Alexis DeJoria picked up her first ever win in the Funny Car category today at the 30^th annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals. DeJoria, driver of the Kalitta Motorsports Patrón XO Cafe Toyota Camry Funny Car defeated veteran Champion driver Robert Hight, 16-time World Champion John Force, former crew chief, teammate, and 2012 Top Fuel World Champion Del Worsham, and former teammate Jeff Arend en route to her first win. All this on the heels of her history making run at the race prior in Pomona, Calif. when she became the first woman ever to make a sub-four second run [3.997-seconds]. To say DeJoria and the Tommy DeLago/Glen Huszar-led team would be starting off the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Series on a good note would be an understatement.

Photos courtesy Gary Nastase

DeJoria dominated throughout qualifying, running impressive numbers in three out of four attempts. Two of the four qualifying runs held up to be the third quickest of their session, earning DeJoria bonus points.

In the first round, DeJoria powered her 10,000 horsepower Patrón XO Cafe Camry to an impressive ET of 4.065-secs, the second quickest of the session. She then went on to take out teammate Worsham, and sent John Force to the trailer with another stout run of 4.052 at 311.41-mph.

This was DeJoria’s second trip to the Finals as a pro class driver. Her first came during her Rookie season at the 2012 Bristol race. Throughout her 2013 campaign, she drove her Patrón sponsored hot rod to four semi-final rounds.  Prior to making the step up to the Funny Car class, she earned a victory each in the Top Alcohol Funny Car class and Super Comp category.

Upon defeating Hight with another great run of 4.043-secs, and taking a breather before climbing out of her purple, gold, and matte-black Toyota Camry, DeJoria was overcome with emotion as the realization of her first win set in. “Wow, my first win,” she said, with a huge smile on her face. “I’m so proud of my guys. We all worked so hard. Our car has been consistent all weekend. Our 60 foot times have been hella fast. This moment has been a long time coming. Today was just surreal and it was well worth the wait. We’ve got a hot rod underneath us now, and you’re going to see more wins out of the Patrón XO Cafe team- I’m sure of that!”

She became the 90^th driver and fourth woman to earn a victory in the ultra-competitive Funny Car class. And of course, the signature Kalitta Motorsports mosh-pit ensued.

DeJoria and the Kalitta Motorsports Patrón XO Cafe Toyota Camry Funny Car team are currently third in the NHRA standings with 156 points.