Two-time Top Fuel winner Blake Alexander will return to the nitro category he began his career in. Alexander purchased Brian Stewart’s Funny Car operation and, in a partnership with flopper veteran Tim Wilkerson, will attend 12 races in 2019 as a team owner and driver. Wilkerson’s son Daniel will become Alexander’s crew chief beginning at the Magic Dry Organic Absorbent NHRA Arizona Nationals.

“I am thankful to be in this position and have so many people that have helped me along the way,” Alexander said. “This has been a lifelong dream and taking this huge step will be stabilized with Daniel and Tim’s expertise. We will hit the ground running at Phoenix and are excited to continue building on the success of the Pronto Nitro Club promotion. The Funny Car class is stacked with talent, and I am excited to get back into the fold.”

Alexander competed with Bob Vandergriff Racing in 2018 in the Top Fuel category, reaching three final rounds and winning twice. He began his career in Funny Car and reached his first final round at the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte. Alexander started his Top Fuel career in 2017 with Del Worsham, earning his first round-win that season with Pronto Auto Services on the side of his car. That partnership will continue in 2019.

"We are excited to continue our partnership with Blake Alexander Racing and our vendor partners who have supported us to provide the Nitro Club promotion to Pronto members and their customers nationwide. The 2018 season was a great one, and we have been working hard to continue providing a valuable program for Pronto membership in 2019,” said Robert Roos, vice president of sales and marketing at National Pronto Association.

Daniel Wilkerson previously worked as the crew chief on Stewart’s car, making him the obvious choice to turn the knobs on the Funny Car. He also has driving experience; he drove a secondary car out of his dad’s paddock in 2017 at the NHRA FallNationals in Dallas.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to race with Blake and our strong crew in 2019,” Dan Wilkerson said. “Many friends that are former crew guys from my dad’s team will be assisting us at our 12 events. Pronto and their local members give us everything it takes to be competitive in the loaded Funny Car field, and I’m looking forward to getting started in Phoenix.”

The first opportunity to see Alexander and the rest of the team on track will be in Phoenix at the 35th annual Magic Dry Organic Absorbent NHRA Arizona Nationals, Feb. 22-24. [Tickets]