Sports Editor
MONTROSE— The way Taylor Reed hits the corners of the race track many might think he was born behind the wheel of his Go Kart.
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"I've always liked NASCAR and racing. It's fun, I have received a lot of trophies," said Reed, who is third in points in the TaG junior level of the Colorado Sprint championship. "I really didn't have high expectations (on the track). I just wanted to learn how to be a better driver."
Reed didn't develop a passion for racing until his aunt gave him tickets to drive a rental kart and soon after he started to drive competitively.
He started his racing career at the Grand Junction Motor Speedway where he finished first in a club race and then he advanced to the Colorado championship where he finished fifth.
"It's nice for me to see him do really good, but it's always nerve racking. It's a lot like NASCAR and you never know when he'll catch a tire and go for a ride," said Jamie Reed, Taylor's father.
While Reed has suffered some wrecks during his racing career, none has been serious. His worst wreck was at Bandimere Speedway where he tried to miss a pileup and was hit by another kart that was in his path. Reed just injured his back from the collision, but safety is a big key for Reed, his father said.
"He tries to keep it safe while he's out there," the older Reed said. "Last year he finished every race. He's really patient and wants to be a top-notch driver."
Reed's success on the track has helped him associate himself with a number of people who are willing to help him in his quest to improve.
"Everybody at Colorado Sprint Championship are like a big family," Jamie Reed said. "They are always willing to help out when Taylor runs into trouble."
One influence in Reed's racing is being in close contact with NASCAR driver Bill Elliott.
Elliott's son Chase races in the MiniMax division during the Colorado Sprint Championship and has shared a tent with Reed.
"It's awesome meeting him (Bill Elliott). He's a really good guy and just very laid back," Reed said. "He's always busy helping his son, so he hasn't offered much advice."
Reed's father said that Elliot's wife, Cindy always cheers on Taylor during his races.
Another person helping Reed improve is multi-time nation kart champion Alan Rudolph. Rudolph wants the young racer to spend a day at Bondurant School.
With a new cart this year, Reed has had an impressive year where he finished first at Grand Junction Motor Speedway, second at the Track at Centennial and first at the Action Karting.
"He doesn't care how he finishes, if he does his best out there he's happy," Jamie Reed said. "He's always looking at ways of improving."
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