Kalitta, Vandergriff, and Stanfield claim Denso Sonoma Nationals titles

In front of a sold out crowd, Doug Kalitta, Jordan Vandergriff, and Greg Stanfield claimed NHRA Naitonal event titles at the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals presented by PowerEdge

Funny Car newcomer Jordan Vandergriff won for the second time this season for John Force Racing in front of a sellout crowd on Sunday at Sonoma Raceway, defeating Daniel Wilkerson in the final round of the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals presented by PowerEdge.

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Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel) and Greg Stanfield (Pro Stock) also won at the 11th of 20 races during the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season as NHRA celebrated three straight days of sellout crowds at the standout facility.

Vandergriff went 3.900-seconds at 330.72 mph in his Cornwell Tools Chevrolet to power past Wilkerson’s 3.950 at 301.33 in the championship round, getting his second career victory and first at Sonoma Raceway.

Vandergriff defeated Jason Rupert, Matt Hagan and reigning world champion Austin Prock in a thrilling duel to reach the final round, finishing off a near-flawless weekend with another stellar performance in the final round.

The team made wholesale changes after Norwalk and it worked like a charm one race later, as Vandergriff was the quickest car the last three qualifying rounds. He qualified No. 1 and then was remarkably consistent in eliminations, including a Sunday-best run of 3.891 at 328.46. That continued all day, as the rising star moved up three spots to second in points with the victory.

“My team behind me had the car running so well and so and smooth at this race,” Vandergriff said. “Today was one of those days where I got up there, and I knew I was going to go straight and tried and true. Heading into this final round, I knew that we had the car.

“Getting my second win, it means a lot because after my first win, I remember sitting home, on the couch, looking at the Wally, and I'm thinking, ‘You know, how do I get a second one?’ The first one felt like such a whirlwind, and a dream come true. This is my job. My job is to come to John Force Racing and win Wallys for Cornwall Quality Tools. Now I'm going to go home and look at two Wallys and ask myself how to get a third.”

Wilkerson advanced to his second final this year and fourth in his career thanks to round wins against Hunter Green, Spencer Hyde and Jack Beckman. Ron Capps remains in the points lead, but it stands at just 74 points over Vandergriff after a first-round defeat to Prock on Sunday.