Funny Car has already treated NHRA fans to an unbelievable year filled with fierce competition, unbelievable performances and an impressive list of title contenders.
Now, heading into this weekend’s In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals in Pomona to close out the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, we’re headed for what could be an epic showdown between three standout championship hopefuls.
Matt Hagan takes the points lead into In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, holding a slim 39-point advantage over Jordan Vandergriff after the Funny Car newcomer put together a thrilling weekend en route to the win in Las Vegas.
J.R. Todd remains in contention at 104 points back and though he will need some help – and his second win in the Countdown to the Championship – there’s all the makings of a thrilling finale in Pomona.
That could suit Hagan just fine, as the veteran look to become just the second Funny Car driver in NHRA history to win a fifth world championship. Only the legendary John Force has done it thus far, but a good weekend in his 12,000-horsepower Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car would put Hagan in elite territory. That isn’t lost on Hagan, who has four wins and seven final-round appearances in 2026, as he looks to finish off another stellar season in style.
“You know, everybody’s asking, ‘How are your nerves? How are you feeling?’ and all that kind of stuff. Honestly, I’m pretty good. I think the biggest thing you have to realize is that you can’t control everything. You can leave on time, keep it in the groove, but you just have to hope to see that win light come on,” Hagan said.
“Our closest competitor, Jordan Vandergriff, that team had a great race in Vegas and we stubbed our toe a little bit, but we just have to have a great race in Pomona. The biggest thing you have to do is just enjoy the ride, show up and just go race.”
At last year’s In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals in Pomona, Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) and Richard Gadson (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were each crowned world champions at last year’s In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals. This year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1, including eliminations coverage starting at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 15.
Vandergriff gave himself a puncher’s chance going into Pomona, which is a points-and-a-half event. He’s had a banner year in his debut Funny Car season, with the Vegas triumph giving the rising star his fourth victory in 2026 in his 12,000-horsepower Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS for John Force Racing.
If Vandergriff could get the gap under 30 points during qualifying, it would set up the chance for a winner-take-all scenario. As of now, Vandergriff needs to go two rounds further than Hagan to claim a world championship and finish out what would be a dream season in his first year in the Funny Car ranks.
“That fourth win was huge because we’re 39 points back now, behind Hagan. Going into Vegas, it was a really, really long shot and it felt like we were far away. Now we can go to Pomona with a chance. All I wanted was a chance to drive these race cars. I’ve got that chance and now I have this chance for a championship,” Vandergriff said.
“I knew coming into this year what they’d done the last two years in this car (with Austin Prock winning back-to-back titles), the expectations were going to be high. I wanted those expectations to stay that way. I didn’t want to come in and say, ‘Oh, he’s a rookie (Funny Car) driver.’ I wanted to come into this race car with our new team, with (crew chiefs) Chris Cunningham and Jason Bunker, and all the new guys and say we’re picking up right where they left off. I think being second going into Pomona is great. It’s what I thought of at Gainesville test, and I didn’t know if it was going to come true, but now that we’re here, it’s coming true.”
The good news for Hagan is Pomona has been one of his best tracks for several seasons. He’s been a clutch driver throughout the years and he has a chance to sweep both races at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in 2026, winning the 1,000th Funny Car race earlier this year at the NHRA Winternationals.
His eight wins at the legendary facility are second-most in Funny Car and the nitro ranks, which gives him confidence his Tony Stewart Racing team will come through when it matters most on Sunday in Pomona.
“At the end of the day, we’re here, we’re racing and we’ve got a shot. I think that’s all you can really hope for: to just have a real shot at this championship. I sure do like our chances coming in leading,” Hagan said. “Heading into Pomona, we’re going to have some fun, step on the gas and let it be what it’s going to be.
“Jordan is a good kid. I know he’s fighting for his first one, and I’m fighting for my fifth. When you put it in perspective, we’re very blessed to be out here fighting for a fifth championship. At the end of the day, that’s where my head is at.”
Top Fuel’s Shawn Langdon will look to clinch his second career world title this weekend in Pomona. He has a 107-point lead over teammate Kalitta, as Langdon will look to close out the title in Pomona.
Reigning Pro Stock champion Glenn is within reach of his second championship. Glenn has won the last two Countdown races and sits 87 points ahead of Matt Hartford in second. Greg Stanfield is 99 points back in third.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, reigning champ Gadson and two-time champ Gaige Herrera are racing for two Diamond Wallys in Pomona as they will complete their delayed Las Vegas final and battle for this year’s title. Gadson currently leads Herrera by 55 points.
Race fans will also enjoy action in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, along with the Summit Jr. Drag Racing League Shootout and the LASD Racing exhibition.
Pomona race fans can also enjoy special pre-race ceremonies on Sunday, along with the SealMaster Track Walk. Another can’t-miss experience is Sunday’s winner’s circle celebration, where fans are invited to congratulate the champs and event winners. As always, every ticket is a pit pass to the most powerful motorsports attraction. Fans can see their favorite teams in action, get autographs from their favorite drivers and more. They can also visit the midway for displays, merchandise, food and fun.
In Pomona, the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will feature two qualifying rounds at 12 and 2:30 p.m. PT on Friday, Nov. 13, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. PT on Sunday, Nov. 15. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, followed by eliminations coverage at 5 p.m. ET.
To purchase tickets to the 61st annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.
This story was originally published on November 12, 2026. 
