I didn't grow up watching racing, but I've been into cars since my early teens and hanging out at race tracks since my 20s (I'm almost 40 now). For as long as I can remember, the idea of being at a race track has always excited me, even before I started doing track days and racing myself. Spending time at the track with close friends is rarely a bad time.
This year, though, I’ve felt a lot of pressure. It’s my first season of wheel-to-wheel racing, and some of that pressure is self-imposed. I like to think of myself as an above-average driver (even if I’m not), and my results haven’t always reflected that. There’s also the reality: racing can be dangerous, and I don’t want to damage my car—or anyone else’s.
Even during moments of self-doubt, when I questioned if I could or should keep racing, I knew I’d still want to be at the track as much as possible. I had already decided to keep racing before our season finale at PittRace in early October, but something at that event really left an impression on me.
The top-of-grid worker checking our wristbands and helping us find our grid spots was just so stoked to be there. He was a young guy, probably around 20, with an infectious energy that was hard to miss. Even after we finished talking, I couldn’t help but notice him buzzing around, clearly thrilled to be surrounded by cool cars and the racing action. It was impossible not to feel that same buzz sitting there, watching him do his job with such joy.
His energy was contagious. I’m always grateful to be in a position to race—so many things have to line up to make it happen. But sitting there on grid, I felt extra thankful. It reminded me why I love being part of this community, racing with my Condor Race Team friends and the whole Gridlife crew.
Race tracks are awesome. Cars are awesome. And the community around them is even more awesome.
Thank you for reminding me of that, Ryan the Gridlife grid worker.
