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Jack Beckman Claims Runner-Up at NHRA Potomac; Jordan Vandergriff Advances to Semifinals
Highlights
- Jack Beckman was runner-up at the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals.
- Beckman secured No. 1 qualifier and quickest elapsed time in eliminations.
- Austin Prock won final with a 3.958-second pass, beating Beckman.
- Beckman reached his 78th Funny Car final and second runner-up in 2026.
- Jordan Vandergriff reached semifinals, showing strong rebound for his team.
- Upcoming NHRA event: New England Nationals, June 5-7 in New Hampshire.
Jack Beckman finishes runner-up at the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS at Maryland International Raceway, losing the final to Austin Prock despite a weekend of headline pace.
Prock wins with a 3.958-second, 324.20 mph pass. Beckman records 3.971 seconds at 323.50 mph. The margin reflects execution under pressure rather than any structural deficit.
Beckman secures his 35th No. 1 qualifier and sets the quickest elimination E.T., including a 3.923-second semifinal. It is his 78th Funny Car final and second runner-up of 2026.
Austin Prock takes the final, 3.958s at 324.20 mph; Beckman replies with 3.971s at 323.50 mph.
The PEAK Chevrolet SS, tuned by Dan Hood and Tim Fabrisi, shows consistent range and repeatability. Beckman admits the final tune-up could have been more aggressive.
His route includes a 3.939 against Joe Morrison and a 4.003 over J.R. Todd. He then wins a John Force Racing semifinal over Jordan Vandergriff on E.T. and speed.
Vandergriff rebounds after an early exit at the Route 66 Nationals in Chicago, reaching the semifinals for Cornwell Tools. He earns lane choice versus Beckman and leaves encouraged.
Jordan Vandergriff reaches the semifinals, a welcome rebound for the Cornwell Tools team.
Elsewhere, Josh Hart and Alexis DeJoria qualify seventh but fall in round one. Hart loses traction versus Clay Millican. DeJoria runs sixth-fastest of the round yet loses to Ron Capps.
John Force Racing’s form holds. Hart wins the season opener, Vandergriff claims a first Funny Car victory at South Georgia, and DeJoria collects two runner-up finishes.
The series heads to Epping for the New England Nationals on June 5-7.
This meeting is round eight of the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Large crowds and competitive depth feature in broader Potomac Nationals coverage.
Visual Summary
#1
Beckman
🏁
Prock
WINNER
3.971s
Beckman
3.958s
Prock
Diff:
0.013s
0.013s
Beckman: Bold Weekend, What a Finish!
- 35th career pole (No. 1 Qualifier)
- Fastest semifinal: 3.923s
- 78th career Funny Car final
- Runner-up for 2nd time this season
- Edge of victory: 0.013s gap
No. 1 Qualifier
Q
SF
Final
Round 1: 3.939s win
Round 2: Close 4.003s
Semifinal: 3.923s (fastest of day)
Round 2: Close 4.003s
Semifinal: 3.923s (fastest of day)
Strong
all weekend
all weekend
🔥
Most consistent elapsed times in the field
“We gave it everything.”
Jack Beckman reflects on a razor-close final and a statement weekend.
0.013-seconds away from the win.
0.013-seconds away from the win.
Potomac Nationals Standouts
Jordan Vandergriff: Semifinalist, best run since South Georgia 🚀
Josh Hart: Early Top Fuel exit after losing traction
Alexis DeJoria: 6th-fastest first round, but out by a nose
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series rolls on to Epping, NH, June 5-7.
Nicholas Rivera delivers NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car news, including eliminator-round results and reaction-time stats. He brings track-side interviews, contender profiles, and championship-point breakdowns straight from drag-racing’s biggest national events.
