She was beautiful in her stars and bars. It was good to hear her talk about her son making the stencils and I was surprised that it was painted after 9/11.
What an amazing weekend. I'm glad Rhonda got to be a part of it and the genuine, pure genuine thoughtfulness Derek and Jessica gave her. There's much I could say but Derek and his family is what this country needs more of.
Boy seeing Independence spinning around with that guitar solo of the anthem sent a shiver down my spine and made me proud as hell to be an American. Love what you do Derek.
in like 50 years when I am old and grey, I am going to tell my grand kids about the man, the myth, and the legend of Vice Grip Garage. The man that's more American than jean shorts and BBQ's.
Just the fact that you were racing against Travis freaking Pastrana and you led laps is something to be proud of. As a veteran, I really love this car and the time and care you put into it. Makes me proud, thank you Derek. 🇺🇸
You sir are a good man. I can just tell by how you talk and interact with people. I proud to be apart of what you do and what you stand for. Stay safe and healthy fine sir. 🇺🇸👍👍🇺🇸
Several people also mentioned the pure emotion just pouring from this video.. dangit Derek if the air didn’t get all dusty, I would’ve been just fine! This video is youtube GOLD! Cheers mate! Proud to be an American! Proud to support your cause! 🤙
A guy's heart just explodes with 100% USA pride and his eyes tear up when you play that anthem mixed in with showing Rhonda seeing her car again and hearing that good old American horsepower make a red, white and blue smoke screen of what used to be rubber. Not to mention, the camo paint job and recognition of all our services on the race car. From a 26 year US Air Force veteran, you're one of a kind, Derek, and I appreciate your channel more and more with every episode I watch. Thanks!
Derek has contributed to the preservation of old American cars possibly more than anyone I've ever seen. Im on the verge of saving a Mercury Comet from a farm in Alberta in large part due to him and this channel.
Yeah, I'm a brit, but it made me teary. I've had a few cars that I've loved like they were alive and were family. So I really felt for her. It must've made her day to see that wonderful car up and running again. It was just a brilliant video.
I'm from Canada and i absolutely love seeing how much pride people have in the United States. Very cool. I wish Canadians were a small patriotic as y'all are. I know I am! And I friggin love the helmet and valve covers... Hit the nail on the head with those!!! The end gave me chills. A guy is a pretty big fan!
@@kazzTrismus Isn’t that the truth? My dad was an immigrant Dutchman and he was asked if he would kiss the ground when he visited the Netherlands after 60 years in Canada. He didn’t. When he arrived back in Canada after his visit, he told my mom...”... honey, I’m ready to kiss the ground...”. There are lots of hard working country folks who are very proud to be Canadian. Every Remembrance Day, my mom would dress is red, white, and blue (Dutch colours) to cheer on the Ww2 vets in the hometown parade.
You handled this situation well. I believe that you won. I'm a veteran and you have my support. Thank you so much for your support. You have a fan for life. I will never forget the, Independence. My favorite 👍😎🇺🇲. An awesome story from the beginning and hopefully not the end. Keep up the great work.
If this man and, these cars (Independence) and (1776) don't give you goosebumps, than there is something seriously wrong with a person. I've been following VGG since before Independence was purchased. I watched all her updates and, I couldn't be Prouder to be an American 🦅🇺🇸🦅 Thank You Derek for building her for all of us! God Bless America 🙏🇺🇸🙏
Haha, time for Matt and Derek to play around a bit, think they would have some really good fun together .. would make some nice videos! just a suggestion, try and convince your aide there Dr Lee 😉
Derek, be proud of your performance! You led laps and gave er hell! As an active duty member I wanna say thank you for the attention to detail on that car and for representing this great nation. You’re awesome! AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!
What can I say that hasn’t already been said. Brought a tear to my eyes. You sir are a class act and congratulations on leading for quite awhile in the race. 🇺🇸❤️
Loved that you were able to reunite her with her old car. That slow play of the star spangled banner just happened to coincide with something getting in a guys eye... dang allergies. Best channel on the RU-vids Machine
That honestly brought me to tears seeing the original owner sit back in her old car. We car people find these cars & do our best to restore them, keep them on the rd driving. It just adds so much to the car if you do find previous owners & find out how it was when they had it, what they'd done to it, why they sold it.
I am near 70. I walked in the tire store in Loganville, Georgia to buy new tires and a fellow had on a VGG shirt. We started talking and he got the shirt with a chance to win the Duster. The next thing I know, everybody in the tire store is talking about Derek, Jessica and the boys. It is as if they are a local family that everybody knows and are proud of. They may be "yankees" but they are Good Ole Southern Yankees in Tennessee now and we are proud of it. Merry Christmas.
I’m sure seeing her old car go from forgotten to a RU-vid celebrity and getting to see it again had to be a proud and happy moment. I wish one of my old toys would pop up (I hope they weren’t lost and forgotten). You are a true patriot and a obviously good guy and I have enjoyed watching you build independence.
They really gotta sort their stuff out and not bring back the people that dump people on purpose. Racing incidents are expected and bump and runs are okay but just wrecking someone for no reason whatsoever makes it really annoying for the fans.
I'm with you in the fact so many of us were waiting to see some good heads up racing with all the big names and it turned out to be the Freedom 500 Derby..
@@samellowery It was Heavy D-ouche that crashed into people on purpose from the get go, WD was one of the first he went after then cut across the grass to get up with the leaders just to crash them.
Yeah. I found it a little scummy for people to be doing that intentionally. It felt like Derek got bullied off the track to me which is kind of a disappointment because Tanner Foust has been one of my favorite pro drivers for a long time.
The very first video picking up Independence was the very first video of yours that I ever watched. A feller just happened upon her while going down a rabbit hole late the evening it was posted. I did the ol' beep bop boop thing and subscribed immegeeatly. I have thoroughly enjoyed this project series as well as all your videos. Thank you for what you do.
Thankyou,thankyou,thankyou for saving Independence.The history of her past,present and future is amazing.Guys like you are what is keeping America strong.
EVERYTHING about this video shows the very best of America. Hard work, dedication, determination, grace, family and love of country! I’m incredibly proud of you, Derek. I’ve followed your story with Independence from day one when you saved her from the scrap heap, nursed her back to life and took her home to join your family. Your generosity of spirit shines through and people truly love you for it.
not gonna lie , seeing Independence whip it around VIOLENTLY on the burn out pad , may have brought out a bald eagle tear or two .. well done sir , well done ...
I've been watching a lot of videos concerning that race,Derek,you drove your car the way you're supposed to drive in a race,but you were surrounded by several (no name calling) Demolition Driver's who's only claim to fame is tearing vehicles up,iam glad you weren't hurt,love your channel sir.
So awesome that Rhonda got to see her car again in all its glory.! Good on you Derek for including her in the moment and letting her relive some memories.! A guy kinda got sentimental.
I love how he refuses to acknowledge whistlin diesel. 😂 two people that stand for completely opposite things. One is “it’s just metal” and one is “we gotta save these things”
A guy, "was as pissed as a mosquito in a mannequin factory", when you got dumped. You were beating em all Derek. You had to get taken out. Thanks for the salute to our armed forces bro.. this was a video worth waiting for. Like to know how many laps you led.
I paid for the PPV and was on the edge of my seat screaming as Derek immediately took the lead. I think he led the first 11 laps before that jackass screwed it all up. Another annoying part was the announcers during that whole time that Derek was leading, were not giving him the credit he deserved. They were more concerned about what place the *celebrity* drivers were in than the guy that was actually winning the race, and he was winning it pretty handily. A few shots of the NOS could have given Derek a good enough lead to get away from the troublemakers, but I think he was planning to save it for later.....that said, there were more than a couple drivers that should never be invited back. A lot of time and money was put into the track to get it ready in time and personally I don't mind donating the $14.95 since it's going into the Freedom Factory but I'm sure there are others that paid with the expectation of seeing a legit competitive race among serious enthusiasts as well as real pro drivers, and not expect to see the childish antics of a few poor sports doing akin to what a 7 year old does when they flip the Monopoly board over because they know they're outmatched and going to lose. It's worth noting that MOST of the drivers were actually there to try and win and conducted themselves accordingly. Unfortunately a few bad apples is all it takes to royally F things up when you have 20 Crown Vics whipping around an oval. It really sucked because Derek's ride was much better than the heap that he had last year. He had a real chance to win this thing. One thing for sure though, DEREK PUT THAT WHOLE FIELD ON *NOTICE* THAT HE'S NOT JUST SOME AVERAGE JOE WHEN IT COMES TIME TO GO FAST.
That helmet has to have the best paint job, EVER! Officially my favorite RU-vid star now! I’ll be following you during RMRW starting in June, as well! Get you some rest my friend, it’s going to take a lot out of you. Have you chosen a co-pilot/Navigator yet? If so, let us know. You’re a good man Derek, keeping the Motor world alive, for another generation!
Dangit Derek, when then the segment about Independence started and the music began, If a few big ole tears didn't roll right out of my face. Made me proud to be a vet and especially an AMERICAN.
You have no idea how much these events raise the spirits of my fellow Americans. Even if we can’t be there, it’s just fun to watch y’all get together and have a blast. Thank you so much for being one of the finest people on earth!
Awesome race dude. Independence looking good in all her glory. Amazing it finally was reunited with her former owner one last time. Everything was just amazing.
Goddamn. America! Where can a guy get that helmet! Thanks for supporting your country VGG. I'll be a lifelong sub. You're the best dude! Makes my service mean something. Brings a tear to my eye and a tightness to my pants. The channel we all need right now.
@Vice Grip Garage 💯 awesome! Was so cool to see her reunited with her car after all those years. Great job leading the race. Better luck next time Derek.
I can tell you when I first saw the Independence ,it look like it was sitting in the bottom of the lake,but now after watching every video I was like that is one killer beast, Awesome job man,I never get tired of watching your videos
Hi Derek, I just wanted to tell you that I ordered a choke assembly for one of my Edelbrock AFB's from the Carbuerator Shop. They did honor the discount, shipped my part fast and no problems. Thank you for the heads up. They are now on my phone list and on my computer favoites. Yes, they are very knowledegable and helpful.
Currently serving active Army. Absolutely love the channel, your sense of humor is top notch and your love for the country reminds me why I joined. I look forward for your videos specifically, keep it up, boss man.
@@ViceGripGarage You and Junkyard Digs have the best channels on RU-vid. If I ever make it back home near good ole Missouri, and you guys are anywhere near, I’d give an arm a leg and both kidneys to meet ya.
@Mr Marcus Introduce her to Katie Kae, Hailie Deegan, Lacey Blair, MrsWhistlinDiesel, Emilia Hartford, Flying Sparks Garage(a Model works on cars between gigs) , Riding with Alex Taylor,, Unstoppable Morgan fixes her own 80's Broco as she travels the country and all the other fun entertaining girls that work on cars trucks and more
You’re a pro...solid lead thru early laps, misfortune, but none the less talent exhumes.. Indy, well, she was injured but a proud moment as she was encased in red, white, and blue! Hope to see her soon...💪🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️
I had an uncle who was a fisherman & another uncle who was a harbour pilot (both in Ireland). My parents and those uncles raised me to understand the sea is DANGEROUS and deserves respect. The Coastguards are warriors who go to war with the sea to save those who either disrespect it or misjudge it and get hurt. They raised me to believe the Coastguard ANYWHERE were the warriors who saved thousands of lives every year with little to no thanks. The Coastguard deserve so much recognition. so THANK YOU for all your hard work & service. From a Brit with Irish family!🍻😊👍
