NHRA Top Fuel racer Shawn Reed has tapped Jordan Vandergriff to do a little pinch-hitting for Shawn Reed and drive the Reed Trucking & Excavating dragster at the upcoming Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd, Minn.
Vandergriff, who made 11 Top Fuel starts in 2019, will earn points for Reed, who is recovering from a massive crash during a qualifying round at the Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways near Seattle on July 19.
The announcement was made on the Shawn Reed Racing Facebook page.
Reed had the severely damaged index finger on his left hand amputated and suffered broken ribs in the crash. He plans to return to action when the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs rounds begin at Reading, Pa., Sept. 12-14.
Championship points that the 30-year-old Vandergriff will earn at Brainerd (Aug. 15-17) will be credited to Reed, per NHRA rules for injured drivers unable to compete.
Reed currently sits 10th in the Top Fuel standings. The top 10 will qualify to run for the NHRA championship. The Vandergriff move is a hedge by Reed to secure, or even improve, his place in the standings before the Countdown.
Reed, who also plans to have a fill-in driver for the Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis over Labor Day Weekend, did not commit to Vandergriff for that event.
Vandergriff currently serves as a member of the NHRA on FOX TV broadcast team. His best finish in an NHRA Top Fuel event was a runner-up finish to Billy Torrence at Dallas in 2019.
“First and foremost, I am thankful Shawn is okay after the incident in Seattle, and I wish him a full and speedy recovery to be back in the seat in time for the Countdown,” said Vandergriff, who, in addition to his Top Fuel career is also well-known for his stints on The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise. “We were teammates during our BVR (Bob Vandergriff Racing) days and have remained great friends ever since. I am extremely excited for this opportunity.
"Shawn Reed Racing is a top-notch organization with great parts and pieces, and even greater people. (Crew chief) Rob Wendland and the crew are world-class. This is a quick, consistent, and fast race car that can run with anyone on any given day.
“I have been out of the seat for over five years, and I have been hungry every single day since. That fire has kept me up at night and pushed me harder in everything I do. Now it is my job to compete, and I am ready.”
Reed, meanwhile, continues to be upbeat about his recovery and eventual return to the racetrack.
“No one ever wants to be in a situation like that, of course,” said Reed, “But if anything good came out of it, it was that it was really cool to see how many people out there support our team. It felt like people were just coming out of the woodwork, asking how they can help, offering to come visit, sending their well wishes on social media. Honestly, I didn’t even know that many people had my phone number.
“I’m sure come Q1 next Friday, it’ll be a totally weird feeling standing on the starting line behind my car, but I know Jordan will do a great job. He’s hungry to be out here racing and trying to get his name out more, and I’m glad to be able to give him this opportunity.
"As for Indy, we’ve got some things in the works and I was hoping to be able to confirm our plans for that event today too, but the fact is, we’ve still got a few i’s to dot and t’s to cross before we can announce that. I can say, though, the fans will be really pumped and as much as I’d like to be in the driver’s seat myself, I’m really excited for these next two events.”
Comments