John Force Racing Chases History At NHRA Winternationals As 1000th Funny Car Race Looms

John Force Racing’s team members each have a unique opportunity to make history this weekend at the NHRA Winternationals. Here’s a look at what each racer from the John Force Racing camp has going on heading into Pomona.

Josh Hart Gains Major Backing As Speedmaster Steps Up With John Force Racing

Josh Hart is showing off his new sponsor Speedmaster at the NHRA Winternationals. Speedmaster’s presence will extend beyond Hart’s Top Fuel machine. Both Speedmaster and Burnyzz Speed Shop branding will continue to appear across all four John Force Racing entries throughout the season, further solidifying their footprint within one of drag racing’s most successful organizations.

For Hart, the partnership has quickly grown into something much more than a traditional sponsorship deal.

“I’ve never had a sponsor contribute so much so fast,” said Hart. “The partnership is beyond just parts and sponsorship for the race car. We quickly became friends. We quickly understand each other’s businesses. Jason’s been great. The whole Speedmaster team has really been kind of rallying behind this. He mentioned to me that this is a lifelong dream of his to be a primary sponsor on a Top Fuel car with John Force Racing. The fact that we were able to collaborate and put it together as quickly as we did is absolutely epic. Speedmaster stepping into the primary spot alleviates some pressure on me, puts them in the spotlight, which is what they deserve and, hopefully, it’s a long-term partnership for years to come.”

Heading into Pomona, Hart sits second in the Top Fuel point standings with 174 points, just two points behind leader Doug Kalitta. With strong early results and a new primary partner in place, Hart is optimistic about the trajectory of the season.

“Even though we went out in the second round at Arizona, I think, as of right now, I may have already eclipsed all of my round wins from last year already this year. So, for me, this early season has been very positive. There’s a lot of momentum, a lot of excitement. The track was hot in Arizona so we can’t beat everybody up over that. And we know that the conditions in Pomona are always good. So, I’m very confident. I think we’ll be right there in the Top 5 as far as qualifying goes, which will change our stars on race day. And we’ll get this Speedmaster team right back in line.”

One of the biggest factors behind Hart’s early success, and the team’s continued potential, is the strength of communication within the program. As a relatively new addition to John Force Racing, Hart has quickly adapted to a collaborative, data-driven approach that prioritizes strategic decision-making on every run.

“It’s a collaborative effort where we have to make a risk-versus-reward assessment before we make every run. So, in qualifying, if we’re happy with where we qualified, maybe we don’t push as hard. Maybe we try to get better data. If we’re not happy where we are in qualifying, we may push harder knowing that we potentially can smoke the tires, but we have a shot at improving our qualifying position. And those types of educated decisions amongst the Speedmaster team and myself is something that you can’t find everywhere. A lot of people do not operate that way so I’m very proud of the communication and definitely feeling a very good vibe between me and the team.”

Alexis DeJoria Eyes Historic 1000th Funny Car Win At NHRA Winternationals In Pomona

Few races on the NHRA calendar carry the weight, history, and personal significance of the Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, and for Alexis DeJoria, that importance hits even closer to home.

The Los Angeles native heads into the NHRA Winternationals with momentum, motivation, and a unique opportunity, a chance at capturing victory in the 1000th Funny Car race in NHRA history. For DeJoria and her John Force Racing Bandero Quality Tequila Chevrolet SS Funny Car team, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

“Pomona is where I first saw Funny Cars in person. I went there for the Winternationals when I was 16. I’ve also gone there for swap meets and stuff for my personal car collection but that was the first time I had ever seen professional drag racing in person and John Force in particular.”

Now, years later, she returns to that same track as a contender driving for John Force Racing, one of the most dominant teams in NHRA history. Despite her experience and success, one milestone still eludes her, a victory at Pomona. The 2026 Winternationals carries added significance beyond the usual prestige. The event is set to mark the 1000th Funny Car race in NHRA history, a milestone that adds another layer of intensity to an already iconic race.

For DeJoria, the opportunity to be part of that history is impossible to ignore.

“Winning the 1000th Funny Car race would be incredible. There’s the special trophy getting a special trophy and the prestige and obviously just the history of that racetrack. The whole year is significant for NHRA with the 75th anniversary, but Pomona, that’s the place I’ve always wanted to win. and I’ve been to the finals (2021 In-N-Out Burger Finals), qualified number one (2014 Finals) but never got the trophy so we’ll see.”

One of the biggest storylines surrounding DeJoria this season is the rapid development of the Bandero-backed Funny Car team under the John Force Racing umbrella. With veteran crew chief Mike Neff, who guided John Force to a Winternationals victory in 2013 and a No. 1 qualifying effort in 2014, the foundation is firmly in place for success. Early signs suggest the chemistry is already there.

“Oh gosh. I think the Bandero team is gelling really well and for a brand new team that says a lot. I’m very, very grateful to be on such a successful team. You can just tell early on who’s going get along with who and where troubles happen, but I really haven’t seen any of that go down. We’re really blessed and I can’t wait to see what we’re going to achieve in our future, especially in the immediate future by going out there and having a good showing in Pomona.”

Jordan Vandergriff Eyes First Funny Car Win At Pomona

In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip is where everything startedfor Jordan Vandergriff. The California native returns to his home track with a major opportunity in front of him, capturing his first Funny Car victory during the 1000th Funny Car race in NHRA history at the Winternationals.

Few tracks carry as much personal significance for Vandergriff as Pomona. It’s where he first experienced the raw intensity of NHRA drag racing, and where he now hopes to make his mark as a Funny Car driver.

“Pomona is my track is my hometown track. It’s the track I grew up going to and it holds a special place in my heart because it’s where drag racing was introduced to me. I’ve only run there once before, in my rookie year at the Finals. So, this will be my second time there and I can’t wait to be in the Cornwell Tools Funny Car.”

That lone competitive appearance came during his 2019 Top Fuel rookie season at the NHRA Finals, where Vandergriff advanced past Austin Prock in the opening round before falling to Leah Pruett in round two. His connection to the facility runs much deeper than a single race weekend.

“Pomona was where I first got the feel for the speed and what it was about. It was the heyday of Tony Schumacher, when he was winning everything and John Force was winning everything. It was just a different era of drag racing when I was growing up, and now, to be ushering in this new era of drag racing at Pomona is unreal. So, I can’t wait to go back.”

Vandergriff’s transition into Funny Car competition with John Force Racing has shown promise through the first two events of the 2026 season.

He opened the year with a strong semifinal finish at the Gatornationals, immediately establishing himself as a competitive presence. He followed that with a second-round finish at the Arizona Nationals, navigating challenging track conditions. Those results currently place him seventh in the Funny Car point standings, but the performance level suggests even more potential.

“The Cornwell team is great. Chris Cunningham leading us with Jason Bunker, and the team has really come together very quickly. We’re all really good friends already and I think that’s part of it. You know, you have to be good friends. You work together. you respect each other. That will usher in good results. But it all starts with Chris Cunningham. He is the right guy to be leading us. We’ve experienced some good results so far. We’re seventh of the points and I think we’ve done better than what seventh points looks like, honestly. I think we’ve performed well in these first two races.”

The stakes for the 2026 Winternationals extend far beyond a typical event win. With the race marking the 1000th Funny Car event in NHRA history, the opportunity to secure a first career victory becomes even more significant.

For Vandergriff, the scenario almost feels scripted.

“Getting my first win in the NHRA’s 1000th Funny Car race, at my hometown track, would be amazing. I think you couldn’t write a script any better than that, and Hollywood’s not too far away. It just would be unbelievable for it to happen and we’re going there with the idea that it’s going to happen. We have a good Cornwell Tools Chevy, and the weather should come into the wheelhouse, so we’ll be ready. Chris Cunningham and Jason Bunker (crew chiefs) will tune that thing up and I’m going to hop in it and try to get that win.”

Jack Beckman Is Hunting Historic Fifth Straight Pomona Win At NHRA’s 1000th Funny Car Race

Jack Beckman is chasing history on multiple levels at Pomona during the Winternationals. He has won his last four starts at the legendary Southern California track, capturing victories at the 2019 Finals, 2020 Winternationals, 2024 Finals, and 2025 Winternationals. Even more impressive, he holds a staggering 19-1 record over his last five appearances at the facility.

What makes that run even more unique is the gap between races. Following the 2020 season, Beckman stepped away from full-time competition when his previous team shut down, returning to his career as an elevator repairman. More than three years later, he returned to the cockpit, and picked up right where he left off.

The significance of this year’s Winternationals goes far beyond individual performance. The event marks the 1000th Funny Car race in NHRA history, adding another layer of prestige to an already iconic race. For Beckman, that milestone carries personal meaning.

“Not only am I a drag racing historian, I am also part of the history. NHRA is hosting a panel discussion at the museum on race weekend with the milestone winners, and numbers 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, are all alive and as far as I know will all be there. I’m number 600. I had forgotten the fact that I’m part of the fabric of the milestone race wins that got us to 1,000. There’s never any extra incentive to win a race, because you just want to win a race, and they’re the same size trophies at every race … except for this year being NHRA’s 75th anniversary. NHRA stepped up the appearance of the winners’ trophies this year, and tracks have lately been giving an additional trophy, kind of the flavor of the event there, and so I’m sure this one for the 1000th is going to be incredible.”

Beckman’s place in NHRA history, as the winner of the 600th Funny Car race, adds a unique perspective as the sport reaches another major milestone.

If there’s one place where Beckman would want to make more history, it’s Pomona.

“Pomona happens to be my home track, just happens to be the 1,000th Funny Car race, and I happen to be the defending race champion. I’m hoping that the planets are going to line up. I’ve won the Winternationals the last two times I’ve been there. One of them was 2020 and the other one was 2025 so, for me, I’d love this to be a three-peat there. I’ve actually won at Pomona the last four times I’ve raced there so I’d like to make it five in a row. There’s just a three-and-a-half-year gap in between. It’s kind of a nice feeling to be a part of this history. Maybe I haven’t thought about this too much but I’m a historian that’s also getting to put my thumbprint on some of the history. That’s pretty cool.”