BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Oct. 14, 2026) – Josh Hart says he and John Force Racing Speedmaster Top Fuel crew chief Dave Grubnic sat down before the 2026 NHRA season to map out their goals and both know heading into the Oct. 16-18 Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex that the primary goal is still very much alive.
The 2026 Gatornationals Top Fuel winner said the No. 1 goal written at the top of the page is to finish in the Top 5 in points at the conclusion of the season finale in Pomona, Calif. With three races remaining and 1.5x points awarded at Pomona, the Speedmaster team is just 45 points out of fifth place and only 70 out of third place.
The Ocala, Fla., resident knows every point matters and the FallNationals is a prime opportunity to make a big move up in the standings.
The popular “Battle for the Saddle” will again be on the line at the FallNationals, with a $15,000 bonus to be awarded to the low qualifier of Friday’s night qualifying session in Top Fuel and Funny Car.
The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel point standings after 17 of 20 races are: 1. Shawn Langdon, 2,459; 2. Doug Kalitta, 2,343; 3. Tony Stewart, 2,234; 4. Leah Pruett, 2,224; 5. Will Smith, 2,209; 6. Antron Brown, 2,207; 7. Billy Torrence, 2,166; 8. Maddi Gordon, 2,165; 9. Josh Hart, 2,164; 10. Justin Ashley, 2,154.
Quotes
The Speedmaster team is just three-and-a-half rounds out of third place heading into Dallas and, with 1.5x points at Pomona, would you be satisfied with your season if you were able to finish there
“At the beginning of this year, Dave Grubnic and I set our objectives to making sure that we finished in the top five. We knew there were going to be some hurdles and that we were going to learn from each other. I said in recent social media posts that the tough times are when you find out what everybody’s really made of. Some people took that post out of context. It’s cool when champagne is falling from the heavens. But when you’re down, you get to see who’s going to man up and take the bull by the horns to try to figure out how to turn this thing around. Not one single person on this team has ever said, ‘You know, I’m done. I’m going to go to another team.’ It’s always been ‘We know what we need to do and we’re working on it, and that’s all you can ask from these guys. So how could I complain?”
“How do you keep that competitive fire burning?
“I understand and I very much appreciate, probably more than most, how much hard work it takes to be able to achieve that seat. There are a thousand people who would kill for that seat. But, when you’re actually working your butt off to maintain the seat, that’s a totally different ball game. There are drivers who have worked hard and stepped into dynamite rides and I’m not jealous. I truly commend them. I’m kind of in a different category where I built a business strong enough to where, if I keep my business and I keep working hard, I can afford to do certain things like this, right? And, when you think about that level of commitment, you have to be all in. You can’t spend that kind of money and take it lightly. You have to be fully dedicated. So, when I get on that airplane to fly to the next race, I genuinely believe every chance that I get in that Speedmaster dragster is a chance to win. I have to. Otherwise, why am I doing it?”
Despite your busy life, do you have a hobby that you do just for the pure fun of it?
“I really enjoy working out in the gym and playing the drums. Working out in the gym by myself, listening to my music is kind of a newfound thing. I’ve lost 20 pounds since the beginning of the season so I’m feeling pretty good about that. Playing the drums is eye-hand coordination, so I’m just making sure that everything’s still working properly. I also have a newfound passion for timepieces. Anything time related, clear down to like hourglasses. Time is all you have in life.”
Weekend Appearances
Hart will be signing autographs as part of the Texas Motorplex Fan Fest on Thurs., Oct. 15, from 7 – 8:30 p.m. CT at Railyard Park at 455 S. College Street in Waxahachie, Texas. He will also be signing autographs Sat., Oct. 17, from 9:30 – 10 a.m. CT at the Cornwell Tools display on the NHRA midway.
Track Schedule
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:15 and 7 p.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 16, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 12 and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 18.
TV Schedule
Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, leading into eliminations at 3 p.m. ET.
Race Results
| Dallas | Race Result | Round by Round Results | Qualified | Event Record |
| 2021 (TF) | Semi-finals | Beat Leah Pruett; Mike Salinas; lost to Steve Torrence | 6th | 2-1 |
| 2022 (TF) | 1st round | Lost to Leah Pruett | 9th | 2-2 |
| 2023 (TF) | 1st round | Lost to Doug Kalitta | 15th | 2-3 |
| 2024 (TF) | 1st round | Lost to Billy Torrence | 11th | 2-4 |
| 2025 (TF) | 1st round | Lost to Steve Torrence | 10th | 2-5 |
Wins: 0
No. 1 Qualifiers: 0
Event Record: 2-5
2026 Results
| Event | Qualify | Round by Round | Round Record | Points Position |
| Gainesville | 1 | Beat Dan Mercier, Tripp Tatum, Antron Brown, Doug Kalitta | 4-0 | 1 |
| Phoenix | 10 | Beat Justin Ashley; lost to Leah Pruett | 5-1 | 2 |
| Pomona1 | 2 | Beat Cameron Ferre; lost to Tony Stewart | 6-2 | 4 |
| Charlotte | 4 | Lost in 1st quad | 6-3 | 5 |
| Valdosta | 9 | Lost to Leah Pruett | 6-4 | 5 |
| Chicago | 4 | Beat Justin Ashley, Tony Stewart; lost to Shawn Langdon | 8-5 | 5 |
| Maryland | 7 | Lost to Clay Millican | 8-6 | 5 |
| Epping | 3 | Beat Rit Pustari; lost to Billy Torrence | 9-7 | 4 |
| Bristol | 6 | Lost to Doug Kalitta | 9-8 | 6 |
| Norwalk | 2 | Beat Scott Farley; lost to Clay Millican | 10-9 | 7 |
| Sonoma | 8 | Lost to Jasmine Salinas | 10-10 | 7 |
| Seattle | 1 | Bye, beat Tony Stewart; lost to Leah Pruett | 12-11 | 7 |
| Brainerd | 10 | Lost to Tony Stewart | 12-12 | 7 |
| Indianapolis | 12 | Lost to Leah Pruett | 12-13 | 7 |
| Martin | 2 | Beat Shawn Reed; Lost to Spencer Massey | 13-14 | 6 |
| Rockingham | 5 | Lost to Will Smith | 13-15 | 7 |
| St. Louis | 6 | Lost to Tony Stewart | 13-16 | 9 |
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