ENNIS, Texas (Oct. 17, 2026) – Jack Beckman and the PEAK Chevrolet SS Funny Car team earned their fourth No. 1 Qualifier of the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season and the 37th of Beckman’s Funny Car career while the three other John Force Racing entries all qualified in the top half of the ladder for Sunday’s first round of eliminations for the Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex.
The PEAK SQUAD secured the top spot with their Friday night run of 3.852 seconds at 330.13 mph. The team also ran 3.885 seconds in Saturday’s second and final qualifying session. Beckman will face No. 16 qualifier Terry Haddock (4.033 seconds at 310.97 mph) in Sunday’s first round of eliminations.
Alexis DeJoria had John Force Racing’s most consistent two days of qualifying with three consecutive runs in the 3.80-second range. It was the Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car team’s Q2 run of 3.873 seconds at 333.09 mph that secured the No. 4 qualifying spot, but they also ran 3.875 seconds in Q3 and 3.878 seconds in Q4. DeJoria will line up against No. 13 qualifier Dave Richards (3.925 seconds at 333.68 mph) in Round 1.
Jordan Vandergriff and the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car team qualified sixth with their Q2 run of 3.881 seconds at 333.83 mph. They also ran 3.889 seconds in Q4. Vandergriff will go head-to-head against No. 11 qualifier Blake Alexander (3.914 seconds at 327.92 mph) in the first round of eliminations.
Josh Hart and the Speedmaster Top Fuel team used their Q1 run Friday afternoon of 3.714 seconds at 337.64 mph to take the No. 8 qualifying position and also ran 3.749 seconds in Q4 Sunday afternoon. Hart will match up against No. 9 qualifier Will Smith (3.714 seconds at 335.80 mph) in Round 1. Both drivers made 3.714-second runs but Hart got the higher qualifying position based on going nearly two miles per hour faster.
Final eliminations are scheduled for Sun., Oct. 18, beginning at 12 p.m. CT.
Quote from Jack Beckman, PEAK Chevrolet SS Funny Car:
“Today’s run on a 105-degree racetrack, pound for pound, was the run of the weekend. Today’s run is outstanding, and it probably gives the PEAK SQUAD data for two of the four runs tomorrow. I thought somebody could run an .86 on that last qualifying session. I thought a perfect run would be that, and Dan [Hood] and Tim [Fabrisi, crew chiefs] exceeded that. I just think that was an amazing run relative to conditions. We’ve put ourselves in a position where we have to depend on [points leader Matt Hagan] going out early and that’s always a difficult situation. Now Austin [Prock] had a first-round loss in the Countdown. We’ve had a first-round loss in the Countdown. I’m going to talk to Matt and try to convince him he needs one or two first-round losses in the Countdown because if they don’t do that, we’re going to have a tough time getting around them.”
Quote from Alexis DeJoria, Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car:
“We definitely have a bracket car right now. The Bandero Café Chevy ran three straight 3.87-second runs so I’m happy and we are so stoked to race on Sunday. We earned five bonus points today so what can I say? Our car kicks ass in qualifying, and it gives us that much more confidence going into race day.”
Quote from Jordan Vandergriff, Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car:
“I think both qualifying days for this Cornwell Quality Tools Chevrolet Funny Car were great. In Q1 and Q3, we were testing the waters and found out what we needed. Then, in Q2 and Q4, we executed on what we found out. Running that 3.889 in Q4 felt really good. An elapsed time at that time of day in these conditions was important and to also run a 3.88 last night shows we’re up to the task. We’re ready for race day.”
Quote from Josh Hart, Speedmaster Top Fuel Dragster:
“I’m very proud of the John Force Racing Speedmaster Top Fuel dragster team this weekend. The work that these guys have put into the race program will pay off.”
TV Schedule
Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 18, leading into eliminations at 3 p.m. ET.
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ABOUT JOHN FORCE RACING
John Force Racing (JFR) is one of the most accomplished teams in motorsports history, earning 24 NHRA World Championships and more than 300 national event victories. Founded in California in 1974 by 16-time Funny Car World Champion John Force, the organization has set the standard for innovation, safety, and competitive excellence in professional drag racing. Racing operations are now located in Brownsburg, Indiana, along with Force American Made, its in-house design, fabrication, and manufacturing company. JFR fields championship-caliber entries in both Funny Car and Top Fuel, supported by industry-leading technology and longstanding partnerships with some of the most recognized brands in the sport. John Force Racing’s 2026 driver lineup includes 2012 Funny Car World Champion Jack Beckman (PEAK Chevrolet SS Funny Car), Josh Hart (Burnyzz Speed Shop/Speedmaster Top Fuel Dragster), Alexis DeJoria (Bandero Premium Tequila Chevrolet SS Funny Car), and Jordan Vandergriff (Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car). Keep up with the team at www.JohnForceRacing.com.
