MECHANICSVILLE, Md. — Like the rest of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Alexis DeJoria will be making her debut at Maryland International Raceway as part of this weekend’s inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS.
It makes for a new challenge, but with the way DeJoria and her John Force Racing team are performing, she heads to the first-time venue with plenty of confidence.
DeJoria has enjoyed a resurgent 2026 campaign thus far, advancing to the final round at the most recent race in Chicago. That gives her two runner-up finishes already in the loaded Funny Car category, putting the veteran sixth in points and firmly in the championship conversation.
She’s looking to grab more momentum this weekend in her 12,000-horsepower John Force Racing Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car as DeJoria looks to win for the first time in five years.
“We’ve never raced (in Maryland), so it’s new territory for all of us,” DeJoria said. “There are so many factors at play when it comes to assessing a new track. One thing I can say is we have a great tune-up for hot or cold weather. Now that we have the consistency we were working on, Mike (Neff) and Jonnie (Lindberg) will be shooting for those low E.T.s and high mph.
“At John Force Racing, we have a team full of experts who know what they are doing, which means a high level of confidence for me as a driver, even when we’re looking at a new facility. My faith in this crew is unwavering. After winning the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge and getting another runner-up in Chicago, we’re on a good trajectory.”
The 2026 NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS includes action in all four Mission Foods Drag Racing Series classes.
DeJoria will have a great opportunity to win the special diamond Wally celebrating NHRA’s milestone year, but she’ll also have to take on a loaded field that includes Ron Capps and J.R. Todd, who are tied for the points lead, as well as four-time champ Matt Hagan, teammate and Valdosta winner Jordan Vandergriff, Chad Green, who has two wins this season, Jack Beckman and back-to-back world champion Austin Prock.
But DeJoria believes this team is just getting started and feels like the best is yet to come in 2026.
“I feel like I got a head start working with Mike Neff for a year before we came over to JFR this season,” DeJoria said. “Everything really came together, adding Jonnie into the mix. When the timing’s right, the timing’s right, and the timing was right this year. It was written in the stars. We didn’t get that trophy (in Chicago), but I can tell you right now, we are coming for them. There’s a lot left on this table. We’re a very consistent team and we’re putting people on notice right now.”
