A Post-Season Interview with Ryan Unzicker 2011 UMP Late Model National Champ By: Rocky Ragusa The expression “When the going gets tough, the tough get going” proved to be true as El Paso’s Ryan Unzicker and his team rallied in the closing two weeks to claim the 2011 UMP Late Model National Champion. Unzicker, with a goal to run for and win the national championship, took the lead in April, lost the lead to defending champion, Rusty Schlenk in late August. The Unzicker team was plagued with various mechanical issues, regrouped at their shop. “We put a lot hours in the shop,” Unzicker said. “Any part on the car that we had a question about, we would go ahead and replace it. After a second place finish at Farmer City Labor day weekend, we won four straight races to retake the lead. The last five races in September, we had five top seven finishes and then at Kankakee Speedway during the second night of Rocktoberfest, won the race to wrap up the title,” commented Unzicker. Ryan’s interest in racing began at an early age, when his Grandpa Unzicker used to take him to the races at Fairbury. “I was a Kevin Weaver fan, when he use to drive the Pizza Hut car.” Unzicker said. When his Grandpa moved away, trips to the race track became infrequent. “When I got into high school, a bunch of us guys would go every weekend. Jason Allen was racing his modified and I decided to help him with his car and that is when the bug bit me.” Unzicker said. Unzicker invested in a $150-$200 hornet car. In his first race at Farmer City, he flipped the car in the heat race, destroying the car. Unzicker built another hornet, ran it several times before concentrating his efforts on a street stock. Ryan and his brother, Jason both built a car. Ryan won several races and took the 2003 track championship at Farmer City. With the success he had in the street stocks, Unzicker approached Gridley’s Bill Hendron about putting together a ARCA car. Hendron owner of Hendron Sports Center is a car owner on the ARCA circuit. In Unzicker’s first race at the Springfield (Ill.) mile, Unzicker placed sixth. At Duquoin(Ill.), in a race featuring Tony Stewart and KenSchrader, Unzicker stayed in the top five, until a late race accident ended his day. The team felt optimistic and turned their attention to the ½ paved, high banked Salem, (Ind.) Speedway. “It was my first time on pavement. We had an old car and the motor was about worn out. I wanted to see how we would stack up against drivers that were familiar with the track and running on pavement. We stayed in the top 15 all day and ended up 12th.” Commented Unzicker. Unzicker left Salem and began preparing a dirt late model for the 2004 season. Hendron saw potential in Unzicker and looked at various venues to pursue. “Bill decided on the ASA Late Model tour. He bought two cars out of Chicago and we were on our way, we thought. The ASA series was a humbling experience. In the beginning they were kicking our butts. As the year went on, Unzicker showed signs of improvement. Bill wanted to run another year with the ASA, but they ended up going bankrupt.” Explained Unzicker. Since that time, Unzicker has devoted his time to building a team that was middle of the pack, into one of the top late model teams. Unzicker had limited success in the early years, winning on occasion, but seeking to be more consistent. In 2007, Unzicker began to branch out, winning four races and placing second in the Northern All Stars Series. In 2008, Unzicker made his first attempt at the Summer National title, finishing 12th in points, 11th in national points, and winning three races. In 2009, he improved to 7th in Summer National points, 6th in national points, and five race wins. 2010, Unzicker won his first ever Summer National race at Spoon River Speedway. He improved to 5th in Summer National points, and 3rd in national points. For the 2011 season, the goal was the UMP championship. “We set out to win the title. I knew we could do it. In order to run for the championship, we would have to run a lot of races.” Said Unzicker. UMP points begin on January first and end the first weekend in October. The team headed to Florida for speed week in February. In the first race at Ocala, Unzicker finished fourth, but struggled the rest of the week. “We were having electrical problems. Instead of pulling out the backup car, we focused on trying to solve the problem with our primary car. “ Unzicker said. The track announcer noticed the troubles Unzicker was having. Unzicker added,” The announcer would say,Unzicker , he just doesn’t give up. He has a gremlin on his car. That is when the gremlin that is on the car came about. Before the Summer Nationals began, we were looking at ideas for a new wrap on the car. One of the crew members remembered the gremlin comments. We decided to go with the gremlin. Charlie Hoselton of Aftershock Graphics did a heck of a job. The fans liked the car and we sold a lot of shirts.” “We ran 84 races for the year, including one ARCA event. We had a lot of highs and lows for the year.”, Unzicker commented on the grind . The Don Bohlander Tribute race at Peoria Speedway was a good win for us. We beat some good competition and had a nice payday. Our summer national program wasn’t that great. We did get the win at Belle Clair, but that win was sort of hollow.” Explained Unzicker. Apparent winner, Michael Kloos, after taking the checkered flag and receiving all the accolades, was later disqualified for having chemically tires. “Like I said, the summer nationals wasn’t going very well. Everything that could go wrong, was going wrong. I was down and ready to pull out and go home. My wife, Michelle, crew chief Brian Redmon, and I sat down and talked it out. We agreed to work it out and regroup. The last ten races of the tour, we turned it around and had some good top ten finishes. We wanted to race the World 100, but with running for national points, we had to scratch that race out. We would have originally missed the Prairie Dirt Classic, due to the point battle. It was tough, having to miss the biggest race at your home track to chase points. We caught some heat from fans and sponsors , but they knew that is what we had to do if we wanted the title. It’s not what I wanted to do, but with the rain out, I did get to race at Fairbury.” Unzicker led the race until the Eric Smith moved by in the closing laps to take the win. Unzicker is well respected by drivers and fans alike. James Jones, track photographer at Farmer City commented, “Ryan is one of the cleanest drivers around. He has worked his way up from street stocks and has steadily improved over the last few years. He is one of the friendliest drivers. Ryan always takes the time to sign autographs and pose for pictures. He is the type of person our sport needs more of.” Fellow late model competitor, Derek Chandler added,” Ryan and I started running late models about the same time. He is a great guy and a lot of fun to be around. Over the past few seasons, I have seen a Very focused Ryan Unzicker that wants to go out and beat guys like Erb, Babb, and Feger. Drivers that we call the big dogs around here in Illinois. He wants to be a part of that list and from his results this year, I think he has done it. He will be a humble champion and I look for his success to only build from here.” Running for the national championship can be tough to balance a regular work schedule and race. Unzicker works at the family owned,RJR Transportation in El Paso. He is the safey manager and occasionally does local runs. Unzicker added,” I am on my own at work. I am able to do a lot of work at my own pace or at home. When we hit the road for the summer nationals, the ladies in the office pick up my work. They take really good care of me.”   Family, friends, and sponsors are a big part of a driver’s success and when things aren’t going so well, encouragement can be a big plus. “The first person I have to thank is my wife, Michelle. She has been with me since the beginning. Michelle is the first to hear about the good and bad. She has been a real trooper and I can’t thank her enough for being by my side. RJR Transportation, our family business, is what keeps us going. They have worked with me so I am able to race. Schumacker Tyre Service has been with me since the start. If I need something for the car, they always come through. Steve Wilson, one of my crew members and sponsor/owner of Pro Tire and Automotive has been great to work with. Pontiac RV takes care of our hauler. Dyers Top Rod is always there when you need them. Roger Friedman is on top and tremendous help to everyone. I have had Rhyne Competition Engines for the last three years and I can’t say enough about the power I get.In addition to Michelle, Brian, and Steve, Kevin Elston and Jonathan Herzog were other members to our crew. We have many other local and product sponsors. They have all been great to me and a big part of our championship season,” said Unzicker. For the 2012 season, Unzicker’s main goal is to win the summer national title. “We are taking a different approach this year. We will be better prepared. If I have to, I will take a week or two in order to have everything ready. The crew and driver have to be prepared, mentally and physically. With a good summer national run, that should help us as far as national points, but the national title won’t be my main focus, unless we are in a good position. I plan to run the ARCA races at Springfield and Duquoin. We would love to run more, with some additional backing. Every driver dreams of winning the World 100. I do need more seat time on the track. I think we have a good regional team, but we are nowhere near the Bloomquist, Moyers, and Owens. If we ran the Lucas Oil or World of Outlaws, we would need additional help. We could run with those drivers some, but day in and day out, would be hard. We are currently preparing a 2011 Mastersbilt race car for the upcoming season.” Ryan Unzicker following his last race of the season at the Dirt Track World Championships took a much needed week of rest and relaxation in Tampa, Florida with his wife. The Unzicker’s will hold a race party at Schumacker Tyre Service on November 19th. The off season will be busy with the preparation of a new car, hauler, and shop maintenance. Unzicker will be the man to beat in 2012 and with the strong support of his crew, family, and sponsors look to add another title to his resume.