YOUNG GUNS: RICKY G

RICKY G HITS THE BIG LEAGUES STORY AND PHOTOS: SHAUN OCHSNER

Seventeen year-old Ricky Gutierrez is Ricky even asked his dad to create a fake birth quickly becoming a household name, certificate, so he could get behind the wheel dicing it up with some of the best Pro-2 and go racing. He spent that season watching drivers in short course off-road racing. Ricky every racer from the grandstands. G quickly came up through the ranks, racing trophy karts. He has always had his sights set on the big leagues, or in this case, the Pro-2 class. Normally, a racer doesn’t jump right into a Pro-2 after racing a Modified Kart, but hearing Ricky’s story he has the drive, passion and determination and is following his dream. Ricky’s dad raced in the desert. Ricky G was always in the pits, helping out wherever he could, learning the tools of the trade. He would sit in the seat of the race vehicle, trying on the oversize helmets, dreaming of the future. One day Ricky’s dad brought a Junior 1 trophy kart home. Ricky G was ecstatic. He was just seven years old. Still too young to race in the series.

When Ricky finally got behind the wheel of the Junior 1 kart, he secured his first championship. He then moved up to the Junior 2 class. Next up was the Modified Kart class. When Ricky outgrew the modified Kart class he jumped straight into a Pro-2 and got his feet wet at the Lucas Oil Regional Series. At least there, the drivers are a little more forgiving. He could learn some new skills. He couldn’t wait to race the Lucas Oil National events. The racing was nothing like Ricky had ever experienced before. He was a true rookie. The races ate at his confidence level. He wasn’t sure he could compete. He thought he bit off more than he could chew. He and the team struggled. He wanted to give up, but he persevered.

Fast forward to the 2020 season, Ricky is ready to win races and he is not a afraid to stick his truck in the mix. The team got serious about the truck set-up. Top guys were brought in to help Ricky. Everybody from driving coaches, former racers, to prep guys, now help Ricky’s program. He is very attentive to the information these professionals give him. Ricky spent the offseason testing and boosting his confidence level. Ricky continued to test during the lockdown, knowing he would be back on track soon. Ricky’s first weekend in the truck at the inaugural Championship Off Road event at ERX Motorsports Park in Minnesota, he secured his first national podium taking third place in Round 2. He then came back

out West and took second on the podium in Round 1 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. Starting out on the front row, Ricky did all he could to hold off the rest of the field. Unfortunately, Jerett Brooks slipped by him in a corner. Hot on Ricky’s heels was veteran and mentor Brian Deegan. Deegan, who had not been behind the wheel of a Pro-2 in a couple of seasons, was not able get past Ricky when the checkered flag flew. One thing is apparent. This young teen is ready for the big leagues and still has even bigger dreams. He is looking for a Pro-2 championship and one day a Baja 1000 win in desert racing. Just remember that household name– Ricky G.