BAKERSFIELD, CA (January 2, 2012)- When Austin Reed heads back for his final semester of high school next week, he'll be closing in on the finish line of one important chapter of his life but looking forward to the next.
Reed, an Honors student at Frontier High School in Bakersfield, will attend the University of California Bakersfield in the fall to continue his educational excellence but in the mean time he has several races to run. Reed will climb the racing ladder by graduating into full-bodied stock cars this season while also competing in his Legend car throughout the year.
Dedication in the classroom has paid off on the track
"I have always liked math," Reed offered. "Math has certainly helped me in the race shop learning about chassis geometry and setups. There is absolutely real-world application to what you learn in the classroom."
Reed plans to study mechanical engineering in college and he will have plenty of opportunities to put his math skills to work this season as he crisscrosses the country racing in a variety of vehicles and series.
Reed has raced in the Legends Car semi-pro division the past several seasons and will again be one of the top competitors in region competing in the SRL Legends Series this season. And for the second year in a row he will travel to Charlotte, NC to compete in the prestigious Legends Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway from early June through the beginning of August.
"The Legends Summer Shootout is an incredible series," Reed said. "There are some of the best racers from all over the country and you have the opportunity to race several nights a week so you really have to be prepared and on your game to be successful. We learned a lot last year and I know it will pay dividends this time around."
When not racing his Legend car, Reed will also make his SRL Southwest Tour debut in March in preparation for a full rookie campaign in 2013. Reed plans to run five SRL SW Tour events under the guidance of rising NASCAR star and multi-time SRL winner Derek Thorne. Also supporting his SRL Tour efforts will be Mike Mulder, Ryan Sebek and his father Dave Reed.
Thorne will be Reed's crew chief and driver coach as he makes the transition to the heavier more powerful race cars. "Derek (Thorne) is a proven winner in the series and a good friend," Reed said. "His experience will make the transition a lot easier."
In preparation for his first SRL race at Stockton (CA), Reed and his team will test several more times in order to contend right out of the gate. "The biggest thing to get used to in the Tour car is letting the car roll through the corner," Reed offered. "The throttle pick up is similar but you can't really muscle the car like you can a Legends car. I can't wait to race in the SRL. I grew up watching guys like Craig Raudman, MK Kanke, and Jim Pettit race these cars and it has been a dream of mine to race against them."
Reed will also race in a Pro Late Model back East while at the Summer Shootout. He will pilot an Approved Memory sponsored Late Model out of the Dave Reed Driver Development shop in Mooresville, NC with Steve Graham preparing the car. "I am looking forward to racing in the Late Model in North Carolina," Reed said. "Racing is the same no matter where you go but racing a stock car in the heart of NASCAR country will be pretty cool."
To round out his racing odyssey in 2012, plans call for Reed to test in a NASCAR K&N Pro Series car while in North Carolina. If history is any indication then Reed will pass with flying colors as he embarks on the next chapter of his life after high school.
Austin Reed is sponsored by K&N Filters, Approved Memory, Vitamin Water, JDA, Eibach, Fluidyne, Joiner Motorsports, HeadBlade, Power Balance, Whipz, Ringers Gloves, www.rpmtvonline.com and Fuel Clothing. You can follow Austin Reed at www.austinreedracing.com
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