Ryan Ellis achieves first NASCAR top-10 finish after 13 years of unwavering commitment, reaching a major milestone on Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. After persevering through more than a decade of challenges in the sport, the Ashburn, Virginia native finally secured his dream finish at the BetMGM 300.
Steering the no. 71 Zeroes Beverage Chevrolet for DGM Racing, Ellis started in 30th position and navigated an eventful race filled with critical strategy calls and dramatic late laps. He initially crossed the line in ninth, but was later elevated to eighth due to a disqualification after post-race inspection of a rival driver’s car, an outcome that reflected his persistent effort and focus.
Perseverance Pays Off Through Adversity and Strategy
Ellis, known for his passion for beer-league hockey and enthusiastic support of the Washington Capitals, had endured 13 seasons and 142 previous starts without breaking into a NASCAR top-10. The journey to this finish was far from easy. In the final stage, his team gambled on an extended pit strategy and benefited from perfectly timed cautions, which allowed them to gain positions during a chaotic ending.
After slipping back during a series of restarts, Ellis regained ground following a multi-car crash on the final lap that opened a path for him to re-enter the top 10. According to MotorsportsStats.com, this eighth-place result came in his 143rd career NASCAR start, a testament to his enduring drive and belief in himself and in DGM Racing.
Raw Emotions Capture the Moment
As Ellis pulled off the track and exited his car, longtime partners such as Audio Video Specialists captured images of his tearful reaction, his eyes red from the immense emotion of the achievement. The moment drew praise and recognition from broadcasters Adam Alexander, Jamie McMurray, and Parker Kligerman on the CW television broadcast, who applauded as Ellis’s finish was officially announced by NASCAR.
“Well I cried basically from there before I crossed the line,”
—Ryan Ellis, NASCAR Driver
“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, NASCAR Driver
“Honestly, I think about [a top 10] every race,”
—Ryan Ellis, NASCAR Driver
“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, NASCAR Driver
“I feel like I body checked somebody or somebody body checked me,”
—Ryan Ellis, NASCAR Driver
“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, NASCAR Driver
“I don’t really know what to tweet yet. Man. What a day. I feel like we really EARNED this,”
—Ryan Ellis, NASCAR Driver
“I’ll have more intelligent things to say later. But THANK GOD WE HAVE A TOP 10,”
—Ryan Ellis, NASCAR Driver
“Oh and I cried before I even got to the start finish line. Because of course.”
—Ryan Ellis, NASCAR Driver
A Career Built on Patience and Hard Work
Prior to this memorable result, Ellis’s best performances had been two 11th-place finishes at Daytona and Talladega, both superspeedway races that typically allow for greater unpredictability and opportunity. This eighth-place run marked a new high point and, according to Ellis, was especially satisfying as it was accomplished through skill and perseverance rather than luck or attrition.
“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,”
wrote Ellis in a post on X, formerly Twitter, alongside a photograph of the scoring pylon showing his achievement. The post also included gratitude for his sponsors, such as Zeroes Beverage and DGM Racing, and his personal support network, including his wife, daughter, and father — all of whom were present to share in the moment.
Ellis credited his DGM Racing team for delivering competitive equipment, and referenced the times he felt he had let down his teams in the past, including with Alpha Prime Racing. His self-reflection revealed a deep passion for the sport and a relief in breaking through a barrier that had weighed heavily on him for years.
The Impact for Ellis and NASCAR
This achievement represents more than a personal milestone for Ellis; it underscores the unpredictable and emotional nature of NASCAR, where persistence can eventually deliver rewards. For underdog drivers and teams like DGM Racing, it is a signal that continued hard work, strategic thinking, and emotional investment can lead to breakthrough success even after years of struggle.
The public and broadcaster response, with on-air applause from figures like Parker Kligerman, Jamie McMurray, and Adam Alexander, further highlighted the gravity of the moment. Regular fans, sponsors such as Audio Video Specialists, and longtime supporters on social media celebrated alongside Ellis, recognizing the meaning and effort behind his top-10 finish.
As Ellis recovers from an intense night of celebration, he looks poised to continue chasing stronger results in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, buoyed by fresh momentum and a visible sense of relief. His heartfelt reaction and the support of his personal circle suggest that even more memorable moments may be ahead for this persistent Ashburn driver, his young family, and the DGM Racing organization.
