NORWALK (July 31, 2026) – Jordan Vandergriff and John Force Racing’s Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car made a solid run in Friday night’s sole qualifying session for the 49th annual Cornwell Tools Night Under Fire at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio but it ended up being just for the fans.
Vandergriff lined up against Ron Capps but the engine in the Cornwell Tools Chevy shut itself off after the burnout. After Capps made a single run, the Chris Cunningham/Jason Bunker-led team determined the repair was quick and easy while team owner John Force convinced track officials to let Vandergriff make a run for the fans even if it wouldn’t count for qualifying.
The engine fired back up and Vandergriff made a pass of 3.947 seconds at 318.09 mph.
“We did the burnout, backed up like normal, set the idle and then encountered an issue that was fixable but the car shut itself off,” said Vandergriff. “We diagnosed the problem and realized it was something we could fix quickly. It cackled pretty loud on the refire … and then it was just stage and go. It was definitely a new experience and another learning lesson for me, to keep my composure and be ready for anything up there. But still, to go 3.94 after that was a real solid run. Even if it didn’t count, it gives me confidence that the Cornwell Tools Chevy team will have it tomorrow.”
The Cornwell Tools team will face Capps, who ran 3.895 second to earn the No. 1 qualifying spot, in Saturday’s first round of eliminations. The winner will face the winner of the Cruz Pedregon/Spencer Hyde matchup Funny Car matchup.
The unique nitro racing all-star event showcases four of the best Funny Car teams and four of the best Top Fuel teams first racing in their own categories. The winner from each category will then go head-to-head in a Funny Car vs. Top Fuel final round to determine who will be named the King of Nitro and take home the lion’s share of the $430,000 guaranteed purse.
The Top Fuel category is represented by Antron Brown, Maddi Gordon, Doug Kalitta and Clay Millican.
The first of three overall eliminations rounds will begin at 7 p.m. ET, the final in each category at 8:30 p.m. and the King of Nitro final round at 9:45 p.m.
FloRacing will cover all of Saturday’s nitro action beginning at 7 p.m. ET.
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