ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (Sept. 25, 2026) – Jack Beckman led the John Force Racing charge after the first day of qualifying at Rockingham Dragway for the inaugural NHRA Nationals at The Rock.
The HendrickCars.com Chevrolet SS Funny Car earned the No. 3 qualifying position with Beckman’s first session run of 3.911 seconds at 327.03 mph. He also ran 3.911 seconds in the second session, just 5/10,000 of a second slower.
Josh Hart and the Speedmaster Top Fuel team posted the 10th-quickest run in the first qualifying session. Hart ran 3.833 seconds at 318.92 mph and seem poised to post a quicker time in Q2 before the car shut off unexpectedly.
Alexis DeJoria is the No. 12 Funny Car qualifier. The Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car ran 4.233 seconds at 221.35 mph in the second of Friday’s two sessions.
Jordan Vandergriff and the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car team, coming off the rain-delayed NHRA Great Lake Nationals win just four days ago, is currently the No. 14 qualifier with their best run of 4.654 seconds at 183.15 mph.
The final two rounds of qualifying will take place Saturday, Sept. 26 at 12 and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 27.
Quote from Jack Beckman, HendrickCars.com Chevrolet SS Funny Car:
“When the racetrack gets better, you don’t automatically run quicker. You have to make a bunch of settings more aggressive to take advantage of the better traction. And we did, but not enough and the changes made got swallowed up by the improvement of the racetrack. The silver lining is we left a lot on the table and still were the third quickest of the session. We were low of Q1, third low in Q2, earning us bonus points in both sessions. We’re hoping the first session tomorrow will give us an opportunity to push hard and get the HendrickCars.com Chevy back to that No. 1 spot because there will be a single run in the first round with a short field here.”
Quote from Josh Hart, Speedmaster Top Fuel Dragster:
“We had a good run in Q1 and, in Q2, I couldn’t see anything, to be honest with you because of the sun’s glare. I guess I should have changed my visor. We definitely had a good 60-foot time in that second run and were looking good a halftrack when the Speedmaster dragster just shut off. I didn’t shut it off and Grubnic (crew chief Dave Grubnic) says he didn’t shut it off so I guess it just didn’t want to play today.”
Quote from Alexis DeJoria, Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car:
“The second run of the day in the Bandero Café Chevy was better than the first in our first day of qualifying here in Rockingham. We were probably going to run a high 80 but just broke loose right at the top end. Tomorrow’s a new day. I’ve never been here before but I can already tell I’m going to like racing at The Rock.”
Quote from Jordan Vandergriff, Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car:
The Rock has one of the most unique starting lines views I have ever laid eyes on. I obviously haven’t seen that many in my career but it is definitely a sight. I love the vibe Rockingham has and the fans have been great. It was a tough Friday for this Cornwell Quality Tools team. We battled some adversity last weekend and it looks like we are beginning to battle again. Hopefully, we will lay down some good solid runs tomorrow and end up like we did Monday in Michigan.”
TV Schedule
Television coverage on Sun., Sept. 27, includes qualifying on FS1 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET before eliminations action at from 3 – 6 p.m.
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The HendrickCars.com Chevrolet SS Funny Car earned the No. 3 qualifying position with Beckman’s first session run of 3.911 seconds at 327.03 mph. He also ran 3.911 seconds in the second session, just 5/10,000 of a second slower.
Josh Hart and the Speedmaster Top Fuel team posted the 10th-quickest run in the first qualifying session. Hart ran 3.833 seconds at 318.92 mph and seem poised to post a quicker time in Q2 before the car shut off unexpectedly.
Alexis DeJoria is the No. 12 Funny Car qualifier. The Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car ran 4.233 seconds at 221.35 mph in the second of Friday’s two sessions.
Jordan Vandergriff and the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car team, coming off the rain-delayed NHRA Great Lake Nationals win just four days ago, is currently the No. 14 qualifier with their best run of 4.654 seconds at 183.15 mph.
The final two rounds of qualifying will take place Saturday, Sept. 26 at 12 and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 27.
Quote from Jack Beckman, HendrickCars.com Chevrolet SS Funny Car:
“When the racetrack gets better, you don’t automatically run quicker. You have to make a bunch of settings more aggressive to take advantage of the better traction. And we did, but not enough and the changes made got swallowed up by the improvement of the racetrack. The silver lining is we left a lot on the table and still were the third quickest of the session. We were low of Q1, third low in Q2, earning us bonus points in both sessions. We’re hoping the first session tomorrow will give us an opportunity to push hard and get the HendrickCars.com Chevy back to that No. 1 spot because there will be a single run in the first round with a short field here.”
Quote from Josh Hart, Speedmaster Top Fuel Dragster:
“We had a good run in Q1 and, in Q2, I couldn’t see anything, to be honest with you because of the sun’s glare. I guess I should have changed my visor. We definitely had a good 60-foot time in that second run and were looking good a halftrack when the Speedmaster dragster just shut off. I didn’t shut it off and Grubnic (crew chief Dave Grubnic) says he didn’t shut it off so I guess it just didn’t want to play today.”
Quote from Alexis DeJoria, Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car:
“The second run of the day in the Bandero Café Chevy was better than the first in our first day of qualifying here in Rockingham. We were probably going to run a high 80 but just broke loose right at the top end. Tomorrow’s a new day. I’ve never been here before but I can already tell I’m going to like racing at The Rock.”
Quote from Jordan Vandergriff, Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car:
The Rock has one of the most unique starting lines views I have ever laid eyes on. I obviously haven’t seen that many in my career but it is definitely a sight. I love the vibe Rockingham has and the fans have been great. It was a tough Friday for this Cornwell Quality Tools team. We battled some adversity last weekend and it looks like we are beginning to battle again. Hopefully, we will lay down some good solid runs tomorrow and end up like we did Monday in Michigan.”
TV Schedule
Television coverage on Sun., Sept. 27, includes qualifying on FS1 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET before eliminations action at from 3 – 6 p.m.
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Continue reading...
