NAME: Ross Zumbach
DATE OF BIRTH: October 24, 1989
HOMETOWN: Racine, Minnesota
FAMILY: Son of Brad and Jill Zumbach, Sibling to sister KayLea Zumbach
HOBBIES: Hunting, Golfing, Archery, Playing other sports
YEARS RACING: 15
CAREER GOAL: One of NASCAR's top series, make a living driving a racecar

In 1995, Ross joined our "team" at the age of five. He continued racing Go-Karts through age 11, competing in series events as well as National events through 2001.

In 2002, he made a move to the Legends Series at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The highlight was being awarded with a fourth place finish in final points at Hawkeye Downs, and earning Rookie of the Year honors for the Iowa Legends Series. Nationally, Ross was ranked 18th in the Young Lions Points standings. In December 2002, Ross was given the opportunity to drive a car owned by Gene Peterson Racing. The GPR operation is based out of Des Moines, IA, and consists of the #5 Chevy Coupe, asphalt Mid American Sportsman, and the ASL ride of Curtis Van Der Wal.

The 2003 season was a successful year, and another critical learning year for driver and "crew". We were able to chalk up 7 top three finishes with our greatest achievement being Ross's 1st career Legends win. At the age of 13 Ross became the youngest driver with a feature win in the Hawkeye Downs Friday Night Racing Series. We ended the 2003 season on the I-94 Speedway in Sauk Centre, MN. This is a fast 3/8 track that will prove to be another test in the development for our program.

2004 took us back to the fast 3/8 mile track at I-94 Speedway. The learning experience continued as Ross was now qualifying and carrying much more speed into the corners. We ran a limited schedule but still had an opportunity to make the changes and adjustments needed to obtain our goals. Our highlight was a 50 lap national tour race.

2005 was a challenge just to get a race completed. Between snow, rain and tornados, "mother nature" did her best to keep us off the track. What she could not do was done by motor problems. We were solid through the corner but the power loss from a bad head was a little more than Ross could overcome. Our biggest news of this season was a chance to test the Mid American Sportsman that Gene Peterson owns. Ross did a great job in a car he had never been in prior to the test date. At the hands of Curtis Van Der Wal, a current ASL Racing Series driver, as his spotter, he was able to finish his day about .6 seconds off the race winner speed the night before.

Gene Peterson giave Ross the opportunity to drive the Mid-Am car for him for the 2006 season. We ran a full season at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. With a very successful season, achieving Rookie of the Year honors, as well as 4 feature victories along with numerous top 5's as well as top tens! To help prepare himself for the 2006 season Ross attended Finishline Racing School in Edgewater, Florida. This was another big step in Ross's career, and should became a great opportunity for Ross to learn the arts, skills and business of motorsports.

2007 brought a year of trials as well as tribulations. Ross had yet another huge learning curve. Not only running as many Mid-American races as possible, but occasionally at Elko Speedway, as well as Hawkeye Downs Speedway. The entire team experienced many problems, but even at times of struggle, things were being learned. Ross had the opportunity to race at the Worlds Oldest Racing facility, the Milwaukee Mile. Ross finished 14th, despite many problems throughout the race, both mechanically and physically! This was a huge step in Ross' young career once again!

2008 was another stepping stone in Ross' career. This was the first year in a new equipment since Ross was in Go-Karts. This brought many new unique challenges to the table, and through adversity Ross and the rest of the Ross Zumbach Motorsports team made the year a memorable one. Highlighting the year was Ross' win at the Milwaukee Mile. This Governor's Cup victory made Ross the youngest winner ever in the history of the nation's oldest operating speedway!

2009 was a big step in Ross' racing career. The goals he set at age 12 became reality, when he was givin the opportunity to drive in the ASA Late Model Series. Ross was fortunate enough to work with veteran and established crew chief Rich Lushes. Though Ross was only able to participate in a few races, he learned a lot both behind the wheel and also working on cars at the track. 2010 is shaping up to be a big year for the now 20 year old!