After a long and determined journey in racing, Ryan Ellis secured his first top-10 NASCAR finish in over a decade on Saturday. Driving the no. 71 Zeroes Beverage Chevrolet for DGM Racing, Ellis earned a career-best eighth place at the BetMGM 300 held at Charlotte Motor Speedway, marking a significant breakthrough for the Ashburn, Virginia native.
Ellis, known for his passion beyond racing as an avid beer-league hockey player and devoted Washington Capitals fan, realized a major dream after 13 years of persistent effort in NASCAR. His finish came after 143 career starts, illustrating a testament to his resilience and dedication to the sport.
Strategic Moves and Race Dynamics Lead to Crucial Top-10 Result
Starting deep in the field from 30th place, Ellis managed his race with a smart pit strategy during the final stage, running long before a timely caution helped him gain ground. Though he struggled momentarily on restarts, a late-race crash eliminated several cars ahead of him on the final lap, allowing Ellis to move into the top 10.
His top-10 spot ultimately improved to eighth after competitor Sammy Smith of JR Motorsports was disqualified for a post-race weight infraction. This adjustment solidified Ellis’s breakthrough performance in a highly competitive field.
A Moment of Overwhelming Emotion for Ellis
The achievement carried a deep emotional weight for Ellis, who was visibly moved immediately after the race. Upon removing his helmet, a longtime sponsor, Audio Video Specialists, captured a poignant moment showing Ellis with red, tear-filled eyes expressing disbelief and joy.
Ellis reflected on the journey, saying,
“Well I cried basically from there before I crossed the line, And Tab was yelling at me to cross the line. So I think, I don’t know how many starts I have. I stopped looking, but I know I hated looking at my Racing Reference page. And I care about this crap way more than I wish I did. So just really, really happy to be here and be part of DGM Racing, man. I’ve had really, really good cars. And I felt like I’ve let them down a few times, the same thing at Alpha Prime. But I don’t know. I can’t, I’m not good at speaking generally, but definitely not right now.”
—Ryan Ellis
Broadcasters covering the event on the CW, including Adam Alexander, Jamie McMurray, and Parker Kligerman, applauded Ellis as his finish became official, recognizing the significance of this milestone.
Reflecting on the Long Road to a Top-10 Finish
Ellis admitted that securing a top-10 finish has been a regular part of his dreams during races, explaining the importance of the moment for his family and himself. He shared,
“Honestly, I think about [a top 10] every race, You know, like, ‘Oh, maybe this will be the day we’ll land. Me and the wife will go out and do something.’ But it’s really, really cool. I got my daughter here. My dad’s excited. It feels like a win. I know it shouldn’t. Because I wish it was more.”
—Ryan Ellis
Before this career-best result, Ellis’s previous top finishes were twice 11th place, achieved at high-profile superspeedway events: the United Rentals 300 at Daytona earlier in 2024 and the Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega in 2023.
Celebration and Gratitude Following the Achievement
The relief and joy following the race were clear as Ellis expressed plans to celebrate after a long pursuit of success. He said,
“I feel like I body checked somebody or somebody body checked me, I don’t drink often, but I’m definitely going to drink tonight. Obviously, Drink Zero is the first race of them, and I don’t know. I wish I had better things to say. I just feel like a big weight’s been lifted off.”
—Ryan Ellis
Ellis shared his excitement and gratitude in a heartfelt tweet on X, posting a photo of the scoring pylon showing his top-10 position and thanking sponsors and supporters who stood by him throughout his career. His message read,
I don’t really know what to tweet yet. Man. What a day. I feel like we really EARNED this. It’s been a ride to this point. I never thought I’d get to NASCAR and definitely didn’t think it’d take this long to get a top-10. I’m really happy we got to earn it at a slicked off racetrack, instead of backing into it, or attrition putting us in this spot. I’ll have more intelligent things to say later. But THANK GOD WE HAVE A TOP 10, Oh and I cried before I even got to the start finish line. Because of course.
—Ryan Ellis
Implications for Ellis’s Career and NASCAR Future
Ellis’s breakthrough top-10 finish marks a pivotal moment in his racing career, reflecting years of perseverance and growth. It exemplifies his relentless passion and determination to succeed, even while facing setbacks and long stretches without such results.
This achievement not only highlights Ellis’s potential but also strengthens his position within DGM Racing and the broader NASCAR community as a worthy competitor. Fans, broadcasters, and sponsors alike recognize the significance of this milestone, leaving anticipation high for what Ellis may accomplish next on the NASCAR circuit.