OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM SHAWN REED, OWNER/DRIVER — SHAWN REED RACING REGARDING INELIGIBILITY TO COMPETE IN 2026 NHRA COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

I’m disappointed, frustrated and, quite frankly, confused by the way NHRA handled Shawn Reed Racing’s eligibility for the 2026 Countdown to the Championship.

Four days before the Charlotte event, NHRA’s Josh Peterson called me specifically to discuss our entries and my intentions for the weekend. I told him directly that Ida Zetterström was going to compete and that I planned to make one or two qualifying runs on Friday to ensure I remained eligible for the Countdown. Based on that conversation, I left with the understanding that our plan met the necessary requirements.

If three qualifying attempts were required, that was the opportunity to tell me.

Instead, months passed.

It wasn’t until an NHRA Teams meeting in August — during a conversation that began after NHRA learned I may reduce my racing schedule next season — that I was informed I was not eligible for the Countdown because I had failed to make three qualifying attempts at Charlotte.

That is unacceptable communication for something as significant as championship eligibility.

Had I been told in April that I needed to make a third qualifying attempt, we would have made one. It was that simple. We had the car, the team and the intention of doing what was required to remain eligible.

What makes the situation even more frustrating is the level of commitment Shawn Reed Racing has made to NHRA Drag Racing. At Charlotte, I didn’t just bring one Top Fuel dragster to their event — our organization fielded two. We invested our own money, people, equipment and resources to put another competitive Top Fuel car on the racetrack and provide Ida Zetterström an opportunity to continue racing and building her future in this sport.

We did that because we believe in NHRA Drag Racing and because we want to see Top Fuel continue to grow.

To then learn months later that my own team would be excluded from the Countdown over one qualifying attempt — after I specifically discussed my eligibility with NHRA before Charlotte — is extremely difficult to accept.

I personally asked NHRA President Glen Cromwell in Martin, Michigan, to reconsider the decision. I also reached out to Josh Peterson the following day and asked that NHRA reconsider, explaining how disappointed my entire team was with the situation. As of this statement, I have not received a response to that request.

Rules matter. We understand that. But so does communication.

When a team owner specifically asks what is necessary to maintain championship eligibility, there should be no ambiguity about the answer. And if an eligibility issue arises, a team should not find out months later.

Shawn Reed Racing has invested heavily in this sport. We have continued showing up, supporting NHRA events and doing our part to put competitive Top Fuel cars on the racetrack. Our crew members sacrifice an incredible amount to compete at this level, and they deserved the opportunity to race for a championship.

We aren’t asking for special treatment. We’re asking for accountability, consistency and clear communication.

Our team will continue to compete and support drag racing, but we will not pretend we aren’t deeply disappointed by how this situation was handled.

— Shawn Reed

Owner/Driver, Shawn Reed Racing