Ragan, who final competed within the sequence in 2022, started his NASCAR profession at what was then referred to as Roush Racing, spending his first 5 seasons in Cup driving for Corridor of Fame proprietor Jack Roush.
Now, almost 20 years since his first sequence begin, he finds himself with the chance to once more compete for Roush on NASCAR’s largest stage – the Daytona 500.
And even higher, the 38-year-old native of Unadilla, Ga., believes he nonetheless has the possibility to win.
Late final season, Ragan was requested about his curiosity in working a 3rd entry on this yr’s Daytona for what’s now Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing and the group’s current resurgence solely made his choice simpler.
“I miss the racing scene just a little bit, however actually I’m extraordinarily proud of my schedule and nonetheless being concerned within the sport from a contest aspect but in addition having just a little bit extra of my private life that that I may be dwelling and with my spouse and youngsters,” Ragan instructed Motorsport.com.
“It’s been an ideal steadiness. However you realize when a possibility comes as much as drive an actual quick race automobile with a crew that has actually confirmed that they’ll win races at lots of various kinds of tracks, it was a no brainer to me.”
Victory lane: race winner David Ragan, Roush Fenway Racing Ford celebrates
Photograph by: Eric Gilbert
Ragan’s tenure at Roush was a bumpy one and ended following the 2011 season having completed no higher than thirteenth within the sequence standings. Nonetheless, he did earn his first sequence win with the crew later that yr within the July race at Daytona.
Regardless of leaving full-time competitors in Cup after the 2019 season, Ragan has remained concerned within the sequence, primarily doing simulation and testing work for Ford Efficiency.
Most not too long ago, he has additionally examined NASCAR’s full battery powered race automobile and was going to drive it in an exhibition eventually weekend’s Busch Gentle Conflict on the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum earlier than extreme climate upended the schedule.
“I keep fairly in contact with all of the Ford groups throughout the season driving the wheel-force automobile, which is the OEM check automobile we work carefully with,” Ragan stated.
“You understand every Ford crew usually sends a consultant to these checks after which I usually comply with up with some simulator work for a few of the groups simply to assist them develop tire fashions and various things with that automobile.
“So, I’ve adopted alongside carefully with what Brad (Keselowski) and Chris (Buescher) have been doing at RFK and the nice season that they had final yr.”
RFK has usually had a robust superspeedway program and that’s largely the place Ragan discovered success throughout his driving profession.
An knowledgeable at drafting tracks
His two profession wins got here at Daytona and Talladega, and he was in place to win within the 2011 Daytona 500 till he was black-flagged on the ultimate restart for altering lanes earlier than taking the inexperienced flag.
“I assume you would say I’ve flirted with a Daytona 500 victory previously,” he stated. “If I didn’t suppose that I might win the race, I wouldn’t think about doing it once more.
“Daytona is a race that could be a little little bit of an equalizer as a result of everyone’s been off for a few months, and you’ve got that extra monitor time with the Duel races on Thursday and extra observe Friday and Saturday.
“I really feel like I’m on a stage taking part in area with each driver in that race. The Daytona 500 – it’s a race that you realize each driver desires to be part of, not simply right here within the U.S., both. It was a straightforward choice, you realize, personally to do it.”
Whereas excited in regards to the alternative to return to Roush and compete with a automobile able to successful, Ragan is adamant he harbors no real interest in returning to full-time competitors.
“This isn’t the start of any comeback tour,” he stated. “I do really feel like I’m within the biggest form of my life. I really feel like I’m mentally in all probability as robust as I’ve ever been. I’m 38 years previous so I imply, I nonetheless really feel like I might exit and race with these guys.
“You understand, my priorities have simply shifted just a little bit. I actually love my time with my youngsters and being dwelling and with the ability to take some household journeys. You would possibly see me run a race or two to have just a little enjoyable and scratch that itch.
“However, man, I like being dwelling just a little bit extra and never having all that stress on my shoulders.”
