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Jordan Vandergriff Aims to Win NHRA Funny Car Regular Season Title
Highlights
- Jordan Vandergriff earned second win at Sonoma Raceway, sits second overall
- Cornwell Tools Chevrolet team credited for strong car and performance
- Upcoming NHRA Northwest Nationals July 24-26 at Pacific Raceways, Washington
- Vandergriff trails leader Ron Capps by 74 points with three races left
- Fans can meet Vandergriff during autograph sessions July 23-25
- Eliminations start July 26, with TV coverage on FS1 and FOX
Rookie Jordan Vandergriff turns promise into substance, winning Sonoma for his second 2026 victory and rising to P2 before the NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways, July 24-26.
He credits the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car and crew chiefs Chris Cunningham and Jason Bunker. From Q2 onward, the package delivers class-leading pace, allowing consistent, straightforward executions.
“From Q2 on, we had the best car on the property.”
The Sonoma result underlines John Force Racing’s operational depth. The victory represents the organisation’s 334th combined NHRA win across Funny Car and Top Fuel, reinforcing its long-term competitive baseline.
Sonoma victory marked John Force Racing’s 334th combined NHRA win.
Vandergriff trails points leader Ron Capps by 74 points with three events left, a margin smaller than four rounds. Recent form from Capps’ NAPA win sustains pressure at the top.
Vandergriff sits second, 74 points behind Ron Capps with three races remaining.
Standard points apply in Washington and at Brainerd. The U.S. Nationals pay points-and-a-half, creating a decisive swing before the Countdown, aligning with Vandergriff’s stated title ambition.
U.S. Nationals award points-and-a-half, the last big swing before the Countdown.
Vandergriff frames 2026 as accelerated development rather than overachievement. The rookie label lowers outside expectations, but internal targets at John Force Racing remain uncompromising.
He notes hiccups alongside clean, competitive runs, but believes the capability is proven. The task now is repeatable execution, from staging discipline to clutch management under changing track conditions.
There is also a human element. Vandergriff carried the Wally through the airport, fielding photo requests, before keeping the trophy on his lap for the flight home.
Fans can meet Vandergriff at autograph sessions on July 23, 24, and 25 in Washington, strengthening the programme’s engagement with supporters around the event.
Track action features two qualifying sessions Friday and two Saturday. Nitro eliminations start Sunday at 10 a.m. TV coverage airs on FS1 Friday 10 p.m. ET, Saturday 2:30 p.m., and FOX Sunday 4 p.m. ET.
If the Cornwell Tools car repeats Sonoma-level pace, Vandergriff becomes a credible title threat against Capps. With margins tight, reliability and reaction-time discipline could decide the regular season.
Visual Summary
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Rookie Rising!
Jordan Vandergriff: From Underdog 🚀 to Title Threat
🏁 Sonoma Triumph (#2 of Season)
🥈 2nd Overall, -74 pts
💪 JFR’s 334th Win!
Next Stop: NHRA Northwest Nationals
July 24–26 • Pacific Raceways • Kent WA
“Now I’m getting the opportunity to show it. We’re exactly where we belong.”
Catch the Action + Meet the Rookie
Autographs: July 23–25
Qualifying: Fri & Sat, July 24–25
Eliminations (FOX): Sun, July 26, 4pm ET
Qualifying: Fri & Sat, July 24–25
Eliminations (FOX): Sun, July 26, 4pm ET
James William covers the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, from the Rolex 24 at Daytona to sprint-race formats. His reports include prototype performance reviews, GT class battles, and pit-stop strategy insights for endurance-racing fans.
