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Chris Vandergriff

Top Fuel rookie Chris Vandergriff ran so well in Atlanta that he caught the eye of Efans.com, who announced plans to sponsor him for the Indy race. Vandergriff, an executive Vice President for Hedman Hedders, is excited to be running at the most prestigious drag race in the world.

"We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Jack Wissman and his investor group with the EFans.com family for their interest in Vandergriff Motorsports and NHRA POWERade Drag Racing," Vandergriff said. "We currently have a one-race sponsorship with the potential to grow it into a full-time program in the near future. We're excited about the opportunity to be involved with them."

EFans.com is a new organization that gives avid auto racing fans the opportunity to participate in the sport's inner circle through direct sponsorship of race teams in a variety of motorsports. Benefits include exclusive access to the teams they sponsor, eligibility to participate at select VIP trackside events, participation in the EFans.com Savings and Rewards program, discounts on racing apparel and other racing merchandise, and the opportunity to win free tickets and other valuable merchandise.

Chris Vandergriff's Efans.com dragster. Click for larger image.

The move to Top Fuel after a successful stint in the NASCAR Truck series was a natural one for Vandergriff, whose older brother Bob competed for many years in NHRA competition. Chris grew up around NHRA national events and can even boast Ed "the Ace" McCulloch as being a godfather. Vandergriff thanks his dad Bob Sr. for those memories. The patriarch of the Vandergriff clan once held a management job with the Glendora, Ca.-based sanctioning body before pursuing a career at Hedman Hedders.

"I couldn't ask for a better childhood," Chris said. "I guess you could say I've been up close and personal with the sport through my dad's early management involvement with the NHRA."

As for his pending gig in Indianapolis, the younger Vandergriff cannot wait to mix it up with the competition again.

"Since our successful Atlanta debut, we have been stockpiling the necessary parts it takes to compete at this level," he said. "We feel our inventory is sufficient to go out and compete with the best of the best. We're not just out there to show up. We're out there to win. We're ready to compete at the top level. Preparation is the key to a successful team. Without it, you might as well stay home and not embarrass yourself or your sponsors.

"We want to get Vandergriff Motorsports back out on the race track full-time and make a run for the NHRA POWERade Top Fuel Championship as soon as possible."