Ryan Gemmell Bio
Ryan Gemmell (pronounced geh-mull), born on August 14, 2000, is an American professional stock car racing driver. He is best known for competing part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, where he drives the No. 29 Toyota for NEMCO Motorsports. A native of Indiana, Pennsylvania, Gemmell has built his early career around a mix of vintage racing and modern stock car competition. He has also taken part in high-profile opportunities such as Kaulig Racing’s “Race For the Seat” challenge, which highlighted his potential to move up the NASCAR ladder.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Gemmell was born on August 14, 2000, in Indiana, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Growing up in a region with a deep appreciation for motorsports culture, he was exposed to racing at an early age. Indiana, Pennsylvania, sits within the broader western Pennsylvania motorsports community, an area known for its passionate fan base and active short-track scene.
While specific details about his family background and early education are not widely documented, Gemmell’s path into racing appears to have been shaped by hands-on experience rather than a single dramatic introduction. His comfort with both vintage machinery and modern stock cars suggests that he spent formative years learning a wide range of vehicles. This broad background has helped him adapt to different track types, from road courses to short ovals.
Path to NASCAR
Before reaching the ARCA Menards Series, Gemmell established himself as a frequent competitor in vintage racing. He has competed in series such as the HSR (Historic Sportscar Racing) NASCAR Classic Series, an environment that demands precise car control and an appreciation for older chassis. Vintage racing has long served as a proving ground for drivers who want to sharpen their race craft before stepping into contemporary equipment.
Gemmell’s move toward NASCAR’s development pipeline came when he was given the opportunity to debut in the ARCA Menards Series. The ARCA series is widely recognized as a key stepping stone toward the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and ultimately the NASCAR Cup Series. His progression from vintage events to ARCA marked a clear step toward the national NASCAR ladder.
Ryan Gemmell Career
Early Career
Gemmell’s early competitive career centered on vintage racing, where he gained experience in cars that required a traditional, mechanical driving style. Competing in events like the HSR NASCAR Classic Series allowed him to build a foundation in stock car racing while working with teams and engines that demanded respect and patience. These experiences helped him develop the consistency needed to move into modern professional racing.
His performances in vintage racing were enough to attract attention from ARCA-level teams. By 2024, he was ready to make the jump to one of NASCAR’s primary development series, setting the stage for his national-level debut.
ARCA Menards Series Breakthrough
In 2024, it was announced that Gemmell would make his ARCA Menards Series debut at Watkins Glen International, one of the most respected road courses in North America. Driving the No. 29 Toyota for NEMCO Motorsports, he placed eleventh in the lone practice session, qualified in tenth position, and finished on the lead lap in eighth place. The result was a strong and clean debut that demonstrated both his pace and his ability to finish races.
Gemmell returned to ARCA competition in 2025, again behind the wheel of the No. 29 Toyota for NEMCO Motorsports, this time at Lime Rock Park. After running seventh in practice and qualifying sixth, he raced as high as third during the event before being forced off the track. He recovered well to finish fifth, earning his first career top-five finish in the series.
Looking ahead, before the 2026 season, Gemmell took part in Kaulig Racing’s “Race For the Seat” program. He competed against 14 other drivers for a chance to win a full-season ride in Kaulig’s No. 14 truck in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The opportunity underlined his growing reputation as a promising young driver with national-series potential.
NEMCO Motorsports Era
Gemmell has competed for NEMCO Motorsports, a team with deep roots in stock car racing. Driving the No. 29 Toyota, he has been part of a part-time program that fields entries at selected ARCA Menards Series events. His work with NEMCO has focused on road-course races, where his vintage racing background has translated into competitive pace and consistent finishes.
His 2024 debut at Watkins Glen and his 2025 top-five at Lime Rock Park are the highlights of his time with NEMCO so far. The team-driver relationship has produced steady, lead-lap results and has positioned Gemmell as a reliable option for selective ARCA starts.
Driving Style and Strengths
Gemmell’s racing résumé is shaped heavily by road-course work, both in vintage machinery and in modern ARCA competition. His experience in the HSR NASCAR Classic Series has given him a careful, mechanical approach to car control, which has shown up in his ability to recover from off-track moments, such as during his 2025 race at Lime Rock Park. He has demonstrated the race craft needed to qualify well and finish on the lead lap, traits that are valuable in development-level competition.
Notable Races and Milestones
His 2024 General Tire 100 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International marked his first ARCA Menards Series start and resulted in a clean eighth-place finish. His 2025 race at Lime Rock Park produced his first top-five in the series, a key early milestone. His invitation to Kaulig Racing’s “Race For the Seat” challenge stands as another significant moment, signaling confidence in his potential from a NASCAR national-series team.
Ryan Gemmell Career Wins
Ryan Gemmell has not yet recorded a victory in the ARCA Menards Series. His verified results include four top-ten finishes and zero poles through his early part-time schedule. As he continues to gain experience and pursue more seat time, additional top finishes and potential wins remain a clear next step in his career progression.
ARCA Menards Series Highlights
In the ARCA Menards Series, Gemmell has recorded zero wins, four top-ten finishes, and zero poles. His first start came at the 2024 General Tire 100 at The Glen, and his most recent start was the 2026 General Tire 100 at The Glen. His best season finish to date is 58th in 2025, a reflection of his part-time schedule rather than a lack of pace, given his top-five run at Lime Rock Park.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside of ARCA, Gemmell has built his reputation through vintage racing competition, including events in the HSR NASCAR Classic Series. While no regional or vintage championship titles are confirmed in his record, his consistent presence in those events has helped him develop the skills that translated into his ARCA opportunity.
2025 Season Performance
Gemmell’s 2025 ARCA Menards Series season centered on selected road-course starts with NEMCO Motorsports in the No. 29 Toyota. His most notable result came at Lime Rock Park, where he qualified sixth, ran as high as third, and recovered from an off-track moment to finish fifth. That performance marked his first career top-five finish in the series and provided clear momentum heading into the following year.
His 2025 campaign was limited in terms of total starts, which is reflected in a 58th-place best finish in the season standings. Despite the part-time schedule, his pace and consistency on road courses showed that he can compete near the front of the field when given the opportunity.
Off the track, 2025 also included his selection for Kaulig Racing’s “Race For the Seat” program, a development opportunity tied to a full-season NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ride. The experience, paired with his ARCA results, set the stage for potential expanded seat time in 2026 and beyond.