Jordan Vandergriff may be an NHRA Funny Car rookie, but the list of opportunities for success he and his John Force Racing Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car team have lined up in front of them during the June 12-14 Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol (Tenn.) Dragway is something any veteran racer would envy.
“I’ve always thought Bristol is a beautiful facility and I’ve always wanted to race in Thunder Valley in the trees. It’s one of the places on the schedule you have to experience,” Vandergriff said. “I’ve heard the old racing surface was a little bumpy here and there but I saw some pictures of the repave and wow, it looks beautiful. It levels the playing field for everybody. It’s a new track for me but also new surface for everyone in the series. And, based on our last two efforts on new racetracks for me, in Georgia (win) and Maryland (semifinals), we have had decent success. If we can hit the ground running in Q1 at Bristol and lay down a solid lap, I think we’ll be set up for the weekend.”
Rain washed out last week’s Funny Car final at New England Dragway so Vandergriff will face teammate Jack Beckman during qualifying Friday evening in Thunder Valley. The Atlanta area resident will be going for his second event win of the season, after earning his first Diamond Wally in May at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Valdosta. A win by Vandegriff in the final would move him to second place in the point standings.
“I’m trying to keep my mind in race day mode this whole week,” said Vandergriff. “We were left with a cliffhanger at the end of Sunday. I thought about it Sunday night and I was like, ‘Well, I’m going to have to hit the ground running on Friday and be ready to race.’ So I’m trying to really keep my mind in race mode. I haven’t really allowed myself to think that Epping is over so I’m just staying ready for Friday night that way.”
He’ll then compete for his second Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge title during Saturday’s qualifying sessions, after having earned his first during the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Charlotte.
Sunday’s sole focus will be adding the Thunder Valley Nationals trophy to his growing collection.
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 5 and 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, June 12, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, June 13 at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Eliminations will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 14.
Television coverage includes qualifying action at 8 p.m. ET on Friday and 2 p.m. on Sunday on FS1, leading into eliminations at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday.
The post Jordan Vandergriff Faces Trifecta of Opportunity at Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
