BROWNSBURG, Ind. (APRIL 22, 2026) – Jordan Vandergriff has never participated in the four-wide format in the nitro categories at zMax Dragway but that doesn’t diminish the confidence he and the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car team has rolling into the April 24-26 NHRA 4-Wide Nationals.
The Atlanta-area resident has powerful reason for the confidence. He established a personal best speed record, 334.57 mph, in Round 1 of eliminations at the Winternationals and ran 330+ mph en route to his second-round victory. In the semifinal matchup against three-time NHRA Funny Car World Champion and eventual event runner-up Ron Capps, Vandergriff grabbed the holeshot (.069 to .077) and then made his career-best run 3.889 seconds but Capps took the win with a run of 3.863 seconds.
Vandergriff and his John Force Racing team are currently fifth in the 2026 Funny Car standings after a semifinal finish in the season-opener at Gainesville, a second-round showing at Phoenix and semifinal finish at Pomona.
Vandergriff and the Cornwell Tools team qualified to compete in this weekend’s Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on the strength of their semifinals finish in Pomona. The event will take place as part of Saturday’s qualifying runs scheduled for 12:50 p.m. and 3:20 p.m.
The unofficial 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after three of 20 races are: Ron Capps, 251; Matt Hagan, 251; JR Todd, 224; Chad Green, 223; Jordan Vandergriff, 205; Spencer Hyde, 189; Alexis DeJoria, 184; Daniel Wilkerson, 138; Paul Lee, 133; Jack Beckman, 119.
Quotes
With this being your first time racing in the 4-wide format, have you talked with anyone about the procedures for racing the four-wide format?
“I raced at Charlotte in an alcohol dragster once, but this will be my first time in the four-wide concept so it’s going to be a new experience for me. I don’t really know what to expect yet but I think I’m going to have a lot of those experiences this year so I’m just going to go for it. I have the benefit of working on NHRA on FOX the last two years. Being at these races and watching the procedures, I’ve been told many things by many different people already, so I think I’m very prepared for it. I know Lanes 2 and 3 are more difficult so I know what I’m looking for already. It’s going to be a different feel but I’ll be ready for it.”
You mentioned Lanes 2 and 3 being more difficult. Is that because you’re looking at people on both, you’ve got people on both sides of you?
“Lanes 2 and 3 are difficult because you’re looking across the Christmas Tree. In Lane 2, your tree is to your left, and your stage bulb is the 2nd bulb on the left so you’re looking all the way across the tree. In Lane 3, your bulb would be the 3rd bulb on your right all the way to the right. So, it’s kind of a longer view for Lanes 2 and 3. Lanes 1 and 4 are the easier ones because you’re just looking right at your bulb. I think I’m going to take a little more of my time because you never know when other people are going to go in and, with four of us, it’s going to be a little longer anyway, so I might as well take an extra second for myself, too.”
What are your thoughts on the season so far, sitting fifth in points after three races?
“I feel great about how this year has gone so far. This Cornwell Quality Tools Funny Car has really been running well and that’s thanks to Chris Cunningham, Jason Bunker, and all of my guys. We’re sitting fifth in the points, and I think we’re coming off our strongest race in Pomona. We qualified third, made it to the semis, and only got beat by the quickest ET (elapsed time) of the whole event. So, coming out of Pomona, I think Charlotte, with the four-wide format, gives us a chance to possibly be holding one of those diamond Wally’s at the end of the weekend.”
Is earning the No. 1 Qualifier on Friday at Pomona something you just put away or is that something you use as motivation?
“I think it’s a little bit of both. You have to use it as motivation but you also have to put it away and understand that each race is a singular experience. Holding on to the No. 1 Qualifier spot after Q 2 at Pomona was a pretty cool experience and it makes you want it even more. It gives you a little more motivation to go out there and do it, but you also have to understand that each race comes with its own challenges.”
Stats
Starts: 0
Wins: 0
No. 1 Qualifiers: 0
Event Round Record: 0
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.
###
Continue reading...
The Atlanta-area resident has powerful reason for the confidence. He established a personal best speed record, 334.57 mph, in Round 1 of eliminations at the Winternationals and ran 330+ mph en route to his second-round victory. In the semifinal matchup against three-time NHRA Funny Car World Champion and eventual event runner-up Ron Capps, Vandergriff grabbed the holeshot (.069 to .077) and then made his career-best run 3.889 seconds but Capps took the win with a run of 3.863 seconds.
Vandergriff and his John Force Racing team are currently fifth in the 2026 Funny Car standings after a semifinal finish in the season-opener at Gainesville, a second-round showing at Phoenix and semifinal finish at Pomona.
Vandergriff and the Cornwell Tools team qualified to compete in this weekend’s Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on the strength of their semifinals finish in Pomona. The event will take place as part of Saturday’s qualifying runs scheduled for 12:50 p.m. and 3:20 p.m.
The unofficial 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after three of 20 races are: Ron Capps, 251; Matt Hagan, 251; JR Todd, 224; Chad Green, 223; Jordan Vandergriff, 205; Spencer Hyde, 189; Alexis DeJoria, 184; Daniel Wilkerson, 138; Paul Lee, 133; Jack Beckman, 119.
Quotes
With this being your first time racing in the 4-wide format, have you talked with anyone about the procedures for racing the four-wide format?
“I raced at Charlotte in an alcohol dragster once, but this will be my first time in the four-wide concept so it’s going to be a new experience for me. I don’t really know what to expect yet but I think I’m going to have a lot of those experiences this year so I’m just going to go for it. I have the benefit of working on NHRA on FOX the last two years. Being at these races and watching the procedures, I’ve been told many things by many different people already, so I think I’m very prepared for it. I know Lanes 2 and 3 are more difficult so I know what I’m looking for already. It’s going to be a different feel but I’ll be ready for it.”
You mentioned Lanes 2 and 3 being more difficult. Is that because you’re looking at people on both, you’ve got people on both sides of you?
“Lanes 2 and 3 are difficult because you’re looking across the Christmas Tree. In Lane 2, your tree is to your left, and your stage bulb is the 2nd bulb on the left so you’re looking all the way across the tree. In Lane 3, your bulb would be the 3rd bulb on your right all the way to the right. So, it’s kind of a longer view for Lanes 2 and 3. Lanes 1 and 4 are the easier ones because you’re just looking right at your bulb. I think I’m going to take a little more of my time because you never know when other people are going to go in and, with four of us, it’s going to be a little longer anyway, so I might as well take an extra second for myself, too.”
What are your thoughts on the season so far, sitting fifth in points after three races?
“I feel great about how this year has gone so far. This Cornwell Quality Tools Funny Car has really been running well and that’s thanks to Chris Cunningham, Jason Bunker, and all of my guys. We’re sitting fifth in the points, and I think we’re coming off our strongest race in Pomona. We qualified third, made it to the semis, and only got beat by the quickest ET (elapsed time) of the whole event. So, coming out of Pomona, I think Charlotte, with the four-wide format, gives us a chance to possibly be holding one of those diamond Wally’s at the end of the weekend.”
Is earning the No. 1 Qualifier on Friday at Pomona something you just put away or is that something you use as motivation?
“I think it’s a little bit of both. You have to use it as motivation but you also have to put it away and understand that each race is a singular experience. Holding on to the No. 1 Qualifier spot after Q 2 at Pomona was a pretty cool experience and it makes you want it even more. It gives you a little more motivation to go out there and do it, but you also have to understand that each race comes with its own challenges.”
Stats
| Charlotte | Race Result | Round Wins | Round Loss | Qualified | Event Record |
| 2019 (TF) | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2025 (TF) | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Starts: 0
Wins: 0
No. 1 Qualifiers: 0
Event Round Record: 0
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.
###
Continue reading...
