Four-time NHRA national event winner Blake Alexander will return this weekend to the site of his first Funny Car competition, piloting the CGM Pronto Auto Services Dodge at the NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.
Alexander, who made his class debut at Reading in 2011, enters the event with momentum after reaching the semifinals at the U.S. Nationals two weeks ago in Indianapolis. That run marked his best finish of the season since rookie Hunter Green filled in for him for a limited number of races.
The Charlotte-based driver scored upset wins over teammate Chad Green in the opening round and former world champion Ron Capps in the quarterfinals at Indianapolis. He advanced to the semifinals before falling to event winner Austin Prock.
“We have been working to improve the race car with recent testing,” Alexander said. “We had a few issues in qualifying but the car ran well in eliminations at Indy. It was cool to work through all the issues with the team. And we didn’t change our program. We just ran into a buzzsaw in the semifinals with (Austin) Prock (U.S. Nationals winner).”
Alexander said his team’s performance on the starting line was another positive. “Anytime you put your helmet on, you don’t really think about who you are racing,” he said. “I had to race my teammate in the first round and then a former World Champion in the second round. I was happy we could run well at Indy. Our (starting) leaves were good at Indy and I think I can be in the top three or four most of the time off the starting line. I need to continue that trend this weekend at Reading.”
Returning to Maple Grove brings added significance for Alexander, who said the track holds a special place in his career. “That place is special since I started my Funny Car career there,” he said. “We are ready for the Reading race. That track is fast, and we have a great group of Pronto members coming too.”
