BELCHERTOWN, Mass. — Glen Reen, a NASCAR driver from Belchertown, is gearing up to make his debut in the ARCA Menards Series racing at Daytona Beach on February 14th. Having built his racecar with his team in a garage down south, Reen is preparing to fulfill a lifelong ambition of competing on one of racing’s biggest stages.
Early Start and Unwavering Determination in Racing
Reen’s journey began at a very young age. Starting in go-karts at four years old and moving on to quarter midgets at five, he has raced an array of motorized vehicles including snowmobiles, dirt bikes, and cars. Despite facing skepticism from teachers, friends, and others who advised him to give up and pursue a more conventional career, Reen remained focused on his racing dream.
“I started at four years old in a go-kart and then five years old in quarter midgets. And then basically raced everything with a motor since, whether it be a snowmobile, a dirt bike or cars…I can’t tell you how many people, teachers, friends, you name it, have been like, you’re out of your mind. Like, you got to give up. Like, you got to go get a real job and like, stop playing with cars,”
he shared.
Physical and Mental Demands of ARCA Menards Series Racing
Behind the scenes, Reen undergoes intense physical conditioning to handle the demands of racing. He emphasizes core training, a strict diet, and strengthening his shoulders because of the physical effort required to maneuver the racecar. His heartbeat monitor once recorded an average pulse of 144 beats per minute during a race, peaking at 181.
“Biggest thing we do a lot is core training, a lot is diet…A lot of, like, shoulder and strength because you’re always turning the wheel…I think I ran a heartbeat monitor back a couple years ago and my average heartbeat was 144 and the peak was 181.”
Transforming Home Spaces into Racing Workshop
Preparation extends beyond fitness and driving skills. Reen converted a horse barn at his home into a functioning racecar garage, where much of the car assembly was completed. This unusual workspace garnered surprise and respect from the racing community, especially from drag racing legend Ralph Ridgeway, a family friend who became Reen’s key mechanic.
“They said, ‘we cannot believe you can part this car together in a barn in Belchertown. You’ve got an 86-year-old drag racing guy who builds the engine, and you kicked our butt on the track.’”
“To see him, be able to see him like this and know I had a hand in it. It’s just, it just makes me feel good.”
Fulfilling a Dream on the Daytona Track
The culmination of years of effort will be realized on February 14th, when Reen competes at Daytona. Although he acknowledges he cannot afford to race every event, he is determined to chase his dreams by targeting key races.
“Like, yeah, I can’t make every race because I can’t afford it, but, like, we’re going to pick one or two and you’re going to chase the dream. So, to go to Daytona is pretty… it’s unreal.”
Encouragement to Aspiring Racers
Reen offers motivation to anyone aiming to pursue a career in racing, urging them not to give up despite obstacles or naysayers.
“If I could tell any kid out there, if you think you can be a race car driver, don’t give up. You will get there. Just, you’re going to hear a lot of haters. I’ll tell you that right now.”
Fans can watch Glen Reen’s ARCA Menards Series debut at Daytona Beach on February 14th at 12 p.m. on FOX6, marking an important milestone for the young driver and his team.
