Jordan Vandergriff enters the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals trailing points leader Matt Hagan by 98 points, leaving the rookie with a narrow window to seize the 2026 Funny Car championship. To bridge that gap, Vandergriff and the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS team must sweep all eight remaining elimination rounds over the next two races, including a high-stakes finale where points are awarded at a rate of one-and-a-half.
Vandergriff narrows the title fight to one man
The championship picture for the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series has shifted from a crowded field to a focused duel. While the standings were tightly packed leading up to Dallas, Vandergriff now views the race as a two-man battle. He has explicitly stated that he is no longer paying attention to the drivers in third, fourth, or fifth place, focusing solely on Hagan.
The math is daunting but simple: win everything. Vandergriff believes that if his team executes their job and secures the trophy, the points will resolve themselves. Success in Las Vegas would not only keep his title hopes alive but would mark the third year of success for Cornwell Quality Tools.
“The simple plan is to win. If we win, the points will take care of itself. We find ourselves in second place. If we do our job and win, we will hopefully be holding that big trophy at the end of the year,” Vandergriff said.
A history of firsts at The Strip
Despite his current standing in the points, Vandergriff has never actually raced at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in a competitive event. However, the facility serves as an important facility in his drag racing career. He used the track for his first test runs in Top Alcohol Dragster in 2017, Top Fuel in 2018, and his first nitro Funny Car runs in 2024 in John Force’s car.
This comfort is a necessity for a rookie season that has seen him drive many new tracks. For Vandergriff, the racetrack is where he likes to go the most, and when he thinks of Las Vegas, he thinks of the strip and that’s The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
John Force Racing teammates chase different milestones
While Vandergriff chases a championship, other drivers in the John Force Racing camp are pursuing personal benchmarks. Jack Beckman is eyeing his 40th career victory at the same track where his pro career took off 20 years ago. Beckman’s first Funny Car win occurred on October 29, 2006, and he continues to use the same philosophy today as he did then.
The stakes vary across the garage. While Beckman acknowledges that winning the championship is unlikely “barring a miracle,” the incentive to win the remaining races remains high. At the same time, Josh Hart hopes to improve his position in the Top Fuel standings during the last two events, while Alexis DeJoria aims to finish her inaugural season with the organization in the winner’s circle.
Jordan Vandergriff takes down Austin Prock to head to the Funny Car Final! 3.911 at 329.91 mph @CornwellTools | Tune in to FS1 at 10p ET @NHRA pic.twitter.com/RFDA6eIbNV
Funny Car Standings (After 18 of 20 Races)
| Rank | Driver | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matt Hagan | 2,503 |
| 2 | Jordan Vandergriff | 2,405 |
| 3 | J.R. Todd | 2,384 |
| 5 | Jack Beckman | 2,443 |
The road to the finale
The Las Vegas Nationals serve as the next-to-last stop of the season. The schedule begins with qualifying rounds on Friday, Oct. 30, at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. PT, continuing Saturday with the final two rounds at 12 and 2:30 p.m. The decisive final eliminations are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. PT on Sunday, Nov. 1.
Fans can catch television coverage including qualifying action on FS1 at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 1, followed by eliminations at 5 p.m. ET. For fans on-site, Vandergriff will be available for autographs on Sat., Oct.31, from 11 – 11:30 a.m. at the John Force Racing merchandise trailer on the midway and from 9:30 – 10 a.m. at the Cornwell Tools midway display.
If Vandergriff can secure the trophy on Sunday night, he will enter the season finale with the momentum needed to potentially overtake Hagan in the final points-and-a-half showdown.
