Alexis DeJoria to miss Seattle after NHRA crash

Kalitta Motorsports’ NHRA Funny Car pilot Alexis DeJoria will sit out this weekend’s NHRA Northwest Nationals in Seattle due to injuries sustained from a crash in last weekend’s Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals in California.

Alexis DeJoria was diagnosed with a high-energy fracture of the left pelvis after a crash during first round eliminations at last weekend’s NHRA event.

“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 in a statement released by her team.

“I felt the car make a move to the right, I corrected it and then the car... 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 lower my 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.”

DeJoria sits 10th in the points leaving Sonoma, and took a win back in April in Las Vegas. However, while immediate surgery is not required, DeJoria is currently suffering from extreme pain and so is resting in her home in Austin. She is aware that this injury could keep her out of the championship fight, with only the top 10 cars advancing to the Championship chase after the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals on Labor Day in Indianapolis.

However, DeJoria hopes this shouldn’t be an issue, as she’s eyeing a return at Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in two weeks time in Brainerd, Minnestoa.

“The goal right now is Brainerd. I’m going to do everything I possibly can to heal properly,” DeJoria continued in her team’s statement. “I’m on bedrest for the time being, and then I start physical therapy on Monday. 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.”

DeJoria expressed her gratitude toward her fans and sponsors for their support, and the team added that they are not considering any substitute drivers.

LIVE final eliminations coverage of this weekend’s NHRA Northwest Nationals in Seattle begins at 4 p.m. ET Sunday on FOX.