RPW Column: Beau Reeves Has Sights Set Squarely On A Solid Season At Airborne Speedway In ’23

Column By: BILLY HODGES / RPW – PLATTSBURGH, NY – From the age of eight, Beau Reeves has had a need for speed.

That’s when he got behind the wheel for the first time.

“I started at eight with karts at Airborne Speedway,” Reeves said.  “Then, I stop racing for a few years only to pick it back up.  I was gonna race in 2020 but due to COVIC decided not to.”

He then started again in 2021 racing at both Albany-Saratoga and Devil’s Bowl Speedways.

Last season, he ventured back to the Airborne, competing in the Sportsman division.  Was it the type of year he wanted?

“Honestly, it really didn’t go as planned,” he said.  “Yes, we finished fourth in points and won Rookie of the Year, but we didn’t start things off the way we wanted.”

What happened?

“The first night of the season, we wreck the car on the backstretch,” he said.  “Then, we had a couple smooth weeks but couple small things happened. We built a whole new car and it started on fire in the garage.  We ended up getting that taken care of and actually ran sixth that night.”

This season will see the Plattsburgh, NY driver back at his hometown track.  What are his goals for the new season?

“We’re going there to get a championship,” he said.  “That would really mean a lot to me, my family and my crew.”

He does, however, have some other goals in mind.

“I want to try to get in less wrecks and not flip another car,” he said.  “That gets pretty expensive anytime you get into wrecks, but overall, I want to be consistent, keep building my fan base, building connections with people and making sponsors happy.”

Does that mean it is championship or bust for the 00 team?

“No, I don’t see it that way,” he said.  “I can always improve everything I do during the season. The championship would just add icing on the cake but we’d definitely like to add more trophies on the wall at the shop.”

Reeves was quick to thank those sponsors who help him get to the track each week.

“I can’t thank my sponsors enough,” he said.  “Thanks to Wes’ Heated & Plumbing, Bailey Ford, Polished From Head to Toe Salon, Woods Backhoe & Dozer, Adirondack Renovations and the Schuyler Falls Mini Mart.  We couldn’t do it without them.”

Outside of its vicinity, what makes Airborne a favorite?

“I love the fans and all the support they give our team,” he said.  “Everybody knows me and our team there because it’s our home track.  If I’m in the stands, they want pictures or wish me good luck.  Some of the people don’t me know personally but I just love interactions with brand new people.  It’s so cool how much they believe in us.”

Another big supporter of Reeves’ racing efforts are his parents, but especially his Dad.

“It’d be hard to put into words everything my mom and dad mean to me,” he said.  “Dad’s my world and helps me keep this dream alive.  We’ve always talked about this for year, a race team of our own.”

Reeves remembers those early days, watching his dad behind the wheel.

“When my father was racing himself, I always went to the track with him and learned from him,” he said.  “He’s truly my best friend and it is amazing everything he does for me.  I truly could never repay him.”

It’s that drive between the two which keeps the fire burning within the 17-year-old throttlejockey.

“Dad wants to see me do good ever week,” he said.  “I learn so much from him.  He tells me what I’m doing wrong on the track, sometimes coming down a little hard.  However, he’s usually right and I know he loves me.  He just wants to see me succeed.”

Last year, fans were able to see the 00 at tracks away from Plattsburgh, NY on occasion, including the Oswego Speedway for Super DIRT Week.  Do they have any big shows on their schedule for ’23?

“We’re planning to go back at Oswego this year,” he said.  “We loved it there.  It all depends on how the season goes.  We’re a small team.”

There’s another show he’d love to check off the bucket list, too.

“We’d love to go to Charlotte for the World Short Track Championship,” he said.  “That’d be a big one for me but it’s all about money.  Things are tight and we only have one car at the moment.  We’ll see.”