By Rob King

After capturing his second consecutive NHRA Funny Car world championship, Austin Prock and his family-based team – father and crew chief Jimmy Prock and brother and assistant crew chief Thomas Prock – officially departed John Force Racing. Their exit left one of the sport’ s powerhouse teams suddenly without its championship trio, prompting widespread speculation throughout the offseason.

That speculation began to crystalize at the Performance Racing Industry( PRI) Show in early December, when JFR announced Jordan Vandergriff as the new driver of the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car. Just weeks later, on January 15, Bob Tasca III revealed the other half of the story, announcing that the Prock family had joined Tasca Racing, with Austin Prock replacing Tasca in the cockpit of the Ford Racing

Dark Horse Mustang Funny Car.

“ 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,” said Vandergriff.“ 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.”

The California native brings experience from both Top Fuel and television. Vandergriff made two NHRA starts in 2025 while filling in for injured Top Fuel driver Shawn Reed at Brainerd and Indianapolis. During his rookie Top Fuel season in 2019, he earned a runner-up finish at Dallas and two semifinal appearances. For the past two seasons, Vandergriff has served as an NHRA on FOX reporter.

“ 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, a longtime partner of John Force Racing since 2019, will continue as primary sponsor of the Funny Car program.

“ We are incredibly excited about today’ s announcement from John Force Racing and to welcome Jordan Vandergriff to the Cornwell Tools Funny Car program,” said Cornwell Quality Tools CEO Bob Studenic.“ Jordan is a dynamic talent with the skill, professionalism, and competitive fire that align perfectly with Cornwell’ s values and our commitment to excellence. This is an exciting moment for Cornwell Tools. 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.”

John Force Racing’ s full 2026 lineup will feature 2012 Funny Car Champion Jack Beckman, Alexis DeJoria, and Vandergriff in Funny Car, alongside Josh Hart in Top Fuel.

“ We’ re proud to announce Jordan Vandergriff as the driver of the Cornwell Quality Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car for John Force Racing,” said John Force.“ We worked closely with the folks at Cornwell Tools to make sure we had the right fit

PHOTOGRAPHS BY NHRA, TASCA RACING AND JOHN FORCE RACING PHOTOGRAPHS BY NHRA, TASCA RACING AND JOHN FORCE RACING

34 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated. com Issue 198