DI Tribute: Remembering Jason Reiss

Jason Reiss, a drag racing journalist with a gift for both writing and photography, passed away January 22 following a lengthy and grueling battle with colorectal cancer. He was 52.

Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #199, the Interview Issue, in March/April 2026.

A Philadelphia native, Jason had a natural ability to connect with people, a trait that contributed to his talent as a journalist. He spent years covering the sport for numerous publications, brands, and series, contributing anything from driver features and in-depth tech pieces to event coverage. As a gearhead, he knew what he was talking about when writing about the technical aspects of the sport.

I admired Jason’s work from afar until he joined the PDRA media team several years ago. He quickly introduced himself at the season opener that year, and over the course of the season, we collaborated on various projects. Along with my fellow colleagues who’d covered the series for some time, I answered any questions he had about the diverse group that operates in the PDRA. He knew many of the names and faces, but he really dug in and made an effort to get to know those he wasn’t as familiar with. He learned the back stories and motivations of the drivers, but also the tuners, team owners, crew members, families, and others who played a role. He’d go interview the guy who just won first round with low E.T. of the event, but he also went over to talk to the team that just lost first round because he noticed them celebrating a new team best on the starting line. He caught the little things that made a big difference.

One of the things that impressed me most about Jason was the way he mentored those around him and offered to share his knowledge. In certain circles of the drag racing media world, there’s a lot of gatekeeping. That wasn’t Jason. Though only 52 when he passed, he was a bit of an elder statesman in the PDRA media group. Without pretention, he offered tips and tricks to the other photographers in the group, most of them 30 or younger. One of those photographers is Darrel Jackson Jr., who was 25 when he started shooting with Jason.

“Jason is one of my mentors that was simply in a league of his own. While some made me feel like the annoying, inexperienced kid, Jason treated me like I belonged,” Jackson said. “If you knew Jason, you knew he didn’t sugarcoat anything. When I showed him an image seeking his input, he would cut straight to the point. While this might be off-putting to most, I sought that out the most. I wanted someone who wouldn’t be a yes man or tell me what I wanted to hear. I always strive for perfection in my images, and in that regard, it wasn’t hard to overlook simple things. Jason, on the other hand, didn’t miss those details. His feedback helped me make significant strides in my photography.”

Jason was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in November 2021. He didn’t let his cancer diagnosis slow him down. He continued his work from home and returned to the PDRA tour at the American Doorslammer Challenge in Norwalk, Ohio, in May 2022. That marked an emotional reunion for Reiss and the tightknit PDRA media team. It remains one of Jackson’s favorite memories with Jason.

“I was pulling up to the track at around mid-morning and I parked my car and started unloading my equipment. I walked up the stairs to the media center and struggled to open the door because of all the equipment I had. Once I finally got it open, I saw Jason standing there,” Jackson said. “It was the first time I had seen Jason since he had been diagnosed with cancer, which made for a long offseason. I didn’t know if I would ever see him alive again, so when I saw him standing in the front of the media center by the windows, I dropped all my stuff, which ultimately startled him.

“But when he saw it was me, he let out a familiar, ‘What’s up, dude!’ I ran over to him and gave him a big hug, which led to tears. I had never been so happy to see Jason with a smile on his face at the races. It was truly a special moment for me. There aren’t enough words to express how much I’ll miss him, but I will carry the things he taught me in all of my images forever.”

Jason continued to travel to PDRA races as much as his health and treatment schedule allowed. When Pro 632 championship contender Jeff Melnick revealed in May 2023 that he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Jason closely followed and reported on Melnick’s season, which resulted in his first of two PDRA world championships.

“We would talk and share stories about our own health and chemo treatments,” Melnick said. “I’ll never forget at the banquet when I announced I was cancer-free and in remission. He gave me the biggest hug and he was so happy for me. I always wished that same outcome for him. He has gone through 1,000x more than I have and he is an absolute dog. A frickin’ warrior to endure what he has.”

Throughout his cancer battle, Jason used his voice and platform to raise awareness and encourage others to get checked. On social media, he provided regular and painstakingly detailed updates on his condition and treatment, shedding light on just how brutal colorectal cancer can be. Sometimes it was a paragraphs-long report accompanied by a selfie from a hospital bed and other times it was just a few words with a photo looking out the back of an ambulance. He made these posts not to garner sympathy, but to persuade his followers to get a colonoscopy so they could catch potential issues as early as possible. Jason’s efforts saved lives.

Outside of racing, Jason was passionate about fostering homeless kittens with his wife, Rebecca, who shared his wishes upon his passing. “Jay would like you to do the following: pet a cat (adopt one if you’re really feeling wild), do a burnout, listen to some metal, and schedule your colonoscopy.”

In lieu of flowers, Jason’s family asks that you donate in his name to one of his favorite causes, Forgotten Cats, or Man Up To Cancer.

This story was originally published on July 14, 2026. Drag Illustrated