Ron Fellows, a well-known name in sports car racing from Canada, made a notable impact on the NASCAR scene, including collaborations with Dale Earnhardt Jr. NASCAR teams, but he made a career decision that surprised many fans and insiders. In an era when his accomplishments could have led to a permanent position in the Cup Series, Fellows chose a different path, as explained in a recent interview.
Balancing NASCAR Ambitions With Sports Car Commitments
Between 1995 and 2013, Ron Fellows sporadically competed in the NASCAR Cup Series for various prominent teams, including NEMCO Motorsports and Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, which was overseen by Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. At the same time, Fellows raced for successful Nationwide Series teams such as Kevin Harvick Incorporated and JR Motorsports, often achieving impressive finishes.
Despite delivering performances that justified consideration for a full-time Cup Series seat, Fellows never made the switch to a permanent role. As he reflected,
“I had conversations with a couple of organizations, DEI being one of them,”
Ron Fellows, 66, said. He explained that these offers surfaced when he was already in his 40s, which would have required stepping away from the sports car racing world he deeply valued.
“We were in the early 2000s when a couple of opportunities came up to do Cup full-time. We were just starting to win with Corvette, and I was really invested in that.”
— Ron Fellows
This period saw Fellows achieving notable victories, such as three wins with NEMCO Motorsports at Watkins Glen in the Nationwide Series, and a strong run with DEI in the Cup Series, coming in second place at Watkins Glen during his best Cup performance in the early 2000s.
Success With JR Motorsports and Other Major Milestones
Ron Fellows made his debut for JR Motorsports at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in 2008, an event that resulted in a triumphant win — his last in the Nationwide Series. He remained a regular driver for the team through the end of the 2013 season, making a total of 13 appearances. During this stint, he collected eight top-10 finishes and six top-5 results with JR Motorsports, demonstrating his skill on the racetrack.
In addition to his NASCAR efforts, some of Fellows’ most significant professional achievements include winning the 2001 24 Hours of Daytona and securing the 2003 American Le Mans GTS class championship. These victories solidified his legacy as a champion in the world of motorsports.
Long-Standing Connections With Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Today, Ron Fellows continues to enjoy a close friendship with Dale Earnhardt Jr., co-owner of JR Motorsports. Their professional and personal connections have persisted well beyond their racing days and continue to influence the NASCAR community. Fellows’ career, marked by choices that prioritized passion and commitment to sports car racing, leaves a legacy highlighting the profound decisions athletes often face, even when the path to more fame might seem obvious. Fans and aspiring drivers can look to his journey for insight into the diverse options available in top-tier motorsport.
