Classic Auto Mall - #232 - Stewart Howden with Guest Alexis DeJoria
About this episode
Alexis DeJoria shares her journey from growing up in Southern California car culture to becoming a top NHRA Funny Car driver. She discusses the thrill of drag racing, the unique pit access for fans, and her disciplined rise through the ranks, including her breakout 2014 season winning the prestigious US Nationals. Alexis also reflects on the sensory experience of racing nitro Funny Cars, mentorship from legends like John Force and Dale Worsham, and the camaraderie within the drag racing community. The conversation touches on the evolution of racing culture and personal anecdotes about quitting smoking and racing influences.
CAM Show #232 02-25-26 Stewart welcomes Alexis DeJoria, Nitro Fuel, Funny Car Driver talking about her @NHRA racing career, early years, her first car ( @GMC#Typhoon) and her new venture @BanderoTequilas plus her well-known father #JohnDeJoria of #PaulMitchell and @PatronTequila . Also, Stewart and Steve discuss new arrivals, casino comps and our new #Ai jingle. @JohnForce_FC @ChevyRacing @DelWorsham @MapleGrove1320 @SkipBarberRS @ItsBristolBaby @PatronTequila #KalittaRacing #ClintEastwood #Elvira #WallyParks #GatorNationals #WinterNationals #Chevelle #JonathanKendall
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Recorded in our Showcase Studio just inside the entrance of the Classic Auto Mall in Morgantown, PA, Host Stewart Howden, Classic Auto Mall President and Classic Car Specialist Steve Saffier talk about this unique and amazing place often with amazing guests.
YES...Classic Auto Mall is a REAL former shopping mall that covers almost EIGHT football fields with an average of nearly ONE THOUSAND classic vehicles under one, climate controlled roof and they're all FOR SALE!
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drag racing
"And drag racing and NHRA and all of that is just the most wonderful sport. A lot of people don't know about it."
Drag racing is a kind of car race where two cars race side by side in a straight line to see who is faster.
Drag racing is a type of motorsport where two cars compete to be the fastest over a short, straight distance, typically a quarter-mile or an eighth-mile.
NHRA
"And drag racing and NHRA and all of that is just the most wonderful sport. A lot of people don't know about it."
NHRA is an organization that runs drag racing events, which are races where cars go very fast in a straight line over a short distance.
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) is the largest governing body for drag racing in the United States, organizing events and setting rules for the sport.
general admission ticket
"a general admission ticket gets you into the pits. And a lot of other racing is doing that now."
A general admission ticket is a basic ticket that lets you into the event, sometimes even to special areas where the race teams work on their cars.
A general admission ticket grants access to the event area but usually does not include reserved seating. In some motorsports events like drag racing, it can also provide access to the pits where teams work on their cars.
funny car
""And you saw your first, I guess, funny car race at Pomona when you were 16, right? Well, the first race in person.""
Funny cars are special drag racing cars that look like regular cars but are built to go very fast in a straight line. They have light bodies and very strong engines.
Funny cars are a class of drag racing vehicles characterized by their altered wheelbases and lightweight, aerodynamic fiberglass or carbon fiber bodies that resemble production cars. They are known for their extreme speed and loud, powerful engines.
horsepower
"the cars going down the track at over 12,000 horsepower over 300 miles an hour."
Horsepower tells you how strong a car's engine is. More horsepower means the car can go faster or accelerate quicker.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for engine power, indicating how much work an engine can perform. It helps quantify the performance capability of a car or race vehicle.
race track
"the cars going down the track at over 12,000 horsepower over 300 miles an hour. ... when I went to my first race in Pomona, that was it."
A race track is a special road where cars race against each other to see who is fastest.
A race track is a specially designed circuit where cars compete in speed and skill. Tracks vary in length and layout, influencing racing styles and vehicle setup.
Chevrolet Chevelle
"...vy's, old school Chevy's. I still have one of 67 Chevelle SS that I've had since I was 17. So my buddies a..."
street racing
"But you know, I mean, it's a generation that grew up street racing."
Street racing is when people race their cars on normal streets where other cars drive, which can be very unsafe and is usually against the law.
Street racing refers to illegal car races conducted on public roads, often without safety measures. It is dangerous and can lead to accidents or legal consequences.
Skip Barber School
"And you, you tried to give road racing a chance, I guess you did attend the skip barber school at Willow Grove or Willow."
Skip Barber School is a place where people learn how to drive race cars on real tracks safely and improve their racing skills.
Skip Barber Racing School is a well-known driving school that offers instruction in road racing techniques and car control, often held at various race tracks across the US.
Willow Springs
"I did Willow Springs in California. I raced."
Willow Springs is a race track in California where people go to practice driving fast cars and race.
Willow Springs International Raceway is a famous race track in California known for its challenging layout and use in driver training and racing events.
nitro funny car
"When you're, when you're racing a nitro funny car, do you smell the fumes as well too? Or is that so they're in the nitro car?"
A nitro funny car is a special race car that goes very fast in a straight line using a special fuel called nitromethane. It's built just for drag racing and looks different from normal cars.
A nitro funny car is a type of drag racing vehicle that runs on nitromethane fuel, known for extremely high speeds and rapid acceleration. These cars have a distinctive body style and are built specifically for straight-line drag racing.
fresh air tank
"I mean, obviously I have a fresh air, you know, tank set up to my helmet, but sometimes the fumes will get in there, especially if you blow up or detonate cause the motor's right in front of you too."
A fresh air tank is like a small air supply that gives the driver clean air to breathe, so they don't breathe in bad smoke or fumes while racing.
A fresh air tank is a component of a breathing apparatus that supplies clean air to the driver, especially in environments with harmful fumes. In racing helmets, it helps protect drivers from inhaling toxic gases during combustion or accidents.
alcohol funny car
"And I was still racing alcohol funny car, but I wanted to, while I was testing, I wanted to win a national event and alcohol funny car before I made the jump."
An alcohol funny car is a special race car that uses a type of fuel called alcohol to go very fast in straight-line races.
An alcohol funny car is a type of drag racing vehicle powered by methanol (alcohol) fuel, designed for very high speeds and quick acceleration in short-distance drag races.
Dale Worsham
""So, and it's, it's, is it true that John Force and Dale Worsham signed your drag racing license?""
Dale Worsham is a race car driver who competes in drag racing, which is a type of car race where drivers go very fast in a straight line.
Dale Worsham is a professional drag racer who competed in NHRA Funny Car events. He is known for his competitive career and contributions to the sport.
John Force
""So, and it's, it's, is it true that John Force and Dale Worsham signed your drag racing license?""
John Force is a famous race car driver who races really fast cars in drag races. He's won many big races and is well known in the sport.
John Force is a legendary drag racer known for his success in NHRA Funny Car competitions. He has won multiple championships and is a prominent figure in drag racing history.
sub four second runs
"It was to see the progression of the, of the class to go from running four second runs to sub four second runs."
It means the car can finish a short race or speed test in less than four seconds, which is very fast.
This term refers to completing a specific racing segment or drag strip run in under four seconds, indicating extremely fast acceleration and performance.
nitromethane
""I mean, that's nitromethane for you. It's volatile fuel. It's what they make bombs out of. So it is, it's like a ticking time bomb in your lap.""
Nitromethane is a special kind of fuel that can make race cars go really fast, but it's also very dangerous and can explode if not handled carefully.
Nitromethane is a highly volatile fuel commonly used in drag racing and other motorsports for its ability to produce extreme power output. It is chemically unstable and requires careful handling due to its explosive properties.
burnouts
"the psychology of tripping the lights and all that, uh, the burnouts. I mean, that's one of the coolest thing in motorsports is the burnout."
Burnouts are when a driver spins the back tires while the car stays still or moves slowly. This makes the tires hot and sticky so the car can grip the road better when the race starts.
Burnouts are a technique in drag racing where the driver spins the rear tires while the car remains stationary or moves slowly. This heats the tires to increase their grip on the track, improving traction for the race start.
engine rebuild
""And, and the other thing that, that makes drag racing so cool is the ability to rebuild an engine in minutes, not hours or days or weeks. I mean, those guys can tear down an engine. It's, it's fun to watch those guys in the pits.","
An engine rebuild means taking apart the car's engine to fix or replace parts so it works like new again. In drag racing, they can do this really fast.
An engine rebuild involves disassembling an engine to clean, repair, or replace worn parts to restore it to good working condition. In drag racing, this process can be done very quickly due to specialized teams and preparation.
Chevrolet Chevelle SS
""Well, I have the 67 Chevelle SS. Right. Um, I am a Chevy, Chevy driver now.""
The Chevrolet Chevelle SS is an old American car that was built to be very fast and strong. The 1967 version is famous for looking cool and having a big engine that makes it go fast.
The Chevrolet Chevelle SS is a classic American muscle car from the 1960s, known for its powerful V8 engines and aggressive styling. The 1967 model is especially popular among collectors and enthusiasts for its performance and iconic design.
GMC Typhoon
"My very first car was a GMC Typhoon. I can't believe, how in the hell did you talk your dad into a GMC Typhoon?"
The GMC Typhoon is a fast and powerful SUV from the 1990s. It had a special engine that made it quicker than most SUVs back then.
The GMC Typhoon is a high-performance SUV produced in the early 1990s, known for its turbocharged V6 engine and all-wheel drive system, making it a unique and powerful vehicle for its time.
Chevrolet Bel Air
"..., uh, yeah, so now he's got, he got his 57 Chevy Bel Air that he's always wanted since he was a, in high ..."
Chrysler Concorde
"Yes, you do. How about the 1980 AMC Concorde, DL, two-door sedan? Wow."
Ford Mustang
"The 1972 Ford Mustang Mach one. It is always very cool."
The 1972 Ford Mustang Mach 1 is a special version of the Mustang car that was made to be fast and look cool. People like it because it has a strong engine and unique design.
The 1972 Ford Mustang Mach 1 is a classic muscle car known for its powerful engines and distinctive styling. It is a high-performance variant of the Mustang, popular among collectors and enthusiasts.
351 cubic inch Cleveland
"Correct 351 cubic inch Cleveland with a two-barrel, FMX three-speed automatic, and a 350 equiloc Ford 9-inch rear."
The 351 Cleveland is a type of big engine made by Ford that gives the car a lot of power. It was used in muscle cars a long time ago to make them go fast.
The 351 cubic inch Cleveland is a V8 engine produced by Ford, known for its performance and use in muscle cars during the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is distinct from the Windsor 351 engine and valued for its power output.
FMX three-speed automatic
"Correct 351 cubic inch Cleveland with a two-barrel, FMX three-speed automatic, and a 350 equiloc Ford 9-inch rear."
The FMX three-speed automatic is a type of transmission made by Ford that changes gears automatically. It was used in many cars a long time ago and is known to be strong.
The FMX is a Ford-built three-speed automatic transmission used in many vehicles during the 1960s and 1970s. It is known for its durability and was commonly paired with V8 engines like the 351 Cleveland.
Ford 9-inch rear
"FMX three-speed automatic, and a 350 equiloc Ford 9-inch rear. It's a former drag racing car. Well, that's probably why it's got that equiloc."
The Ford 9-inch rear is a strong part at the back of the car that helps turn the wheels. It is famous because it can handle a lot of power and is used in racing cars.
The Ford 9-inch rear axle is a highly regarded solid rear axle known for its strength and durability. It is popular in drag racing and muscle cars due to its ability to handle high horsepower and torque.
Cadillac El Dorado
"everybody was still worried about fuel economy. Not to Cadillac, El Dorado, because of the boat, but most everybody was still concerned"
Cadillac El
"everybody was still worried about fuel economy. Not to Cadillac, El Dorado, because of the boat, but most everybody was still concerned"
Ford Thunderbird
"...t but not, this thing is unbelievable. 1957 Ford Thunderbird convertible. Okay, it's a baby bird."
AC
"It's got AC."
AC means air conditioning, which cools the inside of the car so you stay comfortable when it's hot outside.
AC stands for air conditioning, a system that cools and dehumidifies the air inside the car for comfort during hot weather.
Ford Bronco
"... buy the best. Next on the list is the 1968 Ford Bronco Rangoon Red Oversaddle."
351 Windsor
"EFI Electronic Fuel Injected 351 cubic inch Windsor."
The 351 Windsor is a type of engine made by Ford that has eight cylinders and is known for being strong and reliable.
The 351 Windsor is a Ford V8 engine with a displacement of 351 cubic inches, known for its durability and use in various Ford vehicles including trucks and muscle cars.
EFI
"EFI Electronic Fuel Injected 351 cubic inch Windsor."
EFI means the engine uses computers to help put fuel into the engine, making it run better and use less gas than older systems.
EFI stands for Electronic Fuel Injection, a system that electronically controls the fuel delivery to the engine for better efficiency and performance compared to carburetors.
Aston Martin
"He wrote a great book on Aston Martin. Came out, a two-volume set."
Aston Martin is a car company from Britain that makes fancy and fast cars. They are well known because their cars appear in James Bond movies.
Aston Martin is a British luxury sports car manufacturer known for its elegant design and association with James Bond films. The brand is famous for producing high-performance grand tourers with a blend of luxury and sportiness.
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