Alexis DeJoria has started out the 2014 NHRA Funny Car season with two wins and made it to the final round at the series’ most recent event, the 4 Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte. The driver of the Patron Tequila Funny Car for Kalitta Motorsports is one of several female drivers making top runs and winning races right now in NHRA competition. Toni Montgomery had a chance to talk with DeJoria at Charlotte. DeJoria talks about the unique 4 Wide format, getting that first win, women in motorsports, and the criticism some drivers face for having financial backing from family.
Look for more interviews coming up with NHRA drivers Brittany Force and Tony “The Sarge” Schumacher. Alexis DeJoria, pictured here with Jesse James in Phoenix, is just one of 14 female drivers with wins in NHRA competition. Photo by Gary Nastase. Toni Montgomery: 4
Wides are the big discussion this week. Can you tell me about the focus that it takes as opposed to a regular two wide event to have four people up there?
Alexis DeJoria: It’s the only one of it’s kind on the circuit. You’re not only racing one other team, you’re racing three other teams when you go up there. It’s exciting. Bruton Smith’s always done a really good job with building the facilities that he has and it’s fun. Definitely the fans like it, crew chiefs sometimes it throws them a curve ball. It’s definitely an exciting thing to be a part of.
Montgomery: As a driver when you get up there do you find you have to focus more on racing the race track? Are the other three competitors a distraction to you? Read Full Interview