BROWNSBURG, Ind. — It’s full speed ahead for multi-time IHBA drag boat champion-turned NHRA Top Fuel driver Shawn Reed as he prepares to make his return to the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series at the upcoming NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish, Sept. 10 – 12.
Reed has been sidelined for the past six weeks following a crash at the NHRA Northwest Nationals, which left him with multiple fractured ribs and an amputated left index finger.
Before he fully confirms his participation in the Reading race, however, he will return to the seat of his Reed Trucking & Excavating dragster this weekend at the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series at Darana Raceway in Hebron, Ohio.
It will be the first time Reed will strap into his dragster since the Seattle incident. While Reed is eager to once again have the opportunity to chase win lights in just a few days, the primary purpose of his trip to Darana Raceway is to ensure his comfort level behind the wheel of his dragster.
“Ever since the dust settled from my accident, I’ve been champing at the bit to get back behind the wheel,” Reed said. “Jordan (Vandergriff) did a great job, and I was happy to give him that opportunity, but I’ve got to admit, it was hard standing on the sidelines watching someone else drive my car at these last two races.”
Vandergriff, an NHRA on FOX broadcast team member, served as a fill-in driver of the Reed Trucking & Excavating Top Fuel dragster at the Brainerd, Minn. and Indianapolis events, helping to cement the Shawn Reed Racing team’s playoff eligibility.
“As much as I was eager to get back out there, I knew it was important not to rush it. My doctors all agreed that Reading seemed like it could be a realistic timeline, but we really had to just kind of wait and see how things played out. I’m happy to report that all 55 stitches and the pin in my thumb have been removed, and I have officially been given the all-clear by my doctors. But, before I fully commit to racing in Reading, I want to make sure I am truly good to go.
“With Reading being the first race of the Countdown and our team in the playoffs, the stakes are high and there’s no room for me to go out there, make a pass, and decide ‘hmm, maybe I should’ve waited a bit longer.’ I feel like I am ready to drive the car. I’ve been aggressive with my physical therapy, and I can grip things no problem; it’s mainly getting it off the top end, going hand over hand, that’s what I want to make sure I’m good with.
“Racing in Ohio, with no points at play, will give me that opportunity,” Reed noted. “If I decide after one pass that I’m not quite there yet, it won’t be a big deal. Obviously, we’re going into this weekend with a competitive mindset, and we want to win, but the reality is, I wouldn’t have wanted to go out in Reading and waited until I made that first qualifying run to figure out that maybe I should’ve waited a little longer.
“This weekend will be the determining factor as to whether or not I’ll be driving in Reading. I’m planning on it, but if at any point it feels questionable, it’ll be Jordan driving next week.”
Watch qualifying and eliminations from Darana Raceway live on SPEED SPORT 1.
