Boston Reid (Hendrick Motorsports)
The 2004-2005 seasons were filled with development drivers for various teams. These mainly Cup Series teams (or affiliated teams in lower divisions) would employ the use of the popular “ABC Program” (ARCA-Busch-Cup) as a means of getting non-stock car drivers they had signed acclimated to the heavier stock cars, and various tracks. While there were many successes, there were also many that never achieved the potential that was hoped for them.
PRE-NASCAR SUCCESS:
Boston Reid was a standout in the USAC Sprint Car ranks, winning 2002 Rookie of the Year, and the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Non-Wing Rookie of the Year. He also got his first win at Eldora Speedway. This is when the eyes of NASCAR started to turn towards Reid, having followed a similar path of success that his mentor Jeff Gordon had taken.
2004 and 2005 (ARCA and Busch Series):
In 2004, Boston Reid signed a driver development deal with Hendrick Motorsports. The deal would see him have plenty of seat time through ARCA and the NASCAR Busch Series. At the age of 21, Reid would make 4 ARCA starts during the season…impressing immediately. Driving the No. 5 BGR Research Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports to a 3rd place finish in his ARCA debut at Toledo. Ried would make 3 other starts for Hendrick that season, finishing the season with (1) Top 5 and (3) Top 10 finishes.
The success of Reid’s ARCA starts lead him to making his NASCAR Busch Series debut that same year. Reid made his first start at Richmond, wheeling the No. 87 ditech.com Chevrolet (in a collaboration between Hendrick and NEMCO Motorsports). While he qualified 24th, he would finish 37th going out after just 130 laps due to an accident. Reid would only make 2 more starts in the 87 for 2004, with finishes of 42nd and 26th.
For 2005, Reid would get the call up to drive the No. 5 Lowe’s Chevrolet for 7 races, joining fellow development drivers Blake Feese, Adrian Fernandez, Kyle Krisiloff, and Hendrick’s Cup Series “Buschwackers” who filled in the schedule. Reid would run 6 races in the 5, with a best finish of 17th at Nashville. He would also pilot a second No. 57 Lowe’s Chevrolet in what would be his last start, finishing 28th at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Following the race at IRP, Reid was let go from the Hendrick Development program.
2006 and 2007 (Truck Series):
Following his departure from Hendrick Motorsports, Boston Reid would resurface in the Truck Series for 2006. Reid running for Rookie of the Year honors, would pilot the No. 25 Dodge for the newly formed Woodard & Sharp Racing (later known as Woodard Racing). The hope for a fresh season would quickly diminish however, with Reid only running 20 races before being replaced by Damon Lusk. In his tenure with Woodard Racing, Reid would have a best finish of 14th three times, and finish 26th in the final standings.
Reid made one start in 2007 at Michigan for Xpress Motorsports and David Fuge. He would drive a sponsor-less No. 16 Ford to a 35th place finish, going out on Lap 10 with ignition problems. A disappointing end to a racing career that once showed promise.
Post-Motorsports Life:
Following the end of his motorsports career, Boston Reid formed Boston Reid & Co. The company specializes in personalized real estate experiences in commercial, residential, and land transactions. Reid also is currently married with two children in the Charlotte area.
