Shawn Reed Names Jordan Vandergriff as Replacement Driver of the Reed Trucking & Excavating Top Fuel Dragster in Brainerd

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (August 8, 2025) – Jordan Vandergriff was named interim driver of the Reed Trucking & Excavating Top Fuel dragster at the upcoming Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, it was announced today by team owner/driver Shawn Reed, who is sidelined as he recovers from a crash that occurred during last month’s NHRA Northwest Nationals near Seattle.

The news broke on Friday via Facebook Live, after much hype and speculation, with Reed announcing that Vandergriff has been commissioned to pilot his 12,000-horsepower machine in Brainerd, Minn., Aug. 15-17. Reed will announce his NHRA U.S. Nationals replacement driver on a later date but confirms that he will rely on a fill-in driver for that event.

The decision was made to utilize a stand-in driver at the final two regular-season NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series events in an effort to secure Reed’s status as a playoff-eligible driver. The No. 10-ranked Top Fuel pilot is planning to return to the cockpit in Reading. Pa. for the first race of the 2025 Countdown to the Championship.

Vandergriff, a member of the NHRA on FOX broadcast team, who has aspirations of competing on a full-time basis in the NHRA Mission Foods Series, is ready for the challenge of racing on Reed’s behalf and maintaining his top 10-ranked position. Before Vandergriff temporarily hung up his helmet, he competed in 11 events in the Top Fuel division, including his runner-up finish at the 2019 Dallas event.

“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,” Vandergriff added. “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.”

As much as Reed is champing at the bit to be back at the controls of his Reed Trucking & Excavating dragster in Brainerd and Indianapolis, he is happy to be able to quickly return to the dragstrip, even as a spectator, and grateful to all the fans and NHRA staff for their unwavering support as he continues to recover from the incident which left him with two fractured ribs and an amputated left index finger.

“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.”

Vandergriff and the Reed Trucking & Excavating Top Fuel dragster will begin qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway on Friday, Aug. 15, at 4:30 p.m. CT.

“As for Indy,” Reed said, “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.”