INDIANAPOLIS — A year ago, Jordan Vandergriff was thankful for the opportunity to make a two-race return as a substitute Top Fuel driver.
This year, he enters this weekend’s 72nd annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park second in the Funny Car points, driving the Cornwell Tools Funny Car for NHRA legend John Force.
In 2025, Vandergriff returned to the driver’s seat when he filled in for injured Top Fuel driver Shawn Reed. He drove for Reed in Brainerd and the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals. Then during the offseason, he received the call of a lifetime: to drive for 16-time Funny Car champion John Force.
In only his first Funny Car season, Vandergriff has impressed with two wins to his credit and is currently second in points in his 12,000-horsepower Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS.
“Looking back on last year’s Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals, we qualified second in Top Fuel but, unfortunately, went out in the first round,” Vandergriff said. “I remember getting out of the race car at the top end and putting my stuff in the Suburban and realizing, in that moment, that I didn’t know when the next time I’d be able to drive again. I kind of took a moment for myself, looked back at the race car, looked at the racetrack. I took it all in and said to myself, this might be the last time and, if it is, what’s going to happen next?
“Fast forward a year and I’m so fortunate it wasn’t the last time. I was very fortunate to get the call from John Force to represent Cornwell Quality Tools and my life has become a dream scenario.”
Last year’s Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals saw Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) win the world’s biggest drag race.
Vandergriff secured wins earlier this season in Valdosta and Sonoma, as well as runner-up finishes in Epping and two weeks ago in Brainerd. With the consistent performances from his Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car, Vandergriff finds himself second in points.
With a regular season championship – and a $150,000 prize – on the line between Vandergriff and three former world champions, the prestigious race will provide the ultimate stage to close out a remarkable regular season.
Vandergriff trails four-time world champion and current points leader Matt Hagan by just seven points, while former world champions and Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals winners Ron Capps and J.R. Todd sit third and fourth at 12 and 22 points back, respectively. With such a small gap separating the top four heading into Indy, as well as a 23-car field at The Big Go, it should make for an epic weekend.
“As if the stakes couldn’t get any higher, it’s the 75th anniversary of NHRA,” Vandergriff said. “It is not only the U.S. Nationals but the Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals. This is the granddaddy of them all, and every kid growing up wants to win the U.S. Nationals. It means everything. It’s our Super Bowl. It’s the Big Go. If people say it doesn’t mean more, they’re lying to you. It means more and I want it.”
