Tanner Reif Making Series Debut
At the age of 14 years, two months and 14 days, Tanner Reif will become the second youngest driver to take the green flag in SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series event. Jesse Love, just beats out the Junior Late Model star, making his first start only 5 days younger. The “Retro Custom Metals 150 presented by Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse San Dimas” will mark Reif’s third start in a Super late Model, after finishing second at the “Bullring” in his debut.
Reif made his first racing appearance at the age of six, in the Quarter Midget Division. He raced in the Quarter Midgets over a five-year period, winning three Western Regional Championships, scoring five Ernie Bose World Records, seven track championships, two Silver State National Championships and was the USACR National Champion in 2014.
He then moved to the Junior late Model Division as well as into the Legends. In 2018 he was the Most Improved Driver in the Junior Late Model Division at Madera Speedway. He finished second in the championship, to current SPEARS Southwest Tour Series Rookie-of-the-Year competitor Jesse Love, winning three events in a championship that went down to the final race. Over the end of the 2018 season, and beginning of the 2019 season, Reif set an incredible eight straight fast times. He began the 2019 season by winning three of the first four events, in Madera Speedway’s potent Junior Late Model Division, but a disqualification set the team back, and ended their potential championship effort at the facility.
During the summer, the Reif family purchase a Super Late Model from the vaunted Richie Wauters Racing Team, and made their debut at the Bullring @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway in September. In doing so, he became the youngest driver to ever compete at the facility, in that division. He finished second on that day.
Reif will now complete the transition to his first start in the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series on November 23rd, at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It is a debut his is looking forward to, in a car that has quickly become his favorite.
“My favorite car to race in so far is the Super Late Model”, Reif explained. “I just like the speed, acceleration the G’s and the close side-by-side racing.”
Heading to his SRL debut, his goals are realistic, and having fun is a big part of the equation.
“I’m just looking forward to having fun and doing good”, Reif told the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series. “The Bullring is my home track and it is so much fun to race at. My goals for this weekend, is that I would like to qualify straight into the main. I’m hoping for a top-10 finish at the end of the day.”
Like many veteran racers, Reif wants to compete against the toughest competitors in the sport. That is why he has his eyes set on chasing a four-time series champion.
“I’m actually looking forward to competing against Derek Thorn”, Tanner stated. “He’s a fast, competitive driver and I like the challenge.”
Reif is grateful for the opportunity to compete in the season finale for the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series. With $10,000 on the line, in the nationally televised race on MAVTV, it is a great opportunity for the young racer.
“I’d first like to thank the Bullring and the Spears Southwest Tour for putting on the show this weekend. I’m looking forward to it.”
Reif continued, “I would like to think all of my sponsors for making it possible for me to race. Thanks to Vegas Fastener Manufacturing, PowerGen Components, Undaunted Apparel, Boulder Boats, CSM Graphics, Silver State Transport LLC, Naked Skin Laser Lounge, and Dewar Farms. A special thanks goes to Richie Wauters, Tony Jackson, VanDoorn Racing Development, an my dad Travis Reif, for building me this hotrod. I also want to thank my crew; Aaron, Justin, Johnny, Lyndsey as well as my mom, dad and little brother Tyler Reif. And last, thanks to my grandparents, family, friends & fans!”
Saturday’s action gets underway with the Spectator Gates opening at 2:00 pm. The Late Model Truck Heat Races are scheduled for 2:15 pm. Jr. Late Model Qualifying follows at 2:30 pm, with Spears Modified Series and SPEARS Southwest Tour Series Qualifying up next. Opening Ceremonies are scheduled for 4:00 pm, with Feature Events for the Jr. Late Models (two 35-lap segments), SPEARS Modifieds (75-laps), Late Model Trucks (35 laps) and the “Retro Custom Metal 150 presented by Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse” following.
Celebrating its nineteenth season in 2019, the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series is a regional stock car series competing on paved ovals in the southwestern portion of the U.S. “The SPEARS Southwest Tour Series…Where the Champions Race”.
