---

NHRA: A Win is a Win is a Win

2 September 1999

Indianapolis - - "Drag racers always say, 'I want to win the U.S. Nationals' or 'If I could win only one race, it would be Indy,'" says Bob Vandergriff, Jr., driver of the JERZEES/Haldex Group Top Fuel Dragster. "I just want to win a national event! I dont care which one. Since the U.S. Nationals is next up, I want to win the U.S. Nationals. When you're looking for your first victory, you dont care which one it will be. To me a win is a win is a win!

"We feel we are close to that first win. We feel momentum is on our side. Last race we gained 21 points on the leader in the battle for the Winston Top Fuel championship, so were not out of the chase. Even though we are in tenth, we are only 149 points from the top spot," the Cumming, Ga., driver added.

Vandergriff brings with him some impressive stats for the U.S. Nationals:

1.) He has been the number one qualifier at two events this season -- the Advance Auto Parts Nationals at Atlanta in May and then again at the Autolite Nationals at Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., about a month ago.

2.) He was runner-up (to Doug Herbert) at the Pontiac Excitement Nationals at Columbus, Ohio, in June. He also has advanced to the semi-finals four times.

3.) He was number one qualifier and runner-up (to John Force) in the Winston Showdown -- a non-point, all-star event held at Bristol (Tenn.) Dragway in July.

4.) He has done well on the Indianapolis Raceway Park quarter-mile. In 1995, he was runner-up to Larry Dixon and in 1997 reached the semi-finals.

"You can bet we'll be going after the number one qualifying position. Crew chief, Ray Alley, has this JERZEES/Haldex dragster running quick. Weve qualified in the top five at the last three races and I dont think weve run as quick as we are capable of running," added Vandergriff. "Im looking forward to qualifying."

Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.