JCM Racing Pre-Race Report: Reading

NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish

Event 15 of 20

Maple Grove Raceway

Mohnton, Penn.

Sept. 12 – 14, 2025

ALEXIS DEJORIA

Driver of the Bandero Café Funny Car

• Countdown to the Championship Ranking: 8th

  
  

  2024 NHRA Reading Nationals Event Recap:

  Qualified second; Semifinal finish (defeated Jim Campbell in E1, Cruz Pedregon in E2; defeated by Jack Beckman in E3)

  
  

  Last Event (Indianapolis):

  Qualified fourth; Semifinal finish (defeated Bobby Bode in E1, Matt Hagan in E2; defeated by Jack Beckman in E3)

  
  

  2025 Statistics:

  14 races; five semifinal finishes

  Career Statistics:

  249 races; six wins, six No. 1 qualifiers

  
  

  Noteworthy:

  • The first-year JCM Racing Bandero Café Funny Car team starts the 2025 NHRA Countdown to the Championship from the No. 8 position following a strong showing in Indianapolis where DeJoria advanced to her fifth semifinal finish of the year 

  • DeJoria has eight prior playoff appearances with her best finish coming from the 2021 season where she placed sixth

  • Will compete in her 250th Funny Car event this weekend

  
  

• Quotable:

  
  

  “We had a strong showing in Indy; the car ran great, we made it to the semifinals, gained some good points, and solidified our spot in the top 10, and for that, I’m very proud. We didn’t just make it into the Countdown based on our participation; we earned our way in based on merit. We’re starting from the No. 8 spot and there’s something to be said for that considering there are 14 Funny Cars competing in this year’s playoffs.

  “Our Bandero Café team has worked incredibly hard to get where we’re at. We’ve really bonded over these first 14 races and I’m excited to see what the future holds. Heading into these last few months of the season, I have a very positive attitude and a great mental outlook.”

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NOTE:

JCM Racing Top Fuel driver Ida Zetterström will not compete in this weekend’s event but will be in attendance at Maple Grove Raceway as part of NHRA’s broadcast team. Fans can meet Zetterström at the Dodge display on Saturday at 11:15 a.m. She is scheduled to return to NHRA Mission Foods Series competition Oct. 10 - 12 for the NHRA FallNationals in Ennis, Texas. Zetterström is competing on a limited schedule due to insufficient funding and is actively seeking sponsors for 2025 and beyond.