Shawn Reed to Share NHRA Top Fuel Ride with Ida Zetterström

Their schedule is uncertain, but he hopes to field a dragster for each one day.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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NHRA's Shawn Reed Racing Top Fuel team will run the full 2026 Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule, but Reed and European drag racing champion Ida Zetterström will share driving duties for the Reed Trucking & Excavating Dragster. Reed, who made an impressive comeback last season, has opted to devote more time to his Seattle-based business, so he will share the ride with Zetterström, who found herself without a ride when Joe Maynard stepped back from team ownership.

Why it matters

This partnership allows Reed to maintain a full-season presence in the NHRA Top Fuel class while also focusing on his business, and it provides Zetterström with a high-profile opportunity to showcase her talents and potentially secure a full-time ride in the future.

The details

Reed will start the season at the Gatornationals and the NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout in March, with the schedule for the remaining 19 races to be announced later. Zetterström, who has spent the past two seasons competing on a limited basis after making her NHRA debut in 2024, is excited for the opportunity to drive Reed's consistently performing car and work towards the goal of securing a full-time ride.

  • Reed will start the season at the Gatornationals and the NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout on March 6-8, 2026.
  • The schedule for the remaining 19 races will be announced later.

The players

Shawn Reed

The owner of Shawn Reed Racing's Top Fuel team, who made an impressive comeback last season after a high-speed qualifying accident.

Ida Zetterström

A European drag racing champion who has spent the past two seasons competing on a limited basis in the NHRA after making her debut in 2024.

Rob Wendland

The crew chief for the Shawn Reed Racing Top Fuel team.

Ryan Elliott

The assistant crew chief for the Shawn Reed Racing Top Fuel team.

Jordan Vandergriff

A driver who filled in for Shawn Reed last summer while Reed was recuperating.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Shawn Reed (autoweek.com)

“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.”

— Shawn Reed (autoweek.com)

“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.”

— Ida Zetterström (autoweek.com)

“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.”

— Ida Zetterström (autoweek.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This partnership between Shawn Reed and Ida Zetterström demonstrates the challenges and creative solutions that top-level motorsports teams must navigate to maintain competitiveness while also addressing the realities of business and personal commitments. It provides Zetterström a high-profile opportunity to showcase her talents and potentially secure a full-time ride, while allowing Reed to continue racing while focusing more on his Seattle-based business.