The Shawn Reed Racing Top Fuel team will compete in the full 2026 Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule with a dual-driver approach, featuring team owner Shawn Reed and European drag racing champion Ida Zetterström sharing the wheel of the Reed Trucking & Excavating Dragster. This collaboration comes as Reed chooses to balance his racing with expanding commitments to his Seattle-based business.
Background on Shawn Reed’s Comeback and Business Focus
Last season, Shawn Reed made a notable return to NHRA competition following a severe accident at his home track that resulted in the loss of his left index finger. Despite the setback, he clinched his first NHRA victory during the Countdown race in September 2025. However, Reed is now prioritizing his business, which limits his availability for racing events and has led him to share driving responsibilities for the upcoming season.
Ida Zetterström’s Progress and Partnership with Shawn Reed
Ida Zetterström, hailing from Finland’s Åland Islands, has been competing part-time over the past two seasons after debuting in NHRA racing in August 2024 with Joe and P.J. Maynard’s JCM Racing team. Last fall, she became a free agent when Maynard stepped back from team ownership, creating uncertainty about her future racing opportunities.
Zetterström explained,
“My schedule this year will be based on both Shawn’s work schedule and the budget I bring to the table,”
illustrating the careful planning required for their shared driving arrangement.
Shawn Reed’s Racing Schedule and Team Structure
Reed plans to open the 2026 season at the Gatornationals and compete in the NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout from March 6-8 in Gainesville, Florida. Details for the remaining 19 races are expected later. Reflecting on last year’s achievements, Reed noted,
“Last year was one for the books, that’s for sure. Started with the [exhibition] PRO All-Star 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 [Pennsylvania], continued to qualify well, and ended up finishing the year ranked eighth, a personal-best for me.”
Reed Explains Decision to Share Driving Responsibilities
Recognizing the need to maintain momentum while managing his business, Reed commented,
“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. 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,”
demonstrating his commitment to the team’s consistent presence in the competition.
Reed also shared,
“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,”
underscoring his confidence in Zetterström’s abilities.
Team Leadership and Potential Expansion
Rob Wendland remains crew chief for the team, with Ryan Elliott continuing as assistant crew chief. Last summer, Jordan Vandergriff, now driving a Funny Car for John Force Racing, temporarily stepped in during Reed’s recovery. Looking ahead, Reed is considering expanding to field two dragsters if funding can be secured, stating,
“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.”
Balancing Race Appearances Between Reed and Zetterström
Reed acknowledged uncertainty in the exact number of races each driver will attend but emphasized the team’s shared desire for maximum participation:
“I can’t put a number on how many races we’ll each run just yet, as we’re still working through that. 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.”
Zetterström’s Perspective on the Opportunity
Grateful for her previous support from Joe and P.J. Maynard, Zetterström remains determined to secure a full-time ride in NHRA. She stated,
“I’m incredibly grateful for everything Joe and P.J. have done for me and for the opportunity to race in the US 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.”
She added,
“Shawn and I have the same vision of me ultimately running full-time in a second Shawn Reed Racing dragster. 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 [wife] Andrea are trusting in me to drive their car.”
Experienced Motorsports Journalist Highlights the Partnership
Susan Wade, an Indianapolis native and longtime Seattle-area resident, has covered drag racing for nearly three decades with a focus on the personal stories behind the sport. A respected figure in motorsports journalism, Wade was the first non-NASCAR recipient of the Russ Catlin Award and contributes regularly to notable publications including Autoweek, the Chicago Tribune, Newark Star-Ledger, and Seattle Times.
Significance of the Arrangement for NHRA and Drivers
The partnership between Ida Zetterström and Shawn Reed Racing signals a promising development within NHRA’s Top Fuel category, blending Reed’s established presence with Zetterström’s rising talent. Their shared schedule reflects a pragmatic approach to balancing motorsport ambitions with business priorities, while also focusing on maintaining competitiveness throughout the 2026 season.
The potential to field a second car driven full-time by Zetterström could expand team impact, provided sufficient funding is secured. For Zetterström, these appearances provide a crucial platform to build her career and chase her ultimate goal of a full-season campaign and championship contention in NHRA Top Fuel racing.
