NHRA News: Vandergriff to salute Hedman's 50th anniversary at Indy (8/24/2004)

Vandergriff to salute Hedman's 50th anniversary at Indy

8/24/2004

"You always hear the term 'proud father,' but I'm clearly a proud son."
– Bob Vandergriff jr.

Veteran Top Fuel racer Bob Vandergriff Jr. will salute the longevity of one of the leading manufacturers in the exhaust industry when he unveils the Hedman Hedders 50th anniversary dragster at the 50th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals.

For Vandergriff, this will be a special experience as he honors his father's company with the same pride that made the company the major entity it is today.

"We are very proud to represent Hedman and help celebrate its 50th anniversary," Vandergriff said. "The fact this anniversary coincides with the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Nationals makes it even more special. Over the years, Hedman has been a contributor to our racing program and the ability to honor my father's company at this event is one of the greatest highlights of my career."

Vandergriff is running a limited tour in 2004 and is working relentlessly to procure a sponsorship to fund a 23-race deal for the 2005 POWERade drag racing tour. But for the 50th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, it's all about Hedman.

Bob Vandergriff Jr.'s Hedman Hedders
50th anniversary Top Fuel dragster.
Click for bigger image.

The Georgia native has resurrected a Top Fuel driving career that had remained dormant for some years. That's pretty much the same route that Vandergriff Sr. took in building the Hedman name to the value it holds today.

The elder Vandergriff purchased the company in 1978 from the Hedman family. Vandergriff Sr. had previously served as advertising and marketing director for the NHRA. Upon leaving the NHRA, he created an award-winning advertising agency. His agency flourished and won awards for excellence in the line of duty.

One of the things that Senior is most proud of is the Hedman's survival as a privately-owned business. That survival has included initial business setbacks and a recession that followed some time later.

The Vandergriff family has relied on tremendous employee loyalty to maintain a quality product over the last half-century. The company has more than a handful of 30-year staff members. That says a lot a lot for a company that originally shipped their product in burlap bags.

Through it all, Hedman has maintained support of all major forms of motorsports competition with drag racing maintaining a special status as the first love for the Vandergriff family.

On Labor Day weekend, Vandergriff Sr. will find it hard to fight back a tear or two that may surface.

"Words just can't express the feelings that this will create," Vandergriff Sr. said. "The emotion of seeing our company's golden anniversary and seeing my son as our representative is something a little short of unbelievable. In my wildest dreams, I don't think I could write a story that has transpired as well as this one has."

Of course, for a son, there's no greater gift one can give than making a parent smile in satisfaction.

"He deserves to be honored," Vandergriff Jr. said. "Dad has earned it. He's worked hard to get to where he's at and I'm very proud of him and all of our great people at Hedman. You always hear the term of one being a proud father, but on this weekend, I'm clearly a proud son."

This will mark the second year a Vandergriff has competed at the Mac U.S. Nationals. Last season, Chris Vandergriff participated before being involved in a high-speed crash during qualifying. Chris is an executive at the Hedman Hedders location in Georgia. He's not planning a return to Top Fuel racing in the near future, but enjoys driving his Super Comp dragster. He too is excited about his older brother's special car.

"You have to admit this is an awesome experience for the Hedman Hedders brand name," Chris said. "I'll be unable to attend this year's event, but I'll be cheering for my big brother and praying for his safety every lap. I will be doing my second favorite thing that weekend which will B&M/Hedman Hedder bracket racing at Atlanta Dragway."

2004 News Archive
Return to the Home Page