NHRA Midwest Nationals
Event 19 of 22
Countdown Event 3 of 6
World Wide Technology Raceway
Madison, Ill.
Sept. 30 – Oct. 2, 2022
Early Exit for No. 6-Ranked Alexis DeJoria at World Wide Technology Raceway
Qualified: No. 7 (3.914 E.T. at 332.67 MPH)
Elimination Round Results:
E1: 3.928 E.T. at 328.62 MPH defeated by J.R. Todd 3.928 E.T. at 318.24 MPH
MADISON, Ill. (Oct. 2, 2022) – Following last weekend’s runner-up finish at the NHRA Carolina Nationals near Charlotte, Top 10-ranked Funny Car competitor Alexis DeJoria was looking to carry that momentum into another long Sunday of going rounds at the NHRA Midwest Nationals, the third of six Countdown to the Championship playoff events.Qualified: No. 7 (3.914 E.T. at 332.67 MPH)
Elimination Round Results:
E1: 3.928 E.T. at 328.62 MPH defeated by J.R. Todd 3.928 E.T. at 318.24 MPH
The Bandero Premium Tequila team struggled to get their footing through the first two rounds of qualifying at World Wide Technology Raceway, but in the final session, DeJoria stepped up big time when she powered her Toyota GR Supra Funny Car to a 3.914 E.T. and launched from 15th up to the No. 7 qualifying position. DeJoria drew her fellow Toyota Gazoo Racing teammate, J.R. Todd, as her first opponent in what NHRA had selected to be their Funny Car ‘marquee match-up.’ DeJoria carried a 3-0 record in 2022 against Todd, including her most recent round-win versus her opponent when she defeated him in the opening session at last week’s Charlotte event. Aboard their GR Supras, the two drivers clocked identical 3.928 E.T.s but Todd’s slight starting line advantage helped propel him to the win against DeJoria for the first time this year, ending her day after the first round.
“Coming off of a strong showing in Charlotte, we had high hopes for this weekend in St. Louis, but unfortunately, we lost first round,” said DeJoria, a six-time Funny Car event champion. “We’ve got a great car, a strong team, and it’s not over yet. On the bright side, we’re still leaving here in the No. 6 spot in points going into Dallas.”
Despite the early exit, DeJoria was able to maintain her sixth-place ranking when Todd, Tim Wilkerson, and Cruz Pedregon were all eliminated in the quarterfinals. DeJoria and the DC Motorsports. team compete next at the Texas NHRA FallNationals, Oct. 14-16.
NHRA Camping World Series Funny Car Point Standings (unofficial):
| 1 | Robert Hight | 2404 | |
| 2 | Ron Capps | 2358 | |
| 3 | Matt Hagan | 2301 | |
| 4 | John Force | 2290 | |
| 5 | Bob Tasca III | 2234 | |
| 6 | Alexis DeJoria | 2187 | |
| 7 | J.R. Todd | 2185 | |
| 8 | Tim Wilkerson | 2175 | |
| 9 | Cruz Pedregon | 2159 | |
| 10 | Jim Campbell | 2085 | |
| 11 | Blake Alexander | 2064 |
About Alexis DeJoria
Alexis DeJoria is a professional race car driver competing in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series’ Funny Car category. She is a Top 10-ranked driver, and including her prestigious 2014 U.S. Nationals triumph, DeJoria is a six-time NHRA national event Funny Car champion. Prior, DeJoria found success competing in the NHRA’s Super Comp and Top Alcohol Funny Car categories where she notched wins in both, making her an eight-time race winner overall.DeJoria joined DC Motorsports in 2020 as co-owner and driver of the Bandero Premium Tequila/ROKiT Toyota Funny Car. The Austin, Texas resident became the first woman to clock a sub-four second Funny Car pass in 2014, and is currently in pursuit of becoming the series’ first female Funny Car world champion.
