SAN RAFAEL — It became very apparent early in Alexis DeJoria’s life that she was fascinated with cars and racing.
“I always played with Matchbox cars as a little girl,” the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car driver said. “I guess I was just born with that attraction to race cars.”
DeJoria, 36, turned her passion into a career, and she has become darn good at it. She won the first two events of her Funny Car career this year, and is sixth in the point standings entering this weekend’s NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway. Qualifying takes place Friday and Saturday, with final eliminations Sunday.
“I’m not about the image and what kind of name I could make for myself,” said DeJoria, who has competed in Nitro Funny Car for three seasons. “I really enjoy what I do. I love the sport.”
DeJoria entered the NHRA nine years ago with a recognizable name. Her father is billionaire businessman John Paul DeJoria, the co-founder of John Paul Mitchell Systems and the Patron Spirits Company. She is married to television personality and West Coast Choppers founder Jesse James. Read More