Shawn Reed hopes to return to racing within approximately six weeks after a serious crash in an NHRA Top Fuel dragster at Pacific Raceways near Seattle last weekend. The incident, which may have been caused by a tire failure, has prompted Goodyear to launch a detailed investigation. Reed expressed eagerness to get back on track with a new set of Goodyear tires as the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs approaches.
Goodyear Collaborates Closely with NHRA and Reed’s Team
Video evidence of Reed’s crash shows the vehicle traveling near 290 mph before losing control, suggesting some failure involving the tire. Goodyear’s on-site personnel promptly collected nearly all parts of the damaged tire, which were then sent to their research facility in Akron for in-depth analysis. In a statement issued to Autoweek, Goodyear explained that the tire pieces are under careful examination as they work in partnership with NHRA and Reed’s team to determine the cause of the failure.
“The tire has been shipped to our research team in Akron so we can better understand the incident. We are working closely with NHRA and the team.”
—Goodyear spokesperson
Reed, currently recuperating at home in Washington state, sustained multiple injuries from the accident, including a hand injury, damaged thumb, the loss of his left index finger, and broken ribs. Additionally, debris from the crash struck a spectator, who was treated and released on the night of the event.
Reed’s Perspective on the Incident and Recovery
Reed shared that Goodyear representatives have maintained contact with him, and he is determined to return to racing as soon as possible. He acknowledged the challenge of dealing with the causes of such crashes and emphasized patience while Goodyear investigates the situation thoroughly.
“Goodyear’s reached out and they’ve found about 99% of the tire,”
Reed said.
“They took some time and picked up every single piece—and that thing was bagged up and sent back to their home office in Akron where they’re dissecting everything.”
He added that the constant evolution of drag racing means cars face unprecedented speeds and forces compared to the past decade, making tire reliability more critical.
Reed explained,
“Whether that tire came apart or whether something went through it, we’ just have to work toward making them better. If we find that something went through it, we have to find what went through it and work on keeping it attached to the car.”
“If it’s a freak accident and something blew up and something broke, then we have to find a better way to attach that stuff. That’s all I’m after and I think that’s what most racers are after.”
—Shawn Reed, NHRA Racer
Reed aims to return in time for the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs beginning September 12-14 in Reading, Pennsylvania.
“I’m not going to put blame on anybody,”
Reed stated.
“Nobody tried to hurt me. Nobody tried to do anything. We’re racers and I can’t wait to go strap some Goodyears on the back of that car and whack that throttle once again.”
Concern Grows Among Competitors and Crew Chiefs Over Crash Causes
The crash has unsettled many drivers and teams who want clarity on whether tire failure played a role, particularly as top speeds in NHRA Top Fuel drag racing now exceed 340 mph. John Force Racing crew chief David Grubnic, whose driver Brittany Force set a speed record of 341.85 mph at the same event, highlighted the need for a careful investigation before decisions are made.
“First, we have to understand what happened,”
said Grubnic.
“If you’re going to implement a solution, you better have a clear and concise understanding what the problem is.”
He expressed particular worry about spectator safety following the incident, emphasizing that unlike drivers and crew members who accept inherent risks, spectators should be better protected.
Grubnic noted,
“We really need to understand what happened to Shawn’s tire and why it let go. Was it speed related? And purely hypothetical, did something come off the car that we’re not aware of? Did he run over something on the racetrack? Was there a piece of concrete that cut the tire? That’s what we have to understand, and we don’t want to make a knee-jerk reaction.”
Current Insights and Hypotheses on the Tire Failure
Grubnic observed that despite numerous runs over 340 mph this season without tire problems, accidents like Reed’s still occur. He emphasized that Goodyear is confident in the tire’s ability to handle high speeds, and Reed was not traveling at record velocity during the accident.
“Goodyear, I believe, are comfortable with that speed for the tire,”
Grubnic said.
“I don’t think Shawn was running that quick when the tire failed. We’ve made five or six runs over 340 and we’ve seen no issues with our tires.”
Hypothetical scenarios include debris on the track causing tire damage or mechanical components failing and cutting the tire, both situations that would require further investigation.
Grubnic emphasized the importance of a methodical approach:
“We’ve had tire failures before, and they weren’t related to the speed. We really need to get Goodyear’s take on it and the analysis of the tire. From there, we’ll go through the process and we can work for a solution. If it was speed related, then 100%, we agree we need to sit down and see what we might need to do to mitigate that risk.”
Next Steps and Broader Implications for NHRA Safety
The thorough analysis of the tire debris by Goodyear’s Akron research team will be critical to determining whether the cause of Reed’s crash stems from tire failure, external factors, or an unusual accident. The findings will influence how NHRA teams and manufacturers address tire safety and track maintenance going forward.
Ensuring that racing hardware withstands the extreme conditions generated by modern NHRA vehicles is a priority for all stakeholders, especially as increased speeds raise safety concerns for drivers and fans. The sport faces pressure to improve protective measures, particularly for spectators, as they evaluate the risks surrounding high-speed drag racing.
Shawn Reed’s recovery timeline and comeback plans signal hope for a return to competition, but the ongoing investigation underscores the urgency within NHRA to better understand and prevent similar incidents in future events.
