Shawn Reed has tapped Jordan Vandergriff to drive the Reed Trucking & Excavating Top Fuel dragster at the upcoming Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, Aug. 15-17, at Brainerd International Raceway. The announcement came Friday via a Facebook Live session following days of speculation, as Reed continues to recover from injuries sustained in his violent crash at the NHRA Northwest Nationals last month.
The move is designed to keep Reed – currently ranked No. 10 in the Top Fuel standings – in playoff contention for the NHRA Countdown to the Championship. Reed confirmed that Vandergriff will handle the driving duties in Brainerd, with another replacement driver to be announced for the prestigious NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. Reed’s plan is to return to the cockpit for the first race of the Countdown in Reading, Pa., in September.
“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, a former Top Fuel racer who now serves as part of the NHRA on FOX broadcast team. “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. 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 continued. “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.”
Vandergriff last raced in Top Fuel in 2019, making 11 career starts and scoring a runner-up finish in Dallas. Off the track, he’s also known for appearances on The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise.
As much as Reed wishes he could be racing in Brainerd and Indianapolis, he’s embracing his role on the sidelines and is thankful for the outpouring of support he’s received from fans, friends, and the NHRA community. Reed’s injuries from the Seattle crash included two fractured ribs and the amputation of his left index finger.
“No one ever wants to be in a situation like that, of course,” Reed said. “But if anything good came out of it, 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 team will hit the track for their first qualifying run at 4:30 p.m. CT on Friday, Aug. 15.
“As for Indy,” Reed added, “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.”
This story was originally published on August 8, 2025. 
