BROWNSBURG, Ind. (MAY 13, 2026) – Josh Hart’s debut with John Force Racing couldn’t have played out any better to kick off the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing and the Florida-based driver sees the May 15-17 Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK as the perfect opportunity for the Speedmaster Top Fuel team to return to that highest level of performance.
Hart captured his first NHRA Top Fuel win in five years at the season-opening Gatornationals. He earned his first No. 1 Qualifier award and reset his career-best elapsed time and speed records at Gainesville and, as he put it, accomplished more in that one race than he had the entire season before.
Since then, the Speedmaster team has run well but not been able to capitalize fully on the opportunities in front of them. Hart knows a strong start to the second quarter of the season (with five of 20 races completed) is not only important but within his and his team’s grasp. His runner-up finish in the 2023 Route 66 NHRA Nationals also provides further encouragement to complete the task to enjoy the full fruits of victory.
The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel point standings after five of 20 races are: 1. Shawn Langdon, 481; 2. Doug Kalitta, 477; 3. Leah Pruett, 352; 4. Tony Stewart, 332; 5. Josh Hart, 298; 6. Maddi Gordon, 296; 7. Justin Ashley, 280; 8. Billy Torrence, 244; 9. Clay Millican, 220; 10. Antron Brown, 218.
Quotes
What are your memories from your runner-up finish at the 2023 Route 66 NHRA Nationals?
“The Chicago runner-up situation is always bittersweet but I love this event! The venue is like a gladiator stadium.”
After struggling the past couple of races, what is the game plan for this weekend?
“The Speedmaster team will regain its ground this weekend at Route 66 Raceway. I love being a part of this John Force Racing program and I know the work David Grubnic and John Collins (crew chiefs) and all the crew has put in since South Georgia is going to pay off for us. We’ve proven what we’re capable so we need to take advantage of this opportunity to execute and earn maximum points.”
What are your thoughts about John Force Racing teammate Jordan Vandergriff getting his first win two weeks ago in Georgia?
“Jordan and I have a good history even prior to being John Force Racing teammates. We have a little saying we share amongst ourselves: ‘Best team, best car and now be the best driver!’ I was proud to say it to him last weekend while congratulating him on the victory.”
What does it mean for you to race in longtime John Force Racing’s sponsor PEAK’s back yard?
“PEAK has been an epic supporter of John Force Racing for years. That kind of loyalty is who I try to surround myself with and I am blessed to be a part of the PEAK SQUAD.”
Stats
| Chicago | Race Result | Round Wins | Round Loss | Qualified | Event Record |
| 2021 (TF) | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2022 (TF) | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2023 (TF) | Runner Up | Def. A. Brown Def. J. McNeal Def. T. Zizzo | Loss to C. Millican | 12th | 3-1 |
| 2024 (TF) | 1st Round | Loss to S. Reed | 12th | 3-2 | |
| 2025 (TF) | 2nd Round | Def. C. Millican | Loss to D. Kalitta | 8th | 4-3 |
Starts: 3
Wins: 0
Final Rounds: 1 (2023)
No. 1 Qualifiers: 0
Event Round Record: 4-3
Track & TV Schedules
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:30 and 5:0 p.m. CT on Friday, May 15, with the final two rounds Saturday, May 16, at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. CT. Final eliminations are scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at 11 a.m. CT.
HART LOOKS TO REGAIN GROUND AT ROUTE 66 NATIONALS
BROWNSBURG, Ind. (MAY 13, 2026) – Josh Hart’s debut with John Force Racing couldn’t have played out any better to kick off the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing and the Florida-based driver sees the May 15-17 Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK as the perfect opportunity for the Speedmaster Top Fuel team to return to that highest level of performance.
Hart captured his first NHRA Top Fuel win in five years at the season-opening Gatornationals. He earned his first No. 1 Qualifier award and reset his career-best elapsed time and speed records at Gainesville and, as he put it, accomplished more in that one race than he had the entire season before.
Since then, the Speedmaster team has run well but not been able to capitalize fully on the opportunities in front of them. Hart knows a strong start to the second quarter of the season (with five of 20 races completed) is not only important but within his and his team’s grasp. His runner-up finish in the 2023 Route 66 NHRA Nationals also provides further encouragement to complete the task to enjoy the full fruits of victory.
The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel point standings after five of 20 races are: 1. Shawn Langdon, 481; 2. Doug Kalitta, 477; 3. Leah Pruett, 352; 4. Tony Stewart, 332; 5. Josh Hart, 298; 6. Maddi Gordon, 296; 7. Justin Ashley, 280; 8. Billy Torrence, 244; 9. Clay Millican, 220; 10. Antron Brown, 218.
Quotes
What are your memories from your runner-up finish at the 2023 Route 66 NHRA Nationals?
“The Chicago runner-up situation is always bittersweet but I love this event! The venue is like a gladiator stadium.”
After struggling the past couple of races, what is the game plan for this weekend?
“The Speedmaster team will regain its ground this weekend at Route 66 Raceway. I love being a part of this John Force Racing program and I know the work David Grubnic and John Collins (crew chiefs) and all the crew has put in since South Georgia is going to pay off for us. We’ve proven what we’re capable so we need to take advantage of this opportunity to execute and earn maximum points.”
What are your thoughts about John Force Racing teammate Jordan Vandergriff getting his first win two weeks ago in Georgia?
“Jordan and I have a good history even prior to being John Force Racing teammates. We have a little saying we share amongst ourselves: ‘Best team, best car and now be the best driver!’ I was proud to say it to him last weekend while congratulating him on the victory.”
What does it mean for you to race in longtime John Force Racing’s sponsor PEAK’s back yard?
“PEAK has been an epic supporter of John Force Racing for years. That kind of loyalty is who I try to surround myself with and I am blessed to be a part of the PEAK SQUAD.”
Stats
| Chicago | Race Result | Round Wins | Round Loss | Qualified | Event Record |
| 2021 (TF) | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2022 (TF) | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2023 (TF) | Runner Up | Def. A. Brown Def. J. McNeal Def. T. Zizzo | Loss to C. Millican | 12th | 3-1 |
| 2024 (TF) | 1st Round | Loss to S. Reed | 12th | 3-2 | |
| 2025 (TF) | 2nd Round | Def. C. Millican | Loss to D. Kalitta | 8th | 4-3 |
Starts: 3
Wins: 0
Final Rounds: 1 (2023)
No. 1 Qualifiers: 0
Event Round Record: 4-3
Track & TV Schedules
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:30 and 5:0 p.m. CT on Friday, May 15, with the final two rounds Saturday, May 16, at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. CT. Final eliminations are scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at 11 a.m. CT.
Television coverage on FS1 includes qualifying on Friday, May 15, from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. ET, a second qualifying show on Saturday, May 16, from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET, and the eliminations broadcast on Sunday, May 17, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. ET.