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Jordan Vandergriff Seizes Big Chance at Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley
Highlights
- Jordan Vandergriff competes as NHRA Funny Car rookie at Thunder Valley
- Event runs June 12-14 at Bristol Dragway, Tennessee
- Vandergriff drives Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS for John Force Racing
- Recent repaving at Bristol creates level playing field
- Vandergriff aims for second Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty title Saturday
- Eliminations start Sunday at noon; live on FS1 at 3 p.m.
Jordan Vandergriff targets a statement weekend at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, running June 12-14 at Bristol Dragway, as the Funny Car rookie seeks momentum and points.
John Force Racing fields the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS, giving Vandergriff robust engineering support. Bristol’s recent repave reduces historic advantage, compressing performance windows and emphasizing execution.
Form trends support optimism. He wins in Georgia and reaches Maryland semifinals on debut visits, suggesting adaptability that matters on a green surface with limited baselines.
Bristol’s fresh surface “levels the playing field for everybody,” Vandergriff says.
The early narrative forms during Friday night in Thunder Valley. Vandergriff meets teammate Jack Beckman in qualifying, making Q1 launch critical for lane read, clutch wear data, and confidence into Saturday.
Last week’s New England rain-out halts the Funny Car final. Vandergriff maintains race-day intensity across the delay, seeking to avoid a tentative first hit on Bristol’s new asphalt.
He already owns a May victory at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Valdosta. Another Bristol win likely elevates him to second in the standings, tightening the title picture.
A win at Bristol likely moves Vandergriff to second in Funny Car points.
Saturday adds the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, where Vandergriff chases a second title after Charlotte’s 4-Wide success.
Setup priorities shift with the repave. Teams face reduced rubber history, so clutch timing, fuel curve, and incremental power management decide who accesses the lane’s narrow sweet spot.
He meets teammate Jack Beckman in Friday qualifying.
The weekend schedule features Friday sessions at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. ET, then Saturday runs at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., before Sunday eliminations at noon.
Fans can watch Friday qualifying at 8 p.m. ET and Sunday qualifying at 2 p.m. on FS1, with eliminations live at 3 p.m.
If Vandergriff sustains clean launches and early speed numbers, his rookie campaign gains further credibility at Bristol. The ingredients exist for another deep Sunday run.
Visual Summary
Jordan Vandergriff Ignites Thunder Valley
NHRA Funny Car rookie hits Bristol’s fresh track hot off a win and a semifinal run.
Chasing points, glory, and the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge.
Chasing points, glory, and the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge.
?
Rookie on Fire
1 win, Semis, Bristol debut
??
New Track
Repaved, “anyone can win”
⬆️
Points Surge
Win = 2nd place
in standings
Fri Q1/Q2
Qualifying
vs Beckman
Qualifying
vs Beckman
Sat
#2Fast2Tasty
Challenge
#2Fast2Tasty
Challenge
Sun Noon
Elims
Trophy Hunt
Elims
Trophy Hunt
?
Thunder Valley
Goal
Thunder Valley
Goal
“I want to be in race day mode
from my very first run.”
from my very first run.”
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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