r/NASCAR • u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis • Sep 23 '15
AMA AMA - Ryan Ellis - Xfinity/Truck Series Driver
Hey guys! Got a free hour or so - ask me anything! Will be around from around 1:30 EST until 2:30/3:00PM EST.
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Sep 23 '15
Welcome! How do you feel about cup guys like Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, etc racing in the lower series?
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
It's tough. I would like to see the Xfinity Series and Truck Series thriving by building personalities within it's own series. I personally do think we could build those personalities better if they are winning races EVERY week and not occasionally pulling off a spoiler against the Cup guys. It's tough racing for smaller teams because most of the big teams with the best equipment also hire Cup guys. Big $ + great drivers = hard to beat!
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u/mm294 Sep 23 '15
Why did you make the switch from sports cars to NASCAR? Would you ever consider going back?
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
Good question! Yes I would go back someday. Had a lot of fun there. I moved over b/c the road racing world is a very different business model.
You're reliant on either a manufacturer backing you (which is very hard without the right last name or networking), or having a "gentlemen" co-driver who pays 120% of a race teams budget.
That gentlemen co-driver usually runs the first 20% or so of the race, and will pay you to coach him. Most of them are usually in their early 50's plus or minus 15 years. It's hard to convince a successful business guy to hire an up and coming teenager or guy in his early 20's to coach them. I just struggled to find people to hire a young kid in myself...mainly b/c of my age. I don't think I was aggressive enough outside of the car to earn those rides at that point in my career either.
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Sep 23 '15
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
It honestly depends. You like whatever equipment you can do good in better. I've driven some pretty good stuff - gotten the chance to qualify for JD in Xfinity and ended up 20th and 14th/15th in that...JGL gave me a top 25 ride last year at Richmond and if I get to race for Obaika next week that'll be another good ride. In trucks, I've gotten to drive for Win-Tron, granted that wasn't a full race, but it was a good truck on old tires. I just want a shot in a decent car. Xfinity cars are a little bit tougher to drive, and they have a bigger spotlight - so I wouldn't mind doing that more often. Trucks are affected by the air more.
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u/GarageguyEve Sep 23 '15
You're on survivor with all the CWTS regulars. Who gets voted off first and why?
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
Hmmm...JWT?
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u/GarageguyEve Sep 23 '15
Oh boy...
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
I think just because he's affected a lot of guy's races. LOL I don't know, we're all close. I don't have a problem with any of the guys.
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u/Juge88 Sep 23 '15
How do you think Oshie is going to fit in?
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
My favorite question! Perfectly! I think once he starts realizing he will create more space for Ovi by flexing the talent of his own, he will shine on that line. He'll have more space to work with than ever since everyone will be covering Ovi. In the preseason game he admittedly was too worried about getting the puck to Ovechkin.
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u/Juge88 Sep 23 '15
With the Phil in Pittsburgh and oshie in DC this year is going to be a rough one for the flyers but our D prospects and Konecny I think we're gunna be pretty good pretty soon. I do love Ovie though.
Fuck Tom Wilson
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
As a Flyers fan, I think you have the right to hate Wilson. He's given you guys (and the Isles) some rough questionable hits. But it's going to be a tough Metro division for sure!
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u/Juge88 Sep 23 '15
Yep! Have a good one bud, and I hope we meet in the playoffs!
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
That'd be awesome! An old Patrick division rivalry...count me in!
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u/CokeTastesGood39 Sep 23 '15
LGRW (and Stars)
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
My girlfriend is a huge Red Wings fan so I'm somewhat a fan as well. Stars are gonna be pretty good with Sharp this year!
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u/CokeTastesGood39 Sep 23 '15
Stars are gonna be pretty good with Sharp this year!
Could you say... Better than the Isles?
Paging /u/usaftoast2013 for the big reveal
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
Oof - Isles are pretty darn good. If we played that series b/w the Isles and Caps again 10 times it would be split right down the middle. I think both teams are VERY reliant on solid goaltending. Whichever team's goalie plays better will come out on top.
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u/usaftoast2013 Sep 23 '15
/u/CokeTastesGood39 don't you dare talk down about my Islanders. Go back to cheering for your "Oh wait, they still have a team" Stars!
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u/CokeTastesGood39 Sep 23 '15
The New York "The other good team in the 1980's" Islanders
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u/johnnyracer24 Sep 23 '15
Welcome back Ryan.
What is your favorite track to walk into?
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
I think Daytona gives you chills. Growing up, you look at that track as the epitome of stock car racing. Going through the tunnel and seeing all the history of that place...it's crazy. Plus you're pent up from a whole offseason of nothing!
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u/nascargo19 Sep 23 '15
Have you been to Indy yet? What are your thoughts on that place?
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
Oh - damn - you might have just corrected me on my own answer. Indy might actually affect me more than any other track. The one place I've been so close to winning at that I can never finish the deal at. That place is awesome.
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u/greg_jenningz Sep 23 '15
What's your favorite pre race ritual?
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
Eating! LOL. I really enjoy grabbing a snack, getting away, and then heading to pre-race ceremonies. Usually, if it's a full race effort, we have sponsors to entertain and take pictures with, etc...it can all move pretty quickly once we leave the hauler for intros. The race is there before you know it.
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u/g0ing2f4st Logano Sep 23 '15
Hello Ryan! What race track do you enjoy racing on the most and what race track do you think produces the best racing?
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
I really like any of the short tracks. Bristol is my favorite to drive so far...at least of the ovals. I honestly think there's a big difference b/w a good race track and a fun track to drive. Lately the racing at Bristol has left a little to be desired...but it's still so much fun to drive. Overall, I love Mid Ohio the most...and I think Darlington created some pretty great racing!
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u/GarageguyEve Sep 23 '15
What was it like coming down pit lane in a swarm for the first time? Did you practice on any type of simulator or just go for it?
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
Pit lane is still pretty overwhelming lol. It's crazy managing traffic...guys going in and out, merging lanes...you really can't see the pit box until it's pretty late. Also - my spotter changes quite a bit and some of them count you in very differently. As far as simulation for the actual races, depends. If it's a new track - I do some iRacing, otherwise, if I've been there before - I just go for it!
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u/hollywoodtlb Earnhardt Jr. Sep 23 '15
Can you explain the sensation of ripping through the turns at a 1.5 mile track and what it feels like to be on the edge of control?
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
LOL - it's pretty awesome. The mile and a halfs actually feel pretty slow because you have a lot of time to think about them. The cars are very reliant on side force and have a very stiff tire. You can't feel the car's "edge" until it's too late in these cars - that's why you see so many champions lose it. Can't really "yaw" them out.
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u/hollywoodtlb Earnhardt Jr. Sep 23 '15
I camp out in Loudon every July and if you happen to be racing there, I would like to buy you a beer. Unless you don't drink, then I would like to buy you a soda or water. Feel free to remind me next year that I made this promise.
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
I'll be in Kentucky unfortunately - otherwise I would be down for a drink.
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u/ZPod4 Hemric Sep 23 '15
Who has been your favorite team to work with thus far in your career?
If given the opportunity would you rather be in a mediocre Cup team full time or a top 10 Xfinity or Truck team part time who has the opportunity to win at this point in your career?
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
LOL it's hard to say! I mean I've had a lot of good opportunities. I really like working with Rick Ware Racing and MAKE. They're both family teams and try to make the most out of a small budget. Plus - at MAKE, I have a lot to learn from a great guy and teammate in Travis Kvapil.
I just want to compete for wins...I'm only 25. I believe if given top-10 Xfinity/Truck stuff I could compete for top 5's and wins. It's hard to find the money to get those opportunities and once you're proven as a winner, it's kind of limitless.
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u/Stone4D Jeff Gordon Sep 23 '15
What's your favorite memory as a racecar driver?
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
Winning at VIR in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Series! First pro win...
Either that or winning at Daytona in the Grand-Am Series. It was my rookie race and we won the pole, led nearly every lap, and won. Doesn't get much cooler than that!
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Sep 23 '15
If you could jump in any Sprint cup ride for the rest of this season, whose would you choose and why?
Ignore the fact that there is Chase fir a championship going on.
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
Hm...that's a good question. I think you'd have to choose a Gibbs ride. They're all solid and have been on fire lately.
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Sep 23 '15
What are your thoughts on the chase?
Also favorite food?
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
I like it. It's what NASCAR needed to make things more exciting. They're competing against an audience that needs to have a product that is constantly evolving and is always exciting.
Favorite food? Chipotle!!! Every day.
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Sep 23 '15
If you could change one thing regarding safety in NASCAR what would it be?
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
I would add a traveling consistent safety team. I think a lot of guys would like that.
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Sep 23 '15
Such a good answer. I think that'd be best for everyone.
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
Thanks! I just think everyone would be more comfortable knowing one another and seeing each other every week. IndyCar did it and it's saved lives. Not that I think our safety team does a bad job - they're great!
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u/dubya86 Sep 23 '15
Hi!.... For lack of a better question, i'll just shoot this one your way 😂. Are the trucks and NXS cars similar in terms of driveability/ handling at all?
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
I get asked this quite a bit!
NXS cars are usually a bit more twitchy, and can "lose the nose" pretty bad in traffic. But a lot of mile and a halfs in Xfinity are not "flat out" so I like having to work the pedals to make the car rotate.
Trucks are so stable. At mile and a halfs - many of the times we are flat out for 20-30 laps or more. I hate that...it's kind of just pointing the truck - not driving. The trucks are very reliant on "side force" and they need the air on the right side. When someone is along side you it affects the trucks a lot more than the Xfinity cars. They're both fun to drive though!
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Sep 23 '15
Working with Travis Kvapil, how much can you say that he's honestly helped you become a more aware or, for lack of better words, aware driver out there on the track? If so, can you already find times where his "coaching" or help, have lead you to be make better choices on track?
Oh, and I voted for you to run the 97. Hope you get the chance!
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
I think he's helped me just know how to best approach certain opportunities that I've had. It's hard to balance long term commitments with one off stuff here and there. He's been everywhere - Champion in Trucks, ran a lot of Xfinity and Cup stuff and has relationships all over the garage area. If something goes wrong with his truck, or it isn't handling the way he wants it to, he is the first guy on our team to get his hands in there and start working on it. You won't find many people that passionate about racing. He's just a great person overall and I have a lot to learn from him.
Thank you so much for the vote! That would be a huge opportunity.
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u/Gilliland38 Gilliland Sep 23 '15
Hey Ryan, what's your favorite or most unique paint scheme you have run in your opinion?
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
Hmmm- I qualified that Bon Bon Booms Lollipops car last year - that was very different! But it's always cool to race the Kappa Sigma Fraternity scheme - and the first scheme we ran two years ago at Richmond was awesome.
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u/ZappaOMatic Sep 23 '15
Stealing Using the same question I asked the Chase drivers awhile back:
Let's say NASCAR decides to host a 24-hour endurance race. Which track would you want it to be held at, and who would you want to share the ride with you?
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
Hmmm... Bristol.
That way we all hate each other two hours in and it's just a race of survival. Heck, Bowman Gray...let's just go big lol. I'll take my usual crew- DiBenedetto, Berryhill, and Alex Bowman. That way, if we end up in a fight, we at least like each other enough to work together in that.
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u/hollywoodtlb Earnhardt Jr. Sep 23 '15
Do you have any hidden talents?
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
Hockey! I played "professional" inline hockey - for whatever that is worth lol. I also played college ice hockey and still play hockey a couple of times a week every week. Playing again at 7pm tonight!
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u/beezwacks Six-Time Sep 23 '15
Is that something you'd have to give up if you got a full-time ride, do you think? I know Rick Hendrick made Jimmie give up off-road motorcycle riding at some point, and look at Denny...not that it seems to be harming him any. (dangit)
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
Absolutely! Heck if I got a big time ride I would quit that in a heartbeat...at least competitively.
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u/beezwacks Six-Time Sep 23 '15
I guess that's like the "12 questions with..." when Jeff asks the drive "Would you give up your favorite hobby forever for a championship?" and they all say yes.
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u/nascargo19 Sep 23 '15
I like the ones that can't even think of what hobby they'd be giving up.
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u/beezwacks Six-Time Sep 23 '15
"Don't care, would give it up."
Jeff should ask: "Would you give up sex forever if you could win a championship?"
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u/hollywoodtlb Earnhardt Jr. Sep 23 '15
That's not very hidden considering it's on your Wikipedia Page haha but thanks for responding!
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
LOL - uhmm...hidden talents? Nope - pretty untalented other than that lol
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u/BumpNRun18 Kyle Busch Sep 23 '15
Thanks for stopping by and answering questions from us knuckleheads.
What's the most difficult transition going from a Truck to an Xfinity car?
If you had a playlist for a Green-White-Checkered that came through your headset when the green flag waves, what song(s) do you pick to get you into that zone.
Would you rather fight 100 duck sized Ron Horniday's or one Ron Horniday sized duck?
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
I think just remembering how the air affects the two different types of cars. They're very different. Hmmm...the final countdown? lol something to make you realize that the first corner is pretty much going to decide the race. And fighting 100 duck sized anyones sounds pretty fun.
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u/NukaColaV101 Sep 23 '15
Ryan, I gotta ask; do you like Fallout?
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
Never played it - heard I should though. Play NHL 16 all the time though!
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u/_Miz_ Legacy Motor Club Sep 23 '15
You seem to have a pretty close relationship with BK Racing. Any chance you could join your friend DiBurrito as a teammate?
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u/Ryan_Ellis Ryan Ellis Sep 23 '15
I grew up not too far from the team owner Ron Devine. We have a close relationship and is a great guy. He has helped me out a lot :D so hopefully one day.
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u/GarageguyEve Sep 23 '15
It would totally make my day if you could hold up a sign that said "Hi Jay!"
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u/GarageguyEve Sep 23 '15
You're in second place on the last lap of the Daytona 500. You could win the race, but you have to dump Jr. to do it. What do?