Top Fuel driver Shawn Reed, recovering from a violent crash at the NHRA Northwest Nationals in Seattle, plans to return to competition at the Reading event, the first race of the Countdown to the Championship.
Reed suffered two fractured ribs and lost part of his left index finger in the accident during the third qualifying session at Pacific Raceways. He did not compete in the following event at Sonoma.
“I intend to be race-ready and back behind the wheel by Reading,” Reed said. “I have a pin in my thumb, which will come out later this month, and have been in regular contact with Josh Peterson and feel confident I will be able to pass all of NHRA’s required medical clearances and be reinstated in time to run all six Countdown races.”
Reed currently holds the No. 10 position in the Top Fuel standings. Ida Zetterström, ranked 11th, trails by 148 points with two regular-season races remaining: Brainerd and the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.
Zetterström, who recently added both races to her schedule, could surpass Reed if he remains sidelined. To avoid that outcome, Reed confirmed his team will enter both events with a substitute driver.
“My team deserves to have a shot at the Countdown,” Reed said. “Maybe in these last two races, we’ll really go on a tear and move up to eighth or ninth to start the Countdown, who knows. This is drag racing, and stranger things have happened.”
Reed emphasized the importance of keeping the Reed Trucking & Excavating entry active, both for championship eligibility and continued tuning progress under crew chief Rob Wendland.
“I have too good of a team and too good of parts to miss these next two,” Reed said. “We’re 10th now, but there’s no reason why we can’t finish the year in the top five. Hey, Robert Hight won from 10th one year, so whatever we need to do to give ourselves a shot at it, we’re going to do.”
Reed has not disclosed who will drive his Top Fuel car at Brainerd and Indianapolis. He will announce the fill-in driver live on his Facebook page Friday, Aug. 8, at noon ET.
The Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway takes place Aug. 15-17, followed by the U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Aug. 29-Sept. 1.
