NASCAR outfit DGM Racing have claimed they are still in 'shock' after confirming the exit of one of their drivers ahead of 2026.
Ryan Ellis has driven the No. 71 Chevrolet for the team in the Xfinity Series this season, having joined ahead of the 2025 campaign.
His season so far has yielded just one top 10 finish, which came at Charlotte in May, with the No. 71 driver having achieved an average finish of 24.5.
It has now been confirmed that Ellis and DGM Racing will not continue working together heading into 2026.
DGM Racing issue Ryan Ellis statement
In a statement released on social media during Saturday's Xfinity Series race at Martinsville, DGM Racing confirmed that Ellis would be leaving the team following next weekend's season finale at Phoenix.
"DGM Racing will part ways with Ryan Ellis, Driver of the No. 71 Chevrolet, following Championship Weekend in Phoenix.
"We wish Ryan the best in his next chapter and look forward to finishing the year strong with Classic Collision on board for our last race together."
With the news dropped during Saturday's race, some fans sarcastically questioned whether or not they had informed the driver of the decision.
However, the team hit back, claiming that Ellis was the one who had decided to end the relationship and that they were still in shock from the news.
"To clarify, Ryan Ellis is fully aware as this was HIS decision," DGM Racing wrote in a follow up tweet.
"We were already putting 2026 plans into motion… until we weren’t. It’s still a shock to us as well."
Ellis reaction
Taking to social media himself on the matter, Ellis issued a statement of his own.
In a heartfelt post, the Torrance, California native thanked the team for being so welcoming to himself and his family, and said he was lucky to have worked with and made some long-lasting friendships.
"When I came to DGM Racing this year, it was one of the few teams I knew no one at," Ellis wrote. "In the year we’ve worked together, the Gosselin family, and everyone who works for DGM has truly become family. Not just to me, but also to my family and friends.
"I know that phrase is often said, but it is so extremely true in this case. Every person at DGM has been amazing to me and my family, friends, and sponsors. On track, DGM gave me a phenomenal opportunity with some amazing cars.
I’m so lucky to have met everyone at DGM and I hope these friendships last a long long time. I could not have asked for a nicer, more relatable group - they’ve worked so hard to provide me with everything I could have asked for.
"We’ve shared laughs, happy tears (thank god for them helping me break my top-10 curse at Charlotte), and made some phenomenal memories.
"Nothing but endless love for everyone at DGM and that’s something I can never ever truly vocalize or frame into a tweet."
