Jordan Vandergriff won the Funny Car title at the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals on Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, tightening the championship race heading into the season finale at Pomona. Vandergriff defeated Ron Capps in the final with a 3.873-second elapsed time at 331.36 mph, earning his fourth win of the season.
The victory cut Matt Hagan's points lead from 98 to 39 points after Hagan lost to J.R. Todd in the quarterfinals. Vandergriff, who entered the event second in points, also beat Todd in the semifinals. The rookie driver said the day played out exactly as he envisioned, calling it the biggest win of his career.
In Top Fuel, Doug Kalitta defeated Leah Pruett in the final with a 3.658-second run at 338.60 mph. Kalitta beat points leader Shawn Langdon in the semifinals, keeping his title hopes alive as he trails by 107 points entering Pomona. Kalitta said beating Langdon was essential to keeping his championship shot alive.
Pro Stock points leader Dallas Glenn won his third straight event, defeating Troy Coughlin Jr. in the final with a 6.587-second pass at 206.26 mph. The reigning world champion extended his lead in the standings.
Vandergriff, a former Fox Sports NHRA reporter and "Bachelorette" contestant, took over the Cornwell Tools car for John Force Racing this season after Austin Prock's departure. He said he entered Las Vegas viewing the title as a long shot but felt no pressure in the final round, though he expects to feel tighter at the Pomona finale Nov. 12-15.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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