Tanner Reif
(Photo: Ruby Wallau/ARCA Racing)

Tanner Reif prepares for ARCA road course debut at Portland with help from Boris Said

Press Release June 1, 2022

LAS VEGAS — The adrenaline rush of oval racing is a way of life for many drivers, but the twist and turns of the road course shows the true skills of a driver and team.

The ARCA Menards Series West hits Oregon’s Portland International Raceway this Saturday (4:30 p.m. PT/7:30 p.m. ET on FloRacing). It’s the first of two trips to the 12-turn, 1.944-mile road course for the series this season.

For driver Tanner Reif, though he his making his road course debut on the ARCA platform this weekend, road racing has been a part of his career. Running in the U.S. Legend Cars International and INEX, Reif has run the flat outside road course at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, as well as the Speed Vegas Track, a non-sanctioned track used throughout the pandemic.

Yet, as we know, the full-sized ARCA car is a completely different animal with some mindset and training required. Using different tools like iRacing can only get a driver so far, so when Reif set out for some advice, he received some one-on-one help from road course legend Boris Said.

  • The driver

What have you done to prepare yourself for this event? Testing the car and mindset.

“I’ve been practicing my iRacing and studying the track that I’m going to be racing on. And being out at the track with Boris, it was a fun experience, and I have a lot to learn, but he definitely helped get me ready for the three road race events we have this year. I plan to just to keep the car as far in front as possible and grab as many points as I can over the three road course events.”

  • The team

You and the team have seemed to gel. How has it been working with Jeff Schrader and the Bruncati Racing team?

“The team does a wonderful job at making sure the cars are ready and fast for each event. Jeff does a great job at working with me, the crew and the car. We always gain speed throughout the weekend.”

  • The track

Do you feel your past road course experience gives you confidence in your approach to this course?

“I believe that my past experiences with road courses should definitely help me with our first race at Portland. Working with Boris and iRacing, I have learned a lot. The transmissions are a blast and are very easy to shift. Even with how heavy the ARCA car is, they’re a blast to drive.

“Of course I’d like to thank everyone that helps me; without them I would not have these opportunities. My whole family and friends that supports me on and off the track, my grandparents, my sponsors Vegas Fasteners Manufacturing.