Stock car racer eyes championship with help from family, sponsors

Sometimes a driver doesn’t get to where he’s at without help from his family. Speedway 95 Pro Stock driver Ryan Deane has been fortunate to have that help.

“My whole family is in racing. My dad and his friends used to help out Ricky Craven at Unity and helped out another friend in Pro Stock. I decided I wanted to race too,” said Deane, who enters his fifth year in racing.

“My parents have been great. They let me keep my race car in their garage, and they help me out where they can and in the pits,” he added.

Deane even married into a racing family.

“My father-in-law and his wife help me out. It’s an expensive sport, and I appreciate all the help,” said Deane.

Corporate sponsorship also helps pay the bills.

“BDS Disposal helps me out, and Linda and Charlie Clark also sponsor me,” said the Winterport native. He’ll certainly need the support after an up-and-down week.

“We won the first race and wrecked hard in the second race. It’s mostly cosmetic damage, so hopefully we can get it fixed for this week,” said Deane, last year’s Limited Sportsman champion.

“I’ve had the same car since I ran Super Street, and we keep upgrading it,” he added.

One bad race doesn’t have Deane down though – he’s still optimistic about this year.

“We’re trying for Rookie of the Year and the championship, but it’s a tough division with tough competition. Our goal is to win at least one more race, win Rookie of the Year and finish in the top three in points,” said Deane, who sits third in points with one win and two runner-up finishes.

“Andy Saunders has been at it for years and is hard to beat. Paul White, another rookie, is just as equally tough. At least four guys at any time can come out and win the championship,” Deane added. Although Deane is focused on the championship for this year, he’s also looking to the future.

“I want to keep racing and move on and do some PASS [Pro All-Star Series] races. Maybe go on to do the bigger races like the Oxford 250, but I’d need a big sponsor,” said Deane.

“I’d love to run PASS or Busch North full time, but I’d need the right ride with an owner with good equipment. If the opportunity came along, I’d take it,” he added.