DEJORIA AIMS FOR DALLAS HISTORY TO COME FULL CIRCLE

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Oct. 14, 2026) – The Texas Motorplex is where Alexis DeJoria first attempted to qualify a nitro Funny Car in NHRA competition during her abbreviated four-race 2011 season andthere’s every reason to believe 15 years later that she and the John Force Racing Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car team can pull into winner’s circle at the conclusion of the Oct. 16-18 Texas NHRA FallNationals.

The Bandero Café team are currently seventh in the 2026 NHRA Funny Car point standings, 25 out of sixth and 55 to fifth place. She has two runner-up finishes (Gainesville, Chicago) and qualified in the top half of the ladder 13 times, the past 11 straight, with four No. 2 qualifiers (Bristol, Norwalk, Rockingham, St. Louis) and two No. 3 qualifiers (Epping, Seattle).

DeJoria is four round wins away from doubling her total from last year (11) and has already tied her fifth-highest season round win total (18) with three races remaining.

The popular “Battle for the Saddle” will again be on the line at the FallNationals, with a $15,000 bonus to be awarded to the low qualifier of Friday’s night qualifying session in Top Fuel and Funny Car.

The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after 17 of 20 races are: 1. Matt Hagan, 2,402; 2. Jordan Vandergriff, 2,330; 3. Austin Prock, 2,296; 4. Jack Beckman, 2,279; 5. J.R. Todd, 2,270; 6. Ron Capps, 2,240; 7. Alexis DeJoria, 2,215; 8. Daniel Wilkerson, 2,174; 9. Chad Green, 2,123; 10. Spencer Hyde, 2,117.

Quotes

What’s your and the Bandero Café team’s mindset heading into Dallas?

“Redemption! The Bandero Café Chevy was the car to beat at St. Louis two weeks ago and I beat myself in the second round on Sunday. Those losses are brutal but they make me just want to get right back to the track and into the seat and turn win lights on. We obviously have the ability to win before the season ends and finish higher in championship points than ever before in my career so that’s all that’s on our minds heading into Dallas.”

What’s your internal motivation that keeps the competitive fire burning?

“I just don’t quit. This Bandero Café team is so strong and so focused and that gives me the confidence in our race car to charge ahead and do better every time we pull up to the starting line.”

Do you have a hobby that you do just for you?

“I absolutely love finding time to get on one of my motorcycles and get in some two-wheel therapy. It works every time.”

Weekend Appearances

DeJoria will be signing autographs with Jack Beckman at the John Force Racing merchandise hauler on the NHRA midway on Fri., Oct. 16, from 3:45 – 4:15 p.m. CT. She will also be signing autographs at the Cornwell Tools midway display on Sat., Oct. 17, from 9:30 – 10 a.m. CT.

Track Schedule

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 5:30 and 8 p.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 2, and the final two rounds of qualifying at 12 and 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 3. Final eliminations are scheduled for 9 a.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 4.

TV Schedule

Television coverage begins Friday, Oct. 2, with a first-day qualifying show from 6:30 – 8 p.m. ET on FS1. A second-day qualifying show is scheduled to air on Sun., Oct. 4, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. on FS1. Elimination rounds will air Sun., Oct. 4, on FOX from 2 – 4 p.m. ET and 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. ET.

Race Results


Wins: 0

No. 1 Qualifiers: 0

Event Record: 5-12

2026 Results


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