Paul Smith, left, and Blake Alexander

Uni-Select’s Auto Service Plus and Select Auto Xpert brands have announced today the sponsorship of Funny Car driver Blake Alexander and Paul Smith Racing at nine 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events beginning at this weekend’s Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals, March 8-11 at Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville.

Alexander, a 23-year-old driver from Smith Mountain Lake, Va., will contest NHRA races in Gainesville, Charlotte (both), Atlanta, Englishtown, Bristol, Norwalk, Indianapolis, and Reading.

“We are pleased to have Blake Alexander and Paul Smith Racing carrying the Auto Service Plus and Select Auto Xpert colors this year in the NHRA Full Throttle national drag racing series,” said Brent Windom, Uni-Select’s vice president North American Marketing and Product Management. “Blake is a young, talented driver, and the NHRA competition is outstanding. We look forward to seeing the Auto Service Plus/Select Auto Expert Funny Car on the track this year.”

Auto Service Plus is a North American leader in automotive repairs and supplies the customer with its quality repair guarantee, comfortable waiting areas, and believable estimates. Select Auto Xpert pledges to provide an experienced and knowledgeable staff, quality brand-name parts, and the tools and equipment for proper repair and installation.

“I want to thank everyone at Auto Service Plus and Select Auto Xpert for this opportunity to chase a dream as a professional Funny Car driver on the prestigious NHRA Full Throttle series,” said Alexander, a college student when he isn’t behind the wheel of his 7,000-horsepower race car. “With the support of Auto Service Plus and Select Auto Xpert, we will be competing in nine national events this year with the outstanding team of Paul Smith Racing. I am so thankful to be in this position to race against the world’s best drag racing drivers. I can’t wait to get started at Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville.”