BROWNSBURG, Ind. (July 15, 2026) – Jordan Vandergriff has yet to turn a wheel in competition at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway but he has been part of a winning team there and is looking at the July 17-19 NHRA Sonoma Nationals as a perfect opportunity to write his name into the Northern California track’s history book while earning a second Diamond Wally during NHRA’s 75th anniversary season.
The Southern California native was a crew member on his family-owned Top Fuel team in 2018 when current Funny Car competitor Blake Alexander earned the NHRA Sonoma Nationals title after winning at Norwalk just three races before.
Vandergriff and the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car team is currently fifth in the point standings after 10 races and just 40 points behind Matt Hagan in second place with four races remaining in the regular season.
Friday night’s qualifying session will have added incentive with the Deecell Power Systems “After Dark Low Qualifier” bonus. The top qualifier of that session In Top Fuel and Funny Car will each earn $4,000. Last year, Brittany Force dazzled the huge crowd with a record speed run at the time, going 3.645-seconds at 343.16 mph.
The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after 10 of 20 races are: 1. Ron Capps, 812; 2. Matt Hagan, 691; 3. J.R. Todd, 689; 4. Jack Beckman, 684; 5. Jordan Vandergriff, 651; 6. Chad Green, 633; 7. Alexis DeJoria, 608; 8. Austin Prock, 526; 9. Spencer Hyde, 490; 10. Daniel Wilkerson, 443.
Quotes
What did you do during the extra week off the road?
“The two weekends away from the track feels like a long time now. I took some time in the first week to disconnect a little bit. With it being the halfway point of the year, I reflected on the first half of the season and where I am in my career so far this year. Now I’m back in race mode but it’s been good, reflecting on the year and really my whole career and everything that got me to this place. I’m super grateful to be the driver of the Cornwell Quality Tools Funny Car for John Force Racing.”
What are your favorite memories of Sonoma Raceway?
“I haven’t race there but I was a crew guy on my family’s Top Fuel team when we won there with Blake Alexander in 2018 against Tony Schumacher in the final round. I was rat guy, floater, whatever-needed-to-be-done guy for my family team.
“I love Sonoma. Growing up in SoCal when my uncle raced. It was one of the tracks our family would always take a trip to. Some of my early memories as a kid was staying at the hotel in Sonoma, getting breakfast, and then heading to the track. So, Sonoma’s a very near and dear place in my heart being a California race.”
Is there any place special you like to go when you’re in the Sonoma/Napa area?
“I know that a lot of people go to wineries and take tours of the region and all that stuff, but I’m all business. Going to the racetrack is what I like to do. My favorite place in Sonoma is Sonoma Raceway.”
You’re currently fifth in the Funny Car point standings but only two rounds (40 points) out of second place with four regular season events to go. to go with a regular season. What’s the mindset?
“The mindset for our Cornwell Quality Tools Chevy team has switched. I think the first half of the year has been about getting me comfortable, meshing as a team, and seeing what Chris Cunningham and Jason Bunker (crew chiefs) can do together. I would say we’ve exceeded expectations so far and now we are a player in this championship race. We have a great race car and a great team, and I’ve done pretty well as a driver. We’re contenders so we have to have that contender mindset and go for full force. I think we’re gonna be a contender in the regular season championship and in the season championship, as well.”
What are your thoughts on the Winternationals back as the season-opener in 2027?
“I LOVE IT! I grew up going to Pomona. The Winternationals was always the start of the NHRA season for me so it’s back on the schedule where it’s meant to be. Gainesville was great for the years that we started the season there, but Gainesville has a long-standing tradition as the third race on the schedule. If I’m fortunate enough, I’ll be driving this Cornwell Quality Tools Chevrolet when we start the 2027 season in Pomona.”
Weekend Appearances
Vandergriff will be signing autographs Sat., July 18, from 10-10:30 a.m. at the Bandero Café display on the midway.
Track Schedule
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:55 and 6:55 p.m. PT on Fri., July 17, and the final two rounds on Sat., July 18, at 11:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. PT on Sun., July 19.
TV Schedule
Television coverage of the event includes qualifying and the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Sat., July 18, at 8 p.m. ET on FS1. Elimination coverage begins Sun., July 19, at 10 p.m. ET on FS1.
2026 Results
| Event | Qualify | Round by Round | Round Record | Points Position |
| Gainesville | 8 | Beat Jack Beckman, John Smith; lost to Chad Green | 2-1 | 4 |
| Phoenix | 5 | Beat Alexis DeJoria, lost to Matt Hagan | 3-2 | 7 |
| Pomona1 | 3 | Beat Daniel Wilkerson, Chad Green; lost to Ron Capps | 5-3 | 5 |
| Charlotte | 2 | Won 1st quad; lost in 2nd quad | 6-4 | 5 |
| Valdosta | 3 | Beat Jeff Arend, Spencer Hyde, Hunter Green, Ron Capps | 10-4 | 4 |
| Chicago | 10 | Lost to Chad Green | 10-5 | 5 |
| Maryland | 4 | Beat Dave Richards, Chad Green; lost to Jack Beckman | 12-6 | 5 |
| Epping | 2 | Beat Jeff Arend, Chad Green, J.R. Todd; lost to Beckman | 15-7 | 4 |
| Bristol | 13 | Beat Alexis DeJoria; lost to Ron Capps | 16-8 | 4 |
| Norwalk | 11 | Lost to J.R. Todd | 16-9 | 5 |
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