I can't believe independence went from junk yard special to running 10s! God bless America and VG Nation.

Lucky that wheel feel off when it did rather than 150 mph going down the track!

Back when I was big in drag racing in the late 70’s the Pro Stockers were running in the low 10’s, certainly not in street trim, and certainly not with a trailer hitch! Respect!! Well done, Derek!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

That dolly has to be the best road side fix I've ever seen and for sure is something I would do!! Love it.

The Chevelle riding on a machine dolly down the road might be the greatest moment in vice grip garage history

“Drive her til’ the wheels fall off” then wrench and repeat!!!

Thumbs up for that intro alone. Pure genius. Very moving. 10/10

Everyone love the wheel dolly drive for three blocks, but I personally love the fact that not only was the hat on the dolly, but the axle hub was spinning inside the hat!!! Now THAT IS CLASSIC!!!!

No matter what problems seem to be thrown at you..you deal with it, adapt, and overcome, with humor and grace.. A master class in mechanics, and life. 🙏 Thank you!

A guy out here literally driving til the wheels fall off I love it! Glad everyone is okay

Thanks, Derek for the content brings me back to my childhood working with my Dad and Gramps in the garage.

Just found your channel been doing some catching up while weather is bad here in England. Love it so nice to see all the cars rescued. Always been a fan of old American classics . Good look to you and yours 😀

It does suck but it's part of the story and great content.. The rear fender just adds character..🇺🇸👍

Derek, you have created a monster this is the best show/vlog I have seen on youtube ever hope it keeps going. You have so much variety including your family is a bonus and the antics are great. Very funny and entertaining keeps you on the edge of your seat, Love it.

Fella's not gonna lie. I came out of my seat when I saw that 10.30! Independence, from destined for the crusher to a 10.30 race car, you rock Derek, thanks for taking us along for the ride!

It's so easy to quit, but you never do. Go Derek! Go VGG!

Best way to start the day love of good family and Derek and family a guy got to say thank you for getting me back out there wrenching I am disabled and thought I couldn't do it

I am so proud of you Derek, and Jess, you are a trooper!!! I wouldn't walk across a big room to meet most celebrities, but I would walk 500 miles just to meet you and Jess! Sorry about the fender, but, you know, you're just adding to the story that Independence has to tell!!! America loves you guys!!!

I can say that this happened to me in a 73 Buick Century years ago enroute to a Van Halen concert in Lakeland Fl. Trunk full of ice and a half keg of Budweiser. Wound out first and hit second and the drinkers side tire went past us as the ass end slammed to the ground. In the middle of nowhere, we took two from the other side and limped into Lakeland as we WEREN’T going to miss Eddie and the boys. Great times and great music. Never to be duplicated.

It's so sad to see Independence hurt. I'm just really glad you and Jessica are alright and it wasn't anything too serious. After watching countless hours of Vice Grip Garage I'm fully confident you will come up with something to repair it. Hope you and your family are having an awesome weekend regardless. Much love and God Bless.

Good thing you got the minispool in the rear. Would be kinda hard driving on one wheel with a open diff :P

Sick week, makes a guy sick to see the damage done to Independence. 🥺 I’m glad you all are safe tho.

Hey folks,what we have here is a most famous chevelle with a family raceing legacy,driven by a true patriot that will not give up,Derek adapts,he overcomes,and we,his subscribers,his fans,respect and admire him,Thankyou Derek and crew for the video.

I can hear Kenny Rogers singing "YOU PICKED A FINE TIME TO LEAVE ME LOOSE WHEEL"

That pass was as close to perfection as it could be! And imagine, that after throwing a wheel while just driving. The Independence is a 134+ MPH testament to your skills as both a mechanic and as a driver. And of course, the folks at KSR and everyone else who has had a hand in getting Independence to where it is now.

I am younger than Gartlits and older than you but I loved that museum you showed I still have not been there.. When I was 18 yrs old (1966) I was at US30 dragstrip in Indiana and Gartlits was running that day. At US30 there was a tight somewhat downhill left turn into the lanes and Gartlits could not make the turn. I and my friends were racing that day (1965 Chevelle 327) and had pit passes. Standing at that turn we were volunteered into pushing Gartlits old front engine rail into the lane. With eyes watering from the nitro, ears deafening from the close up cracks of ignition we were overjoyed to do it. The days of racing in that time allowed you to be right on top of it all. Don Garlits wore a silver fireproof overall and it was dirty because it was about racing not looking good. As a young guy we were in awe of guys like him and when Chris Karamesines would come into my uncles welding supply place because they were racers and were doing what you wanted to do. All these guys were not easy to talk to but they would some times stroll the pits and give you advice if they saw you working on your car. Those days are gone. I raced like you are now at SICK WEEK but it was not an event. I had to drive my car to the track change to small slicks and change my clutch when I got home so I could get to work in the following days. I loved it and still miss it. Great video and that your teaching the children and keeping it alive as best as it can be.

Have had a similar situation with wheel bolts being sheered off, I didn't have a dolly but we used a tree limb. We used fencing wire to secure the limb to the chassis rail and the diff and travelled 20km back home, kept it just off the shoulder of the road so the limb wouldn't catch on fire and stopped regularly to check on it, it was a fun day 😀

Road trip with your mates, racing fixing , looks like fun and we appreciate it very much, bonus to see the ladies as crew to.

Really happy you were able to overcome your "adventure". I have to tell you that watching this series does healing to my fearful soul of having the nation implode right before my eyes. I'm a widow at 65 and its all very scary to me. Watching you fix your cars is like watching my husband fix his cars back in the 70's and 80's. Except that you don't tell me to "please go shopping or something" when I offered my husband auto repair advice.

I just love the fact that you're running 9's on a car that most people would have thrown away

Stoked for more rescue vids .. it’s inspired me and my 6 year old . Today we’re heading out to pick up a 66 Cadillac Coupe deville 2 door that’s been sitting in a field for 23 years

I had that happen on my 442. It's those slotted rims. They like to work themselves loose and you must check them a lot.

I love these drag and drive events! The fact that you are truly there to enjoy the experience ' no matter what' is inspiring. Keep it up!

I remember the video of you trying to get what was a defeated old Chevelle started in a motel parking lot and now it's running 10's. That's the coolest thing ever, Derek.

My brother and I did sick ward this year and had a blast watching and doing the drive. We tried to get my camaro there, but time and weather in Wisconsin didn't work on our favor. But we plan to try to do it next year! It was cool to see you guys there and hope you had an amazing week as well!

Love all your doing Derik, Jessica and family. Thanks for sharing w us

That brings a whole new meaning to "sick week", Derek . Wow . Good thing you planned on a visit to KSR anyway , but this ? This is way , way , way over the top of sick . Glad you were able to overcome it , & pull out a very nice run ! Stay safe ! Right about now , old Independence Chevelle is thinking , " WOW , I found me a KEEPER ! This is WAY better than sitting broke down in a back lot , waiting for the the inevitable crusher ! " Rock On Derek & Co . ! Rock on !

Derek, I started watching a little before independence and it’s the one that really hooked me in. That was such a fun fix. It’s incredible to see what she’s become. Hope Tennessee is working out for you. Your Minnesotan-ness was a huge part of what drew me in. Please don’t lose it. Best of luck and thanks for all the entertaining learnin you’ve been doing on me.

Literally driving the wheels off of Independence. Outstanding! Driving a car 3 blocks on a dolly while towing a trailer is absolutely something I would do (50 yards on a floor jack is my personal best so far). This kind of content is why VGG is my favorite channel on KZfaq.

I just about cried when Independence got hurt! Sure is someone looking out for a feller being so close to the shop AND it didn't happen on the track! USA USA USA 🇺🇸

You say thanks for watching, I say thank You for all the hard work You do. Two full time jobs. Making the content and getting it edited and out on the old interwebs. 🦅🇺🇸🦅

The same thing happened to me on my 72 Chevelle on the Whitestone Bridge coming from the Bronx in rush hour traffic. The studs on the right rear wheel broke off. I drove over the wheel doing the sames damage. The brake drum came off and off the bridge and into the water below. It backed up traffic for miles and for like two hours. My Chevelle was orenge with a black top. It's name was "Streets of Fire". The name was on the trunk when I purchased it.

Thanks brother for taking us along on the journey with Independence. If you ever come to Texas for an event with it I'm coming to see it.

I've been watching VGG for a long time now and I think that even above the mechanical wizardry, what I am most impressed with is how a guy is very patient. Unless of course the cursing and throwing and screaming that I would definitely be doing gets edited away. My sense is it doesn't get edited away because there isn't any. Good lessons! Thank you for these videos, I really enjoy them!

Did I detect a swirl pattern at the break? Classic over torque, those bolts can only take so much. I learnt my lesson and now I always use torque specs on my wheels.

That happened to me as a teenager and I've seen it happen a few times and every time it sheared off the studs I think it is normal and from loose lugs it gets to wobbling and brakes them off good luck guys

How ironic ! I had almost the same thing happen in 81 to my 68 Chevelle except it was the front, suddenly no brakes and very shakey steering. I felt fortunate that I was able to get her stopped and parked I had passengers I was responsible for🥵 dyammmm so sorry that happened to her Derek.

Mixed feelings, Derek. My heart sank when I saw the car on the ground with no rear wheel, and sank further when I saw the damage to the quarter. I can only imagine how you felt. Proud of the old girl running that 10.30 though, and looking forward to when you turn her up a bit. I guess if ya kill the 10 bolt you can leave it at Cleetus' compound and go get yer truck and stretcher...

Well, glad the wheel didn't fall of while you were going down the highway!.. The messed up quarter just adds to Independence's story. She's a survivor, for sure.

Smooth run Derek. I used to have a 68 chevelle that ran 12.12s consistent. Had a punched out 396 that was built under a weeping willow tree. We were in our early 20s competing with the big dogs. Fun times

I think I would have packed up once the rim came off. I thank God you were on the street and not making a pass or making a run. You always seem to be calm no matter what the situation is. Your wife is awesome always lending a hand, and shout to those who helped along the way. I love the videos, it don't get no better!

What a way to start the day. Hell Yeah!

Having a wife and family that enjoys it as much as you do and taking all the break downs in stride. Awesome!

So happy to see everything coming together after this little oopsie with the wheel studs. Great vid. Thanks.👍👍

The massive amount of determination to do these events an give a good show is unreal with derek.. definitely a one of a kind dude

That wheel has the auto eject feature!

Great run Independence and Monte Thank You for letting us watch you run. Brings back some memories of my 76 Cutlass with a 455 from my 72 Electra 225.

Thanks Derek and family.

Man Derek I wish u were around 20 years ago when I lost interest in my 1970 road runner, I sold after owning it for almost 25 years, there many factors at the time… the biggest issue was AMD hadn’t developed sheet metal for the rear quarters and the inter web wasn’t was it is today To buy fenders and pieces that u order today You are always a awesome inspiration to the trade, your ability to learn on the fly and never give up is awesome! Thanks for all you and Jessica do! I hope to Meet you one day, and my 14 year old son Zach Would love to see your old projects

Glad to see those “safer” longer drag racing studs worked out. ☹️😱

Hey dereck I have a good idea. An old street sign might take place of the old quarter. And maybe get one that says watch out for falling items. It really sucks that that happened. Glad you’re okay.

That car riding down the road aon a dolly is the most vice grippiest thing EVER! Glad everybody came out ok and no injuries!

Thanks for taking us along!!!

Thank you for taking us on this journey

Congratulations on finishing Sick Week!

This has been really interesting. Thank you for bringing us along for the ride Derek. 👍😁🏁

Well I'll Be, I miss one time of watching and you drive right through my hometown. I have a small farm off of exit 16. Me and the wife eat at the Farm House all the time. Good Eating. Enjoy your channel. I have a 12 year old Silverado that has been sitting for 13 years and watching you has given me the desire to do something with it.

Wow, that was a smooth pull

I absolutely love Independence. 💕. You have brought her back from edge time and time again. What a trouper, both of you. 👍

Great humble person he is. Would love to visit and hang out with him some day. Big dream come true

Star spangled goose-bumps when you unchain the fury, great job reminding us of what makes ,America so great!

Never a dull moment with you guys and that's what keeps it interesting. Your getting the bugs worked out and independence just keeps getting better. Too bad about the wheel coming off but good thing it let go where it did.

It's so nice seeing Independence going down the track! Too bad for that beautiful mag wheel. We know you'll get that figured out. Congrats on the great run, Derek! Looking forward to the next episode.

The crowd loved it. Standing ovation.

The old Chevelle sure threw everything at you today. Frigging awesome watching you drive her to the shop on a car dolly. Who would ever thunk that would work so well? We have a mechanical genius in our midst. That was an awesome run and then it drove you to the next track. Love your co-driver changing and torking your tires and fueling the rig. What a team.

Most creative use of a dolly I have ever seen. Derek is the king of improvising and making it work. Good stuff.

I would repair the fender and paint the patch like new. That way you can see the new parts vs. the original patina parts.

Lost a wheel, but didn't flip the trailer! Good stuff! Two-wheel peel for the save on the car dolly, brilliant. And having Jessica torque that wheel on the new studs after? That's pure genius! That stuff fails again, it's someone else's fault, right? LOL. Good show, man....as always.

That little dolly saved the day. Ol harbor freight comes through again! Wow 10.3, great pass and it left nice! Great job Derek! Have fun!!!

The GM 8.5 ten bolt is way under-rated I have abused many of them and never broke one.

That rear quarter would look awesome with a license plate band-aid job in my opinion 👌🏽 definitely add to the character

In all honesty, the quarter panel doesn't look all that bad, adds character. I'm glad she didn't let go at highway or cruising speed, just as you rounded the corner. Thanks for the great content

Made my day watching the VGG Crew tare on the road and down the track.

Great vid and nice repairs! That happened to me once in my dark green 70' SS Monte Carlo backing out of a spot downtown cruising with the front wheel turned and the whole front right drops the wheel up into the wheel well. Had 1 lugnut and only 2 studs left. Turns out them slotted mags need retorqued after the 1st hundred miles but I was swapping rims that day and think I forgot to even tighten that side, oops! MY bud from autoshop in his step side lifted square body ran me up to my house and we yanked a rotor and hub off my 71 parts car which was a little different than the SS so I drove home on the Ebrake!

Awesome run!! Glad it turned into a good day at the track, despite the wheel auto eject feature gone haywire!

how lucky you are to have a shop right there with folks ready to assist and to know what youre all doing!!

Wow!! Glad you're OK. Really glad you weren't going faster. Still goes faster than the model A though. Big bummer 😕. Usually there's sirens and lights behind a car with that configuration.

I bet that wouldn't have worked that well if you didn't have a POSI rear.

Those were new studs! Help Me Understand. Glad you and your family are safe. I know you never intended to restore independence. It is asking for it. Time for a quarter panel.

The thing about independence is that car is a trooper and wow what a journey that car is being taken on and its story is far from over everytime I see it I have a little smile on my face the memories and the stories that car holds tell the story of vgg

Derek and Vice Grip Goddess, and the crew, no matter why the wheel came off, I'm impressed you not only had a go and set a cracking time but got after it when problems happen!. No wonder you're one of this guys favourite channels. Keep up the good work👍🏻

Dang! Hope a guy can get that hiccup fixed without too much trouble!

Congrats on the 10.3! Time to put some horsepower in the Monte. Since it's a stock car homage, I would love to see an 8000+ RPM screaming small block in that car.

Hi, Derek, I thought if was great when you first rescued Independance, but now with all that's transpiring I'm growing to love her more every day. You and Jessica make a perfect team and include the whole family most of the time. God Bless and stay safe, good luck on the remainder of Sick Week.

I did the exact same thing shearing all the lugs off my Ford Explorer. Of course I was on the Florida Turnpike doing 70 when it happened. It was a little wild watching the wheel take off into the right lane and then off into the grass on the right side of the turnpike. A FHP deputy saw it happen from several car lengths behind me and she said I was lucky I did not flip my truck when it happened due to the possibility of the rotor assembly digging in and sending me for a tumble. (her words) But got it stopped and called a tow truck.

Never fun to lose a wheel while driving. Happened to me years ago on the front wheel. The dolly solution to get independence the last few blocks was great! Had me laughing on that one

I have a 24 volt electric 1/2 drive impact. It is a LOT stronger than my air impact. I wonder if using one like you do, on and off every day will weaken those studs?

Man Derek… You're getting some really good, clean runs in on the i Independence. Congratulations on a job well done.

Those slot mags use a shouldered shank lug with washer similar to a old school centerline style. Wrong lug, conical, for that wheel. Wears the clamping surface, wallows out and stresses on stud tears things up. Good to see you got it fixed up.

Still making it happen, you making boss moves!