Zetterström To Join DeJoria In All-Female Nitro Team
Written by I Dig SportsBROWNSBURG, Ind. Women will be leading the charge at JCM Racing as headliners Alexis DeJoria and Ida Zetterström have been commissioned to assume the driving responsibilities for Joe and P.J. Maynards two-car operation.
Competing as the sports first all-female nitro team, DeJoria (previously announced) will pilot the Bandero Premium Tequila Funny Car while Zetterström will be at the controls of the JCM Racing Top Fuel dragster.
DeJoria and Zetterström will make their debut as JCM Racing teammates during National Womens Month when the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season kicks off with the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., March 7-9.
DeJoria, a 12-year Funny Car veteran who previously competed under the DC Motorsports banner, will run the full slate of NHRA Mission Foods Series events.
Returning for her sophomore season with JCM, Zetterström is confirmed for a half-season schedule consisting of 10 races with the goal of adding events in hopes of running a full-season campaign.
This sport has a long history of powerful women who have made their mark not only on NHRA Drag Racing but the motorsports industry as a whole, said Maynard, JCM Racing team owner. Women have been at the forefront of the NHRA for many years, and were proud to be the first organization to have an all-female roster of nitro-powered drivers. Ida and Alexis are the full package and will represent us well both on and off the track.
Working with Ida last year, and seeing her drive and tenacity, I have no doubt that its only a matter of time before she has an NHRA championship to go along with her European championships, added Maynard. Her work ethic is incredible and that translates to success on the track. Im hopeful we can continue to add more races to her schedule this year and put her in a position to have a shot at the Countdown. As for Alexis, its clear that she is right there on the cusp, a champion-in-the-making, and our goal for this season is to put her in the best car surrounded by a great team so that she can make a run at becoming the first woman in NHRA history to win a Funny Car title.
Calling the shots on the Bandero Funny Car is Mike Zippy Neff, who has been instrumental in tuning multiple high-profile drivers to numerous race wins in addition to his two Funny Car championships.
The Zetterström/Jon Schaffer driver/crew chief duo remains intact after a late-season 2024 debut. Like Neff, Schaffers resume is also jam-packed with highlights, including double-digit race wins and a series title since assuming the role of NHRA crew chief.
At their first race together at the 2024 Brainerd, Minn. event, Zetterström and Schaffer impressed with a semifinal finish but felt that they didnt truly hit their stride until several races later when the season was coming to an end.
I feel like we left a lot on the table when it comes to showing people what were capable of, explained Zetterström. Everyone else had a 12-race head start on us so by the time we came out in August, the rest of the field had several months of getting the kinks worked out. Not to mention, many of those teams have worked together for years and years whereas we were a brand-new team that was starting from scratch. Right as it started to feel like we were getting into our groove, the season ended. So, were ready to get back out there and prove ourselves. I hope we can put together the proper funding to race a full season, but regardless, Ill be out at the track every race weekend, either competing for win lights or supporting my new teammate from the starting line. Im excited for Alexis and me to be teammates this year.