Vandergriff Wins Las Vegas Funny Car Final
Jordan Vandergriff took the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals Funny Car title over Ron Capps, trimming his gap to Matt Hagan ahead of the Pomona finale.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Motorsports
Jordan Vandergriff defeated Ron Capps in the Funny Car final at the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals, winning with a 3.873-second run at 331.36 mph. The victory was his fourth of the season and came after Matt Hagan lost in the quarterfinals.
Why it matters
Vandergriff now trails Hagan by 39 points in the Funny Car standings, keeping the championship battle open heading into the season finale. The result shows how elimination-round outcomes can reshape the points race late in the year.
Vandergriff's winning run was 3.873 seconds at 331.36 mph, and he entered Pomona 39 points behind Hagan. Kalitta and Glenn also took Top Fuel and Pro Stock Car titles, but the Pro Stock Motorcycle final was postponed by high winds and remains unresolved.
The players
Jordan Vandergriff
Funny Car driver who won the Las Vegas Nationals final and is competing for the NHRA Funny Car championship.
Matt Hagan
Funny Car driver who leads the series standings and lost in the Las Vegas quarterfinals.
The details
Vandergriff advanced after Hagan lost to J.R. Todd in the quarterfinals, and he beat Capps in the final. In Top Fuel, Doug Kalitta defeated Leah Pruett, while Dallas Glenn beat Troy Coughlin Jr. in Pro Stock Car after defeating points leader Shawn Langdon in the semifinal.
Timeline
Sunday: Las Vegas Nationals final eliminations held
Nov. 12-15: NHRA season finale at Pomona
Nov. 14: Postponed Pro Stock Motorcycle final to be contested
Season Trajectory
The Las Vegas result narrows the NHRA Funny Car championship race, leaving Vandergriff within striking distance of Hagan heading into the Pomona finale. A maximum of 150 points available to the winner at Pomona keeps the title fight open through the final round.
Vandergriff's 39-point deficit to Hagan means a strong Pomona finish could decide the Funny Car title. Fantasy and standings watchers should track the Pomona points, since a maximum of 150 points is available to the winner.
The takeaway
Late-season championships often turn on single elimination rounds, as Vandergriff's gain from Hagan's quarterfinal loss shows. Following the points math through each round gives the clearest picture of where a title race stands.
What happens next
The NHRA season finale at Pomona runs Nov. 12-15, and the postponed Pro Stock Motorcycle final between Gaige Herrera and Richard Gadson will be contested Nov. 14.
Further reading
For more on the series, explore Motorsports coverage across the NHRA season.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Las Vegas Review-Journal.
