Alexis DeJoria Targets Victory at NHRA Route 66 Nationals

Alexis DeJoria, pilot of the Bandero Café Toyota Funny Car, heads into the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance with her sights set on the winner’s circle. The event takes place at Route 66 Raceway from May 16 to 18.

DeJoria comes off a strong semifinal showing just weeks ago in Charlotte, which helped her secure an entry in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge happening Saturday at Joliet.

Last year, DeJoria made headlines at Route 66 Raceway when she started her 200th professional Funny Car race, the first woman in NHRA history to reach that mark. She first set the bar in 2016 by becoming the first female Funny Car driver to reach 100 career events. For more on the history of women in motorsports, check out this NHRA milestone archive.

Now at 240 events and counting, DeJoria has earned six career victories and scored the No. 1 qualifier spot six times.

During the 2024 season, DeJoria has continued to perform at a high level. She qualified in the fifth position at Route 66 earlier this year and reached the quarterfinals, adding to her momentum heading into this weekend’s showdown.

Her semifinal run in Charlotte gave her team a boost and reinforced their confidence as they gear up for another big campaign in Joliet. For insights into the technical aspects of Funny Car racing, visit the SAE International motorsports resources.

The Route 66 Nationals event includes multiple opportunities for fans to connect with their favorite drivers. On Friday, May 16, DeJoria will sign autographs at the Bandero Premium Tequila midway display from 11:30 a.m. to noon.

Saturday features another session at the Mission Foods display for the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge from 9:00–9:30 a.m., along with a second autograph stop at the Bandero display from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. Qualifying races run both Friday and Saturday, while eliminations take place on Sunday, May 18.

DeJoria expressed her excitement leading up to race weekend, stating, “We’re feeling very confident in our abilities right now. The team has picked up great momentum, and I truly believe a win is soon to come.

Joliet has always been special, and I’m excited to compete at such an iconic track again.” DeJoria’s crew, fueled by recent success, continues to fine-tune their setup, hoping to convert strong runs into another Funny Car victory. For more on the engineering behind drag racing, explore NASA’s aerodynamics research.

Fans attending the Route 66 Nationals are encouraged to support DeJoria and the Bandero Café team as she targets her seventh professional win. For DeJoria, this weekend brings a chance to add to her history and bring home another trophy from a track where she has already set notable milestones.

The action at Route 66 Raceway starts on May 16 and promises an exciting weekend of NHRA Funny Car racing as DeJoria and her fellow competitors look to capture glory at one of the series’ most anticipated events.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.