News Director 
Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – MIDDLETOWN, NY – Although he is unsure of his racing plans after 2022, Ryan Neiger is looking forward to the upcoming season and he has some goals in mind.
“I’ve had a lot of races where I came close. I’m looking to get that first win in 2022 and I think we can be contenders for the championship. We have a good car and some new sponsors, so everything is in place to put us over the top.”
Ryan had a solid season at OCFS in 2021. He finished 6th in the very competitive OCFS Sportsman division season long point standings. He finished 2nd to Josh Allen and had a couple of other top five finishes.
Neiger is another of the OCFS drivers who has been around racing almost his whole life. His cousins, Ray and Frank Jashembowski, have won multiple features at OCFS and his uncle, Bucky Neiger, was an owner of the great looking and fast #32 cars that raced at OCFS in the 80’s with Bobby Decker and Kevin Collins.
Ryan got his start in racing with Slingshots at Hamlin Speedway. After taking time out to help raise his children and work at the family business, he returned a few seasons ago and he really showed his potential with his 2021 performances.
“We had a good season last year, but we want to do better this year. We have our 2021 Bicknell that we are updating and I’m confident that we can have our share of success in 2022.”
Neiger also has plans to travel to some other events through the course of the season.
“I really like racing up at Albany Saratoga Speedway, so we are going to try to make it up there when we can. We are also planning on hitting a few of the Short Track Super Series races.”
But Ryan has his eyes squarely on a run for the 2022 OCFS Sportsman championship.
“Our main focus is at OCFS, going for wins and the championship.”
One of the things Ryan enjoyed about his early days watching races was seeing the Dash For Cash. He and his company sponsored a dash last year for the Sportsman and he would like to do that again this year.
“I always loved the Dash For Cash back in the day, so we did one last year. I’ve been talking with Doug (Dulgarian) about doing one again this year.”
And Neiger shared what his plans for after 2022 might possibly look like.
“My son is at the age where he would like to start racing in a Slingshot. And in the future, I would like to put together a big Small Block for a local racer for some of the bigger shows.”
Sponsors on the #5 for 2022 include Quintessential Mortgage Group (White Plains, NY), Wagner Contracting LLC (Westtown, NY), D. Anderson Inc. Towing (Middletown, NY), Reed Logistics (Middletown, NY) and Hollywood Towing (Middletown, NY).
Helping to keep Ryan on the track are Steve Fairweather and Ed Gillen.
With some of the 2021 OCFS Sportsman top 5 point finishers changing up what they have planned for 2022, the race for this year’s title is wide open. Ryan Neiger not only wants to be one of those in the mix for that title, he wants to make it onto the top step of the OCFS podium. Based on his 2021 performances, that is very possible. Good luck in 2022 Ryan!!
