With just two races remaining in the NHRA season, Funny Car championship contenders Matt Hagan, Jordan Vandergriff and J.R. Todd gathered Thursday at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse in Las Vegas for a press conference ahead of the Mopar NHRA Las Vegas Nationals powered by Dodge.
The event brought together the top three drivers in the Funny Car standings before competition begins October 30 - November 1 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The weekend marks the 19th of 20 races during NHRA’s 75th anniversary season, putting Las Vegas at the center of the championship battle.
Hagan enters the weekend atop the standings with four victories this season behind the wheel of the Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car for Tony Stewart Racing. A four-time world champion pursuing his fifth title, Hagan has reached seven of the last nine final rounds of the fall Las Vegas event and won it six times.
During Thursday’s discussion, Hagan praised both challengers, recognizing Todd’s ability on the starting line and Vandergriff’s success in his first Funny Car season.
“I have much respect for both of these guys sitting here,” said Hagan. “And to be friends on top of it, you know, we battle it out.”
Vandergriff arrives second in points following a breakout first season in Funny Car with John Force Racing. Driving the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car, Vandergriff has collected three victories this year and remains in contention for his first world championship.
“Coming into this press conference, I knew I was gonna be sitting in between these two, and I was like, asking myself, how did I even get here?” said Vandergriff.
Vandergriff described the opportunity as a dream come true, reflecting on his return to full-time competition and the prospect of challenging two established champions for the title. Although he has yet to win at The Strip, the facility holds significance as the site of his first Funny Car driving attempts for John Force Racing.
Todd brings momentum to Las Vegas after defeating Hagan in the Dallas final to earn his second victory of the season and move into third in the standings. The driver of the DHL GR Supra Funny Car is a three-time Las Vegas winner and captured the Funny Car world championship in 2018, becoming the first Black driver to earn the title.
Todd described this as his strongest championship opportunity since 2018 and emphasized the importance of collecting qualifying points to close the gap on Hagan and Vandergriff. His team also brings valuable experience through crew chief Dickie Venables, who helped guide Hagan to five of his six fall Las Vegas victories.
Thursday’s gathering highlighted three different paths to championship contention, with each driver representing a team led by an American racing legend: Tony Stewart, John Force and Connie Kalitta. Their shared respect will give way to competition this weekend as each looks to leave Las Vegas closer to a world championship.
The Mopar NHRA Las Vegas Nationals powered by Dodge takes place Friday, October 30 - Sunday, November 1 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
For tickets and event information, visit LVMS.com.
