After years of perseverance, personal trials, and a devastating injury, Cory Reed finally stood atop the NHRA Pro Stock winner’s circle.
Reed captured his first national event victory Sunday, defeating Dallas Glenn in the final round with a 6.648-second pass at 207 mph. It marked Reed’s fourth career final and his first win in Pro Stock competition.
“It’s hard to describe,” Reed said moments after the victory. “Definitely a lot of emotions. I’ve been trying not to cry the whole time.”
Reed’s breakthrough comes after a severe motorcycle crash in 2021 at the Carolina Nationals, which left him with a broken leg and forced a reevaluation of his racing future. With the help of longtime friend and teammate Joey Gladstone, Reed transitioned from Pro Stock Motorcycle to Pro Stock.
“I didn’t even know it ran well until just now,” he admitted. “All I know is I got Dallas off the tree, which was a big accomplishment for me.”
Gladstone, who works on Reed’s crew, has been a central figure in both Reed’s racing and personal life. Their friendship dates back years and has endured both tragedy and triumph.
“The day I found out my kid had cancer, Joey left a car dealership while trading in his truck just to be at my house first,” Reed recalled. “We’ve been through some of the toughest times people can go through.”
If the saying, “It’s not how you start but how you finish,” holds credence, Reed acknowledged his rough start to the weekend. However, the car came around and in the end, put him in the winner’s circle.
“Sometimes when your car is capable of going fast, it just makes everything easier,” Reed said. “I really believed in the car after last night, even though I messed up that last run.”
Earlier this season, Reed showed signs of progress at the Bradenton PRO Superstar Shootout, building optimism for what Sunday’s win confirmed.
“We didn’t lose a first round until Bristol,” he said. “Coming here, I just didn’t want to go out early again. Getting through that first round changed everything.”
Reed credited his family and the KB Titan team, including veteran tuner Greg Anderson, for playing crucial roles in his development and return.
“Greg’s like a cheat code,” he said. “The team behind me — my parents, Sadie, Joey, everyone — they all taught me so much.”
Reed’s connection to the Norwalk track is deeply rooted. Growing up, he attended races here to watch his parents compete in Pro Modified events, and the atmosphere has always left an impression.
“This place has always been one of my favorites, even before I won,” Reed said. “The Baders do an amazing job. I remember teaching my nephew how to ride a scooter here late at night.”
The move from motorcycle to Pro Stock car wasn’t an easy transition. Reed admitted it was jarring at first — strapping into a cockpit after years of riding motorcycles since age 14.
“It’s hard not to ride after doing it so long,” he said. “Getting used to being strapped in, not being able to see properly, it was tough. Now, though, I’m just starting to reach for switches without looking. It’s becoming second nature.”
Despite the challenges, Reed is surprised — and thankful — for how quickly the success has come.
“Absolutely, I didn’t expect it to happen this fast,” he said. “I’m just lucky.”
Reed also addressed the family’s role in supporting his racing aspirations, noting how his father played a part in the transition to cars after a tough start to the season on motorcycles.
“We were blowing up stuff left and right,” he said. “My dad sat us down and said, ‘We’re about to drop millions on bikes — how about we get in cars instead?’”
Looking ahead, Reed is hopeful this victory is the first of many.
“Hopefully it doesn’t dry up,” he said. “Now that I’ve broken through, maybe the next win comes a little easier.”
Reed’s win not only marks a personal milestone, but a defining moment in a career that has seen its share of setbacks, recoveries, and transitions. His triumph stands as a testament to resilience — and to the power of racing families who believe in chasing speed and second chances.
