Noted Photographer, Editor, and Ford Enthusiast Jason Reiss Passes After a Courageous Battle With Cancer
It’s fair to say that a lot of us get into cars and racing them because of the excitement, the cool factor, or for some, the pure acceleration and the competition on the track. What can come with the hobby, unexpected to some, is some of the best friends you can make, a second family for many, and some amazing memories.
The racing world is one that I followed my father into, and like many, I consider myself lucky to have met some great people. Unfortunately, racing can be a risky sport, and that means some people leave us before we expect them to, and on Thursday, January 22nd, 2026, the racing community at large mourned the loss of Jason Reiss.
As both an enthusiast from the participant level, and the employee level, Jason Reiss left his mark in several places through the car and racing industries over nearly a quarter-century. Getting his start over two decades ago, many became familiar with Reiss’ work through the NMRA (National Mustang Racers Association) and the NMCA (National Muscle Car Association).
Both series covered their events online and in print, and Jason covered not just the racing action, but hundreds of features and technical articles. That led him to expanding out into photography and media for other outlets and events, including coverage of the rise of drag radial racing, Front Street / Turn 14 Distribution, and the PDRA (Professional Drag Racers Association).
Jason would create his own business, Jason Reiss Photography, in 2021, and continued to cover a wide variety of automotive events. It would be in November that year that Jason discovered that he had colorectal cancer at the age of 47.
“We never – ever – thought that we would be in this position,” Jason said, conveying the emotions of himself and his wife Rebecca. “We have no idea what’s to come. It’s our new reality.”
What came was Jason’s full-on fight of the cancer, while the automotive and racing community would continue to see him out and about. At nearly every doctor visit, Jason would remind the world that he was still fighting, ‘F’ cancer, and to get yourself checked.
After four years of fighting, Jason stopped treatment in early January 2026, and took his final breath on January 22nd, 2026. “I'm so proud of how he tackled this brutal cancer diagnosis head on with positivity and courage,” said his wife, Rebecca. “He surpassed all the doctors' expectations. I wish I could keep him for another thirty years, but I'm thankful for the thirteen that I got with him.”
Per Jason's wishes, there will be no funeral or services. A celebration of life will take place at a future date. In lieu of flowers, Jason's family asked that interested parties donate in his name to one of his favorite causes - Forgotten Cats (www.forgottencats.org), or Man Up To Cancer (www.manuptocancer.org).
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Rebecca Reiss and Jeremy ‘Taco’ Patterson.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com