TN native Ryan Gifford to debut in Nationwide Series

#1
YankeeVol

YankeeVol

Bestest Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2010
Messages
140,886
Likes
69,987
#1
Ryan Gifford, a 24-year-old African-American stock car racer, will make his NASCAR national series debut Aug. 3 at Iowa Speedway, his first start in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

The Winchester, Tenn., native will be in the No. 33 Menards/Rheem Chevrolet Camaro of Richard Childress Racing, a car already driven this year by the all-star likes of Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart and Camping World Truck Series title contender Ty Dillon, grandson of team owner Richard Childress.
Click to expand...

Ryan Gifford to make debut in Nationwide Series - ESPN
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#2
#2
Well that's exciting! I actually hadn't heard about him until today.

Glad to see that the diversity program over in NASCAR is giving guys like Wallace, Larson and Gifford a shot at the big times.
 
#3
#3
I hadn't heard of him either. Thought it was interesting. Both a TN native and a minority.
 
#4
#4
Yankee_Vol said:
I hadn't heard of him either. Thought it was interesting. Both a TN native and a minority.
Click to expand...

That's pretty crazy. Bubba Wallace has strong ties to TN too. His mother ran track at UT.

It's sad that I am considering Gifford a late bloomer since he is 24. Luckily, for him NASCAR drivers can compete for 30+ years, as opposed to F1 where even the greatest in the sport will have a career of 20 or so years. Most others, are lucky to get a a quarter of that.

Thanks for sharing that link btw, it will give me someone to pull for in Nationwide along with Bayne.
 
#6
#6
I'm pumped about this. I haven't followed Nascar as much since Mark Martin was still in a ford. There is no doubt I would watch every week AND root for a chevy if Ryan can pull through this break.

I sat by this guy most of grades K-12 and even lived with him (our parents did) as a kid. It's surreal to see his name lead a section on ESPN. He's a genuinely good guy who has devoted his life so far to get this chance.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#7
#7
Mr_Henley said:
I'm pumped about this. I haven't followed Nascar as much since Mark Martin was still in a ford. There is no doubt I would watch every week AND root for a chevy if Ryan can pull through this break.

I sat by this guy most of grades K-12 and even lived with him (our parents did) as a kid. It's surreal to see his name lead a section on ESPN. He's a genuinely good guy who has devoted his life so far to get this chance.
Click to expand...

That's awesome.

I know it may come off as a bit wrong in this day and age, but this level of diversity in motorsports is very exciting. I like racing drivers of all racial backgrounds, but there is something very special about seeing these black drivers doing well and getting a shot on merit and with a bright future. I remember Bill Lester when I was growing up, but he was already in his 30's or so when he was just getting the occasional truck ride.

I am curious to see if these minority racers will increase interest in motorsports among minorities. It can't hurt, can it? I know Tiger really helped golf, so maybe one of these guys and gals can do the same. I mean imagine if Danica was really good, it would be a legitimate sensation.
 
#8
#8
I like to see minority drivers get the chance to race. NASCAR doesn't have much diversity.
 
#9
#9
Yankee_Vol said:
I like to see minority drivers get the chance to race. NASCAR doesn't have much diversity.
Click to expand...

Its been getting better and better. I think one thing that has helped is race teams getting serious about their pit crews. They seem to be going after guys who played football and are athletes and not necessarily folks who grew up with a wrench in their hand. So now you see a lot of folks both black and white who would not have been over the wall in year's past.
 
#10
#10
That's true but I was talking about drivers. Black pit crew members aren't going to get minorities interested
 
#11
#11
Nerd-Vol said:
That's awesome.

I know it may come off as a bit wrong in this day and age, but this level of diversity in motorsports is very exciting. I like racing drivers of all racial backgrounds, but there is something very special about seeing these black drivers doing well and getting a shot on merit and with a bright future. I remember Bill Lester when I was growing up, but he was already in his 30's or so when he was just getting the occasional truck ride.

I am curious to see if these minority racers will increase interest in motorsports among minorities. It can't hurt, can it? I know Tiger really helped golf, so maybe one of these guys and gals can do the same. I mean imagine if Danica was really good, it would be a legitimate sensation.
Click to expand...

Willy T Ribbs came before Lester.
 
#12
#12
doozer said:
Willy T Ribbs came before Lester.
Click to expand...

You are correct. However, I was referring to when I was growing up, I was born in 87 so I never saw Ribbs in Winston Cup. Bill ran his first Truck race in 2000 a season before Ribbs and had more success at it. Sadly I was not watching Indy/CART/etc, when Ribbs was participating.

Apparently Ribbs also got a test with Brabham back in 1986.
 
Last edited:
#16
#16
Just got some good TV and kudos from ESPN. Everyone here back home is tuning in, judging by my texts, twitter, and facebook damn near every TV is watching Ryan. A large amount of those wouldn't be watching otherwise.
 
#18
#18
I used to race karts with him. He wasn't very good, just had a rich family. He finished third at our local tracks point standings and that was with an average of 5 karts per race in his class.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top