NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

When Cory Reed crashed his Pro Stock Suzuki during last year’s DeWalt NHRA Carolina Nationals in Concord, he instantly knew that he’d been seriously injured but his first thought was not about his own wellbeing; rather it was concern for his teammate, Joey Gladstone, who was also involved in the scary two-bike accident.

Fast forward four months, and Reed is still recovering from his injuries, primarily a severely broken leg, but his main focus continues to be on Gladstone, who could be primed for a breakout season.

“Joey is a winner and that’s not just my opinion. He’s proven it time and time again,” said Reed, who owns the two-bike Suzuki team that he and Gladstone are a part of. “He’s part of a group of motorcycle racers who set a standard for just how good you need to be. He’s also my best friend and I’m going to do everything I can to help him succeed this year.”

In a perfect world, Reed would be joining his teammate in Gainesville when the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle season begins in mid-March, but the timetable for his return hasn’t yet been established. Most likely, it will be mid-season at the earliest.

“My leg is getting there, but it’s been a long and slow process,” Reed said. “I do get this bird cage [brace] off this week and I’m really happy about that. I’ve had six surgeries so far and I spent about a month total in the hospital. I had a bad bone infection, so they had to take that out so now I’ve got one leg that is shorter than the other.

“At least now I’m to the point where I can walk with a cane or a crutch,” Reed said. “I’m in a lot less pain now than I was. I haven’t taken a pain killer of any kind, not even aspirin, for about six or seven weeks. It only hurts if I overdo it, or accidently kick something.”

Reed still wants to ride, but he’s just not sure when or where that might happen. As noted earlier, he’s thinking mid-season at the earliest.

“My doctor said they can’t promise anything just because there was so much bone loss,” he says. “Getting back on the bike is still my goal, I just need to make sure that it’s strong enough. I might need a different boot to make up for the shorter leg, but I don’t think that’s a big obstacle.”

If Reed needs additional motivation, he need look no further than former rider Reggie Showers, a double amputee whose career achievements included a U.S. Nationals victory.

“I’ve thought about what Reggie was able to do on a bike and I often think about what Dom [Lagana] has been able to do since his accident,” Reed said. “Dom and Bobby Lagana have kept in contact with me and they’re an inspiration. It makes me realize my situation isn’t that bad."

Reed is also quick to agree that his accident, and the early-season testing accident that injured Gladstone, cost the Reed Motorsports team a season that was filled with promise. After debuting their Vance & Hines powered four-valve Suzukis in Gainesville, both riders were comfortably in the Top 10 and Gladstone had also topped 200-mph.

“I 100 percent agree. We were on our way,” Reed said. “On the pass where I crashed, I think we’d figured out what it had been lacking. Joey treed me but I was hunting him down. At the beginning of season my bike had different tune at every race. We’d finally found what we were missing. I felt like we’d finish in the top five contend for wins and finals."

When the time is right, Reed won’t hesitate to get back on a bike. He could certainly explore other options including his mother Annie Whiteley’s Top Alcohol Funny Car, but he remains committed to the bike team, to Gladstone, and their tuner, Cecil Towner.

“Mom asked if I was ready for something with a rollcage but I told her no,” Reed said. I said, how would it look to Eli, my nephew, if I gave up my dream just because I had a setback. I want to be an example for him. I want to be a hero for him. I won’t be back for a few months, but I plan to be a blocker for Joey in countdown. Together, I think we can handle business.”