John Force Racing is heading into the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series with a familiar goal and a fresh look. With an expanded four-car lineup across Top Fuel and Funny Car, along with new faces in key crew chief roles, the organization is setting the tone early for what it hopes will be another championship-caliber season.
Team owner and 16-time Funny Car world champion John Force says the energy inside the shop feels different as preparations ramp up for Gainesville and the start of the season.
“This is a great time to be part of John Force Racing, and I’m more excited about getting the season going than I have been in a long time,” said Force. “There are new crew chiefs and crew members bringing fresh blood to the race shop, sharing their experience and know-how with the crew chiefs and crew already established here who have won races and championships and set national records. We’re back to having four teams in Top Fuel and Funny Car, and I can’t wait to see them go down the track at Gainesville.”
Jack Beckman returns for his second full season with the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet SS Funny Car, again guided by veteran crew chiefs Danny Hood and Tim Fabrisi. Beckman’s 2025 campaign showed just how quickly the combination came together, finishing third in the Funny Car points standings with two wins, three runner-up finishes, and five No. 1 qualifying efforts.
Consistency was the calling card for the PEAK Squad last season, and with Hood and Fabrisi continuing to call the shots, Beckman’s team enters 2026 as a proven contender capable of winning anywhere on the tour.
One of the biggest storylines for JFR in 2026 is the Funny Car debut of Jordan Vandergriff, who will drive the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS. Longtime JFR crew chief Chris Cunningham transitions from the PEAK Squad to lead this team alongside co-crew chief Jason Bunker, who most recently worked with Cruz Pedregon Racing.
Vandergriff isn’t new to nitro competition, having previously made 11 Top Fuel starts in 2019 with a runner-up finish at Dallas, plus two semifinal appearances. After a brief return to action last season in relief of an injured Shawn Reed, Vandergriff now gets a full-time opportunity in Funny Car with one of the sport’s most established organizations.
On the Top Fuel side, David Grubnic and John Collins remain together as crew chiefs, but with a new driver and a new primary partner. Josh Hart takes over driving duties for the JFR Top Fuel dragster, backed by Burnyzz Speed Shop.
The Grubnic-Collins combination guided Brittany Force to a strong 2025 season before she stepped away to start a family, including two wins, six No. 1 qualifiers, and multiple NHRA speed records, capped by a staggering 343.51-mph blast at Indianapolis. Hart, a two-time Top Fuel event winner, brings both experience and team ownership perspective to the seat after finishing 10th in the standings last year with his own operation.
Alexis DeJoria is ready for her debut with John Force Racing in the Bandero Premium Tequila Chevrolet SS Funny Car, led by crew chiefs Mike Neff and Jonnie Lindberg. Neff, a former JFR driver and crew chief, worked with DeJoria last season, while Lindberg joins the effort after co-crew chief duties at Paul Lee Racing.
DeJoria wrapped up 2025 12th in the points, highlighted by four semifinal appearances. With continuity on the tuning side and a year of experience within the JFR system, the team is aiming to turn those deep-round runs into wins in 2026.
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