Reba McEntire’s Son Shelby Blackstock: From College to Racing Career and Executive Success
Reba McEntire’s son, Shelby Blackstock, may have inherited his mom’s fiery red hair, but when it comes to their careers, they couldn’t be more different. While Reba has taken the spotlight as a country legend and actress, Shelby has carved out his own path as an executive and former race car driver.
At 35, Shelby is the principal and co-founder of B&R Developments, a construction company based in Texas. But racing is still a big part of his life. He discovered his passion for racing during his college years at The University of Arizona in 2010, and soon decided to dedicate himself entirely to it. Shelby competed in the Mazda Road to Indy series from 2012-2017, racking up podium finishes and even a win along the way.
Shelby Blackstock, Dan Wheldon, Scott Borchetta and Reba McEntire arrive for the Brickyard 400 Qualifying presented by BigMachineRecords.com on July 30, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo: Rick Diamond/WireImage
What does Reba think of her son’s career? To say she’s proud is an understatement. “This thing with Shelby and his racing came out of nowhere,” she recalled. “Ever since he was a little boy, we’d be driving somewhere and he’d say, ‘Mom, you know what kind of car that is?’ I’d say, ‘Blue?’ He’d say, ‘No! That’s a Mazda!’ He knew everything about cars.”
Reba’s surprise came when Shelby told her he wanted to pursue racing professionally. “He was just so unhappy in college,” she explained. “I said, ‘Shelby, what is it that makes you happy?’ He said, ‘Racing.’ I was shocked. I said, ‘What do you mean racing?’”
In fact, on the last day of school, a family friend connected Shelby with someone in the car industry, and soon he found himself working with a pit crew. The rest, as they say, is history.
As Reba says, the racing world is full of wonderful people, almost like a family. And while she’s thrilled about her son’s passion, she can’t help but feel a little nervous whenever that green flag drops. “When that green flag drops, my stomach goes right to my throat,” she confessed.
