DeJoria still having ‘pinch me’ moments driving for John Force

Alexis DeJoria looks over at her Bandero Funny Car and finds it amazing to see the Force Family X on the side.

“To have that on the side of the car, it’s like, ‘Are you kidding me?’” she said. “It’s a ‘pinch me’ moment.”

Admittedly, driving for John Force is something that DeJoria never thought would happen in a million years. She had long competed against Force and his drivers, and knew it was the best organization in the NHRA pits. It is one that is looked at with respect and admiration, and even longing by some.

“It’s like, ‘Oh, man, how cool would it be to be a part of that team?’” said DeJoria. “To finally be able to say I’m a part of that team, it’s a dream come true.”

And things are going well. Scratch that, things are going great in DeJoria’s words.

DeJoria started the season in Gainesville by going to the final round. She has improved her qualifying efforts in the last two events and is sixth in the championship standings through four races. But most importantly, she has found comfort behind the wheel of a Force car that she hasn’t had in a while. The car does everything so well and so easily, and there is a different sense of accountability around DeJoria.

In the past, things were a bit rockier for her. There were times when there wasn’t a full crew and people were having to double up. Naturally, things might get missed or people are overworked. Or there would be new guys coming in, including those who had never worked on a car before. Maybe a crew chief went down.

“The way [current crew chief Mike Neff] runs his team is all solution-based, accountability, and let’s make it better,” DeJoria said. “Therefore, making the car better and therefore making the driver drive better, and we’re all on the same page. The proof is in the results.”

The most recent event at zMAX Dragway is a good example. DeJoria felt something she described as wonky in the steering, and she brought that conversation to qualifying at South Georgia Motorsports Park after noticing it again. The car had gotten more sideways than normal on the run, and DeJoria explained she felt something during the burnout and turning into the water box before the wild run. 

The team went through the entire car Friday night. It turns out the steering pins were not doing what they were supposed to.

“They found the problem, and it’s like, ‘It’s not just in my head. I know what I’m talking about,’” DeJoria said. 

The good news is that DeJoria has a car that can get down the racetrack. And even through a natural learning period with a new crew chief, new organization, and new car, it’s a team that has been ready and capable of winning since day one.

“The next step is any given Sunday could be ours,” DeJoria said. “It’s just a matter of time. Can we win? We know we can win. It’s just crossing over and getting that win."

DeJoria has not won a national event since 2021. She knows when the next one comes, it’s going to be incredible. Having that mentality of knowing it can be any given Sunday is a huge confidence builder. 

“I’ve always been a patient person,” DeJoria said. “It’s hard sometimes in drag racing. You get up on the tire, so to speak, and you’re like, ‘I want it now. I want to make it happen right now. I want to win right now.’ We’re just a few races in, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this team. I see really big things for all of us.”