NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

NHRA Funny Car pilot Alexis DeJoria will miss this weekend’s Protect The Harvest NHRA Northwest Nationals in Seattle due to injuries sustained in a recent crash, but already is eying a return, possibly as soon as the NHRA event in Brainerd in late August.
 
Less than one week ago at Sonoma Raceway, DeJoria was involved in a harrowing accident when her Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry lost traction and made a sudden violent left turn, colliding with the retaining wall in her lane. The impact caused a high-energy fracture to the left side of her pelvis - more specifically, her left iliac wing.
 
“I’ve experienced different types of crashes in my race car- from going off the end of the track, to blowing up, to scrapes with the wall, but this one was different,” said DeJoria of the incident, which occurred during the first round of eliminations at the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals.
 
“I felt the car make a move to the right, I corrected it and then the car traversed laterally and smashed into the wall. All four wheels were sliding and no matter what I did with the steering wheel, it wasn’t responding to any of my movements.
 
“I knew right away I had hurt my back. All I wanted to do was get the car stopped. Once I had it safely stopped, I pushed myself out of the car, and as soon as my feet touched the ground, I felt pain shoot straight into my lower back.
 
“My adrenaline was rushing. When these things happen, I tend to get angry. I’m a very competitive person. I never want to go out like that, obviously. My number one concern is always to keep myself safe, as well as the driver in the other lane. There were a lot of emotions when this happened, but I was very grateful that it wasn’t worse.”
 
While immediate surgery was not required, DeJoria currently suffers from extreme pain and has been left temporarily immobile, unable to race. She remains on bedrest in her Austin, Texas, home. Her absence this weekend could potentially affect her chances at having an opportunity to compete for the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car championship.
 
Seattle’s NHRA Northwest Nationals mark the 16th of 18 regular season NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events. In order to be in the Championship chase, DeJoria must be locked into a top 10 spot by the conclusion of race No. 18, the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, the last event before the six-race Championship playoff.
 
Currently, DeJoria, who has already won one event in 2016, sits in 10th with 765 points. Playoff hopefuls Chad Head and Cruz Pedregon sit in 11th and 12th, with a 150-point margin between DeJoria and Head. Just 198 points separate DeJoria and Pedregon. With just three races left until NHRA’s Countdown contenders are locked into the top 10, DeJoria is determined to get back on the track to earn her playoff berth.
 
Despite the prospect of racing with a significant amount of pain, the strong-willed DeJoria avows to return as soon as physically possible, and while not definite, her sights are set on returning at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn.
 
“The goal right now is Brainerd. I’m going to do everything I possibly can to heal properly. I’m on bedrest for the time being, and then I start physical therapy on Monday [August 8]. I want to get back in the car and need to get back in the car as quickly as possible. I’m a fighter. The cutoff to qualify for the Countdown is coming up and we need to secure our position.
 
“I realize that at this moment I have to rest in order to better the healing process, but it’s hard for someone like me to be stagnant. I’ve never missed a race in my NHRA Funny Car career thus far. However painful it will be to have to watch the NHRA Northwest Nationals from my bed, rather than be there at the track, I’ll be cheering on my Kalitta Motorsports teammates.”
 
Since the accident, DeJoria has experienced an incredible outpouring of support from the NHRA community.
 
“Thank you to all of my fans, sponsors, friends, and the racing community for their caring words and support! I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of my Patrón Toyota Camry, and resume my quest for the 2016 Funny Car championship. ”
 
If DeJoria is not able to compete, the team announced that it will not consider substitute drivers for the entry.