STOCKTON, Calif. — Back in August a teenager from Oklahoma made perhaps the most anticipated World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car debut in series history.
After more than a year of wowing fans across the country with his talents in a sprint car, Ryan Timms had finally met “The Greatest Show on Dirt’s” age requirement by turning 16. On the day he celebrated that birthday, Timms rolled into the River Cities Speedway pit area in Grand Forks, N.D., for his Outlaw debut.
To nobody’s surprise, Timms impressed in his inaugural outing, earning the night’s hard charger honors with a 17th to ninth effort in the main event. The following day he traveled with the tour to Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, N.D., and delivered his first WoO podium with a runner-up result in his sophomore start.
“I kind of went into it with no expectations,” Timms said of how he approached the debut. “The first night didn’t really go as good as I was hoping, but I still managed to get hard charger. On the second night I gave it my all and ended up coming out second. Overall, it was a good weekend.”
Ryan Timms at Knoxville Raceway. (Paul Arch photo)
In the months that have followed, Timms has made six more Outlaw starts, mixed in a Tezos All-Star Circuit of Champions appearance and ventured to the West Coast for some late season California racing that saw him pick up a Trophy Cup prelim victory.
After finding victory lane on many occasions in various states ranging from South Dakota to California before even reaching the age that allows one to obtain a driver’s license, Timms’ eventual World of Outlaws debut headlined sprint car storylines entering the season. Now that he’s eclipsed that point and put a little space between it, what does the next page in the story of the Oklahoma City, Okla. phenom look like with a new year on the horizon?
As of now, Timms and the No. 5t team aim to go the true outlaw route like they have the past two years, filling their calendar with the events that best suit them. The approach has allowed Timms to collect more than 20 sprint car victories since the beginning of 2021 and get laps at tracks against challenging competition all over the country.
“It’ll probably just end up being pick-and-choose here and there, wherever the big money is that weekend,” Timms said of his tentative plans. “We’ll run some All Stars, some Outlaws, some of the High Limit stuff, everything.”
One area of the country Timms doesn’t have much experience in is Pennsylvania and it’s a region he hopes to visit more often. “The Keystone State” features the best local talent the sport has to offer, hosts the nation’s top series several times each year and is a necessary beast to conquer for anyone looking to go far in the sport.
“Those tracks out there (in Pennsylvania), they’re just different,” Timms said. “They’re really tricky, especially with the competition. They’re just so good out there.
“It teaches you a lot with all of the half-miles out there and how good everyone is,” Timms added. “It’s a good place to learn. I’m glad I get the opportunity to go across the nation and run everywhere.”
Timms made a brief summer trip to Pennsylvania this year, adding his name to the roster for the PA Speedweek shows where his age (15 at the time) didn’t prevent him from racing. He tacked on a few more local appearances, too.
Like it does for most newcomers, the state proved to be challenging, but Timms took a liking to the famed Juniata County oval that is Port Royal Speedway.
“We ran out in PA for about a month or maybe more,” Timms reflected. “We kind of struggled everywhere other than Port Royal. We started to get it down a little bit toward the end of our time out there. I’d like to go back there again. Port Royal is one of the most fun tracks I’ve ever been to.”
With age no longer being a factor, Timms will have plenty of chances to battle in PA and anywhere else in the country he desires during the coming season.
At the beginning of this year the story was when will Ryan Timms get to race with the Outlaws? Next year, it’ll likely escalate to when will he beat the Outlaws? It’s something that’s also on Timms’ mind, but the wise driver is focused on more experience and improvement, and he knows success will naturally follow.
“I still have a lot to learn,” Timms admitted. “I’ve just got to keep getting more seat time and eventually I’ll start winning some (Outlaw races).”
Keyword: What’s Next For Ryan Timms?