Topeka Pre-Race Report
Menards NHRA Nationals
Presented by PetArmor
Event 14 of 22
Heartland Motorsports Park
Topeka, Kan.
Aug. 12-14, 2022
ALEXIS DEJORIA: Driver of the Bandero Premium Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car
2021 Topeka Recap:
Qualified second; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Chris King in E1; defeated by Cruz Pedregon in E2)
Last Event (Seattle):
Qualified second; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Jim Campbell in E1; defeated by Robert Hight in E2)
Career Statistics:
185 races; six wins; six No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:2021 Topeka Recap:
Qualified second; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Chris King in E1; defeated by Cruz Pedregon in E2)
Last Event (Seattle):
Qualified second; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Jim Campbell in E1; defeated by Robert Hight in E2)
Career Statistics:
185 races; six wins; six No. 1 qualifiers
During the ‘off weekend’ between the NHRA Seattle and Topeka events, Alexis DeJoria and the DC Motorsports team traveled to Norwalk, Ohio to compete in the annual Night Under Fire match race where DeJoria defeated John Force to win the event. It was DeJoria’s first Norwalk victory.
DeJoria is on track to clinch one of the eight coveted Pep Boys Funny Car Call-Out slots, and is expected to make it official this weekend in Topeka
Quotable:
“We just came off of a win at the Night Under Fire match race in Norwalk, Ohio, and we’re feeling good. Over these last several weeks, our performance has really turned a corner. Our Toyota GR Supra is running really well, and we’ve found a good clutch setup. I believe Sonoma was our turning point. We made some really good, consistent runs there and then had a strong outing in Seattle, and of course, had success at the Night Under Fire event last weekend.
“The Friday night session at Topeka is typically one which you can expect some record-setting runs, but looking at the forecast, it’s going to be hot, so while we may not see any big numbers, I feel confident knowing Del (Worsham) and Nicky (Boninfante) have a good handle on our hot weather tune-up. This is really a crucial time in our season where we need to focus on the points and making sure we’re doing everything we can to secure a high Countdown spot. These next few races are imperative to performing well and gathering as many points as we can. We’re pushing our Bandero GR Supra really hard right now. We’ve got a great set up, and we’re going to keep chipping away at it.”
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.
