Ida Zetterström will open her 2026 NHRA season at the 4-Wide Nationals, April 24-26 at zMAX Dragway, marking her debut with Shawn Reed Racing and the introduction of new primary partner GlobalSKU. The appearance represents her first Top Fuel race of the year as she continues to build a limited schedule.
The Charlotte outing is currently a one-race agreement, but it carries broader implications for Zetterström’s future in the category. It serves as a platform to attract additional partners while reinforcing her presence in Top Fuel competition.
Zetterström has remained active in the offseason, recently making laps in Jim Whiteley’s Pro Modified entry at Bradenton Motorsports Park. Those runs provided valuable seat time as she prepares to return to nitro competition.
GlobalSKU enters NHRA as a first-time partner, aligning its AI-powered commerce platform with the performance-driven environment of Top Fuel racing. The company’s technology focuses on streamlining online selling through image recognition, real-time pricing, and multi-marketplace listing integration.
The partnership reflects a shared emphasis on speed and precision, both on the racetrack and in business execution. It also highlights NHRA’s continued ability to attract technology-driven brands seeking new audiences.
“I’m incredibly proud to partner with GlobalSKU and Shawn Reed Racing for my first race of the season,” said Zetterström. “GlobalSKU is bringing something completely new into our sport, and I love how their focus on speed, efficiency, and innovation aligns with what we do in Top Fuel. For me, it’s about building partnerships that go beyond the racetrack, and this is a great example of that.”
“The entire GlobalSKU team is thrilled to partner with Ida Zetterström and Shawn Reed Racing. They embody the precision, accuracy, and speed the GlobalSKU app gives all its users,” said Gary Stephens, founder of Global SKU. “Entrepreneurs to Enterprises. What a thrill to make our entrance into NHRA with this team. We can’t wait to see where this partnership takes us with Ida at the wheel.”
Team owner Shawn Reed views the race as an opportunity to establish momentum for both driver and organization. He also emphasized the importance of bringing new partners into the sport.
“We’re excited to have Ida in the car for Charlotte,” said Shawn Reed, owner of Shawn Reed Racing. “She’s the real deal, and this is a great opportunity to make a strong statement together as a team. It’s also great to welcome GlobalSKU to the program and to the sport. This is exactly the kind of partnership that helps move our program forward.”
Zetterström’s transition to NHRA competition began in 2024 after a successful European career. She earned two Super Street Bike championships and secured the 2023 FIA European Top Fuel title before moving to the United States.
Since then, she has worked to establish herself in Top Fuel while building a marketable platform for sponsors. Her combination of international success and growing U.S. presence has positioned her as a developing force in the class.
Supporting partners for the Charlotte event include VP Racing Fuels, Dodge, Simpson Racing, and Bandero Tequila. The mix of returning and new sponsors underscores the evolving nature of her program.
The weekend will serve as both a competitive test and a business showcase, with performance on track closely tied to future opportunities. For Zetterström, it is another step in converting potential into permanence.
