After a violent crash at the NHRA Northwest Nationals derailed his season and forced him to miss multiple events, Shawn Reed has reshaped adversity into momentum. The Top Fuel team owner returned to competition with back-to-back victories, first at an IHRA event in Columbus, Ohio, and then at the NHRA Countdown to the Championship opener at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa.
The wins followed weeks of uncertainty after the Seattle-area accident sidelined Reed and left his program regrouping. When the team returned, the turnaround was immediate and reset expectations for the remainder of the season.
That resurgence now includes a significant commitment outside the traditional NHRA calendar. Reed revealed Tuesday on the CompetitionPlus Power Hour that his team will contest all three races in the IHRA’s new Triple Crown Series, which carries a $1 million payout for any driver who can sweep the events.
“Let me just stop you there,” Reed said. “Shawn Reed Racing will be at the IHRA trifecta races.”
The announcement makes Reed the first full-time NHRA Top Fuel team owner to publicly commit to running all three IHRA Triple Crown events. It also underscores a willingness to stretch personnel, equipment, and resources during the most demanding portion of the season.
Reed acknowledged the scope of the challenge, noting the overlap between IHRA and NHRA schedules creates an unusually intense stretch. The combined calendar places his team on track for seven consecutive race weekends.
“It’s tough,” Reed said. “This is seven in a row. Seven weekends in a row between IHRA and NHRA.”
To manage the workload, Reed confirmed a partial shift in driving duties on the NHRA side. Ida Zetterström will handle select events in the NHRA Top Fuel dragster as the team balances its expanded commitments.
“I notified my team of my schedule and let them know that we will be doing them races,” Reed said. “I notified that Ida will be driving part-time for us in the NHRA. Yeah, it’s on. We are 100% going.”
The decision adds financial and logistical strain to an operation already operating at full capacity. Reed addressed those realities with humor during the broadcast, joking about the pace of expenses and the nonstop activity behind the scenes.
“Yeah. That thing’s dinged about four times since I’ve been on the phone with you,” Reed said, referencing his credit card.
Despite the demands, Reed emphasized his confidence in the people around him and credited their commitment for making the Triple Crown effort feasible.
“Damn, I love them guys,” Reed said. “Them guys are awesome.”
Beyond drag racing, Reed continues to divide time between Top Fuel competition and his long-standing involvement in boat racing. The dual pursuit remains a defining element of his career.
Reed said he returned to boat racing for a single outing last season, qualifying No. 1 before a red-light start ended the day early. The result, he said, left unfinished business.
“I got something to prove in that little sucker,” Reed said.
Boat racing, Reed explained, represents his foundation in motorsports. Before national tours and Top Fuel dragsters, it was the most accessible way for him to compete.
“The boat racing is where I began because that’s all I can really afford and do,” Reed said.
He acknowledged that his presence now draws extra attention from competitors who view him as a target, a dynamic he embraces rather than avoids.
“Everybody in the boats wants to kick my ass,” Reed said. “It’s okay. I love it.”
Perspective has altered his approach on the water, Reed added. While the competitiveness remains, the pressure no longer defines the experience.
“I don’t take it as serious as I used to,” Reed said. “It’s just a good time. It’s fun.”
Support from the boat racing community has also reshaped his outlook. Reed said encouragement from fellow racers and fans has exceeded anything he anticipated.
“I got more boat racers support than I ever would have imagined,” Reed said. “It’s just really humbling.”
The conversation eventually turned toward another long-circulating possibility: Funny Car. The suggestion has followed Reed for years and surfaced again during the broadcast.
“There’s been some rumors of me maybe trying to get a Funny Car license,” Reed said.
His hesitation, Reed explained, is not about fear of the machinery. Instead, it centers on the possibility that he might enjoy it enough to pursue it seriously.
“I’m really afraid to,” Reed said. “Because I might just buy one, and I don’t want to buy one.”
Even so, Reed acknowledged the idea is not far-fetched given the experience already within his camp.
“Rob Wendland and Ryan Elliott, they already have Funny Car experience,” Reed said. “Yeah. No, I would probably do it.”
The decision, Reed said, would hinge on securing the right partners and momentum. If those pieces fall into place, the appeal is obvious.
“I’d love to do it,” Reed said. “I think that’d be a good Funny Car driver.”
Reed drew parallels between Funny Car driving and boat racing, noting both demand commitment long before control becomes limited.
“After 200 feet, you ain’t steering a boat,” Reed said. “You better be going in the right direction, no different than a Funny Car.”
For now, Reed’s focus remains fixed on the task immediately ahead. The IHRA Triple Crown offers a historic payday and a rare crossover challenge for a full-time NHRA Top Fuel team owner.
The pursuit brings risk, fatigue, and expense, but it also reflects Reed’s long-standing approach to racing. When opportunity presents itself, hesitation is rarely part of the equation.
With momentum restored after a turbulent season, Reed is leaning into the stretch rather than backing away. Whether the Triple Crown ends with a $1 million sweep or simply adds another demanding chapter, the commitment is already clear.
“We are 100% going,” Reed said.
