The Shawn Reed Racing Top Fuel team will contest the full 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule with Shawn Reed and Ida Zetterström sharing driving duties in the Reed Trucking & Excavating dragster. Reed will reduce his touring schedule to focus on his business, while Zetterström will compete in his absence to keep the team on track for a full season.
Reed, who earned his first NHRA Top Fuel victory in 2025, will open the year at the NHRA Gatornationals, where he is also slated to compete in the NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout. An event-by-event driver lineup for the remaining races will be announced later.
“Last year was one for the books, that’s for sure,” Reed said. “Started with the PRO Shootout win. Obviously, Seattle was not ideal, but we came back bigger and badder than ever. We went out, won the IHRA race in Ohio, the first NHRA Countdown race in Reading (Pa.), continued to qualify well, and ended up finishing the year ranked eighth, a personal-best for me.”
Reed said the decision to share driving duties was driven by the need to balance competition with business responsibilities, and by the desire to maintain the momentum built by the team. He emphasized that running a complete season was non-negotiable, even if it required a new approach behind the wheel.
“As much as I’d love to pick right back off where we left off, the reality is I need to focus more of my time and attention on my business, which requires me to be back in Washington more often than our race schedule allows,” Reed said. “I don’t want to lose the momentum my guys have built, and it was important to me that we continue to run a full season. Adding a second driver was the logical choice. I’d heard Ida might be available, and lucky for me, she was. I’ve watched her race and have always been impressed with how she carries herself both on and off the track. She’s a proven talent, and I’m excited to see what she can do behind the wheel of our Reed Trucking & Excavating dragster.”
The core Shawn Reed Racing lineup remains intact as preparations continue for 2026, with crew chief Rob Wendland and assistant crew chief Ryan Elliott returning. The team is also evaluating the possibility of expanding to two cars if funding allows.
“I can’t put a number on how many races we’ll each run just yet, as we’re still working through that,” Reed added. “The truth is, I want to run as many races as possible, and so does Ida; we’re each working hard to make that happen. My hope is that we’ll be able to put Ida in a second car at some point. We have the parts and pieces for it; we just need the funding. In an ideal situation, I’m fielding two cars with Ida running full-time in a second dragster, but for the time being, she’s pounding the pavement so that she can be behind the wheel of my car at as many events as possible.”
For Zetterström, the arrangement arrives at a pivotal moment in her NHRA career after limited schedules over the past two seasons. The European champion made her NHRA debut in August 2024 and has continued to pursue a full-time opportunity in the series.
“Joe and I met after the season to discuss the future of JCM, and he let me know that he would be taking a step back from team ownership,” said Zetterström, winner of the 2024 National Dragster ‘Best New Talent’ fan vote. “I’m incredibly grateful for everything Joe and PJ have done for me and for the opportunity to race in the U.S. these last two years. My ultimate goal is still to secure a full-time ride, and being able to stay visible by making appearances in Shawn’s car throughout the year will go a long way toward achieving that. My schedule this year will be based on both Shawn’s work schedule and the budget I bring to the table.”
Zetterström said the shared vision between driver and team owner is what makes the plan workable in the short term and promising long term. She pointed to the consistency of the Shawn Reed Racing program as a critical factor in her decision.
“Shawn and I have the same shared vision of me ultimately running full-time in a second Shawn Reed Racing dragster,” Zetterström said. “But until that happens, I’m excited for the opportunity to get in a car that is known to perform well and be consistent. The fact that this team will be out there at all the races is a big deal because I know that every time I strap in, I’ll be in a car that’s ready to go out and win. I value this highly, both for the sponsors and for me to have the best chance of advancing in the class. This is a great step towards the future and the goal of finding enough partners to put together a full campaign and one day, run for a championship. I’m truly honored that Shawn and Andrea are trusting in me to drive their car.”
