Alexander Striving for 4.0s at NHRA Summernationals
ENGLISHTOWN, NJ – After back-to-back first round exits at Houston and Atlanta, Funny Car driver Blake Alexander is ready to get 
back to turning on win lights at this weekend’s NHRA Toyota Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. Alexander, who drove the Auto Service Plus powered by Auto-Plus Funny Car to a runner-up finish at Charlotte earlier this spring, is also looking to break into the 4.0-second range this weekend.
“If the conditions allow it, we’d like to run in the 4.0s. Especially on the Friday night qualifying run where the top twelve times carry over into Saturday. The weather forecast is calling for high temps in the nineties during the day so that Friday night run will be crucial,” claimed Alexander, whose career-best E.T. is 4.116, set at this event last season.
Blake lost to a better-qualified car first round at the last two races. Earning a top half qualifying position and the lane choice that goes along with it will greatly improve his chances for going deep into eliminations, according to the young 24 year old driver.
“We need to do better in qualifying so we don’t end up racing the big hitters first round. If we can qualify well I think we can get on a roll like we did in Charlotte.”
The game plan for the weekend includes earning a top twelve spot on the qualifying order during Friday’s night qualifying session. The evening session at Englishtown is known to be one of the quickest on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour, as the current Funny Car E.T. record was set here last year. Taking advantage of the typically ideal conditions will be critical.
“I’m looking forward to the Friday night run. We want to run a good number to put the Auto Service Plus Charger solidly in the field. We’ll use Saturday to start working on our race day set-up. Saturday’s conditions should be similar to the conditions we’ll see during Sunday eliminations,” Blake said, who drives for veteran owner/crew chief Paul Smith.
Auto Service Plus is a North American leader in automotive repairs and supplies the customer with its quality repair guarantee, comfortable waiting areas, and believable estimates. Select Auto Xpert pledges to provide an experienced and knowledgeable staff, quality brand-name parts, and the tools and equipment for proper repair and installation.
Blake Alexander Racing is a company that was started and maintained by nitro funny car driver Blake Alexander while in college. Blake worked his way up from Jr. Dragsters through the competitive sportsman ranks, now achieving his goal of driving a professional Nitro Funny Car. Through his efforts on and off the track, Blake secures corporate sponsorships and works actively with each supporter to activate and stimulate their respective brands from market to market. Blake Alexander drives for iconic master tuner Paul Smith, who owns and operates Paul Smith Racing out of Boynton Beach, Florida.
Companies that support Blake Alexander Racing include: Auto Service Plus, Gates Rubber Company, Exide Batteries, Tenneco Automotive, Valvoline, Standard Motor Products, Pro Jack Race Car Stands, SPY Optics, and Wix Filters.
