Factory Stock No. 48
Photo courtesy of JAF Racing Photo
Reeve Staley
Reeve Staley is what the modern woman calls a “hunk.” The 25 year old race car driver packs 260 pounds of solid muscle on a 6’3” frame. He is a product of good genes, natural athletic ability, and a lot of hours in the weight room. He looks like he could bench press his race car. Spend some time with him and it becomes obvious that the Arizona State University senior is intellectually gifted and a deep thinker with serious life goals. Some of the regulars at Manzanita Speedway might think that these are unusual traits for a Top 10 Factory Stock Division driver.
Reeve, the son of Kent and Beverley Staley, was born in 1978, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The family moved to Mesa, Arizona in 1983 because Kent’s job with Mountain Bell transferred to Arizona. The family moved to Glendale in 1993. Reeve excelled in every endeavor he engaged in, beginning with Shotokan Karate at age five. Today Reeve holds the Brown Belt with two stripes. His father, Kent, said, “Bev and I wanted to keep our kids occupied and disciplined. We have never forced them to participate, but sports seemed to be a builder of discipline, so we encouraged it.”
Staley states that “I was drawn to sports because of the competition, and I have always been good at all sports. I just play, I’m not a fan.” By the end of his freshman year in high school varsity coaches were after him, sending him to various sports camps to improve his techniques; the athleticism was already obvious. By the time Staley graduated from Ironwood High School in 1997, he had become one of Arizona’s outstanding football players, achieving All-Region, All-State, and All-Arizona honors at defensive tackle. Staley helped guide his team to the state finals in both his junior and senior years. Even though his team lost in both big games, the last one in overtime, Reeve said, “I was elated to be there and sad that it was my last game. It was very emotional.”
Football took Staley to Phoenix College where he graduated in 2000 with an Associates Degree. He then transferred to Northern Arizona University to play football and pursue a communications degree. Reeve dropped out after a year to pursue a job. He had invested in a relationship that didn’t work and lost his focus for a time. Reeve admitted that “most of my bad decisions have revolved around a girl.”
This interlude did help Reeve find out what he wanted to do with his life. He spent some time with the financial giant, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter; earned a personal trainer certificate; and got certified as an emergency medical technician. The time spent with the fire department as an EMT was an awakening, and Reeve plans to pursue a firefighter career. “Firefighting is complimentary to my nature; I have always been drawn to teams and adrenaline induced situations. Being a firefighter is my alternative to putting on a tie everyday; I don’t like that.”
Probed further about female relationships, Staley said, “I’m going to humble down here. I don’t have a specific type, but I think a woman has to be charming and capable of having a good conversation with me. I want a partner with patience; I can be difficult.” This admission will come as no surprise to Reeve’s race car competitors. It appears, however, that Staley has met his dream girl. Joanna Ulloa, a 25 year old transplanted Californian, is a graduate of Arizona State University with degrees in psychology and criminal justice. To top it off she has a master’s degree in education and serves the community as a school teacher. According to Reeve, “She might just be a little smarter than I am.”
After dropping out of Northern Arizona University, the football door closed but the urge for competition was still there. Reeve’s father, Kent Staley, opened the door to stock car racing. Reeve admits that as an athlete he didn’t see the major adjustment from football to racing. “I didn’t know how to drive. I didn’t know that the fastest way around the track isn’t always having the pedal to the floor. But I really wanted to win; I was overly aggressive and tore up lots of equipment.” At this point, Kent, who was listening in, said, “Oh, Yeah!”
Reeve has grown up around the race track as both his parents have been involved in racing for many years. But because of Reeve’s commitment to football and other team sports, his first real experience in stock car racing was in 2002. He and his father built a 1976 Chevrolet Camaro to race in the Factory Stock Division. Staley feels that although his family has always been close and supportive of each other, racing has created an even closer bond with his father.
Staley’s approach to racing is based on his football experience. “In football you scout the opposition; I try to do the same in racing. I want to be aware of the cars around me, and I try to evaluate them. I feel secure in my car, I’m not afraid of getting hurt. But as a competitor, I am a different person. Most of the race is a blur; it’s all reaction.”
Reeve has had considerable success in his racing career, finishing 15th in the standings in 2002; 5th in 2003; and 10th in 2004. “I realize that I have to be patient and consistent to become a champion. Also, I need to take better care of my equipment; I have had an unbelievable number of breakdowns this season. After the first 16 races I had only finished five main events.
“The most exciting part of racing is not necessarily on the track,” said Staley, “It’s about how you feel when the race is over. Even when you don’t win every cell in your body is dilated. I think racing is a substitute for a chemical addiction. Some people do drugs; I go racing.
But I want to go faster! I drove a modified in practice once, and it scared the (expletive deleted) out of me. I see that as the next natural progression. For now I’m happy in the Factory Stock Division. It’s affordable, there are lots of good cars, and great drivers. People like my dad, Larry Price, and Bob Taylor really make it challenging. Surprisingly, this division is not dominated by young drivers. The ones who dominate tend to be experienced and make the fewest mistakes.” This may be true today, but there is a youth movement taking place at Manzanita Speedway, and Reeve Staley is a big part of it. Keep your eyes on number 48.
Reeve Staley is what the modern woman calls a “hunk.” The 25 year old race car driver packs 260 pounds of solid muscle on a 6’3” frame. He is a product of good genes, natural athletic ability, and a lot of hours in the weight room. He looks like he could bench press his race car. Spend some time with him and it becomes obvious that the Arizona State University senior is intellectually gifted and a deep thinker with serious life goals. Some of the regulars at Manzanita Speedway might think that these are unusual traits for a Top 10 Factory Stock Division driver.
Reeve, the son of Kent and Beverley Staley, was born in 1978, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The family moved to Mesa, Arizona in 1983 because Kent’s job with Mountain Bell transferred to Arizona. The family moved to Glendale in 1993. Reeve excelled in every endeavor he engaged in, beginning with Shotokan Karate at age five. Today Reeve holds the Brown Belt with two stripes. His father, Kent, said, “Bev and I wanted to keep our kids occupied and disciplined. We have never forced them to participate, but sports seemed to be a builder of discipline, so we encouraged it.”
Staley states that “I was drawn to sports because of the competition, and I have always been good at all sports. I just play, I’m not a fan.” By the end of his freshman year in high school varsity coaches were after him, sending him to various sports camps to improve his techniques; the athleticism was already obvious. By the time Staley graduated from Ironwood High School in 1997, he had become one of Arizona’s outstanding football players, achieving All-Region, All-State, and All-Arizona honors at defensive tackle. Staley helped guide his team to the state finals in both his junior and senior years. Even though his team lost in both big games, the last one in overtime, Reeve said, “I was elated to be there and sad that it was my last game. It was very emotional.”
Football took Staley to Phoenix College where he graduated in 2000 with an Associates Degree. He then transferred to Northern Arizona University to play football and pursue a communications degree. Reeve dropped out after a year to pursue a job. He had invested in a relationship that didn’t work and lost his focus for a time. Reeve admitted that “most of my bad decisions have revolved around a girl.”
This interlude did help Reeve find out what he wanted to do with his life. He spent some time with the financial giant, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter; earned a personal trainer certificate; and got certified as an emergency medical technician. The time spent with the fire department as an EMT was an awakening, and Reeve plans to pursue a firefighter career. “Firefighting is complimentary to my nature; I have always been drawn to teams and adrenaline induced situations. Being a firefighter is my alternative to putting on a tie everyday; I don’t like that.”
Probed further about female relationships, Staley said, “I’m going to humble down here. I don’t have a specific type, but I think a woman has to be charming and capable of having a good conversation with me. I want a partner with patience; I can be difficult.” This admission will come as no surprise to Reeve’s race car competitors. It appears, however, that Staley has met his dream girl. Joanna Ulloa, a 25 year old transplanted Californian, is a graduate of Arizona State University with degrees in psychology and criminal justice. To top it off she has a master’s degree in education and serves the community as a school teacher. According to Reeve, “She might just be a little smarter than I am.”
After dropping out of Northern Arizona University, the football door closed but the urge for competition was still there. Reeve’s father, Kent Staley, opened the door to stock car racing. Reeve admits that as an athlete he didn’t see the major adjustment from football to racing. “I didn’t know how to drive. I didn’t know that the fastest way around the track isn’t always having the pedal to the floor. But I really wanted to win; I was overly aggressive and tore up lots of equipment.” At this point, Kent, who was listening in, said, “Oh, Yeah!”
Reeve has grown up around the race track as both his parents have been involved in racing for many years. But because of Reeve’s commitment to football and other team sports, his first real experience in stock car racing was in 2002. He and his father built a 1976 Chevrolet Camaro to race in the Factory Stock Division. Staley feels that although his family has always been close and supportive of each other, racing has created an even closer bond with his father.
Staley’s approach to racing is based on his football experience. “In football you scout the opposition; I try to do the same in racing. I want to be aware of the cars around me, and I try to evaluate them. I feel secure in my car, I’m not afraid of getting hurt. But as a competitor, I am a different person. Most of the race is a blur; it’s all reaction.”
Reeve has had considerable success in his racing career, finishing 15th in the standings in 2002; 5th in 2003; and 10th in 2004. “I realize that I have to be patient and consistent to become a champion. Also, I need to take better care of my equipment; I have had an unbelievable number of breakdowns this season. After the first 16 races I had only finished five main events.
“The most exciting part of racing is not necessarily on the track,” said Staley, “It’s about how you feel when the race is over. Even when you don’t win every cell in your body is dilated. I think racing is a substitute for a chemical addiction. Some people do drugs; I go racing.
But I want to go faster! I drove a modified in practice once, and it scared the (expletive deleted) out of me. I see that as the next natural progression. For now I’m happy in the Factory Stock Division. It’s affordable, there are lots of good cars, and great drivers. People like my dad, Larry Price, and Bob Taylor really make it challenging. Surprisingly, this division is not dominated by young drivers. The ones who dominate tend to be experienced and make the fewest mistakes.” This may be true today, but there is a youth movement taking place at Manzanita Speedway, and Reeve Staley is a big part of it. Keep your eyes on number 48.