BROWNSBURG, Ind. (MAY 13, 2026) – Alexis DeJoria and the Mike Neff/Jonnie Lindberg-led Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car program will carry the momentum they earned two weeks ago at the Southern Nationals into the May 15-17 Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill.
The John Force Racing team earned a semifinal finish at the Adel, Ga., facility hosting its first NHRA national event, despite the tricky track conditions and rain canceling the final round of qualifying. In the process, DeJoria solidified her sixth-place position in the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings while keeping a close eye on their competitors just ahead.
With the season now 25 percent complete (5 of 20 races), the opportunity for DeJoria and her Bandero Café teammates to hit their mid-season stride is theirs for the taking and she sees the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK as the perfect event to make that next successful step.
The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after five of 20 races are: 1. J.R. Todd, 411; 2. Ron Capps, 408; 3. Matt Hagan, 386; 4. Jordan Vandergriff, 383; 5. Chad Green, 340; 6. Alexis DeJoria, 297; 7. Spencer Hyde, 275; 8. Jack Beckman, 245; 9. Daniel Wilkerson, 201; 10. Dave Richards, 171.
Quotes
How does your semifinal finish at Valdosta help the Bandero Café team headed into Chicago?
“The Bandero Café team had a good Southern Nationals regardless of the tricky track conditions and worked hard to earn out semifinal finish. There’s so much more to come from our team. On any given Sunday, Mike Neff, Jonnie Lindberg, the crew and I are capable of getting into winner’s circle.”
What are your thoughts on John Force Racing teammate Jordan Vandergriff earning his first Funny Car event?
“I’m so proud of my teammate Jordan Vandergriff. He’s been driving really well and they have a bad ass race car so I’m not surprised. It couldn’t have happened at a better time at the perfect race track for him. I’m so happy for that whole team.”
PEAK is an important sponsor for John Force Racing so what does it mean to race this week in their backyard?
“Everyone I’ve met so far who represents this great company has been a joy to work with. This being PEAK’s home track means they will have a strong presence in our pit area so we look forward to having them. To win at Chicago on behalf of PEAK, and the unstoppable force of John Force Racing, would be an honor.”
Stats
| Chicago | Race Result | Round Wins | Round Loss | Qualified | Event Record |
| 2011 (FC) | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2012 (FC) | Semi Finals | Def R. Capps Def J. Force | Lost to C. Force | 8th | 2-1 |
| 2013 (FC) | 1st Round | Lost to J. Beckman | 14th | 2-2 | |
| 2014 (FC) | 1st Round | Lost to J. Force | 13th | 2-3 | |
| 2015 (FC) | 1st Round | Lost to J. Force | 9th | 2-4 | |
| 2016 (FC) | 2nd Round | Def. B. Stewart | Lost to R. Hight | 3rd | 3-5 |
| 2017 (FC) | 2nd Round | Def. C. Pedregon | Lost to M. Hagan | 5th | 4-6 |
| 2018 | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2019 | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2020(FC) | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2021 (FC) | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2022 (FC) | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2023 (FC) | 1st Round | Lost to C. Pedregon | 15th | 4-7 | |
| 2024 (FC) | 2nd Round | Def. J. Todd | Lost to J. Force | 5th | 5-8 |
| 2025 (FC) | 1st Round | Lost to R. Capps | 11th | 5-9 |
Starts: 9
Wins: 0
Final Rounds: 0
No. 1 Qualifiers: 0
Event Round Record: 5-9
Track & TV Schedules
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:30 and 5:0 p.m. CT on Friday, May 15, with the final two rounds Saturday, May 16, at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. CT. Final eliminations are scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at 11 a.m. CT.
DEJORIA EYES ROUTE 66 AS ROAD TO PROGRESS
BROWNSBURG, Ind. (MAY 13, 2026) – Alexis DeJoria and the Mike Neff/Jonnie Lindberg-led Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car program will carry the momentum they earned two weeks ago at the Southern Nationals into the May 15-17 Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill.
The John Force Racing team earned a semifinal finish at the Adel, Ga., facility hosting its first NHRA national event, despite the tricky track conditions and rain canceling the final round of qualifying. In the process, DeJoria solidified her sixth-place position in the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings while keeping a close eye on their competitors just ahead.
With the season now 25 percent complete (5 of 20 races), the opportunity for DeJoria and her Bandero Café teammates to hit their mid-season stride is theirs for the taking and she sees the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK as the perfect event to make that next successful step.
The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after five of 20 races are: 1. J.R. Todd, 411; 2. Ron Capps, 408; 3. Matt Hagan, 386; 4. Jordan Vandergriff, 383; 5. Chad Green, 340; 6. Alexis DeJoria, 297; 7. Spencer Hyde, 275; 8. Jack Beckman, 245; 9. Daniel Wilkerson, 201; 10. Dave Richards, 171.
Quotes
How does your semifinal finish at Valdosta help the Bandero Café team headed into Chicago?
“The Bandero Café team had a good Southern Nationals regardless of the tricky track conditions and worked hard to earn out semifinal finish. There’s so much more to come from our team. On any given Sunday, Mike Neff, Jonnie Lindberg, the crew and I are capable of getting into winner’s circle.”
What are your thoughts on John Force Racing teammate Jordan Vandergriff earning his first Funny Car event?
“I’m so proud of my teammate Jordan Vandergriff. He’s been driving really well and they have a bad ass race car so I’m not surprised. It couldn’t have happened at a better time at the perfect race track for him. I’m so happy for that whole team.”
PEAK is an important sponsor for John Force Racing so what does it mean to race this week in their backyard?
“Everyone I’ve met so far who represents this great company has been a joy to work with. This being PEAK’s home track means they will have a strong presence in our pit area so we look forward to having them. To win at Chicago on behalf of PEAK, and the unstoppable force of John Force Racing, would be an honor.”
Stats
| Chicago | Race Result | Round Wins | Round Loss | Qualified | Event Record |
| 2011 (FC) | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2012 (FC) | Semi Finals | Def R. Capps Def J. Force | Lost to C. Force | 8th | 2-1 |
| 2013 (FC) | 1st Round | Lost to J. Beckman | 14th | 2-2 | |
| 2014 (FC) | 1st Round | Lost to J. Force | 13th | 2-3 | |
| 2015 (FC) | 1st Round | Lost to J. Force | 9th | 2-4 | |
| 2016 (FC) | 2nd Round | Def. B. Stewart | Lost to R. Hight | 3rd | 3-5 |
| 2017 (FC) | 2nd Round | Def. C. Pedregon | Lost to M. Hagan | 5th | 4-6 |
| 2018 | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2019 | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2020(FC) | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2021 (FC) | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2022 (FC) | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2023 (FC) | 1st Round | Lost to C. Pedregon | 15th | 4-7 | |
| 2024 (FC) | 2nd Round | Def. J. Todd | Lost to J. Force | 5th | 5-8 |
| 2025 (FC) | 1st Round | Lost to R. Capps | 11th | 5-9 |
Starts: 9
Wins: 0
Final Rounds: 0
No. 1 Qualifiers: 0
Event Round Record: 5-9
Track & TV Schedules
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:30 and 5:0 p.m. CT on Friday, May 15, with the final two rounds Saturday, May 16, at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. CT. Final eliminations are scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at 11 a.m. CT.
Television coverage on FS1 includes qualifying on Friday, May 15, from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. ET, a second qualifying show on Saturday, May 16, from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET, and the eliminations broadcast on Sunday, May 17, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. ET.