ALEXIS DEJORIA Hits 250th Start, Makes Playoffs as Only Woman in NHRA Funny Car

September 30, 2025

by Madelyn Marconi // from dragillustrated.com

GRRL! SUMMARY:

ALEXIS DEJORIA is making her mark in her first season with JCM Racing, hitting the 250th career start milestone while consistently qualifying in the Top 10 and advancing to five semifinal rounds. The veteran Funny Car driver secured her spot in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs with a semifinal finish at Indy, proving that switching teams doesn’t have to mean starting over when you land with the right crew.
What’s really working for DeJoria isn’t just the horsepower under the hood—it’s the team chemistry that JCM Racing has cultivated through intentional communication and trust-building. With championship-winning crew chiefs Mike Neff and Todd Smith calling the shots and a structured operation where everyone has a defined role, DeJoria can focus purely on driving without worrying about organizational chaos behind the scenes.
The addition of Top Fuel driver IDA ZETTERSTRÖM as a teammate has created something special: an all-female debut for JCM Racing that evolved into genuine friendship and mutual support. As the only woman currently competing in NHRA Funny Car, DeJoria values having another female racer who understands the unique challenges they face, creating a dynamic where they can hype each other up and share experiences the guys simply don’t encounter.
With her confidence rising and the team hitting its stride, DeJoria is eyeing that elusive first win of 2025 while building toward a top-five championship finish. Her approach stays grounded in the present—prepping for each run with her headphones and steady heart rate rather than getting ahead of herself—but the foundation she’s found with JCM Racing suggests this partnership could become a dangerous force in Funny Car for years to come.