Alexis DeJoria Returns to U.S. Nationals with Sights Set on Second Win (1 Viewer)

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN (September 2, 2021) --- In 2014 Alexis DeJoria captured the biggest win of her young career winning the 60th annual U.S. Nationals. This year DeJoria will bring even more experience and another strong team led by crew chief Del Worsham to Indianapolis looking to become a multiple time winner of the biggest race of the season. The Bandero Premium Tequila/ROKiT Toyota Camry Funny Car has been one of the quickest race cars all season and DeJoria knows it is just a matter of time before all the pieces fall into place on race day.
“We have been running really well all season in qualifying and we just need to string together four solid runs on race day,” said DeJoria, a five-time Funny Car national event winner. “Indy is the biggest stage for our sport. There will be a big field of Funny Cars and I am pumped to get to the track and see what this Bandero Tequila/ROKiT Toyota team can do.”
This season DeJoria has qualified in the top three at seven events and she has used that qualifying advantage to race to a final round at the Mile-High Nationals and multiple semifinal finishes, most recently at the Sonoma Nationals. Over the past six races, leading up to the all-important U.S. Nationals and start of the NHRA Countdown, DeJoria has advanced to the quarterfinals five times.

Alexis DeJoria, Bandero Premium Tequila ROKiT Toyota Camry Funny Car, photo credit TFPR​

“We are going rounds on Sunday and we really just need to have everything come together at the same time,” said DeJoria. “The team is giving me a strong Toyota Funny Car. This class is tough and unforgiving. Most of the time one small mistake on race day is all it takes to cost you a win light.”
With her spot in the 2021 NHRA Countdown secured DeJoria will be able to focus 100 percent of her energy on winning the U.S. Nationals for the second time. Sitting in the No. 7 spot in the Funny Car point standings with the opportunity to move up to sixth is another opportunity she does not want to pass up with the seven-race playoffs starting the week after the Indianapolis race.
“Our focus is on winning Indy and if we can move up a spot in the points that would be great,” said DeJoria. “I would love to try and get that winning feeling back this year and go into the Countdown with momentum.”
Qualifying will begin on Friday, September 3, with an evening qualifying session. Two sessions will follow on Saturday with final eliminations beginning Sunday morning at 10 a.m. local time. The race will be broadcast on FS1 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET and then the broadcast will switch to Fox from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET.