NHRA drag racing driver Alexis DeJoria returns in 2020 to nitro Funny Car competition full-time after a two-year hiatus. DeJoria will make her reentry into the sport beginning with the 2020 NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, California.
DeJoria made her NHRA Funny Car professional debut in 2011 at the Texas NHRA FallNationals, winning five races during her professional stint, including the prestigious 2014 NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. She announced her retirement at the conclusion of the 2017 season.
Though DeJoria enjoyed a slightly slower-paced lifestyle in retirement, the thrill and excitement of driving an 11,000-horsepower machine never left the back of her mind.
“I honestly knew deep down when I made the announcement to retire at the end of the 2017 NHRA season that it was going to be sort of an open-ended retirement,” said Alexis. “I’m beyond excited to get back out there. I’ve been blessed spending time with my family these past two years off. This was a decision I made with their support, and we are all looking forward to my return to the driver’s seat.”
Alexis DeJoria
Her independent return into Funny Car will be lead by Nicky Boninfante and Del Worsham. Boninfante and Worsham will serve as co-crew chiefs on DeJoria’s Funny Car operation. The trio have longstanding history extending back nearly a decade. Worsham witnessed and signed off on DeJoria’s Funny Car licensing paperwork when she piloted his car in 2010 before taking the lead as her crew chief during her rookie season in 2012. Boninfante took over tuning duties for DeJoria in 2017 after working along side her during her tenure at Kalitta Motorsports.
“I now have this incredible opportunity to build a team with two of the people who were by my side when I started my nitro Funny Car career. Del is my mentor and the person whose car I licensed with in the first place, and Nicky was one of the first people at Kalitta who I talked to when I made the transition from Top Alcohol Funny Car to nitro Funny Car. Del and Nicky, they’re the ‘dream team’ for me, and I’m eager to embark on this new adventure with them.”
Alexis DeJoria
DeJoria’s partners, including her primary sponsor, will be announced at a later date.
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