By Sarah Handy, Staff Writer
NASCAR driver Ryan Ellis will be back behind the wheel this weekend in the NASCAR Xfinity Series CTECH Manufacturing 180 from Elkhart Lake’s Road America. Ellis will pilot the No. 78 Wes Cook Band Toyota Supra for B.J. McLeod Motorsports.
Saturday afternoon’s event will mark the second race this season that the 29-year old has been back behind the wheel for BJMM.
Ellis piloted the No. 99 West Cook Band Toyota at Iowa Speedway back in June’s CircuitCity.com 250 an event where he qualified 28th on the grid, but due to a miscommunication coming to the green resulting in a penalty, Ellis ultimately finished 23rd.
Had a really good car, had a miscommunication coming to the green and got penalized. Cost us two laps, would’ve been a top-20 run for sure. Fought back and we brought the @wescookband @ENLISTEDNINE @AVSpecialists_ No.99 Toyota home 23rd. Had a lot of fun. pic.twitter.com/sLv1B0RTvq
— Ryan Ellis (@ryanellisracing) June 17, 2019
Ellis raced in this same event for BJMM one year ago, finishing 17th after starting in the 28th position.
“Speaking with B.J. McLeod, I think we have a better car then last year, we have a full pit crew which we haven’t had in the past since we have a little bit more funding”, Ellis told Kickin’ The Tires.
“I love Road America, it’s probably my second favorite road course. I love Mid-Ohio. Road America is really awesome, the track is really fun. It’s still a lot about motor and breaks, so we’ll be a little behind the eight-ball but if it’s dry, we should be a Top-20 car and the wet a Top-10 car. I’m really hoping it rains.”
Ellis is hoping for rain as he feels it’ll produce an even better finish for him, and it’ll certainly turn some heads towards BJMM.
“I think two years ago it rained for two laps and we picked up 15 spots in a lap or two, and I was like okay we could win this thing. We really do have a shot at a Top-5 if it rains, obviously that would be huge”, said Ellis.
Ellis has 78 starts across NASCAR’s three national series but has never raced a full season.
Therefore, when the opportunity comes along, and he can make it work around his Marketing and Public Relations job at Go Fas Racing, he jumps at the opportunity to do so.
“You never know the last time you’re going to drive a race car. Every time I get out now, especially doing this job, I never know if I’m getting back in, so I just soak it all up and take it all in before I get out.”