From Welding School to the Fast Lane: A Racer's Dream Realized

August 12, 2024

On the first day of class, when welding instructor Dale Glessner went around the room asking each student what they hoped to achieve, one student stood out. Ryan Gemmell didn't just talk about his dreams; he had a plan. On day one, he declared his ambition to move to North Carolina and break into the racing scene. And that's exactly what he did.

This is the story of a young man from Marion Center, Indiana County, who had an unconventional route to racing. Unlike many who grow up in the sport, he wasn't surrounded by racing culture from a young age. Instead, he had a passion, a plan and the determination to make it all happen.

The Early Years: Setting the Foundation

Growing up, racing was a dream that seemed distant. Gemmell attended races but never had the opportunity to be directly involved until his teenage years when he started helping out with an amateur racing team. It was basic work, a far cry from the world of professional motorsports, but it was enough to light a fire within him.

Knowing that a career in racing required more than just a passion for speed, he understood the importance of having a skill that would be valuable in the industry. In motorsports, fabrication work and welding are essential, and so he decided to pursue welding as his entry point. After touring several schools, he chose Westmoreland County Community College. 

“It felt like a no-brainer,” Gemmell explained. “Westmoreland stood out for its state-of-the-art facilities. The equipment and facility is top of the line. You could eat off the floor at the Advanced Technology Center.” 

Learning the Craft: Lessons Beyond Welding

Starting in the fall of 2019, he enrolled in Westmoreland’s welding program and graduated in the spring of 2021. The journey was not without its challenges. Some of the welding techniques were tough to master, requiring him to put in extra time and effort. But he wasn't just learning about welding; he was learning about life. 

Gemmell said, “The biggest thing I learned from my instructor Dale Glessner was, welding aside, there is nothing that will ever be handed to you. He taught us how to ‘life’. Nothing comes without hard work. If you’re going to show up and have a good work ethic, you’re going to succeed.”

Welding became his avenue into the racing industry. He wasn't just focused on the technical skills; he was building a mindset that would later prove invaluable in the high-pressure world of motorsports.

Dr. Byron Kohut, Dean of the School of Technology, fondly recalls Gemmell’s time at the college. 

“I hired Ryan as a lab aide at the Advanced Technology Center given his interest in metal working and his dedication to the school, knowing that I would only have a limited amount of time with him,” Kohut explained. “His interest in race car fabrication gave him a drive to learn everything there is about welding and metalworking. Now, we are learning from him as we build our first stock racing car with professor Dale Glessner and his current students. Ryan has been instrumental in our learning this in-demand trade and has provided a great example of being career focused for our current and future students to learn from.”

The Move to North Carolina: From Sim to Reality

After graduating, his plan to move to North Carolina became a reality in August 2021. He moved with his fiancée Christine after she secured a job, and he quickly got involved in the racing scene. Through a connection with Joe Nemechek and Nemco Motorsports, he was able to secure an internship. This was no ordinary internship—Joe Nemechek, a veteran in the NASCAR world, took him under his wing, teaching him the ins and outs of the racing industry. What was intended to be a short stint evolved into a full-time mechanic position, where he became one of four full-time mechanics in the shop.

Despite growing up racing only on a video game simulator, iRacing, he found that this experience was more relevant than he could have imagined. Sim racing had given him a foundation that translated surprisingly well into real-world racing. The simulation experience became crucial when he was thrust into his first race—an event where he had never driven a real race car before. Remarkably, he finished third in that race, thanks to the skills honed on the simulator.

Breaking Through: A Racing Career Begins

His second race was even more impressive. Competing in a 900 horsepower car, he qualified first and won the race at the Sebring International Raceway during the SVRA Speed Tour at the beginning of 2023. This marked the start of his first full season, which would include approximately 14 races in the NASCAR Classic Series—a series featuring “retired” NASCAR cars like the Toyota Camry. Racing at iconic tracks like Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Daytona Speedway, and Watkins Glen, he was living the dream he had outlined back on that first day of class.

His hard work paid off in a big way when he won the Historic Sports Car Racing Championship in Sebring, a fitting bookend to a season that both started and ended at the same track.

The Future: Living the Dream

Today, Gemmell reflects on his journey with a sense of fulfillment. "I’m 100% living my dream," he says. His plan is to step into professional-level racing, with the ultimate goal of competing in NASCAR. 

His welding degree isn't just a backup plan; it's a part of his daily life. He welds every day, applying the skills he learned to his work in the shop. Looking back, he acknowledges the ironic way life has unfolded. He didn’t grow up in a racing family, but now, thanks to the skills he learned and the connections he made, he’s living a life he once only dreamed of.

As he looks to the future, there’s one thing he knows for sure: the journey isn't over. There's more to achieve, more races to win, and more dreams to chase down. And if his past is any indication, he’ll make it happen—one weld, one race, and one step at a time.