BROWNSBURG, Ind. (APRIL 8, 2026) – Los Angeles native Alexis DeJoria is using her hometown roots as the inspiration for her and her John Force Racing Bandero Quality Tequila Chevrolet SS Funny Car team to end up in winner’s circle at the conclusion of the April 8-10 NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip and, in doing so, capture victory in the sanctioning body’s 1000th Funny Car race.
DeJoria is currently sixth in the Funny Car point standings after two of 20 races on the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Calendar. She finished runner-up in her John Force Racing debut at the Gatornationals and went out in the first round at Phoenix two weeks later to JFR teammate Jordan Vandergriff.
Bandero team crew chief Mike Neff has experienced the ultimate success at the Winternationals during his initial stint at John Force Racing. The Hemet, Calif., native was the crew chief for John Force when he won the Funny Car class in 2013 and qualified No. 1 in 2014.
Overall, John Force Racing drivers have won 32 times in three events at In-N-Out Pomona Dragstrip (17 times in the Winternationals, 14 times in the Finals plus John Force’s win in the 50th Anniversary NHRA Nationals in 2001).
The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings are: 1. Chad Green, 174; 2. Spencer Hyde, 156; 3. Ron Capps, 151; 4. J.R. Todd, 140; 5. Matt Hagan, 135; 6. Alexis DeJoria, 126; 7. Jordan Vandergriff, 125; 8. Paul Lee, 111; 9. Daniel Wilkerson, 107; 10. Jack Beckman, 64.
Quotes
What’s it like racing at your home track?
“I’m looking forward to racing in Pomona, looking for redemption after that finish in Phoenix. We started off really strong, went to the finals at the first race of the season and then dropped down by losing first round in Phoenix. So, I’m definitely looking for redemption and Pomona’s always kind of been one of my home tracks because I’m a California native born and raised. I’ve never won there before so that’s always been on my bucket list. So, we’ll see what happens this weekend but I’m hoping for the best and continuing our early success with this Bandero team.”
“Pomona is where I first saw Funny Cars in person. I went there for the Winternationals when I was 16. I’ve also gone there for swap meets and stuff for my personal car collection but that was the first time I had ever seen professional drag racing in person and John Force in particular.”
What would winning NHRA’s 1000th Funny Car race mean to you?
“Winning the 1000th Funny Car race would be incredible. There’s the special trophy getting a special trophy and the prestige and obviously just the history of that racetrack. The whole year is significant for NHRA with the 75th anniversary, but Pomona, that’s the place I’ve always wanted to win. and I’ve been to the finals (2021 In-N-Out Burger Finals), qualified number one (2014 Finals) but never got the trophy so we’ll see.”
How has the Bandero team progressed so far this season?
“Oh gosh. I think the Bandero team is gelling really well and for a brand new team that says a lot. I’m very, very grateful to be on such a successful team. You can just tell early on who’s going get along with who and where troubles happen, but I really haven’t seen any of that go down. We’re really blessed and I can’t wait to see what we’re going to achieve in our future, especially in the immediate future by going out there and having a good showing in Pomona.”
Stats
| Pomona1 | Race Result | Round Wins | Round Loss | Qualified | Event Record |
| 2011 (FC) | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2012 (FC) | 1st round | Loss to J. Force | 11th | 0-1 | |
| 2013 (FC) | 1st round | Loss to J. Gray | 10th | 0-2 | |
| 2014 (FC) | 1st round | Loss to G. Densham | 3rd | 0-3 | |
| 2015 (FC) | 1st round | Loss to R. Capps | 11th | 0-4 | |
| 2016 (FC) | 2nd round | Def. J. Campbell | Loss to D. Worsham | 4th | 1-5 |
| 2017 (FC) | 1st round | Loss to T. Johnson Jr | 7th | 1-6 | |
| 2018 | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2019 | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2020 (FC) | Semi-finals | Def. P. Lee, R. Hight | Loss to J. Beckman | 11th | 3-7 |
| 2021 (FC) | 2nd round | Def. J. Rupert | Loss to J. Campbell | 6th | 4-8 |
| 2022 (FC) | 2nd round | Def. J. Campbell | Loss to C. Pedregon | 5th | 5-9 |
| 2023 (FC) | 2nd round | Def. J. Arend | Loss to M. Hagan | 2nd | 6-10 |
| 2024 (FC) | DNQ | N/A | N/A | 17th | 6-10 |
| 2025 (FC) | 1st round | Loss to M. Hagan | 9th | 6-11 |
Starts: 11
Wins: 0
No. 1 Qualifiers: 0
Event Round Record: 6-11
Track & TV Schedules
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying features qualifying at 1:30 and 4 p.m. PT on Friday, April 10, and the final two rounds on Saturday, April 11 at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. PT on Sunday, April 12.
Television coverage on Sunday, April 12, 2026, includes a qualifying show from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET on FS1 and eliminations from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
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