Ryan James Ellis Bio
Ryan James Ellis (born November 29, 1989) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, driving the No. 02 Chevrolet Camaro SS for Young’s Motorsports. Over the course of his career, Ellis has also competed in the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, establishing himself as a versatile competitor across NASCAR’s national touring divisions.
A third-generation racecar driver, Ellis is widely recognized for his diverse racing background, which spans open-wheel Quarter Midgets, Legends Cars, road racing, and stock cars. His journey from grassroots short tracks to NASCAR’s national series reflects years of steady development, multiple championships, and a reputation for persistence through sponsorship challenges and team changes.
Early Life and Background
Ryan James Ellis was born on November 29, 1989, in Torrance, California, while he was raised in Virginia. He is the son of Jim Ellis and Jane Ellis of Ashburn, Virginia, and he has a younger sister named Kara. Coming from a family with deep racing roots, Ellis was introduced to motorsports at a very young age, beginning his driving career in Quarter Midgets at just four years old.
During a stellar seven-year run in Quarter Midgets, Ellis became Virginia’s all-time QMA leader and one of the most successful open-wheel racers in the state. He nearly won his first QMA Dirt National Championship race and quickly became a threat in national competition. He graduated from Stone Bridge High School in 2008 and later attended George Mason University before completing his degree through Appalachian State University.
Path to NASCAR
At the age of twelve, Ellis transitioned into INEX Legends Cars, winning Young Lion and Semi-Pro titles in 2002, 2003, and 2004. In 2005, he toured the nation as a member of INEX’s elite Legends Pro division, capturing the 2005 Virginia State Pro Championship and finishing fourth in the National Pro Series. He won dozens of Legends features on short tracks across Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
Ellis briefly entered NASCAR’s Late Model Stock Car ranks in 2006 at Old Dominion Speedway before shifting focus to road racing with the National Auto Sport Association (NASA). He captured multiple road-racing championships, including the 2006 NASA Mid-Atlantic Legends Road Racing Championship, the 2009 Teen Mazda West Coast Championship, and the 2011 NASA SU National Championship. Selected by Volkswagen of America in 2009 for the Jetta TDI Cup, Ellis won the first two races of the 2010 season and finished sixth in points, which opened the door to sports car racing and eventually a full-time move to NASCAR in 2014.
Ryan James Ellis Career
Early Career (1994–2013)
Ellis built his foundation in Quarter Midgets, Legends Cars, and road racing from the mid-1990s through the late 2000s. In 2010, he won the first two races of the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup season, earned two poles, set a track record at Virginia International Raceway, and finished sixth in the championship standings. His performance attracted attention from Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge teams, leading to a 2011 contract with APR Motorsport.
In 2011, Ellis broke the Daytona track record in qualifying by nearly two seconds, won his first Grand-Am race alongside teammate Ian Baas, added a win at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and finished third in overall points. His stellar debut earned him the 2011 Grand-Am ST Rookie of the Year award. He continued in sports cars through 2013, scoring a win at the 2012 Kia 200 with Insight Racing and a pole at Daytona in 2013 with i-MOTO Racing.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (2014–2021)
For 2014, Ellis moved to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, running a partial schedule in the No. 28 fielded by FDNY Racing. He made his Truck Series debut at the 2014 NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona. Over the years that followed, he drove for several teams in both the Truck Series and the Xfinity Series while attempting to secure consistent sponsorship.
Ellis’ best Truck Series finish was 29th, recorded during the 2015 season. His final Truck Series start came at the 2021 In It To Win It 200 at Darlington. Across his Truck Series career, he recorded zero wins, zero top tens, and zero poles, with his 2021 championship position listed as 114th.
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (2012–Present)
Ellis made his Xfinity Series debut in 2012 at the Sargento 200 at Road America. After years of part-time competition across multiple teams, including B. J. McLeod Motorsports, Alpha Prime Racing, and DGM Racing, he transitioned to a full-time ride in 2024 with Alpha Prime Racing in the No. 43. On May 24, 2025, Ellis scored his first career top-ten finish across all three national series at Charlotte, finishing eighth.
Following the 2024 season, Ellis left Alpha Prime Racing and signed with DGM Racing, where he drove the No. 71 for the 2025 campaign. He later moved to Young’s Motorsports, where he currently pilots the No. 02 Chevrolet Camaro SS on a full-time basis. His best O’Reilly Auto Parts Series finish is 23rd, set in 2024, with two career top tens and zero poles.
NASCAR Cup Series (2015–2021)
Ellis made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2015 at the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 at Phoenix, driving the No. 33 for Circle Sport. After qualifying 42nd, he finished 40th in the rain-shortened event, eight laps behind winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. In 2016, he ran multiple races for BK Racing in the No. 93 with sponsorship from ScienceLogic, beginning at Richmond.
His best Cup Series finish was 58th, recorded in 2016, with a 66th-place championship position in 2021. His final Cup Series appearance came at the 2021 Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas, made possible when Rick Ware Racing offered him a ride following a wreck between Ellis and Cody Ware at Mid-Ohio. Across his Cup career, Ellis recorded zero wins, zero top tens, and zero poles.
Young’s Motorsports Era (2025–Present)
In 2025, Ellis joined Young’s Motorsports to drive the No. 02 Chevrolet Camaro SS full-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The move came after several seasons of part-time competition and a brief stint with DGM Racing. His early results with the team showed progress, highlighted by the milestone eighth-place run at Charlotte in May 2025, which represented his first top-ten finish across NASCAR’s three national series.
The Young’s Motorsports chapter marks a new phase of consistency for Ellis, who has spent years balancing driving duties with public relations and sponsorship work. With a full-time ride secured, Ellis has continued to build momentum and contribute to the growth of one of the Xfinity Series’ longest-running independent teams.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ellis is known for his adaptability across very different types of racing, having successfully transitioned from open-wheel Quarter Midgets and Legends Cars to road racing and stock cars. His sports car background has given him strong race craft on technical circuits, while his short-track roots have helped him remain competitive on intermediate ovals. His willingness to take on part-time and underfunded rides has also built a reputation for resilience and professionalism within the garage.
Notable Races and Milestones
One of Ellis’ most memorable moments came on May 24, 2025, at Charlotte, where he scored his first career top-ten finish across all three of NASCAR’s national series. His Cup Series debut at Phoenix in 2015 and his Xfinity Series debut at Road America in 2012 also stand out as career milestones. Additionally, his 2011 Grand-Am ST Rookie of the Year award and his 2005 Virginia State Legends Pro Championship highlight a career built on steady achievement.
Ryan James Ellis Career Wins
Across NASCAR’s three national series, Ryan James Ellis has not recorded a victory in the Cup Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, or Craftsman Truck Series. His win total reflects the part-time and underfunded nature of much of his national-series career, though he has posted consistent top finishes in shorter events and continues to pursue his first national-series win.
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Highlights
Ellis has two top-ten finishes in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, both coming during his full-time 2024 season with Alpha Prime Racing. His best series finish is 23rd, recorded in 2024, and he has yet to earn a pole position. He made his first series start at the 2012 Sargento 200 at Road America and continues to compete at the national level in 2025 with Young’s Motorsports.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside of NASCAR’s national series, Ellis has built an impressive résumé in grassroots and road-racing competition. He won the 2005 Virginia State Legends Pro Championship, the 2009 Teen Mazda West Coast Championship, and the 2011 NASA SU National Championship. He also earned the 2011 Grand-Am ST Rookie of the Year award and won the 2012 Kia 200 sports car race, demonstrating his versatility as a multi-discipline racer.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASCAR Cup Series | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ryan James Ellis Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ryan James Ellis comes from a family with deep ties to motorsports, with his career as a third-generation racecar driver tracing back through his family lineage. He is the son of Jim Ellis and Jane Ellis of Ashburn, Virginia, and he has a younger sister named Kara. His parents have supported his racing journey from his earliest days in Quarter Midgets all the way through his transition to NASCAR’s national series.
Personal Life
Ellis is married to Allison Ellis, and the couple resides in Huntersville, North Carolina. Allison is locally known for her philanthropic endeavors and her love for dogs. Outside of racing, Ellis is an avid hockey player who has played professionally with the Potomac Mavericks of the Professional Inline Hockey Association and for the George Mason University college hockey team. He is a dedicated fan of the Washington Capitals and still plays recreational hockey in Charlotte.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a defining year for Ryan James Ellis, beginning with a full-time ride announced for DGM Racing’s No. 71 entry in December 2024. He later moved to Young’s Motorsports, where he pilots the No. 02 Chevrolet Camaro SS on a full-time basis. The biggest highlight of his campaign came on May 24, 2025, at Charlotte, where he finished eighth to earn his first career top-ten across all three of NASCAR’s national series.
Ellis’ championship position in 2025 is listed as 28th, building on his career-best 23rd-place finish in 2024. With consistent seat time and a full-time schedule, he has been able to focus on development and race execution rather than sponsorship hunts. The partnership with Young’s Motorsports has provided much-needed stability for a driver who has spent years balancing part-time rides with public relations work.
Looking ahead, Ellis will look to capitalize on the momentum of his Charlotte breakthrough and continue climbing the standings. A veteran of more than a decade in NASCAR’s national series, he remains focused on capturing his first national-series victory and establishing himself as a consistent top-tier finisher in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
