Expectations were high when Jordan Vandergriff was named the driver of the Cornwell Quality Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car for John Force Racing at the Performance Racing Industry Show in Indianapolis last December. With Austin Prock driving, the car won the last two NHRA Funny Car world championships, setting a high bar for Vandergriff and crew chiefs Chris Cunningham and Jason Bunker. Vandergriff, a Funny Car rookie who previously competed in Top Fuel and Top Alcohol Dragster, didn’ t waste any time getting up to speed. He went to the semifinals at the season-opening NHRA Gatornationals and did it again two races later at the Winternationals. He qualified third there, second at the 4-Wide Nationals, and third again at the Southern Nationals at South Georgia Motorsports Park, where the Atlanta resident raced to victory over J. R. Todd in his first Funny Car final round. For his ability to adapt and rise to the occasion, Vandergriff earned this issue’ s PEAK Performer title.

Photographs by Rick Belden and Anastacia Bohlander