Ryan Ellis thought that his 2014 NASCAR season was safe and secure entering Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway in February.
The Sports Car driver turned NASCAR stock car hopeful left his impressive and respectable career of turning left and rights, to implode an opportunity to fulfill a dream of competing at NASCAR’s top-level.
Ellis packed his bags from his home nest of Ashburn, Virginia for Race City USA, otherwise known as Mooresville, North Carolina. With an agreement with the now defunct SR2 Motorsports, the 24-year old felt like he was on cloud nine.
Then came a slew of unanswered phones calls, and rumors of a potential shutdown. Ellis through the uncertainly, rsemained optimistic and positive, but quickly was faced with reality.
The doors did eventually shut at SR2 Motorsports in the early portion of the season leaving Ellis without any income, a newly signed leased agreement and bills to pay.
The easiest thing to do would be for Ellis to break his promises and trek back to Virginia and try and reset his road racing career. Though Ellis was defiant– that wasn’t an option.
“I understand things happen, but I made promises to other people because I was told things,” said Ellis. “You never want to believe in things that you hear, but usually they turn out to be right (in this sport). I was upset that the doors were closed and the easiest thing to do was just give up.
“But, I’m a racer. Not a quitter.”
Despite the clouded future, Ellis maintained a presence in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series garages respectively.
Though not behind the wheel, Ellis found other forms of income in the industry, from spotting to odds and ends gigs in the garage.
It was his persistence to show that he wanted to be a permanent fixture in the garage that offered him a chance to become a teammate, with close friend Matt DiBenedetto.
When NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racer Josh Wise decided to focus on his Cup career, DiBenedetto was promoted to the No. 40 Chevrolet for The Motorsports Group (TMG), with his prior seat unmanned.
Quickly, that seat would have a body and it was Ellis’.
One condition.
He couldn’t race.
The No. 46 car fielded by TMG is their start-and-park car. An opportunity to bring extra income to them throughout the season.
The other downside? The car didn’t go to every race.
Still, it was a chance for Ellis to acquire seat time, learn (more) about the cars and make connections.
“No one wants to say you’re a start and park driver,” Ellis said. “I’m not particularly proud of that, but this is a sport that’s funneled by money. If you don’t have the means to bring that to the table – your options are limited. TMG has given me an opportunity and I’m making the best of it.”
The hard work paid off and sponsorship dollars came for Ellis the week of the fall Richmond (Va.) International Raceway to compete in his first full Nationwide event since Las Vegas in March with SR2.
Ellis attracted enough sponsorship dollars from his college fraternity, Kappa Signma to drive the No. 93 Dodge Charger for JGL Racing. The Virginian started 29th, but methodically kept up with the track conditions and found himself eclipsing his previous best at Richmond, a 31st last year with SR2 Motorsports.
“It was really exciting to drive the No. 93 Kappa Signma Dodge Charger for JGL Racing and the Military Heroes Campaign at Richmond,” sounded Ellis in September. “The car was great all night, but we were a little too lose that last run and it cost us a few spots. Regardless, I am really excited to get my best finish ever and feel like I have learned a lot, especially considering this is only my third full-race in Nationwide. I’m really thankful for the opportunity JGL Racing gave me.”
But then reality sank back in, when more dollars couldn’t be established — forcing Ellis to return to TMG.
Though Ellis continues to show appreciation for his tenure with TMG, it’s nearing the checkered flag. Forever.
Recently, TMG announced its intentions to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series level in 2015 with an announced driver. Subsequently, the team is selling off its Nationwide assets – leaving Ellis on the sidelines again.
“I understand the business side of it,” he explained. “I get it. When you think you have nested a nice home, things change. I guess it’s just a part of the business.”
Knowing now what the future holds, Ellis refuses to be caught a lap down and is already working ahead to his future in what will become the NASCAR XFINITY Series.
“I’ve had some really lengthy discussions with a couple of teams and I feel that they are progressing nicely,” he said. “Nothing is for sure and over the next couple of weeks, decisions will have to be made on both sides, but I’m feeling a lot better about next year than I was a couple weeks ago.”
“Right now, those connections I’ve made are paying off and hopefully it means a full-time job racing. Week in and week out.”
Through the struggles, 2014 hasn’t been all for not for the diversified driver.
Early in the year, Ellis was tapped as the driver of the No 28 FDNY Chevrolet Silverado for Jim Rosenblum’s team. It’s not a secret that the team is underfunded, but Ellis doesn’t bring a cent to drive and the team loves to race.
“I can’t say enough about Jim and his bunch,” Ellis mentioned. “They are good people who took a chance on me and believe in me. We were competitive at Daytona and had an opportunity for a top-10 before being shuffled late.
“We were decent at Charlotte and got taken out by another driver, but bounced back at Pocono in August with a top-20 finish. That’s a big plus for us. We’re working through our schedule for 2015, but I’ll back with them and I’m excited about that.”
“As for the Nationwide (XFINITY) stuff, if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. It looks better than ever right now. I love the people around me, so this (NASCAR) is where I want to be.”
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
