BROWNSBURG, Ind. (APRIL 22, 2026) – Josh Hart and his John Force Racing team hope to take the sting out of their second-round departure at the Winternationals two weeks ago by pulling the HendrickCars.com Top Fuel Dragster in the winner’s circle at the conclusion of the April 24-26 NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway outside Charlotte, N.C.
The HendrickCars.com scheme at the 4-Wide Nationals will be the only event that Hart’s team will run a scheme other than Speedmaster for the balance of the 2026 season.
The 2026 Gatornationals titlist qualified second at Pomona and charged to victory in the first round of eliminations with a run of 3.698 seconds at 336.91 mph. Lined up next to Tony Stewart in Round 2, Hart left the starting line a mere seven-thousandths-of-a-second after Stewart and was running side-by-side at half-track before slowing as he neared the finish line, allowing the eventual event winner to take the win light.
Hart is currently third in the 2026 Top Fuel standings after victory at the season-opener at Gainesville and second-round showings at Phoenix and Pomona.
Hart and the HendrickCars.com team qualified to compete in this weekend’s Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on the strength of their quarterfinals finish in Pomona. The event will take place as part of Saturday’s qualifying runs scheduled for 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
The unofficial 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel point standings after three of 20 races are: Doug Kalitta, 256; Shawn Langdon, 252; Josh Hart, 235; Tony Stewart, 224; Leah Pruett, 220; Maddi Gordon, 186; Justin Ashley, 157; Antron Brown, 139; Billy Torrence, 133; Clay Milliken, 114.
Quotes
You said after your second-round finish at Pomona that “this one stings” so are you using it as motivation or have you put it behind you?
“We need to, we need to use it to focus, prepare, and execute. It’s definitely fuel for the fire and we will do exactly that: conquer and divide.”
What is what is it like racing four-wide at Charlotte?
“It’s awesome. We, as drivers, just have to pay attention. A lot of people don’t understand when you’re in these cars and you’re turning into a lane, you can’t necessarily differentiate which lane you’re headed towards. So, as long as you know what lane you’re in and you can focus on the bulb that you need to focus on, you should be able to do your job. I think that it’s a pretty cool spectacle for the fans. The difference for me is now I’ve got a dog in the fight that I’m confident with so that we can win this race.”
You have your usual starting line process so do you have to do anything different racing four wide?
“It’s a little bit more time consuming. When you’re sitting on the light, it feels like an eternity. It’s not, but when you’re waiting for three other souls to stage properly, it feels like forever. But nothing changes for me. I usually just try to make sure I am absolutely as shallow as possible to get everything that we can get for the crew chiefs. And then in competition, I do my own thing. The lights are pretty consistent and they’re only going to get better and better from here on out.”
What are your thoughts on representing Mr. Hendrick and HendrickCars.com?
“I cannot put into words how excited I am to be affiliated with such an amazing organization that is the largest name in automotive history in my book. I’ve looked up to them. I’ve followed their racing. It’s absolutely epic as I’m also in cars for my occupation. What a great role model and what a great success story to follow. So, hopefully, we can make them proud. I support the colors and am prouder than I can put into words.”
Stats
Starts: 5
Wins: 0
No. 1 Qualifiers: 0
Event Round Record: 7-5
Track & TV Schedules
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:15 and 7 p.m. ET on Friday, April 24 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, April 25 at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 26.
Television coverage includes qualifying on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, April 24, and 11 a.m. ET on Sunday with eliminations action at 7 p.m. ET to follow.
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The HendrickCars.com scheme at the 4-Wide Nationals will be the only event that Hart’s team will run a scheme other than Speedmaster for the balance of the 2026 season.
The 2026 Gatornationals titlist qualified second at Pomona and charged to victory in the first round of eliminations with a run of 3.698 seconds at 336.91 mph. Lined up next to Tony Stewart in Round 2, Hart left the starting line a mere seven-thousandths-of-a-second after Stewart and was running side-by-side at half-track before slowing as he neared the finish line, allowing the eventual event winner to take the win light.
Hart is currently third in the 2026 Top Fuel standings after victory at the season-opener at Gainesville and second-round showings at Phoenix and Pomona.
Hart and the HendrickCars.com team qualified to compete in this weekend’s Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on the strength of their quarterfinals finish in Pomona. The event will take place as part of Saturday’s qualifying runs scheduled for 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
The unofficial 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel point standings after three of 20 races are: Doug Kalitta, 256; Shawn Langdon, 252; Josh Hart, 235; Tony Stewart, 224; Leah Pruett, 220; Maddi Gordon, 186; Justin Ashley, 157; Antron Brown, 139; Billy Torrence, 133; Clay Milliken, 114.
Quotes
You said after your second-round finish at Pomona that “this one stings” so are you using it as motivation or have you put it behind you?
“We need to, we need to use it to focus, prepare, and execute. It’s definitely fuel for the fire and we will do exactly that: conquer and divide.”
What is what is it like racing four-wide at Charlotte?
“It’s awesome. We, as drivers, just have to pay attention. A lot of people don’t understand when you’re in these cars and you’re turning into a lane, you can’t necessarily differentiate which lane you’re headed towards. So, as long as you know what lane you’re in and you can focus on the bulb that you need to focus on, you should be able to do your job. I think that it’s a pretty cool spectacle for the fans. The difference for me is now I’ve got a dog in the fight that I’m confident with so that we can win this race.”
You have your usual starting line process so do you have to do anything different racing four wide?
“It’s a little bit more time consuming. When you’re sitting on the light, it feels like an eternity. It’s not, but when you’re waiting for three other souls to stage properly, it feels like forever. But nothing changes for me. I usually just try to make sure I am absolutely as shallow as possible to get everything that we can get for the crew chiefs. And then in competition, I do my own thing. The lights are pretty consistent and they’re only going to get better and better from here on out.”
What are your thoughts on representing Mr. Hendrick and HendrickCars.com?
“I cannot put into words how excited I am to be affiliated with such an amazing organization that is the largest name in automotive history in my book. I’ve looked up to them. I’ve followed their racing. It’s absolutely epic as I’m also in cars for my occupation. What a great role model and what a great success story to follow. So, hopefully, we can make them proud. I support the colors and am prouder than I can put into words.”
Stats
| Charlotte | Race Result | Round Wins | Round Loss | Qualified | Event Record |
| 2021 | Final Round | Def. B. Torrence & K. Wurtzel Def. D. Kalitta & C. Millican | Loss to S. Torrence & B. Force | 4th | 2-1 |
| 2022 | Final Round | Def. S. Torrence & S. Langdon Def. C. Millican & B. Force | Lost to M. Salinas & C. Ferre | 6th | 4-2 |
| 2023 | Final Round | Def. T. Schumacher & D. Mercier Def. D. Foley & B. Force | Lost to A. Prock & L. Pruett | 5th | 6-3 |
| 2024 | 1st round | Lost to C. Millican & B. Torrence | 12th | 6-4 | |
| 2025 | 2nd round | Def. I. Zetterstrom & S. Farley | Lost to S. Langdon & J. Ashley | 7th | 7-5 |
Starts: 5
Wins: 0
No. 1 Qualifiers: 0
Event Round Record: 7-5
Track & TV Schedules
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:15 and 7 p.m. ET on Friday, April 24 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, April 25 at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 26.
Television coverage includes qualifying on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, April 24, and 11 a.m. ET on Sunday with eliminations action at 7 p.m. ET to follow.
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