Ryan Sieg #39: Near Victories and Amazing Determination

In NASCAR, an elite class with top-tier equipment makes it difficult for teams without massive investments to catch them. Owner-driver Ryan Sieg has handled the struggle better than most. Sieg has yet to win, but his near-late-stage win at the 2025 Hard Rock Bet 300 was the most recent reminder of his greatness and passion for racing.

A Near-Stage Win at the 2025 Hard Rock Bet 300.

Homestead-Miami Speedway stage 1, he once again demonstrated that he’s 1 of the Xfinity Series’ most determined competitors. In his family-owned RSS Racing No. 39 Ford, on laps 31 and 34, both Sieg brothers pitted while most didn’t, a move that paid off. Going from 31st to in contention for the stage win in only four laps, passing by everyone like his car had a rocket engine. But Sieg’s stage win wasn’t meant to be. This strategic brilliance culminated in being outfoxed by one of those elite teams.

JRM driver Sammy Smith pitted on lap 39 and went by both Sieg’s to take the green checkered for the stage victory. Sieg expressed both pride in his performance and a bittersweet acknowledgment of how close victory was within his grasp. “I was doing all I could do out there,” a sentiment that echoes through his career as much as it did on that day.

Memories of 2024: The Photo Finish at Texas

His near triumph at Homestead is not an isolated incident. In one of NASCAR’s most talked-about photo finishes in a season full of them, Sieg was beaten by 0.002 seconds by another JRM driver, Sam Mayer, who’s now on Haas. The race was representative of Sieg’s career: impressive performances where he led laps, pushed the envelope, and used his skill and strategy to stay upfront. With incidents involving those elite cars giving his team the chance to win.

His car got tight, allowing Sam Mayer to catch up and seal his 2nd place faster. A finish that shows his skill and resilience. A personal milestone proving that the unthinkable might happen under the right conditions. However, this wouldn’t be the last opportunity for Sieg to grab a 2024 win. The fall Talladega race would give Sieg and RSS another victory opportunity. The RSS team took advantage of what is the most excellent chance for an underfunded team to win. Only to finish 2nd to Sammy Smith, pushing him to victory ironically.

A Career Highlight from 2017 at Iowa Speedway

Further back, Ryan Sieg’s 2017 runner-up finish at Iowa Speedway was the first sign of his true talent. Sieg boldly decided to stay out on older tires during a late caution, a gamble that paid off. He moved into contention in the final laps, and in a fiercely contested battle, Sieg could stay ahead of JRM driver Tyler Reddick, only to fall just short of the win when he could not overtake the leader on the final stretch. This was his intro to the wider racing world.

The Common Thread: Unyielding Determination

Across these near-victories—from the near-stage win at the 2025 Hard Rock Bet 300, through the unforgettable photo finish at Texas in 2024, to the career-best runner-up finish at Iowa in 2017—he shows his passion, skill, and intelligence for racing. While this hasn’t gotten him a win yet, it has gotten him more than most.

A low-budget family team that’s lasted since 2009, longer than most low-budget teams. And a career that’s seen him finish in the top ten 69 times and make the playoffs 4 times. He’s had a better time than most, and that’s because he converted his passion into intelligence and skill, mixed with his family’s love for racing and for him. Has given him more chances than most and a very unique career story. Thanks a bunch for reading!