ENNIS, Texas – The 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season has not gone as planned for Alexis DeJoria. But while her first world championship may not happen this season, DeJoria still has big hopes to finish out her year.

DeJoria fractured her pelvis during a crash at Sonoma Raceway in late July, forcing her to miss a pair of races. She narrowly made the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship but has struggled as of late, falling in the first round at the past three races. It’s kept her 10th in points but the chance for a big finish is still there in her 10,000-horsepower Tequila Patron Toyota Camry, starting at the 31st annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex., Oct. 13-16.

“We triumph in the face of adversity,” DeJoria said. “Certain things can make or break a team. We’re a strong team and we’ve proven that time and time again. Obviously the door is pretty much closed for the championship but we definitely can move up spots and races. There are still four races left to win.”

Richie Crampton (Top Fuel), Del Worsham (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were winners of last year’s event that will air on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) for the first time.  On Oct. 16th, FS1 will televise three hours of live finals coverage starting at 2 p.m. (ET).

It marks the fourth of six races in the Countdown to the Championship, which DeJoria has advanced to for the third straight season. This one hasn’t gone to plan thus far with opening-round losses in Charlotte and St. Louis, but there is still time to finish the year with more than one memorable moment. One of those for the Austin, Texas resident includes doing well at the Texas Motorplex.

“Dallas is my one of new home tracks so it would be incredible for us to win there,” said DeJoria, who has four career Funny Car victories. “I’ve been racing in Dallas since my Super Comp days so I have a lot of experience at that particular track, considering my somewhat young career compared to most out there. It would obviously be great to get another win before the closing of the season.”

While dealing with the adversity of overcoming the injury, DeJoria also managed to show strong improvements in the star-studded Funny Car class. She credits a team, led by crew chief Tommy DeLago, that has continued to take steps in the right direction. To win in Dallas, she’ll have to get past the likes of teammate and defending event winner Worsham and points leader Ron Capps, who has five wins this season.

“We continue to improve every year, especially with all of the changes that have been made to the car,” DeJoria said. “Several new things have been implemented to help our performance. It’s somewhat of a learning curve with the new headers, but I think we’ve done pretty well. We’re headstrong. It speaks volumes that we missed two races but we were still able to make it in to the top 10 and the Countdown to the Championship.”

Racing in October also gives DeJoria a chance to continue her “Free Mammograms for the Fan”’ campaign, which offers fans the opportunity to receive a free mammogram and will take place for the second time at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals.

“Our team will continue to provide free mammograms as long as we are out on the race track,” DeJoria said. “The outpouring of support for this program has been amazing.”

In Top Fuel, Crampton will try for back-to-back Dallas wins, but must hold off the likes of points leader Antron Brown, who won the Countdown opener, Doug Kalitta, eight-time world champ Tony Schumacher and St. Louis winner Shawn Langdon.

Dominating the new era of Pro Stock is points Jason Line and Greg Anderson. Line has eight wins, including the Countdown opener, and Anderson has seven victories.

Pro Stock Motorcycle points leader Andrew Hines is after his third straight world title and has five wins in 2016, but Angelle Sampey has closed the gap to just two points.

The AAA Texas NHRA Nationals will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:15 and 7:15 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 12:45 and 3:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 800-668-6775. Tickets also are available online at www.texasmotorplex.com. ; Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. For more info, visit www.NHRA.com. .

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AAA TEXAS NHRA FALLNATIONALS

WHAT: 31st annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, the 22nd of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the fourth of six races in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Drivers in four categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – earn points leading to 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE:               Texas Motorplex, Ennis, Texas. The track is located at 7500 W. Highway 287.

COURSE:              Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 500 feet above sea level; Track direction is southwest to northeast.

WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 13-16

SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY, Oct. 13 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

FRIDAY, Oct. 14 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 4:15 and 7:15 p.m.

SATURDAY, Oct. 15 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 12:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.

SUNDAY, Oct. 16 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:
Friday Oct. 14, FS1 will televise one hour of live qualifying coverage at 7:30 p.m. (ET).

Saturday Oct. 15, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at 8 p.m. (ET).

Sunday, Oct. 16, FS1 will televise three hours of live finals coverage starting at 2 p.m. (ET).

2015 EVENT WINNERS: 

Richie Crampton, Top Fuel; Del Worsham, Funny Car; Erica Enders, Pro Stock; Jerry Savoie, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

MOST VICTORIES:

John Force, FC, 7; Tony Schumacher, TF, 6; Warren Johnson, PS, 5; Cruz Pedregon, FC, 4; Greg Anderson, PS, 4.

TRACK RECORDS:

Top Fuel – 3.705 sec. by Richie Crampton, Oct. ’15; 329.18 mph by Dave Connolly, Oct. ’15

Funny Car – 3.909 sec. and 326.32 mph by Jack Beckman, Oct. ’15

Pro Stock – 6.457 sec. and 214.59 mph by Greg Anderson, Oct. ’15

Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.744 sec. and 198.99 mph by Jerry Savoie, Oct. ’15

NATIONAL RECORDS:

Top Fuel – 3.671 sec. by Steve Torrence, July ’16, Sonoma, Calif.; 332.75 mph by Spencer Massey, Aug. ’15, Brainerd, Minn.

Funny Car – 3.822 by Matt Hagan, Aug. ’16, Brainerd, Minn.; 335.57 mph by Hagan, May ’16, Topeka, Kan.

Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.;  215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May ‘14, Englishtown N.J.

PS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. ’12, Reading, Pa.; 199.88 mph by Hector Arana Jr., March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.

TICKETS:

For tickets call (800) 668-6775. Tickets are also available at www.texasmotorplex.com.   ;

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GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the fifth annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park, the 20th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –

Top Fuel

1. Antron Brown, 2,258; 2.  Doug Kalitta, 2,245; 3.  Tony Schumacher, 2,204; 4.  Shawn Langdon, 2,181; 5.  Brittany Force, 2,167; 6.  Steve Torrence, 2,161; 7.  J.R. Todd, 2,152; 8.  Richie Crampton, 2,127; 9.  Leah Pritchett, 2,107; 10.  Clay Millican, 2,084.

Funny Car

1. Ron Capps, 2,273; 2.  Tommy Johnson Jr., 2,225; 3.  Jack Beckman, 2,203; 4.  John Force, 2,199; 5.  Del Worsham, 2,189; 6.  Matt Hagan, 2,177; 7.  Robert Hight, 2,159; 8.  Courtney Force, 2,149; 9.  Tim Wilkerson, 2,144; 10.  Alexis DeJoria, 2,068.

Pro Stock

1. Jason Line, 2,310; 2.  Greg Anderson, 2,247; 3.  Bo Butner, 2,223; 4.  Vincent Nobile, 2,185; 5.  Shane Gray, 2,167; 6.  Chris McGaha, 2,135; 7.  Allen Johnson, 2,127; 8.  Drew Skillman, 2,126; 9.  Jeg Coughlin, 2,084; 10.  Erica Enders, 2,052.

Pro Stock Motorcycle

1. Andrew Hines, 2,260; 2.  Angelle Sampey, 2,258; 3.  Chip Ellis, 2,243; 4.  Jerry Savoie, 2,218; 5.  Eddie Krawiec, 2,184; 6.  LE Tonglet, 2,138; 7.  Hector Arana Jr, 2,115; 8.  Hector Arana, 2,107; 9.  Cory Reed, 2,105; 10.  Matt Smith, 2,096.

Story and photos courtesy of the NHRA