Alexander and Smith Show No Signs of Rust in Gatornationals Performance
GAINESVILLE, FL – NHRA Funny Car driver Blake Alexander hit the loud pedal for the first time in the 2015 NHRA 
Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour this past weekend. What ensued after the smoke and nitro cleared was another successful outing for the Paul Smith-led team.
The Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida was Blake’s first event since stunning world champion Jack Beckman in round 1 at the U.S. Nationals last September. The team met qualifying with cautious but optimistic enthusiasm. A $1 part on the Leahy safety shut-off system broke on the team’s best qualifying pass which led to a less-than-stellar No. 15 qualifying effort. Never discouraged, Paul Smith, John Smith, and the entire crew worked tirelessly to get the 10,000 horsepower Bexar Waste Funny Car back in perfect working order for raceday Sunday.
“We are progressing towards making a serious sponsorship announcement which is almost as exciting getting to race at the Gators,” said Alexander, 26. “While we are making progress we understand that corporate timetables and decision-making doesn’t always align perfectly with the NHRA schedule so we are remaining patient. I’m thankful to Bexar Waste, Henry Gutierrez and Paul Smith for getting us to this race to compete and show what we are capable of.”
The scrappy Bexar Waste/Paul Smith Racing team showed exactly what they were capable of on Sunday, taking out Del Worsham in round 1. Alexander and Worsham left as one on the starting line but at the stripe Alexander powered by at 4.15 at 303 MPH as Worsham encountered trouble in the right lane.
Alexander was then set to take on mega-team Don Schumacher Racing in round two. As track temperatures increased Paul Smith and Alexander rose to the occasion and took out Tommy Johnson Jr. in round two. Both of the nitro-burning Funny Cars encountered trouble at the hit of the throttle. Alexander pedaled multiple times, getting his car to the finish line first with less problems than the opposition and clinched a semi-finals berth.
“We knew they (DSR) could make a big run so we had it set up to outrun them in the heat. The rising track temps caused us to smoke. I heard noise in my headset and thought they were telling me to get going. I gave it a few pedals and tried to keep it as straight as possible. I was just trying to will myself to the finish line. We want it so bad every Sunday,” said Alexander.
Alexander was going to the semi-finals again and was gaining momentum to go to his second career final round. The team seamlessly serviced the blown fuel Hemi in between rounds and pulled up to their semi-final match-up versus Funny Car rookie John Hale.
Alexander took over a tenth of a second holeshot advantage against Hale in the semi-finals but the team fell victim to tire smoke again, which ultimately ended their weekend. After 6 months off, the team could taste the final round, but it just wasn’t meant to be on this Sunday at the 2015 NHRA Gatornationals.
“I just want to thank my crew, Bexar Waste, Paul Smith, and my longtime associate sponsors who are helping us rebuild our sponsorship portfolio. We can compete and want to be out here on a more regular basis. Getting the chance to compete in the Bexar Waste fuel coupe at the Gatornationals with all the great aforementioned people behind me is an honor,” said young Alexander. “We will be back in a month or a little more and will be looking to get our first victory. The Smiths and I are going to keep our heads down and keep working and let everything else take care of itself.”
