Header image  
west coast nascar style racing  
 
 

Welcome to West Coast NASCAR Style Racing
Ron Esau was one of the first NASCAR Drivers from the west coast to mix it up with some of the Good ole boy of NASCAR EAST. Ron's 4 major wins in sportsman events on the historical Riverside International Racing 2.62 road course gave Ron several rides with some of the west coast races in NASCAR. Ron raced NASCAR Sportsman (now Nationwide events) with Dale Earnhardt, Richard Childress, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Jarrett, Mark Martin and some of the best drivers in the world at the age of 17. Ron's heros were Bobby Allison and Dan Gurney. Ron watched Dan Gurney in the Wood Brothers Ford win 6 of 7 NASCAR racing on the Riverside Road course. Ron also got a chance to drive several times for James Hylton, Buddy Arrington and had a great time learning the big tracks. In 1986 Ron won the NASCAR inaugural Southwest tour championship. Ron moved back east to get the experience needed to race in NASCAR top division in 1988. At 34 years of age Ron was to young and did not have big track experience. After a few months of running for Buddy Arrington on a very limited budget, Ron came home to help take over the family business and race for a hobby and coach others. Ron finished 3rd in Australia behind Terry Labonte and Ken Schrader in 1990. That finish helped Ken Schrader’s decision in putting Ron Esau in his AC Delco Truck in Monroe Washington when  Kenny cut off his thumb in the pits. Ron Esau's friend and competitor Ron Hornaday beat out Ron Esau in a West Coast Winter heat and received a call from Dale Earnhardt to drive for him on the east coast. Ron Esau’s first Crew Chief Marc Reno moved back east with Mark Martin to become one of the best crew chiefs in the business. Ron Esau’s good friend of the family and fellow racer Jerry Baxter moved back east and became the crew chief for Michael Waltrip’s Nationwide team. Ron has several friends in NASCAR Racing and this site shares some of the photos and link to this fun but sometimes dangerous sport. Ron has lots of connection to the NASCAR east coast and would like to share some of his photos.

Ron's latest trip visited fellow San Diego's racer Brian Ickler with Rons Golf buddy,Spotter,Sponsor, and friend Dave Reed. Dave Reed son Austin Reed is a new young racer to watch for.