Jordan Vandergriff used his rookie status in the first half of the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season as somewhat of a shield from outside performance expectations, but after his second win of the season last week at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway and second place in the point standings, eyes are starting to turn his way as a strong competitor for the regular season championship and more.
“Sonoma was the best weekend so far for the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet team,” said Vandergriff. “Chris Cunningham and Jason Bunker, and all my Cornwell Quality Tools guys gave me an amazing race car. I just sat in the car and tried to do my job and they just did the rest. They gave me the best race car on the property, no doubt about it, from Q2 on and that’s all credit to them. I just get in, hit the gas and keep it straight. It was a very strong weekend for us and I think a strong sign of what’s to come for the rest of the year as we chase down the regular season championship and whole season, as well.”
Vandergriff and John Force Racing’s Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car team take the next step toward those goals at the July 24-26 Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Wash. The Chris Cunningham/Jason Bunker-led team were dominant all weekend at Sonoma in earning their second Diamond Wally of NHRA’s 75th anniversary season and John Force Racing’s 334th overall event win in Funny Car (313) and Top Fuel (24).
“Let me tell you, Wally is a superstar,” Vandergriff said. “Walking through the airport with Wally, more people wanted to talk to him and take pictures with him than they did me. It was a cool experience to walk through an airport with the trophy of our series. Some people asked questions about what it was and others already knew so it was a cool experience. He sat in my lap on the plane ride home and everything was okay.”
The Cornwell Tools team is now 74 points, less than four rounds of competition, behind point leader Ron Capps with three races remaining in the regular season. This week’s NHRA Northwest Nationals and upcoming Aug. 20-23 NHRA Brainerd Nationals will award standard points while the regular season conclusion, the Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals, will awards points and a half. That means the opportunity for Vandergriff to end up at the top of the heap heading into the six-race Countdown to the Championship are even greater.
“That new driver in the seat is still a rookie, but we’ve performed very well as a team,” said Vandergriff. “I’ve had some hiccups here and there, but I’ve also had some really good runs and really good days. I think I’ve always known that I had what it takes and now I’m getting a chance to prove it. I’m very fortunate to be a part of John Force Racing and driving this Cornwell Quality Tools Funny Car because they are the best of the best. So, the best place to showcase what you think you have with your talents is the best organization and the best team. It’s all working out and we find ourselves exactly where I think we should be, which is second in the points.”
Vandergriff will participate in the Seattle Fanfest autograph session on Thursday, July 23, from 6-7 p.m. PT at Dave & Busters located at 1101 Outlet Collection Way, Auburn, Wash., 98001. On Friday, July 24, he will be signing autographs from 3:30-4 p.m. at the John Force Racing merchandise trailer on the NHRA midway. Finally, on Sat., July 25 from 9-9:30 a.m., he will be signing autographs at the Mission Foods display on the NHRA midway.
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds on Friday, July 24 at 2:30 and 5 p.m. PT. On Saturday, July 25, nitro teams will qualify at 12 and 2:30 p.m. Raceday will kick off with nitro eliminations on Sunday, July 26 at 10 a.m.
Television coverage includes qualifying action at 10 p.m. ET on Friday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday on FS1, leading into eliminations on FOX at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday.
This story was originally published on July 23, 2026.
The post Jordan Vandergriff Seeks Shot at NHRA Regular Season Funny Car Title first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
