Alexis Dejoria made a 3.929 second pass to take the provisional #1 qualifying spot for this weekend’s NHRA New England Nationals. (Photo: Luc Saucier | The Podium Finish)
EPPING, N.H. — Coming to New England Dragway is like coming home for Alexis Dejoria. And Dejoria is looking for some home cooking at this weekend’s NHRA New England Nationals.
In her first year with John Force Racing, Dejoria and her team have had an up and down season with a some strong race weekends, and a pair of final round appearances. But they haven’t picked up their first race win of the year. Getting that first John Force Racing win in front of her friends and family from Rhode Island would be a storybook moment for Dejoria.
“I certainly hope so,” she said. “This is definitely a race that I’ve always wanted to win. A hometown Wally would be incredibly gratifying, to say the least. It’s bene a while since I got a Wally. But to do it here, with this team, with all my people around me, would absolutely be amazing.”
Dejoria has had a measure of success at New England Dragway, but just like the 2026 season, she hasn’t quite been able to cap off her successful weekends with wins, as she has a pair of runner up finishes at the track.
Those good weekends at the track, combined with her team’s consistent improvement through the course of the 2026 season, brings her into the weekend with a cautious optimism.
“I have major confidence coming into this race,” she said. “We’ve done well so far (this season). Two finals, semifinals, won the 2 fast 2 tasty (challenge at Route 66 Raceway). A lot of momentum coming into this race and it’s a huge confidence builder.”
Joining JFR Has Been a Blessing for Dejoria
The key in drag racing is to go in a straight line faster than anyone else. But Dejoria found the value in taking a winding path to John Force Racing. After racing for Don Schumacher Racing, and Del Worsham, Dejoria struck out on her own for a couple years as team owner, and she said that joining John Force Racing this season has allowed her to simply focus on her car and driving.
“That’s probably one of the hardest things being out here, when you’re trying to run your own team and be the therapist as well as driver, as well as manager,” she said. “It’s a lot less stress just getting right in the car and doing your job. The staff here (at JFR) is amazing.”
While she has enjoyed bringing the focus back to the driver’s seat, Dejoria said she is better for all of the experiences she has had in her career.
“It’s all part of the deal and it’s made me into the driver I am today,” she said. “I don’t have any regrets at all. I believe it was the right time to be here. No sooner, and definitely no later. I’m so, very blessed.”
Alexis Dejoria prepares for a run earlier this season at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill. (Photo: Wayne Reigle | The Podium Finish)
High Hopes for an Epping Win
Every win means a lot to Dejoria, who has six career funny car wins. But adding her seventh in Epping would be something she said she would never forget.
“I might cry (if I win),” she said. “I hope not. There’s no crying in drag racing. You’ll know because I’ll keep my helmet on for a little while after I get out of the car.”
She took a big first step on Friday night, locking down the provisional No. 1 qualifying spot for the New England Nationals.
“We are sitting number one right now,” she said. “Who knows what’s going to happen tomorrow? I don’t care. Right now we’re number one and that’s all that matters. Our team really needed that. We’ve come so close to so many things and just missed it. So, right now we’re sitting number one, and everything is paying off.”
She hopes to hold on to that top qualifying spot on Saturday and cap the weekend with the home game victory on Sunday.
