Vandergriff Claims First No. 1 Qualifier and Second Win at #2Fast2Tasty Challenge

Jordan Vandergriff claims his first No. 1 qualifier and a second Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge win at the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway.

The Funny Car rookie delivers a 3.913-second, 323.58 mph lap in the final session, overturning the order and securing a key marker early in his career.

He edges Ron Capps, whose 3.953 at 328.16 mph had set the benchmark, and adds another result in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge to an accelerating résumé.

John Force Racing underlines its depth by sweeping the Funny Car top three. Jack Beckman qualifies second, with Alexis DeJoria third, reflecting both performance base and execution.

Top Fuel form is strong as well. Josh Hart places third with a 3.724 at 337.92 mph in Friday’s second session, reinforcing a competitive Speedmaster package.

Saturday’s Challenge reprises last week’s semifinal as Vandergriff faces Beckman, echoing the Maryland duel detailed in the Maryland event report. A sharp holeshot proves decisive as both lose traction.

Vandergriff then defeats Capps in the final, despite lane choice against him. He credits John Force, robust equipment, and teamwork, citing Beckman’s tips and DeJoria’s guidance under pressure.

With only eight Funny Car starts, he now owns two Mission wins, a Wally, and a first No. 1, suggesting a rapid and well-managed adaptation to class demands.

The qualifying picture evolves across sessions. DeJoria leads Friday with 3.929 at 312.42, ahead of Vandergriff’s 3.932 at 326.32, while Beckman sits sixth at 3.950 and 323.81.

Beckman briefly claims provisional pole with 3.921 at 327.35, DeJoria responds at 3.934 and 329.50, before Vandergriff’s 3.913 finally resets the order.

The sweep emphasizes operational strength at John Force Racing, marrying consistent launch balance with reliable clutch and track-read calls across changing conditions.

Eliminations pair Vandergriff with No. 16 Jeff Arend, who runs a best of 4.152 at 264.18. Beckman faces No. 15 Phil Burkart, while DeJoria meets Cruz Pedregon, also seeded 15th.

Hart draws Rit Pustari, the Top Fuel No. 14. Racing begins at 10:30 a.m. ET, with FOX live from 3–6 p.m. ET, continuing a compelling strand of NHRA drag racing storylines.

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Nicholas Rivera

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.

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