Alexis DeJoria Will Retire From NHRA Drag Racing At The Close Of The 2017 Season

Oct 10, 20171320 Drag News, BangShift 13206

Alexis DeJoria Will Retire From NHRA Drag Racing At The Close Of The 2017 Season

NHRA funny car driver Alexis DeJoria has announced her forthcoming retirement from the sport of NHRA drag racing at the end of the 2017 season. The driver of the Tequila Patron funny car has had a successful career which began in the sportsman/index ranks and graduated up the ladder to the nitro funny car category where she has won five national events including the US Nationals.

Outside of all that stuff Alexis is a really good person, a solid driver, and someone who loves the sport. While we’re sorry to see her stepping away from the seat of the car, we know that Kalitta will be fielding that funny car (with a different name on the side) next year. Hardcore fans may have picked up on the clues over the last few weeks about who will be driving but stay tuned for more on that front.

Alexis will finish out the final three races of the 2017 campaign with Tommy Delago and Nicky Bonifante tuning her car as they have over the last couple of seasons. We wish her the best in her retirement and the one thing we do know is that while she won’t be leveling the pedal in a funny car, she’ll be cruising in cool hot rods as that’s how she rolls away from the track.

Thanks for the memories and great competition, Alexis!

HERE’S THE FULL RELEASE FROM ALEXIS DEJORIA RACING –

Alexis DeJoria to Retire After 2017 NHRA Season
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (October 9, 2017)— Kalitta Motorsports Funny Car pilot Alexis DeJoria will retire from NHRA competition following the conclusion of the 2017 season.

“It’s one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make and I will miss everyone so much. My reasoning behind this decision is simple, it’s time for me to switch my focus towards my family,” said DeJoria, driver of the Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry.

“I’ve accomplished great things throughout my NHRA career. Working with Kalitta Motorsports and driving for Connie Kalitta has been an absolute honor, the man is a legend. He’s been the best boss I could have ever hoped for as a professional nitro Funny Car pilot. I can’t say enough about Jim O [Oberhofer], Nicky [Boninfante], Tommy [DeLago] and the entire organization I’ve had the pleasure of working with these last six plus years. I got to work with and learn from the best.”

Kalitta Motorsports Vice President of Operations, Jim Oberhofer, said, “I am very proud that she is taking the time to spend with her family. I know very well how precious that time is and how easily it can get away from you. Alexis will always be a part of our Kalitta family and we wish her nothing but the best.”

DeJoria began her NHRA career in 2005, working her way up the ranks in the Super Gas, Super Comp and Top Alcohol Funny Car categories before making her professional debut at the Texas NHRA FallNationals in September 2011.

In her six-year Funny Car career, DeJoria has earned five event wins (including the prestigious U.S. Nationals), four No. 1 qualifiers, and eight final round appearances. Among her many achievements, DeJoria was the first female Funny Car pilot to break the four-second barrier, and the first woman to compete in 100 Funny Car events.

Prior to competing in the professional Funny Car category, DeJoria found success throughout each level of her Sportsman career, including winning the SportsNationals in Super Comp within the first eight months of her NHRA debut. In the Top Alcohol Funny Car category, DeJoria won both a divisional and national event, becoming the second woman in history to earn a national TAFC event title.

DeJoria plans to fight hard and collect as many round wins and Wallys as possible in the remaining three NHRA races before hanging up her helmet following the 2017 NHRA Finals in Pomona, California.

“We still have three races left,” said DeJoria, the only driver to have claimed a win in each of the Funny Car, Top Alcohol Funny Car and Super Comp categories. “By no means is it over yet. We still have a fighting and winning attitude. I’ve got a great car and an excellent team.”

“I want to thank our incredible fans and everyone who has supported our team along the way.  A huge thank you to The Patrón Spirits Company, Toyota and all of our sponsors who have had our backs these years.”

Lee Applbaum, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Patrón Spirits International, said “It’s been a tremendous honor sponsoring Alexis DeJoria and her team for the past twelve years, watching her make history time and time again as one of the most accomplished female athletes in motorsports. She’s truly been an inspiration and a role model to so many, and we’re proud that our brand has been her partner throughout this amazing journey.”

Alexis DeJoria and the Kalitta Motorsports Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry Funny Car team compete next at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, October 13-15.

For a comprehensive list of DeJoria’s career highlights and professional biography, please contact Allison McCormick at [email protected].

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6 thoughts on “Alexis DeJoria Will Retire From NHRA Drag Racing At The Close Of The 2017 Season”

  1. orange65

    Hate to see her go. I think that she is good for the sport and she loves it. Maybe she will return one day. Didn’t she miss a couple of races recently due to illness? I wonder if that has anything to do with it.

  3. Box & Ship

    Her husband really pissed off the Kalitta team, threw him out of the pits, there are many reasons.

    1. harbone66

      I heard the same thing from a pretty reliable source that he pissed off some key figures on the team so they kicked him out so she took the time off.

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