Jordan Vandergriff will take over driving duties of John Force Racing’s Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car for the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, giving the organization its newest full-time entry as it restructures for the coming year. The move places the 2019 Top Fuel rookie alongside a veteran roster and pairs him with longtime JFR crew chief Chris Cunningham.
The team revealed the decision Friday during Day 2 of the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis. Vandergriff called the role “a dream come true,” noting the significance of racing for a team led by the sport’s most decorated Funny Car driver.
“This is a dream come true to have the opportunity not only with John Force Racing, the premier team in NHRA Drag Racing, but to drive the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Funny Car for the greatest Funny Car driver of all time,” Vandergriff said. “As a kid growing up in the sport, you look at John and you see the greatness he’s portrayed, so the fact that I get to drive a Funny Car for him is amazing.”
Vandergriff made two Top Fuel substitute starts in 2025 while filling in for the injured Shawn Reed at Brainerd and Indianapolis. His 2019 rookie Top Fuel season included a runner-up finish at Dallas and two semifinal appearances, and he has served as an NHRA on FOX reporter for the past two seasons.
The jump to Funny Car marks a major shift in his career, though Vandergriff said he is confident in the transition. He logged test runs in 2024 in John Force’s car and said those laps shaped his desire to return to nitro racing in a different category.
“I think the transition to Funny Car is going to be fine,” Vandergriff said. “I’ve proven that I can drive the Top Fuel car well and the Funny Car presents a new fun challenge. It’s a shorter wheelbase and a lot more violent but I did some test hits in 2024 in John’s car and, ever since, I’ve had the itch to drive these cars.”
Cornwell Quality Tools, which began its involvement with JFR in 2019, has steadily increased its footprint within the organization. The company has backed the Funny Car program for two seasons and held primary branding on Brittany Force’s Top Fuel entry at the 2025 U.S. Nationals, where she reset the national speed record at 343.51 mph.
Cornwell Tools CEO Bob Studenic said the company views Vandergriff as an ideal match for its expanding motorsports presence. He praised Vandergriff’s professionalism and noted that the partnership reflects Cornwell’s emphasis on hard work and craftsmanship.
“We are incredibly excited about today’s announcement from John Force Racing and to welcome Jordan Vandergriff to the Cornwell Tools Funny Car program,” Studenic said. “Jordan is a dynamic talent with the skill, professionalism, and competitive fire that align perfectly with Cornwell’s values and our commitment to excellence.”
Studenic said the company’s 810 dealers nationwide will play a central role in the partnership’s visibility in 2026. He added that the program extends far beyond decals on a race car, tying together customer relationships and a shared competitive mindset.
“This is an exciting moment for Cornwell Tools,” Studenic said. “We’re proud to continue our longstanding relationship with John Force Racing, and we can’t wait for our dealers to experience another season of world-class competition with the Cornwell Tools Funny Car.”
Vandergriff said he is committed to representing the brand and working closely with its dealer network. He praised Cornwell’s support of NHRA Drag Racing and said he looks forward to contributing to the company’s continued growth within the sport.
John Force Racing’s 2026 lineup will feature Jack Beckman, Alexis DeJoria, and Vandergriff in Funny Car, with Josh Hart in Top Fuel. Force said the team evaluated multiple factors before placing Vandergriff in the Cornwell seat.
“We’re proud to announce Jordan Vandergriff as the driver of the Cornwell Quality Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car for John Force Racing,” Force said. “We worked closely with the folks at Cornwell Tools to make sure we had the right fit for their program. Jordan did a great job when he tested with us a couple of years ago but we didn’t have a place for him at the time.”
Cunningham will shift from Beckman’s entry to oversee the Cornwell Tools car in 2026. He has held multiple key roles within JFR since 2016 and guided the team through back-to-back championship seasons.
Vandergriff said earning a full-time opportunity positions him to compete at the highest level and work with one of the sport’s most respected tuners.
“This is the opportunity I’ve been working towards,” Vandergriff said. “I’ve always wanted to run a full season and compete for a championship. I have great respect for what he’s done in the sport, and I’m honored that I get to work with him.”
Two sanctioning bodies. Two different directions. One goal — to make drag racing stronger. In 2026, NHRA and the rejuvenated IHRA are proving that the sport doesn’t need a war — it needs growth. Bobby Bennett lays it out plain: coexistence beats competition every time.
— Competition Plus (@competitionplus) November 26, 2025
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