BROWNSBURG, Ind. (APRIL 29, 2026) – Josh Hart and the John Force Racing Speedmaster Top Fuel team look to bounce back from an early exit last week in Charlotte when they unload for the May 1-3 NHRA Southern Nationals, the inaugural national event at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Adel, Ga.
The 2026 Gatornationals Top Fuel winner qualified second and ran a strong and competitive 3.753 seconds at 333.16 mph in his Round 1 quad at last Sunday’s NHRA 4-Wide Nationals. Unfortunately, Tony Stewart’s 3.727-second run and Billy Torrence’s 3.731-second pass prevented Hart from moving to the next round.
Hart and the Speedmaster Top Fuel team are fifth in the Top Fuel point standings, 31 behind Tony Stewart for fourth place and 34 behind Leah Pruett for third.
In one previous NHRA Southern Nationals Top Fuel start (2021 at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga.), Hart qualified fourth, then beat Arthur Allen in the first round before losing to Brittany Force in the second. He has a 1-1 overall event round record. He also earned the 2018 NHRA Southern Nationals Top Alcohol Dragster title at Atlanta Dragway.
John Force Racing Southern Nationals statistics
- Atlanta was the site of the first all-JFR final round (April 21, 1996), in which Tony Pedregon dealt John Force one of the six losses he suffered over the course of a 19-race season.
- On April 27, 2008, Ashley Force Hood became the first woman to win a Funny Car race in the NHRA series when she beat her dad in the Atlanta final.
- Overall, five different JFR drivers won 14 times in the Atlanta version of the Southern Nationals, the last win in 2018 when Courtney beat Matt Hagan.
- John Force raced in the final round of the final race at Atlanta in 2021, losing to Bob Tasca III.
The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel point standings after four of 20 races are: Doug Kalitta, 373; 2. Shawn Langdon, 350; 3. Leah Pruett, 297; 4. Tony Stewart, 296; 5. Josh Hart, 265; 6. Maddi Gordon, 238; 7. Justin Ashley, 208; 8. Billy Torrence, 187; 9. Antron Brown, 163; 10. Clay Millican, 146.
Quotes
Is there any extra motivation in trying to win an inaugural event?
“Always, always. I like South Georgia Motorsports Park so I’m really happy that they’ve added it into the circuit. It’s just proof that NHRA is expanding. Nothing would be nicer than putting that inaugural trophy on my mantle.”
Is there any adjustment you have to make from four wide back to two, or is it just muscle memory?
“It’s really just muscle memory. Try to run your own race. Keep your eye on the bulb. Stay in your lane and it doesn’t matter who’s in the other lane.”
How do you prep for an inaugural NHRA national event with minimal or possibly zero information about the track to work with?
“You can do as much research as you want, but until you make that first run, you don’t really know what the track’s going to be capable of so it really levels the playing field.”
What are your thoughts on the Southern Nationals being part of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series again?
“I was one of the very few that was blessed in Top Alcohol Dragster to win the Southern Nationals and double up with Courtney Force (Funny Car) in the winner’s circle for Advance Auto Parts. I was proud that I was able to get one of those national event trophies before they closed the track where the Southern Nationals ran. So I’m very happy that they’re bringing this race on as the Southern Nationals so that I can pick up where I left off.”
Track & TV Schedules
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 3 and 5:30 p.m. ET on Friday, May 1, with the final two rounds Saturday, May 2, at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 3.
Television coverage includes qualifying on FS1 from 9:30 – 11 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 2, a second qualifying show Sunday, May 3, from 1 – 2 p.m. ET and eliminations from 7 – 10 p.m. ET.
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