BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Aug. 19, 2026) – Alexis DeJoria spent the past three weeks catching up with family and friends away from the race track but says she’s “definitely ready” to get back to her winning ways at Brainerd (Minn.) International Raceway with her John Force Racing Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car team during the Aug. 20-23 NHRA Brainerd Nationals.
The six-time NHRA Funny Car event winner picked up her fifth Wally trophy at the 2017 NHRA Brainerd Nationals. The win was made that much more special in that it was the 250th race win for women in NHRA history. It also played out that day that she and Leah Pruett became the first two women in NHRA history to win in Funny Car and Top Fuel in the same event.
DeJoria and the Bandero Café team are just 18 points, less than one round of eliminations, behind Chad Green for sixth place in the NHRA Funny Car point standings with Brainerd and the Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals (which pays 1.5x points) remaining on the regular season schedule.
The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after 12 of 20 races are: 1. Ron Capps, 884; 2. Jack Beckman, 847; 3. J.R. Todd, 842; 4. Jordan Vandergriff, 830; 5. Matt Hagan, 820; 6. Chad Green, 703; 7. Austin Prock, 687; 8. Alexis DeJoria, 685; 9. Spencer Hyde, 578; 10. Daniel Wilkerson, 577.
Quotes
What are your memories of getting that big win at Brainerd in 2017 when you beat Tim Wilkerson, Cruz, your current boss and then Tommy Johnson Jr. in the final?
“Sealing the deal that day was gratifying on many levels. Brainerd has always been one of my top tracks. In 2014, our team was the first nitro Funny Car to record a sub-four second pass for the track record. The 2017 victory was also the “250th Race Win for Women”. Leah and I made NHRA history that day, as well: it was the first time two women won in Funny Car & Top Fuel at the same event.”
You’re just 18 points behind sixth place going into the final two races of the regular season so what is the team’s approach heading into Brainerd?
“Consistency is the key, especially on race day. It’s imperative we go rounds on Sunday. Now’s not the time to lose that consistency so that’s our focus.”
Is there anything fun/memorable you did during the additional time off that you’d like to share?
“These last few weeks off have been spent finalizing a few important tasks on the home front. I’ve also spent some time with family and friends with is always important to keep that balance.”
Are you itching to get back into the car after this extra time away from the track?
“I’m definitely ready to get back on track in the Bandero Café Chevrolet. We’ve got some catching up to do but I have no doubt we will see some great progress to get us back in the winner’s circle sooner than later.”
Track Schedule
Qualifying will feature two rounds at 3:30 and 6:00 p.m. CT on Friday, Aug. 21 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. CT on Sunday, Aug. 23.
TV Schedule
Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday and 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, and eliminations at 6:30 p.m. ET Sunday.
Race Results
| Brainerd | Race Result | Round by Round Results | Qualified | Event Record |
| 2012 (FC) | 1st round | Lost to John Force | 11th | 0-1 |
| 2013 (FC) | 1st round | Lost to John Force | 14th | 0-2 |
| 2014 (FC) | Semi-finals | Beat Courtney Force, Matt Hagan; lost to Ron Capps | 6th | 2-3 |
| 2015 (FC) | 1st round | Lost to B. Stewart | 3rd | 2-4 |
| 2016 (FC) | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2017 (FC) | Winner | Beat Tim Wilkerson, Cruz Pedregon, John Force, Tommy Johnson Jr | 10th | 6-4 |
| 2018 | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2019 | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2020 (FC) | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2021 (FC) | 1st round | Lost to Blake Alexander | 9th | 6-5 |
| 2022 (FC) | Semi-finals | Beat Blake Alexander, Matt Hagan; lost to Ron Capps | 8th | 8-6 |
| 2023 (FC) | 1st round | Lost to Tim Wilkerson | 8th | 8-7 |
| 2024 (FC) | 1st round | Lost to Daniel Wilkerson | 5th | 8-8 |
| 2025 (FC) | 1st round | Lost to Spencer Hyde | 6th | 8-9 |
Wins: 1 (2017)
No. 1 Qualifiers: 0
Event Record: 8-9
2026 Results
| Event | Qualify | Round by Round | Round Record | Points Position |
| Gainesville | 11 | Beat Cruz Pedregon, Spencer Hyde, J.R. Todd; lost to Chad Green | 3-1 | 2 |
| Phoenix | 12 | Lost Jordan Vandergriff | 3-2 | 6 |
| Pomona1 | 7 | Beat Dave Richards; lost to Ron Capps | 4-3 | 7 |
| Charlotte | 5 | Won 1st Quad; lost 2nd quad | 5-4 | 6 |
| Valdosta | 10 | Beat Cruz Pedregon, Matt Hagan; lost to J.R. Todd | 7-5 | 6 |
| Chicago | 12 | Beat Spencer Hyde, Dave Richards, Matt Hagan; lost to Chad Green | 10-6 | 6 |
| Maryland | 7 | Lost to Ron Capps | 10-7 | 6 |
| Epping | 3 | Beat Cruz Pedregon; lost to Ron Capps | 11-8 | 7 |
| Bristol | 2 | Lost to Jordan Vandergriff | 11-9 | 7 |
| Norwalk | 2 | Beat Blake Alexander, Chad Green; lost to Ron Capps | 13-10 | 7 |
| Sonoma | 7 | Lost to Cruz Pedregon | 13-11 | 7 |
| Seattle | 3 | Lost to Dave Richards | 13-12 | 8 |
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