NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Bob Vandergriff Jr. will make his return to the Top Fuel cockpit at the upcoming NHRA SpringNationals in Houston, thanks to sponsorship from Valvoline.

Vandergriff’s current plans call for three events, also including the NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta and the Mopar Mile High Nationals in Denver but could expand.

"We’re still developing that schedule depending on how I feel and how much I want to do right now," Vandergriff told Competition Plus. "We just put together a business development program with Valvoline. They’ve been a long-time supporter of me and BVR, so we’ve been working together on projects and put our heads together on the best way to generate some business for them."

Vandergriff, whose last of three career wins as a driver came at the 2013 Houston event, most recently was a team owner for Leah Pritchett – who delivered a win for his at the 2016 Phoenix event – and Dave Connolly. Vandergriff sidelined the team last April, following the loss of major sponsor C&J Energy Services following the death of company owner Josh Comstock.

Vandergriff will make test runs in his dragster, tuned by Ron Douglas and Mike Guger, this weekend in Indianapolis.