BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 8, 2025) – Bristol Dragway has always held a special significance for Alexis DeJoria, who has earned more round wins at the iconic track than at any other venue on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour. At this year’s Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, the Bandero Café Funny Car driver continued her strong connection to the Tennessee facility by qualifying No. 2—her best starting position since joining JCM Racing.
With new asphalt on the surface of the track at Bristol Dragway, DeJoria’s tires spun on her initial qualifying effort on Friday. In the second hit of the day, she powered her Mike ‘Zippy’ Neff and Todd Smith-tuned Bandero Café Charger to the fastest pass of the session with a 3.948-second run at 328.14 mph, earning the provisional pole and three valuable bonus points. The weather continued causing delays and touchy track conditions throughout the weekend, but DeJoria’s powerful Friday evening run held strong to keep her in the No. 2 spot on the ladder for eliminations, her best qualifying position of the season thus far.
On race day, DeJoria began eliminations facing No. 15 qualifier Dave Richards. While her impressive qualifying position gave her lane choice, the talented Funny Car driver knew from experience that both lanes could be challenging. She lined up against Richards from the left lane, knowing that she would need to navigate a bumpy transition spot on her way to the finish line. DeJoria had the lead until her car lost traction in that spot and went out of the groove. She had to end her race day sooner than expected as Richards took the early round win.
“It was kind of a wacky weekend,” remarked DeJoria. “Between the rain and battling some bumps in the track, we managed to qualify second, with a really good 3.94 that we ran on Friday. That stuck with us all the way through qualifying. We got some bonus points, which was awesome. In the first round, we went out there and we were on a good run. We weren’t trying to rotate the Earth or anything. But it was set to make a good, solid run. And then right where there’s a transition with that bump in the track, we lost traction and smoked the tires. I pedaled the car and I got it to hook back up quickly, but he passed me. By that time, it was all over.
“I wish I could have done better for JCM Racing. This is our team owner’s home track, so it would have been nice to go some rounds. Bristol is definitely a track for slower runs and whoever can manage this race track is going to win. We are holding our heads high and we’re going to keep them high. We’re going to persevere and get ready for the next race.”
DeJoria and the Bandero Café Funny Car team will return to racing action later this month when the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season continues NHRA Virginia Nationals, June 20-22, at Virginia Motorsports Park outside of Richmond.
Qualified: No. 2 (3.948 E.T. at 328.14 MPH)
Elimination Round Results:
E1: 4.134 E.T. at 250.18 MPH defeated by Dave Richards 4.098 E.T. at 316.90 MPH
Continue reading...
With new asphalt on the surface of the track at Bristol Dragway, DeJoria’s tires spun on her initial qualifying effort on Friday. In the second hit of the day, she powered her Mike ‘Zippy’ Neff and Todd Smith-tuned Bandero Café Charger to the fastest pass of the session with a 3.948-second run at 328.14 mph, earning the provisional pole and three valuable bonus points. The weather continued causing delays and touchy track conditions throughout the weekend, but DeJoria’s powerful Friday evening run held strong to keep her in the No. 2 spot on the ladder for eliminations, her best qualifying position of the season thus far.
On race day, DeJoria began eliminations facing No. 15 qualifier Dave Richards. While her impressive qualifying position gave her lane choice, the talented Funny Car driver knew from experience that both lanes could be challenging. She lined up against Richards from the left lane, knowing that she would need to navigate a bumpy transition spot on her way to the finish line. DeJoria had the lead until her car lost traction in that spot and went out of the groove. She had to end her race day sooner than expected as Richards took the early round win.
“It was kind of a wacky weekend,” remarked DeJoria. “Between the rain and battling some bumps in the track, we managed to qualify second, with a really good 3.94 that we ran on Friday. That stuck with us all the way through qualifying. We got some bonus points, which was awesome. In the first round, we went out there and we were on a good run. We weren’t trying to rotate the Earth or anything. But it was set to make a good, solid run. And then right where there’s a transition with that bump in the track, we lost traction and smoked the tires. I pedaled the car and I got it to hook back up quickly, but he passed me. By that time, it was all over.
“I wish I could have done better for JCM Racing. This is our team owner’s home track, so it would have been nice to go some rounds. Bristol is definitely a track for slower runs and whoever can manage this race track is going to win. We are holding our heads high and we’re going to keep them high. We’re going to persevere and get ready for the next race.”
DeJoria and the Bandero Café Funny Car team will return to racing action later this month when the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season continues NHRA Virginia Nationals, June 20-22, at Virginia Motorsports Park outside of Richmond.
Qualified: No. 2 (3.948 E.T. at 328.14 MPH)
Elimination Round Results:
E1: 4.134 E.T. at 250.18 MPH defeated by Dave Richards 4.098 E.T. at 316.90 MPH
Continue reading...
