Ryan Bernal’s life-long goal was always been to be a professional racer – not having to care about school or other distractions – by taking his driving talents across the country.
In 2012, Bernal got to experience everything that went into a full time racer once he graduated from San Benito High last May. And Bernal didn’t lack success. He was rewarded with titles in the Mini Gold Cup, the Trophy Cup, the Louie Vermeil Classic and the Grudge Series Championship.
Along the way, Bernal raced everywhere from California to Indianapolis. In total, he won nine premier races – one less than his goal of 10. It was his most successful season yet on the track racing for the United States Auto Club’s West Coast Sprint Car Racing series. He finished in second place in the WCSC with 563 points behind Bud Kaeding’s 615, while placing sixth in the CRA standings with 410 points.
“I did have my ups and downs throughout the year but I always did the best I could,” Bernal said. “I was really thankful for my opportunities this year. It’s everything that I always wanted to do. This year was a big step up for me and it puts me a stop closer to where I want to be.”
It included big win after big win.
“This year I set that goal and we had a lot of big wins,” he said. “We won some of our biggest races yet.”
And by the end – before he could compete one season as a full-time driver – he was nominated for the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame.
“That was a shock,” his father Rick Bernal said. “That came out of no where. It definitely shows he is opening some eyes in what he has done splitting time here and back east.”
One of his biggest races came at Calistoga Speedway on Sept. 1 in the Louie Vermeil Classic. On the 1/2 mile race track, he shook off a slow start to blow away the field on the top half of the track.
“Nobody was racing up there and we told Ryan to go up there and he did,” Rick Bernal said. “It was cool to see. It was his biggest win of the year. He did really well.”
For Ryan Bernal, it put him on the same list of winners with his favorite drivers, he said.
“It’s s privilege to be there with all of them,” Bernal said.
His success didn’t end there, though. His biggest accomplishment came in a third place finish during the 72nd annual Turkey Nigh Grand Prix on Thanksgiving day at the Perris Auto Speedway. In the 98-lap race, Bernal took a 22nd starting position and finished third. For his race, he was named the Don Basile Rookie of the Race Award, the same achievement given to Bernal’s idol Kasey Kahne.
“That was huge for me,” he said. “It’s an honor to have my name alongside Kasey’s.”
Bernal finished behind first place finisher Kyle Larson and Jerry Coons Jr. in the field of 34 racers.
With all the success in 2012, Bernal expects 2013 to be even better, he said. Bernal hopes to kick off his 2013 racing season with a strong start. From Jan. 8 to Jan. 12, Bernal will take part in the 2013 Chili Bowl in Tulsa, Okla. He will compete with 250 drivers from around the country, including three-time NASCAR series champion Tony Stewart.
“This is a great opportunity for me,” Bernal said. “It’s all the top dogs in racing there. I’m ready for the Chili Bowl. For me, I have all the confidence entering it. I’m putting everything into 2013. I’m really excited to see what 2013 brings.”
