Blake Alexander Set for Indy Return
BROWNSBURG, IN – NHRA Funny Car driver Blake Alexander is getting ready for his return to the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag 
Racing Series tour this weekend. Racing at the 60th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Aug. 27-Sept. 1, Alexander will be back behind the wheel of Paul Smith’s Monroe Shocks and Struts Funny Car.
“The Big Go” will be Blake’s first event since racing to the semifinals at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte this April. A change in the marketing plans of some of his partners late in the offseason presented a challenge for the youngest driver in the Funny Car category that he continues to meet with resolve and enthusiasm.
“While I haven’t been racing nearly as much as I would like this year, I’ve stayed plenty busy,” said Alexander, 25. “I’ve been working hard on securing sponsors for the balance of next year and beyond. I’ve been working day in and day out while also learning deeper intricacies of the marketing side of racing.”
Such a short season has been a learning experience for Alexander, who experienced success at multiple races in 2013. He streaked to a runner-up finish at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, the semifinals at the Ford Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol, and upset Matt Hagan in the first round at the inaugural Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals in Epping. Alexander finished with 455 points in NHRA Mello Yello Series at the end of the year, the second-highest of any part-time competitor in Top Fuel or Funny Car behind only Chad Head.
Alexander will take a break from the boardroom this weekend and strap into his nitro-burning Funny Car to compete at the most prestigious event in drag racing.
“We are working on a myriad of different opportunities for 2015, but this event was too big for our partners, Paul, and myself to pass up,” said Alexander. “The U.S. Nationals draws in fans and racers from across the country and around the world. It’s a great opportunity to expose my sponsors – Valvoline, Monroe Shocks and Struts, Gates, Wix Filters, Dynomax, Sparco, and Tech Smart Parts – to diehard fans of the sport.”
Funny Car competition at the 60th Annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals begins with qualifying sessions at 7 PM on Friday, 4:45 and 7:50 PM Saturday, and 12:45 and 3:30 PM on Sunday. Eliminations start at 11 AM on Monday. ESPN2 will air coverage of qualifying on Sunday, August 31st, from 11 AM-3 PM and 5 PM-7 PM, and eliminations on Monday, Sept. 1, at noon.
