Jeff Reay, National IMCA Race Car Champion

Jeff Reay of Portland is a highly successful IMCA race car driver. He competes on dirt circle track raceways. He recently won the National Champion title in the IMCA category of racing. It’s been thirty years since the title was brought back to Michigan.

“Racing is exciting,” said Jeff. “It’s a very competitive sport.  The competition brings me great satisfaction.”

Jeff became interested in racing as a young person.

“My Dad has been racing for thirty years,” said Jeff. “I have followed in his footsteps. I can remember hanging around his shop when I was young. I was fascinated there by all of the automotive things. I like everything about cars and I enjoy making them go faster.”

Jeff participated in his first race at age fifteen. He raced “street stock” which is a normal, basically unmodified vehicle with the window removed.”

The following year he raced his first open-wheel modified vehicle.

“I began racing all over Michigan,” said Jeff. “I became more and more involved in the sport and I discovered that I loved it.”

Jeff has won eighty-five races so far in his career.

“My favorite win was a race known as ‘Corn Harvest’ at the Mid-Michigan Raceway in Palo,” he said. “One of my Dad’s best friends owns the track. My dad won the race himself in 2000 and it meant a lot to me to win it as well years later.”

Jeff said that successful race car driving involves many factors.

“It’s more than simply driving at high speeds,” he said. “For example, having good crew members is extremely important. I also need to spend about thirty hours a week simply working on the car in the shop in order to make it perfect for the track. A perfect car breeds confidence in the driver and confidence means everything to the driver during the race. It makes the difference between winning and finishing second.”

Car racing is a sport that is followed by many people.

Car racing produces a lot of adrenaline, both for the crowd and for the driver,” said Jeff. “Car racing literally gets into your blood and it has become a tradition in my family.”

Jeff is passing on his skills to younger generations.

“It’s important to me to show the sport to young people,” he said. “The sport is for everyone to enjoy. I’m getting my kids involved in it and I like getting other young people to the track to help them get interested in the sport as well.”

Jeff has three words of advice for young drivers.

“Every driver is a winner,” he said. “Everyone’s dreams of success are possible,” he added.

“And never, never, give up on your dreams.”

Jeff can be seen racing this February at the Clash at the Coast Raceway in Baker, Florida, on IMCA TV as well as on Facebook at “Clash at the Coast.” The races will be shown February 22-28. Jeff will race here if his new car is ready in time. If the new car is not yet ready, then see him in person at the I96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan on April 24.

Courtesy photos.