Reba McEntire’s Son Shelby Enrolls in Racing School
Reba McEntire's 21-year-old son continues to pursue his career as a professional race car driver. Shelby Blackstock, who first raced professionally in the Grand Am Series at Daytona International Speedway back in January, has enrolled in the Ford Racing High Performance School at Miller Motorsports Park, in Tooele, Utah, and will be a licensed racer once he completes the four-day class on Sunday.
"His dad and I are really proud of him," the Queen of Country tells Salt Lake City's ABC affiliate of her son's racing ambitions. "Every time we get together we're like, 'here's our game plan ... this is what we need to do.' We've met so many nice people in this business."
Reba blogged about her son's first race back in January, writing "Shelby was the first driver for his team and drove for one and a half hours. Shelby took the car from 25th place to 1st place at the end of his turn. Very impressive! His team mate drove the car for the final hour and they ended up in 18th place. Being in the pit with the crew, (who I have the utmost respect and admiration for) watching Shelby on the track racing at 170 mph was the biggest rush I've ever had!!"
Shelby, Reba's son with manager and husband of 22 years, Narvel Blackstock, intends to compete against the top guns in NASCAR and IndyCar, but for the time being, is happy to race in front of his family. "You always want to perform when the family is there," he says. "It's been good. We're starting on the poll today."
As for Reba's racing career, the singer, writer, actor and designer is fine with one family member at the wheel, for the time being. "I've gotten in the car twice and I think I'm gonna leave all of that up to Shelby," she notes. "That stage is a lot safer."
Reba is preparing to hit the "safer" stage soon. She'll kick off her 31-city All the Women I Am tour with opening acts the Band Perry, Steel Magnolia and Edens Edge, on September 1 in Ft. McMurray, Alberta, Canada. Check out more upcoming tour dates here.