Ryan Simmons is Going South………………….and North in 2021

The 2021 racing season is already coming into focus for the Ryan Simmons Racing team as they are planning to hit the road in 2021.   New Egypt Speedway will continue to be Ryan’s “home sweet home” home track for weekly points racing as it has been since Ryan started racing in 2009 with the addition of an ambitious travel schedule to both the south and north.   

Reflecting on the 2020 pandemic racing season Ryan commented “We never knew where we would be racing from week to week with all the pandemic schedule changes in 2020; but it all seemed to work out and we got to do some traveling to new tracks.  So it turned out that 2020 was our test travel year and it went so well we are actually planning for more travel in 2021.  I love racing at my home track at New Egypt which I have been at for 10 years and that will continue to be our regular weekly point track.  We are going south starting with as many shows & specials at Bridgeport that we can get into our schedule.  From there we will go further south into Delaware for the Georgetown Speedway monthly Friday night points race program.  In addition we will be following the Short Track Super Series 602 Crate points to Delaware International, Selinsgrove, BAPS, New Egypt, Big Diamond and any other stops that may get added.  As far as the North; we plan on going to Fonda and OCFS a few times. Actually I guess were going a bit west as we are definitely planning on going back to Port Royal in October of 2021.” 

The Simmons family has a long history of racing involvement starting with his grandfather Jack Simmons who was the promoter at East Windsor Speedway for 30 years until it closed.  So it was no surprise when Ryan’s father John Simmons began racing at East Windsor and Bridgeport in the late 80’s to the early 90’s.  Naturally Ryan started racing as soon as he turned 16 and the family tradition continues 10 years later.  Ryan’s sister Allison has inherited the family’s race track administration gene and is the PR Director at New Egypt Speedway which has the whole family involved in racing in one way or another.

Ryan’s racing career started in a crate car as soon as he turned 16 and he was able to race in the state of New Jersey.   Ryan started as a true rookie with no racing experience at any level which is much different than today were many young drivers start with quarter-midget and or micro racing experience.  John Romano became Ryan’s mentor and helped him with racing and setup advice until he passed at the end of Ryan’s rookie season in 2009.    

From 2015 to 2020 Ryan has compiled 91 top ten; 51 top five and 6 wins.  His most memorable wins were his first win on Father’s Day and a win on opening day of the 2019 season in the number 84 John Romano tribute car in remembrance of his mentor and good friend.  Other notable successes were:

2015 – NES Most Popular Crate Driver

2015 – NES American Cup Champion

2016 – NES top 5 in both Crate and Sportsmen points

2017 – Winner of inaugural event on Bridgeport 3/8 mile racetrack

2017 – 2^nd in NES Crate points

2018 – 3^rd in NES Crate points

2019 – 2^nd in NES Crate points

2019 – Winner Mr. Crate Classic at NES

2020 – Winner Mr. Crate Classic at NES

Ryan was quick to point out that “We wouldn’t have been able to accomplish all of these successes or make these aggressive 2021 plans without the support of our sponsors who make all of this possible – Elegant Exteriors, LLC and K2 Motorsports who have been with us since day 1.   Additional sponsors include Tri-County Party Rentals, Snow’s Sealcoating, Spence’s Hot Rod Shop, Bitner Automotive, Precision Hydraulic & Oil, Fox Welding, Lyons Construction, ERK Steering and Behrents Performance Warehouse.

We would also not be able to make it to the track without our tireless crew of Keith Nonnemacher, Jimmy Spence, Bridget Spence, Dave Spence, Carl Reynolds, Mark Bitner, Len Gilbert and of course my dad who without none of this would be possible. I appreciate every single person who has helped me get to where I am over the years as I could never do this on my own.”

Ryan Simmons Racing will be running two crate cars during the 2021 season.  Their brand new 2021 Bicknell will be their weekly car for New Egypt Speedway.  The 2012 Bicknell will be primarily used for the traveling 602 crate races and the short track super series crate events.  As in past seasons; Simmons will also venture into the modified division with their spec 358 motor in one of their two Bicknell’s for selected end of the season specials.  In addition; plans are also in the works to field a sprint car entry and run a sprint car tour series during the 2021 season. 

Ryan noted “Despite all the challenges and uncertainties of the pandemic season I was not burned out at the end of the season like I usually am at the end of most seasons.  I have really enjoyed the challenges presented by racing on different track sizes and surfaces provided by traveling and we are looking forward to seeing more new tracks and racing facilities in 2021.”

North, South, East or West if the Ryan Simmons Racing is on the grounds look out for another strong outing from the Simmons # 20 no matter where his travels may take him.