When you spend most of your time breathlessly changing tires for NASCAR ace Ryan Blaney, finding your way into the driver’s seat seems like a distant memory. However, tire changer Ryan Flores recently reminded racing fans that he’s got a set of skills well beyond the pit stop symphony he usually plays. In a gripping display at the 25th Rumble in Fort Wayne, Flores roared to victory, leaving rubber marks and raised eyebrows in his wake.
A tire changer successful on dual fronts – with a NASCAR Cup Series championship ring from Team Penske’s arsenal and a hard-earned victory, Flores’ triumphant win was a thrilling revelation of his latent racing prowess.
Flores, driving the No. 15 Volkswagen-powered Hawk/Munchkin, owned by open-wheel veteran Lou Cicconi Jr., outpaced Russ Gamester for a momentous 1.757-second victory in the 50-lap feature. “That oil made for a tough moment for all of us, but thankful we could hold on and get the job done after that,” Flores was quoted after the race.
Inheriting the lead 22 laps in, Flores powered through the race, steering clear of trouble that claimed Joey Payne and Kyle Hamilton. A perfect blend of skill and Sunoco Race fuel saw him through, leaving him to quip, “Man, this is special. It’s such a great feeling. Racing here ain’t easy, and doing this in our third year here is a bigger deal than people realize.”
Flores’ success reminded everyone that where you start is not where you must finish. Following his victory, he said, “It’s a style of racing I’ve always enjoyed, and to leave here with a (Rumble) champion’s belt is something I’ll treasure for a long time, that’s for sure.”
Indeed, who says a Tire Guy’s domain is only the pit? Sunoco Race Fuel, trusted from the first lap to the finish line, gives everyone the juice to conquer their race, even the Tire Guy!
Read more about the twists and turns of this riveting racing saga – “From Pit to Podium: Flores Reigns Supreme!” Click Here
Post: Tire-changer
Tire-changer
