last few years, old crew chiefs, old crew guys that I worked with, and I really believe I’ve learned so much from all my teachers over the past, and like I said earlier, without them and my years with them, my experience with them, I don’t think I’d be here today.

Q. After it settled in that you had won your first race, did you even think about not just that you won your first race but what race you actually won in the history of the people that have won the Gatornationals?

BRITTANY FORCE: That was huge. It was just another thing that made that weekend that much more special. There were so many things involved in that weekend, and to be able to bring home the first win out at the Gatornationals, it’s one of the biggest races on our circuit. I remember going to Gatornationals watching my dad as a kid, and we have friends and family that come out to that race, and it’s such a huge race. It’s such an exciting one. I mean, the fans pack into that racetrack like I’ve never seen before, and just to be able to bring home our first win there, it makes it really memorable.

Q. And to top it off, how big a deal was it for your mother to get the Pat Garlits Memorial Award on top of it all?

BRITTANY FORCE: I know, that was special, too, just to be able to share something with her that weekend. We were all proud of her, went to the banquet before the weekend started, and it was really cool that the whole family brought everything home that weekend.

MODERATOR: Brittany, heading into Charlotte, the Four-Wide is such a different event, and it’s one that I think drag racing fans put on their bucket list to see, but as a driver, do you have a different mindset going into that event, or do you plan a little differently, or do you just pretty much still have to race your lane?

BRITTANY FORCE: You know, absolutely. I go into it with a whole different mindset, just because it is different. I enjoy the race because it is a challenge, and the nice thing about it is it’s not just a challenge for me but it’s a challenge for all the drivers because we haven’t been doing it that long. For me, I can’t speak for all drivers out there, but pulling up to that starting line looking at that tree with all those bulbs and knowing that you have that many people in the lane next to you, it’s a little overwhelming, and for me, I have to go up there, I’ve done it the last few years, you’ll see me up there on the starting line before we run, and I’ll just be practicing. If I know I’m going up in lane 2, I’ll be standing up in lane 2 before I go out there and just mentally practicing with the car in front of me because for me, I need to do that. I don’t want to get lost up there. I don’t want to screw up, and I want to know where I’m at on the racetrack and make sure I’m doing my job right. So for me, it’s just — yeah, my routine will change a little bit, and you’ll see me up there.

MODERATOR: We are joined now by Alexis DeJoria, driver of the Tequila Patron Toyota Camry. She is the most recent Funny Car winner at the event in Las Vegas when she defeated teammate Del Worsham in the finals, and that did mark the first time that two Kalitta Motorsports Funny Cars faced each other in the final rounds. It was her career fourth victory and her first since 2014, and she did become the third different female to win this season, joining Leah Pritchett and Brittany Force. Alexis, first off, as always, thank you very much for your time. How good did it feel for you and your team to kind of shake that monkey off your back and get back into the win column there in Las Vegas?

ALEXIS DEJORIA: Yeah, it was a much-needed win, not just for myself but for my entire crew. We worked so hard in 2014 and got those wins, and then last year it took a turn for the worse and we ended up fighting our equipment all year long and making some changes to the car halfway through. We were pretty consistent in the fact that we’ve made it to a lot of semifinals finishes but just no wins, so we managed to finish off in the top 10, which is remarkable, considering. But it was honestly the chassis. We switched out chassis, and it took one race to get acclimated and get me comfortable in the new car, and the next race we went out and won it. It was an incredible change of events, but something we hoped would happen before the start of the season, but I’m just happy to get back in that winner’s circle with these guys.

MODERATOR: You talked about 2015, that it obviously wasn’t the full season you guys wanted. Does that make your team stronger, to kind of go through it and show resiliency and come out here and get that early win this year?

ALEXIS DEJORIA: It definitely does. It’s a huge learning experience. You know, if you saw any of us had slight egos in 2014, we definitely didn’t have any in 2015. Yeah, it does a lot for that. But huge learning experience. When you have to dig deep, you know how far you can go, and you know, those wins are so much more appreciated when they do happen because of all the things that you go through to get there.

Q. When I was talking to Tommy (Delago, crews chief) in Vegas, he said the plan was to bring out a new car for you in Charlotte. Is that still happening?

ALEXIS DEJORIA: Well, considering the fact that we won the last race and we did extremely well and we were consistent in this car, we have decided that we’re going to stick with that, especially going to a track that can be somewhat finicky. We only get one qualifying run in each lane before the eliminations. We want to be in a proven car before — we don’t want to just bring out a car that has no runs on it. It’s kind of like starting from square one again. So what we’re going to do is keep this car, this chassis, from Charlotte all the way through Houston, and then the Monday after Houston we’re going to bring out the new chassis, new car, and make some runs with that.

Q: Talk about Kalitta Motorsports is obviously a very historic name. They have a lot in the record books and have a lot of accomplishments, so to have a first with that team was pretty incredible with you and Del facing each other. You’re obviously a historian of the sport and really look back at the past. Is that pretty cool to say that you can get a first there for Connie and the team?

ALEXIS DEJORIA: Oh, definitely. I was just happy that we were back in the title round, let alone to win the race and then have it be against our teammate, my mentor, who’s taught me everything I know behind the wheel of a Funny Car. So that was huge. I mean, he was really happy for us, as well.

Q. When the Four-Wide format was announced a few years ago, I think seven, there was a lot of buzz about it, and Bruton Smith was a big backer of it and all that. It seems to have faded over the years. What’s your spin on this whole Four-Wide deal, and is it just a distraction for a driver?

ALEXIS DEJORIA: It can be a little distracting for everybody. I know it’s tough on the crew chiefs, tough on the sponsors, as well, because they don’t get as much TV time as they usually do because it’s spread out through the four teams on each run. But it’s interesting. It’s fun. You’re not just going up there against one other car, one other driver, one other team. You’re going up against three other drivers, three other cars, three other teams. So that’s a win that I would love to have because it is just so unique. There’s only one of them on the entire circuit, and that’s probably the best way, because I don’t think a lot of drivers want to deal with the staging. It can be a little tricky. But as long as you remember which lane you’re in when you go up there and you don’t forget that part and which light to look at basically, you’re going to be fine.

Q. Yesterday Bob Vandergriff, I guess, unexpectedly closed the doors on his shop, leaving Leah and Dave Connolly without rides. As a competitor, what’s your reaction to that whole situation?

ALEXIS DEJORIA: It’s very unfortunate. Any time any teams back out, it’s upsetting for the sport. I don’t like to see anybody not be able to drive. Very upset for my friend Leah. She just got that win. I mean, she’s an incredible driver, and she finally gets a full-time gig, and unfortunately they most suddenly closed the doors on her. I have a lot of faith that she’s a hustler and she’ll find another ride, I’m sure, but it’s very upsetting for Dave Connolly and for the whole organization.

MODERATOR: Alexis, talk about Leah getting that win and then Brittany and you, and we’ve seen a very diverse group of winners this season already. Does that speak, again, to the varied nature of our sport?

ALEXIS DEJORIA: It does. It really does. You know, unfortunately we don’t have Leah right now, but I think this has been a huge turnaround the last few years, having us four girls in the nitro and Top Fuel ranks and doing really well. I mean, Brittany, my God, she went to so many final rounds, it was just a matter of time, and Leah coming out and within a couple races she wins the race. Yeah, it’s a big turnaround. Really happy to be one of those females that’s doing it.

Q. Talk if you will about the very first time you ever went to the Four-Wide, and how did it affect you that very first time you saw four lanes going down?

ALEXIS DEJORIA: Well, like Brittany had mentioned earlier, my first couple times at the track for the Four-Wide, I went up ahead of time and I stood in the lane that I was going to run in, and I pretended I was the person that was in the car pulling up to the stage beams, looking at the light I’m supposed to be looking at, and just kind of doing a little bit of practice, if you will, simulation, and just trying to get myself acclimated to where to look, basically. And it’ll get the best of drivers out there. There’s some very well-seasoned drivers that got a little hung up and forgot which light to look at, thought they were staged and they weren’t. I mean, it happens. But just making sure you know where you’re at. It’s not rocket science, but if you’re not paying attention, it’ll bite you. Got to make sure you know where you’re supposed to be.

Q. Is all the learning there at the track? That’s not something you can do on a computer screen or anything like that? You’ve got to be there to really learn it?

ALEXIS DEJORIA: You really do. You know, there’s only so much you can learn in textbooks. When I went to Frank Hawley’s drag racing school there was a very small amount that we learned in the classroom, and then it’s like, all right, guys, put on the gear and you get thrown in the fire. You’ve got to make runs. You’ve got to know what it’s like to be in the car and get down the track and the feelings and the sounds and all that. You know, you can do — I think, what is it, it’s a lot of like memory — like a lot of things that you go through and you can kind of visualize the runs and pretend you’re making a run from start to finish in your mind and go through the hand motions and all that, and a lot of golf players do the same thing, as well. When they know they’re going to a certain green, they know what it’s supposed to look like and all that, and they’ll just visualize making those swings. Yeah, I mean, it definitely helps, and that’s something that I learned from Frank Hawley early on.

Q. Finally, back to your father in Las Vegas, what did the win mean to him?

ALEXIS DEJORIA: It was huge. Today is my dad’s birthday, so it was kind of like an early birthday present, and actually Sunday was my sister’s birthday, so that was a win for her, as well. To win in the Patron Spirits corporate offices, their backyard, that’s a huge deal. My dad, I kept him abreast of every single run, every round I sent him a text. I said, okay, won the first round. Went out for the second round, came back, all right, won second round. And then he called me between the semifinals and the finals, and he left a message, and I didn’t want to — I really try to stay away from my phone and calls and whatnot when I’m going through the rounds and eliminations, but I’ll check my texts from my dad because he always sends nice, positive stuff. I know he’s not going to distract me from my goal, my ultimate goal. But I listened to his messages afterwards, and he was like, “I just have such a good feeling. I know you’re going to win it. I know you’re going to win it.” Then I went back and I called him after the final and said, “Well, daddy, we did it. We did it.” He was absolutely thrilled. Yeah, he’s seen my ups and downs through the last year, and he is an extremely positive person, sometimes too positive for me because it’s hard for me to be down on myself when he’s around.

Q. Alexis, you talked a lot about the visual aspects of the lights and everything at the Four-Wide, but what about the other senses? Like if you’re in the middle lanes, the noises from the cars on either side of you, what effects does that have on you?

ALEXIS DEJORIA: Really not so much. You’ve got tunnel vision out there, and you’re pretty much just focused on your job and what you need to do. It’s loud regardless, so you add two more cars out there, and they’re on the far ends, you have so much insulation from your earbuds to your head sock to all the padding in your helmet, and then they put the body down. So it muffles the sound tremendously, and those other cars, it’s not like they’re right next to you.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports




%d bloggers like this: