Driver Updates? (13 Viewers)

[65 Goatboy]

As far as companies willing to put up "sponsorship" you can look around and there are many very good drivers sitting on the sidelines some much more seasoned ones.

Larry is happily running his two seater and did run IHRA some. When I talked to him at NT he said he had zero interest in returning to NHRA mainly because to hectic of a life.

Larry was on The Alan Reinhart show this year, he also got into the rental property business in Indianapolis. Great interview if anyone missed it.

 

[Rasn1320]

I'm sure I heard at the beginning of the year that Shawn announced that he needed to spend more time running his business and Ida was going to be in his car for half the races. He's self sponsored so would she have needed her own money? Did I read that here? Anyone else?

Not sure where i read it but someone said shawn sold his business??

 

[65 Goatboy]

Not sure where i read it but someone said shawn sold his business??

Here, pg. 1

 

[Chili]

I'm sure I heard at the beginning of the year that Shawn announced that he needed to spend more time running his business and Ida was going to be in his car for half the races. He's self sponsored so would she have needed her own money? Did I read that here? Anyone else?

Reed, Zetterström to share driving duties of Reed Trucking/Excavating entry

The Shawn Reed Racing Top Fuel team will run the full 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule with Shawn Reed and Ida Zetterström sharing driving duties throughout the season.

www.nhra.com

 

[Chili]

Not sure where i read it but someone said shawn sold his business??

Shawn Reed: A New Threat in Top Fuel

Learn how Shawn Reed is becoming a formidable presence in NHRA Top Fuel racing, earning respect among his peers and competitors.

www.dragzine.com

 

[Rasn1320]

Shawn Reed: A New Threat in Top Fuel

Learn how Shawn Reed is becoming a formidable presence in NHRA Top Fuel racing, earning respect among his peers and competitors.

www.dragzine.com

Thx for that,nice read and alot if info!

 

[65 Goatboy]

Reed, Zetterström to share driving duties of Reed Trucking/Excavating entry

The Shawn Reed Racing Top Fuel team will run the full 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule with Shawn Reed and Ida Zetterström sharing driving duties throughout the season.

www.nhra.com

So I guess "they" don't have all the funding for the second car.

 

[65 Goatboy]

Shawn Reed: A New Threat in Top Fuel

Learn how Shawn Reed is becoming a formidable presence in NHRA Top Fuel racing, earning respect among his peers and competitors.

www.dragzine.com

Just read the Dragzine article. That explains why Ida hasn't been in the car much, she's still chasing money and it won't be Shawn's. Someone needs to step up and sponsor that lady, she's a European champion! Very marketable, smart, well spoken, pretty and she can drive.

 

[65 Goatboy]

Also remember Ida saying if she is not actively racing her days are numbered as far as staying in the US.

 

[GumbyWVU]

Just read the Dragzine article. That explains why Ida hasn't been in the car much, she's still chasing money and it won't be Shawn's. Someone needs to step up and sponsor that lady, she's a European champion! Very marketable, smart, well spoken, pretty and she can drive.

When we were at Charlotte last fall for the fall 4-Wides, in between pro sessions we found ourselves resting at a picnic table under the grandstands, when two fellas asked if they could sit with us. Sure, we said, have a seat.

Turns out they were from Sweden and planned their trip to come see her race that very day. Very nice people, was telling us about going from Stockholm to LaGuardia, then flying to Charlotte, renting a car, etc. I have to say I was impressed with the trip they made (although I was hoping I could talk them into buying my 9-3 ARC, LOL).

 

[mick]

eric, good story. had to look up 9-3 ARC. LOL

 

[65 Goatboy]

Me too. Cool car but we sure did cuss them when one came in the shop. I used to say working on a Saab will make you sob.

 

[Rasn1320]

Where has steve torrence been? Has he been to any sundays to cheer his dad on? Hope he decides to race again next year??

 

[LoPony]

this is the problem NHRA is ignoring, they are letting nitro price itself out of existence.

It’s not just nitro, it’s the prices of everything in this country right now. Everything is pricing itself out of existence. Drag racing has gotten unaffordable. Nitro is just another example.

 

[stitcherbob]

Coincidentally….

 

[ironpony]

Where has steve torrence been? Has he been to any sundays to cheer his dad on? Hope he decides to race again next year??

At home enjoying his family

 

[Rasn1320]

At home enjoying his family

So is he done for good?

 

[chop]

Believe it or not but Skuza was a big fan of me. Let me digress with a story about how he became a fan of me. One year at Atlanta if I remember correctly the race was rained out and was to be run on Monday. I went to a local restaurant to eat and ordered a beer and the server said they couldn't serve beer on Sunday but you could bring your own in to drink. Of course I had a cooler full in the car and carried it in. Skuza and crew came in sitting not too far from me and he ordered a beer. The server told him the story and he pointed over to my beer sitting on the table and he was told about the Sunday Blue law. I saw what happened and offered him a couple of beers. He tried to pay but I didn't want any $$$$ and he was very appreciative. So Skuza if you're reading this, you're most welcome.

 

[twostep]

The Cuadras:

Fernando Cuadra vowed to retire from racing and his business at age 65 and he kept his promise, turning everything over to his 3 sons. The Cuadras no small-ball businessmen; they have 34 factories in 27 countries, 12,000 employees and specialize in high-end leather apparel. I'm pretty sure lack of funding wasn't the determining factor as to them stepping back.

It's obvious to me the 3 boys can't run such a massive operation and race 3 NHRA Pro Stock cars competitively at the same time. I'd heard at one time they were teaming up with Elite but I don't know if they ever did or if so where that partnership stands. I wish them well; I always liked that team.

 

[twostep]

Believe it or not but Skuza was a big fan of me. Let me digress with a story about how he became a fan of me. One year at Atlanta if I remember correctly the race was rained out and was to be run on Monday. I went to a local restaurant to eat and ordered a beer and the server said they couldn't serve beer on Sunday but you could bring your own in to drink. Of course I had a cooler full in the car and carried it in. Skuza and crew came in sitting not too far from me and he ordered a beer. The server told him the story and he pointed over to my beer sitting on the table and he was told about the Sunday Blue law. I saw what happened and offered him a couple of beers. He tried to pay but I didn't want any $$$$ and he was very appreciative. So Skuza if you're reading this, you're most welcome.

Ahhhh.... the Blue Laws. We still have some remnants of them in Texas. No hard liquor sales on Sunday although you can buy it by the drink in a restaurant or bar. Dealer vehicles can't be sold on both Saturday and Sunday; pick one or the other. Ignore those laws at the risk of pissing God off.

I think Skuza should show up at a national event and con a funny car team into letting him make an exhibition pass. "And the crowd went wild."