When you realized you were going to be driving for John Force Racing, what was your reaction?

I couldn’ t believe it. I was absolutely speechless. I never could have imagined driving for John Force, and the fact that it’ s actually happening, it’ s just surreal. I feel very fortunate that John believes in me, and I look forward to making him proud. That’ s my goal this year: to drive this car well and make him proud.

By Kelly Wade

When the world learned that Austin Prock, his crew chief and father Jimmy Prock, and assistant crew chief and brother Thomas Prock had left John Force Racing as a trio and moved to the Tasca Racing camp, the open seat was coveted by many. Vandergriff was on the short list and named early, though. He had earned the respect, the consideration, and, ultimately, he earned position.

The Southern California native grew up playing stick-and-ball sports, but racing was bubbling in his blood and taking over his heart. His grandfather, Bob Vandergriff Sr., took over at the helm of Hedman Hedders in 1979 – one of the hot rod industry’ s original manufacturers – and his uncle, Bob Jr., had made a name of his own in Top Fuel. When Bob Jr. established a driver development program, young Vandergriff was the first graduate. He made his Top Alcohol Dragster debut in 2018 at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals in an A / Fueler owned by Anthony Dicero of the Nitro University, and the

next season, he was a Top Fuel driver battling Prock for Rookie of the Year.

In his first season as a nitro driver, Vandergriff reached the semifinals in his debut and highlighted the year with his first final-round appearance in Dallas. The Drag Illustrated 30 Under 30 2019 honoree competed in 11 events that first year and had a promising future ahead of him, but the entire world’ s plans were altered by the COVID-19 uproar.

He was willing to pivot, however, and while keeping his eyes and options open, Vandergriff stepped into a new role in front of the camera as an NHRA on FOX reporter for two seasons. Last year, being in the right place at the right time proved pivotal, and he was back in the seat for two races to fill in for injured Top Fuel driver Shawn Reed. Vandergriff qualified No. 3 and picked up a round win in Brainerd, and he was No. 2 on the qualifying sheet at the U. S. Nationals. The experience allowed Vandergriff to issue an effective reminder of exactly where he belonged: in the seat of a race car.

Joining the historic John Force Racing team came with a new opportunity for the steady-handed young man: learning to drive an always demanding, oft-un-

Do you feel like you earned this spot?

Yeah, I feel like I did earn it. I lost my seat many years ago, but everything I’ ve done since then has been working toward getting back in the seat. I’ ve put the work in, put in the time, and I’ ve been very patient. I’ m ready for this moment. It’ s my time.

What’ s going to be your greatest challenge?

Getting used to this Funny Car because it could surprise you at any moment. I’ m trying to stay in the mindset of,“ Get comfortable, but don’ t get too comfortable.” You never know when it’ s going to want to do something you’ re not ready for. Really, my main goal and the biggest challenge is just to drive this car well. I know I have a great team behind me that’ s going to put together a great race car, and if I can do my part, it’ s going to be fast.

What are your expectations from now through the end of this first season for you in a Funny Car? If I’ m being honest, our expectations are high. This car has won the last two championships, and after testing, it’ s already running very well again. Our expectation is to keep it going and make it three in a row for Cornwell Quality Tools.

Are you having fun?

I’ m having so much fun. I’ ve been dreaming of driving again, and I’ m having the most fun I’ ve ever had out here at the racetrack. I’ m just soaking it all in and enjoying every second of it. DI

PHOTOGRAPHS BY AUTO IMAGERY