Rockwood driver takes on two NASCAR series

ROCKWOOD – Local driver Brad Ranson made his first appearance on the world stage as he competed in the NASCAR Euro Series on April 18 and 19 in Spain.

The Rockwood resident placed third in his class.

“I started racing in 2020, but this is our first year in NASCAR itself,” said Ranson. 

“I started ... regional racing for the past couple years, and then at the end of last year, I had a good end to the season, and I was invited to do some testing in February with NASCAR Europe.”

“I did well at the testing, and I was offered to drive for the full season in Europe with the NASCAR Europe team.”

Ranson has also been invited to compete in the NASCAR Canada Series, something not many racers typically get to do.

“I am one the few drivers ever to embark on a program both in Europe and Canada in NASCAR,” he said.

Asked if he was nervous to race against more accomplished drivers, Ranson said he is excited. 

“I would say excited more so than nervous ... when you get in the car and you put the helmet on, everything kind of goes away and you’re just driving, but it’s obviously a bigger stage, bigger crowd,” he said. 

“I mean, there was 40,000 people there at that race (last month). So a little bit of nerves from that end, but more excited. I was the only Canadian driver in that series.”

While drivers and their teams prepared to hit the track, spectators were treated to a multitude of festivities.

“[In Europe] NASCAR is kind of viewed as a very American form of racing, so what they do at most of the European events is they turn it into almost a festival of American culture,” said Ranson.

“So they bring monster trucks, they have country music bands, all the fans show up with cowboy hats trying to do their best American impression. They do car shows as well, with strictly American cars that you don’t typically see in Europe.”

When he isn’t competing, Ranson does his best to keep his instincts sharp both at home in Rockwood and on various tracks across the United States.

“I’ve got a simulator in the basement that keeps me a little bit sharp,” said Ranson. “But in the winter, typically, I go down to the States for some weekends to race. This year we were down in Texas and Alabama ... in December and January, when the weather was not so good up here.”

Professional racing in Canada poses some difficulty due to the prolonged winter. 

“That’s one of our biggest deficits here as Canadian racers, is we basically, in a good year, we get six months a year [to race],” said Ranson. 

With his first NASCAR race under his belt, Ranson is geared up and ready to compete in Canada. 

Ranson’s first NASCAR Canada Series race will take place on May 17 at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville. He will be driving the #28 Chevrolet Camaro.

“I mean, hopefully some people will see it on TV ... On the starting lineup on TSN, it’s going to show Brad Ranson from Rockwood, Ontario, so looking forward to representing Rockwood,” he said.

Ranson gave a special thanks to his sponsors.

“Especially with NASCAR, I mean, it’s all about our partners and our sponsors. They’re the ones that fund us to be able to make sure we do what we can do.” 

 Sponsoring Ranson on his racing endeavors are: Wallace Chevrolet in Milton, Best Deal Print Solutions, GMH UV and Komcan/Komori.

While this is Ranson’s first year competing with NASCAR, the local driver is keen on advancing his driving and hopefully winning a championship.

“Our goal is to keep competing and then hopefully win a championship in one of these two series ... next year or the following year,” he said. 

“Or however long I’m lucky enough to be able to keep racing NASCAR.”

Those interested can follow Ranson on social media – @b.ranson.racing on Instagram or Brad Ranson on Facebook – or by visiting nascar.ca. 

All of Ranson’s races will be broadcast live on TSN.