Ryan Ellis criticized the restart incident at Nashville Superspeedway that led to a major crash, expressing his strong disappointment after the multi-car wreck prematurely ended his day in the Xfinity Series. The event, which unfolded during the final stage, not only dashed his hopes for a strong finish but also drew attention to restart tactics in the series.
Chaotic Restart at Nashville Ends Ellis’s Promising Race
With 91 laps remaining in the Tennessee Lottery 250, the field prepared for a restart with Sheldon Creed leading the inside line. Creed’s late acceleration created a significant chain reaction, as the cars packed closely together behind were forced to react rapidly. This sudden stack-up caused several cars to make contact and resulted in a multi-car wreck, knocking Ryan Ellis out of contention just as he felt poised for a notable result with DGM Racing.
Reflecting on the incident, Ellis expressed his frustration and sense of missed opportunity on social media, stating,
“Everyone loses when you play restart games like that. That was ridiculous. This car was better than our Charlotte top-10 car. Should’ve had a chance at it.”
—Ryan Ellis, Driver
His critique pointed to the dangers of inconsistent restarts and underscored the risks drivers face when the field becomes tightly condensed, especially in crucial moments late in the race.
Contrasting Results for Contenders at Nashville
Ellis came into Nashville looking to build on recent progress, having secured his first top-10 finish during the Memorial Day weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Despite starting 30th in that race, he drove to an impressive eighth-place result. However, his fortunes reversed in Nashville, where his day ended after the wreck, leaving him classified 37th in the 188-lap contest.
While Ellis’s race was cut short, JR Motorsports‘ Justin Allgaier drove to victory, illustrating the unpredictable nature of the event. Ross Chastain, still riding momentum from his first crown jewel win the previous weekend, finished fifth. Notably, Chastain had achieved two top-5 finishes for DGM Racing in previous limited starts, offering a reminder of what could have been for Ellis in a strong DGM car.
Ellis Shares Emotional Reaction After Unexpected DNF
After exiting his car, a disappointed Ellis detailed his emotions to the media, reflecting on how a top-15 run—and potentially another top-10—was suddenly derailed. He stated,
“It just sucks because I mean I’m looking at the board right now. I know we were a Top 15 car for sure and could add a shot another top ten…figured we used lot of luck last week, so I had a feeling something would happen like this, but I don’t know it felt like a perfect car man. Sucks to be out when the field checks up like that.”
—Ryan Ellis, Driver
This marked Ellis’s second Did Not Finish (DNF) of the season, compounding a challenging campaign with DGM Racing. The early exits and setbacks have hindered his position in the driver‘s standings and further strained the outlook for the No.77 Chevrolet team.
Team owner Mario Gosselin, along with crew chief and the rest of the crew, has commented that more than 50 potential points have slipped away this year, citing both late-race accidents and mechanical difficulties as recurring foes for their campaign. The pattern of missed opportunities has left the squad questioning how to turn speed into consistent results.
Implications for Ellis and DGM Racing Moving Forward
The dramatic conclusion to Ellis’s race at Nashville Superspeedway adds urgency for DGM Racing as they seek to capitalize on the speed their cars have shown. Restart crashes and on-track misfortune have stymied momentum, yet the determination within the team remains high as they aim to recover lost points and realize the performance potential glimpsed at Charlotte. For Ellis, the focus now shifts to translating his pace and resilience into the strong results needed to reverse a difficult season trajectory.
