Alexis DeJoria
Drag racing // Venice Beach, California, United States
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Alexis DeJoria made history with drag racing’s first sub-4-second Funny Car pass. From rookie to team owner, she’s earned respect through pure talent, not her famous name.
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Alexis DeJoria stands as one of the most groundbreaking figures in NHRA drag racing, known for her historic sub-four-second pass in Funny Car and her unwavering determination to be recognized for her talent rather than her gender or family name.
EARLY YEARS
Born on September 24, 1977, in Venice Beach, California, Alexis grew up in the Los Angeles area as the daughter of entrepreneur John Paul DeJoria and Jamie Briggs. The vibrant Southern California car culture surrounded her formative years, subtly influencing her future career path. Though specific childhood moments pointing to her racing destiny aren’t well documented, her environment and family support clearly nurtured an interest in high-performance vehicles that would later become her passion. Beyond motorsports, she developed personal interests in snowboarding, motorcycle riding, and cooking, showcasing a diverse range of talents beyond the drag strip.
EARLY SUCCESS
DeJoria’s passion for drag racing ignited at age 16 when she witnessed nitro-burning Funny Cars at the Pomona drag strip, sparking a dream that would define her career. Her NHRA journey began in earnest in 2005, competing first in the Super Gas category before progressing to Super Comp dragster. Her natural talent quickly emerged when, just eight months into her racing career, she claimed victory at the Sportsman Nationals in Fontana, California. Following this initial success, Alexis spent two years competing in Top Alcohol Funny Cars on the West Coast, methodically building her skills and reputation. In 2009, she took the bold step of founding her own team, Stealth Motorsports, demonstrating both her racing prowess and business acumen. This entrepreneurial move paid off when she secured her first NHRA national event win at the 2011 Northwest Fall Nationals in the Top Alcohol Funny Car category, setting the stage for her transition to the more powerful nitro Funny Cars and cementing her place as a rising star in drag racing.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2011: Won first NHRA national event at Northwest Fall Nationals in Top Alcohol Funny Car category[1].
- 2014: Achieved first career pro Funny Car win at Arizona Nationals in Phoenix[2].
- 2014: Became the first female racer to make a pass under four seconds (3.997 seconds) in Funny Car competition[4].
- 2014: Won the prestigious U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis[2].
- 2014: Claimed victory at Las Vegas NHRA event[2].
- 2021: Won Bristol race in Funny Car category[5].
- Various years: Set track records at Atlanta Dragway and Brainerd International Raceway[1].
REPUTATION
In the testosterone-fueled world of drag racing, DeJoria has carved out a reputation as a fierce competitor who demands respect through performance rather than pedigree. Known for her technical precision and raw speed on the track, she’s earned the admiration of fans and competitors alike. Her resilience became legendary when she returned to competition after a serious crash, demonstrating both physical and mental toughness while simultaneously advocating for enhanced safety protocols that benefited all racers. As one of the few female drivers to co-own and operate a racing team with Stealth Motorsports, Alexis broke barriers not just on the strip but in the business of racing itself. What sets her apart is her unwavering commitment to being recognized for her talent first—not her famous last name or gender—embodying the professional ethic that has made her one of motorsport’s most respected figures. Her combination of speed, skill, and determination has transformed her from simply being John Paul DeJoria’s daughter to being Alexis DeJoria, drag racing icon.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
For 2025, DeJoria is embarking on an exciting new chapter by joining Joe Maynard’s JCM Racing team for the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. After competing with Del Worsham’s DC Motorsports since 2020, this strategic move positions her to continue breaking barriers in the sport. She’ll be piloting the Bandero Premium Tequila Funny Car as part of NHRA’s first all-female nitro team, partnering with Ida Zetterström. This historic pairing underscores her commitment not just to her own success but to advancing women’s presence in motorsports broadly. Looking beyond competition, Alexis appears poised to expand her influence as a mentor to upcoming female drivers, leveraging her experience and platform to nurture the next generation of women in racing.
References:
NHRA Driver Profile: Alexis DeJoria
NHRA Championship History
Women in Motorsport: Breaking Barriers
Drag Racing Records and Milestones
JCM Racing Team Announcement 2025
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