At 20 years-old, Ryan Gifford is ready to move his racing career to the next level. He started racing go-karts when he was 8 and hasn’t looked back.
The Winchester, Tenn., native knew he wanted to make racing a career, even before he graduated from karts to dirt late models when he was 15. Gifford found success in late models right away, earning three poles and four top fives in his first season. He continued racing dirt late models and caught the eye of Richard Childress Racing (RCR) Vice President of Competition Mike Dillon in 2006.
By 2008, Gifford had joined Team Dillon Racing as a development driver for RCR. Competing in the Fastrak Dirt Late Model Series, Gifford scored three wins and 17 top fives in 29 events. Last year, Gifford continued to race late models on asphalt and dirt. He also ran four races in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, earning three top-five finishes.
Gifford is a hands-on driver and is at the shop working on his cars every chance he gets. He prides himself on knowing what he can do to make his cars faster.
When he’s not racing or working on his cars, Gifford enjoys snowboarding, wakeboarding, working out, going to drive-in movies and hanging out with friends.
Career Highlights
• Competing in a variety of events for Team Dillon Motorsports in 2009, including the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, and asphalt and dirt late model events across the Southeast.
• In 2008, earned three wins, 17 top fives and 20 top 10s in 29 starts in select dirt and asphalt late model events.
• Ran select dirt late model events in 2007; scored two top fives in the Storm Pay Dirt Late Model National.
• Competed in the 2006 Storm Pay Dirt Late Model National Series; one win, seven top fives and 11 top 10s.
• Started racing dirt late models in 2005; three poles, four top fives and 10 top 10s.
• Raced karts from 1997 ‐ 2004, winning a number of feature races and two track championships.