DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.— Ryan Ellis earned his career-best NASCAR XFINITY Series finish Friday night at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway driving the No. 15 ScienceLogic Chevrolet Camaro, but his finish came at a cost.
A 15th place result was a great boost for the part-time NASCAR driver, but instead of celebrating with his friends, family and sponsor, Ellis found himself in the infield care center post-race for an hour.
When a multi-car incident broke out on the final lap of Friday night’s Subway Firecracker 250, the field raced on, as a junkyard of race cars scattered behind. Seeing the subsequent hits and collisions, NASCAR quickly displayed the yellow flag ending the race.
Though noted as being involved in the pile-up, Ellis’ damage was minor and he was able to coast back to checkered flag, but his radio transmission was an instant cause for concern.
“I told the team I need water and had to pit (immediately),” Ellis told CATCHFENCE.com in an exclusive interview.
Not knowing his actual condition and as precaution, the team requested medical assistance through their radio to NASCAR.
Standard with every lug nut check, each XFINITY car came to pit road, but in need of serious attention, Ellis stopped his vehicle, unbuckled his belts, climbed from the car and laid down.
“I was probably feeling the worst I’ve ever felt in a race car,” said Ellis. “I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity that Rick Ware and ScienceLogic gave me, but there was a point near the end of the race that I wasn’t all together, but knew I had to do what it took to get to the checkered flag.
“I definitely was numb for about the last 30 laps in my hands and feet and felt pretty dizzy, but wanted to finish because we had such a good run going and I figured it would be a career-best (XFINITY) finish (for me) and a great finish for ScienceLogic.
“I was really dehydrated, but it was also so hot in the cockpit that my veins hurt and I was breathing in really hot air from the exhaust, so I kept sticking my hand out for fresh air, hoping for at least some relief.
Ellis was treated for dehydration and carbon monoxide poisoning, where his levels surged outside the comfort zone, but after being attended to by track medical personnel, Ellis’s levels returned to normal and he was later released.
“I got cold towels and a water bottle around Lap 95 or so when the next to last yellow came out, but at that point I was out of it I couldn’t really focus much,” he added. “I couldn’t move my fingers very much and I couldn’t stand up, which is why I left on a stretcher.”
“My hands and feet were numb and I was really dizzy so I just kept laying down (after the race). And I was really, really hot.”
Looking back, the 26-year-old knew exactly when his night and health began to take a dramatic turn.
“My drink bottle holder turned upside down and spilled around Lap 30, and when the right rear tire blew (Lap 67), we lost the crush panels and the exhaust (fumes) got sucked into the cockpit. I never run the air conditioning, but I realize that was a mistake now.”
When asked if he had an air conditioner unit in his car, Ellis was honest.
“Yes, but we didn’t hook it up, because I usually don’t need to.”
Looking back, the Ashburn, Virginia native wishes he did.
“When you rewind back to before the race, I really should have had the air conditioning unit ready to use. Most the cars I race, don’t have it, so I didn’t want to be dependent on it. I underestimated the possible situations that could make it difficult. Next time, I won’t take it for granted. If it’s available, I’ll use it.”
Despite how bad he was feeling, Ellis refused to quit or really inform his team the severity of his condition until after the race.
“I just didn’t want to let the team or ScienceLogic down,” he said. “That was my only worry. I’ve played hockey enough to know to know I can fight through injury and other stuff. I just knew that this race was a huge opportunity and I wanted to give them the best finish, but I was certainly counting down the laps and the minutes.
“In the end, I was eventually fine and we had a great night for ScienceLogic and Rick Ware Racing, but is was certainly a learning experience on multiple levels and I’m extremely grateful for everyone who reached out to me. It was overwhelming and I’ll never forget it.”
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
