REED MOTORSPORTS CLOSING THEIR DOORS

Source: Mark Reed Motorsports
Date: 12/18/2001

The biggest disappointments for Mark Reed this year have come from off-track decisions rather than on-track performance. The driver from Bakersfield, CA won the rookie of the year award in the NASCAR Winston West Series and finished second in the series point standings after battling defending series champion Brendan Gaughan down to the wire for the championship title during the last race of the season at Irwindale Speedway. Reed also scored 4 top-5 finishes while competing in five races in the Featherlite Southwest Series.

Now the future of this talented driver has been left totally in the air. “It has been tough at Reed Motorsports as of late”, says Reed. “After completing our most successful season we are on the brink of shutting our doors forever.” The first indication for Reed’s uncertain future came in August when his sponsor, Food 4 Less, notified him they would not be returning in 2002. “I was told that despite our performance and attention to detail, corporate pressures would not allow their continued involvement in motorsports sponsorship”, said Reed. By early October, Reed had come to an agreement with Tim Buckley to become the driver for Vintage Motorsports in the 2002 season. Reed was to have replaced Bill Sedgwick who was to become the full-time crew chief for the team. Reed had a handshake deal with Buckley that was to include a combined schedule of Winston West and Craftsman Truck Series races. He even tested with the team prior to the final race of the season at Irwindale Speedway on November 10th. Just two weeks after making the official announcement, Reed received a voice mail from Buckley indicating the plans for 2002 were off. “The voice mail indicated he was selling his operation and heading in a different direction”, said Reed. “Now I’m left with no concrete plans for next year.”

Reed wants the racing community to be aware of two things: he is available to drive, and all of his equipment is for sale. “I feel it is time to take a different direction with my career”, said Reed. “It has been very rewarding to be an owner/driver as I have been able to succeed where very few have, but now I would like to try my hand at just driving.” Reed would like to land a full-time driving position for 2002 in the Featherlite Southwest, Winston West, Craftsman Truck, or Busch Series, but at this late date is uncertain of what options are available. “I hope we have been able to showcase our ability for the racing community this year”, said Reed. “We set a track record at California Speedway and won the Bud Pole award at three other events, led the most laps in the Featherlite Southwest Series event at Sears Point, and won the Winston West race at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.”

Anyone interested in speaking with Reed regarding his availability for next year or the sale of his cars and equipment is encouraged to call him at (661) 397-0404 ext. 204. He has several Pontiac Grand Prix cars, parts, a transporter, pit boxes and equipment, tools, and shop equipment for sale.

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