How did we get here?

 

You ever notice that every race car driver has the same origin story? 

"I was born into it."

"I'm a ninth generation racer."

"I started racing because Cale Yarborough was my 3rd cousin."

Then there's Ryan.

Like most normal kids in Wisconsin Ryan wanted to be a professional fisherman. Luckily for the fish Ryan found a race team in East Troy, Wi that needed help and he has been racing ever since.

  • 2004 - 2008: Started helping Berge Racing, of East Troy, WI, by handling basic crew duties. This included stints with Adam Berge driving and James Swan driving. It was a perfect education opportunity for a newcomer. 

  • 2008 - 2010: Ryan began racing street stocks at Slinger Speedway while getting an education at MSOE. Originally the car was #71 and was later changed to #80 for 2009 & 2010. Justin Kane started working as crew chief in 2009 as well. 

  • 2010 - 2012: Ryan was fortunate enough to join forces with Dan Church Racing in late 2010. The move allowed Ryan to run in the Mid-American Stock Car Series - a level of racing that wasn't financially viable for a college student.

  • 2013: The decision was made to move all of Dan Church Racing up to limited late model competition. 

  • 2014: Ryan jumped up to super late model competition part time.

  • 2015-present: Super late model competition in the TUNDRA Series, ARCA Midwest Tour, and large events at virtually all Wisconsin asphalt raceways. 

  • 2000 - Present: Ryan has been unbeaten for nearly two decades on all NASCAR counsel games (Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox1, PS1-4, Atari) as well as PC simulation games.** Ryan has been beaten on Iracing once. 

**Unverified Statistic

Ryan had no idea what he was doing in this 2005 picture at the Adam Berge shop...

Ryan had no idea what he was doing in this 2005 picture at the Adam Berge shop...

Early in the 2008 season at Slinger. Chris Sackman originally owned the car. The 71 stayed on it because new vynil was way out of the budget. 

Early in the 2008 season at Slinger. Chris Sackman originally owned the car. The 71 stayed on it because new vynil was way out of the budget. 

First attempt at a paint job in 2008. We definitely improved our paint schemes later.

First attempt at a paint job in 2008. We definitely improved our paint schemes later.

This was an all time favorite paint scheme. 

This was an all time favorite paint scheme. 

Like we said, our paint jobs got better - 2010.

Like we said, our paint jobs got better - 2010.

Dan Church Racing was really excited about racing at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. Sadly things went south really quickly once the race started. Ryan completed one lap and Dan was wrecked later in the event. 

Dan Church Racing was really excited about racing at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. Sadly things went south really quickly once the race started. Ryan completed one lap and Dan was wrecked later in the event. 

First limited late model win in first limited late model season - but you should hear about how many ways we lost before this finally happened in 2013.

First limited late model win in first limited late model season - but you should hear about how many ways we lost before this finally happened in 2013.

A victory in the 2016 Slinger Nationals limited late model feature while subbing for Tyler Schley.  We got a pretty big trophy for this one!

A victory in the 2016 Slinger Nationals limited late model feature while subbing for Tyler Schley.  We got a pretty big trophy for this one!

Dan Church and Ryan in 2015 at Slinger Speedway

Dan Church and Ryan in 2015 at Slinger Speedway