The NASCAR world woke up to a surprise. DGM Racing announced that Ryan Ellis will no longer drive their No. 71 Chevrolet after the 2025 Phoenix Championship Weekend. The news came just before the Martinsville race, shaking up fans.
The announcement, which includes well-wishes and highlights sponsor Classic Collision for the final event, stems from Ryan Ellis’ own decision, as confirmed by the team, halting prior 2026 planning.
DGM Racing Announcement and Its Timing
“DGM Racing will part ways with Ryan Ellis, Driver of the No. 71 Chevrolet, following Championship Weekend in Phoenix. We wish Ryan the best in his next chapter and look forward to finishing the year strong with Classic Collision on board for our last race together.”
The post hit fans hard. The timing confused many because it came right before the Martinsville race. Some fans felt it was too soon. One person on X said, “Y’all tell him on the radio or something? What on earth?”
DGM stated that it was Ryan Ellis who decided to leave and not the team, that they accepted his decision, and that they wanted to part on good terms. They didn’t disclose any indication of a fight inside the team, although they thought the timing of the announcement was quite awkward.
To clarify, @ryanellisracing is fully aware as this was HIS decision. We were already putting 2026 plans into motion… until we weren’t. It’s still a shock to us as well.
— DGM Racing (@DGMRacingFL) October 26, 2025
Ryan Ellis, who’s 28, joined DGM Racing earlier this year. Even though the resources were limited, he managed to finish in the top 10 three times. After 31 races, he is 28th in the driver standings, which is quite a decent performance.
Ryan Ellis: Reactions and Context
The racing world quickly reacted to the news. Some were shocked, others were supportive. Ellis posted a heartfelt message to his followers, saying:
“When I came to @DGMRacingFL this year, it was one of the few teams I knew no one at. In the year we’ve worked together, the Gosselin family, and everyone who works for DGM have truly become family.”
Those words showed deep respect. He wasn’t leaving because of anger or frustration. He just felt it was time to move on.
In a sport where drivers often move between teams, moments like this remind everyone how emotional racing can be. Behind the helmets and noise, real people are making tough choices.
Now, all eyes turn to the Phoenix Championship Weekend. This will be Ryan Ellis’s last race with DGM Racing, and both sides want to go out strong. The team said they’re focused on ending the year “on a high note” with sponsor Classic Collision still supporting them.
As the Martinsville race plays out, fans are wondering what’s next. Will Ryan Ellis find a new team in 2026? Will DGM Racing find another talented driver for the No. 71? Nobody knows yet.
One thing is sure: Ryan Ellis leaves behind more than stats. He leaves behind respect and gratitude from a team that became like family.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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