Gio Ruggiero
BornGiovanni Ruggiero
(2006-08-29) August 29, 2006
Seekonk, Massachusetts, U.S.
Achievements2022 Show Me The Money Pro Late Model Series Champion
2023 Southern Super Series Champion
2023 CRA Super Series Champion
2023 Winchester 400 Winner
ARCA Menards Series career
ARCA no., teamNo. TBA (Venturini Motorsports)
ARCA Menards Series East career
1 race run over 1 year
ARCA East no., teamNo. TBA (Venturini Motorsports)
First race2023 Music City 200 (Nashville Fairgrounds)
Last race2023 Music City 200 (Nashville Fairgrounds)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 1 0
ARCA Menards Series West career
ARCA West no., teamNo. TBA (Venturini Motorsports)
Statistics current as of December 18, 2023.

Giovanni Ruggiero (born August 29, 2006) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the ARCA Menards Series East, and part-time in the ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series West, driving the No. TBA Toyota Camry for Venturini Motorsports. He is a member of the Toyota Racing Development.

Racing career

Early career

Ruggiero began racing Legend cars at a young age, convincing his father to be involved in racing after watching races at Seekonk Speedway in Massachusetts, his hometrack.[1]

In 2021, he began racing at local short tracks in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, winning a race at Hudson Speedway in the process.[2]

Late models

In 2022, Ruggiero increased his racing schedule and began driving late models across the United States. He ran a full season in the Show Me The Money Pro Late Model Series at Montgomery Motor Speedway, winning two races and eventually the championship.[3] He also ran in the Solid Rock Carriers CARS Pro Late Model Tour, winning in his first career start at Greenville-Pickens Speedway.[4]

In 2023, he expanded his schedule further and ran full-time in three different series. He won the championship in both the CRA Super Series and the Southern Super Series that year, and finished 3rd in point standings in the ASA STARS National Tour.[5][6] He won the Tar Heel 250 at Hickory Motor Speedway after making an aggressive last-lap pass on William Byron for the win.[7] He also won the prestigious Winchester 400 at Winchester Speedway.[8] After the race, Ruggiero was involved in a post-race altercation with Stephen Nasse.[9] With nine laps to go, Ruggiero and Nasse made contact in turn one, forcing Nasse into the outside wall and losing three positions. During post-race, Stephen's father, Jeff Nasse, was clipped by the side of Ruggiero's car as he attempted to confront him. Three days later, Ruggiero was docked 25 owner and driver points and received a fine of US$3,000, with Nasse being docked 44 owner and driver points, and receiving a fine of US$4,500. Both drivers were placed on probation for the remainder of the season.[10]

ARCA Series

On May 11, 2023, it was announced that Ruggiero would make his unexpected debut in the ARCA Menards Series East, driving the No. 20 car for Venturini Motorsports at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. The original driver of the race, Isabella Robusto, suffered from a concussion following a recent late model wreck and therefore was sidelined from competing. Ruggiero qualified 2nd and ran inside the top five for the entire race, eventually finishing in 4th.[1]

On December 18, 2023, it was announced that Ruggiero will return to the ARCA Menards Series in 2024, running a 16-race schedule for Venturini Motorsports across all three divisions, including a full season in the East Series.[11]

Personal life

Despite sharing the same last name, he is not related to former NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver Reggie Ruggiero.

Motorsports career results

ARCA Menards Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.)

ARCA Menards Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 AMSC Pts Ref
2024 Venturini Motorsports TBA Toyota DAY PHO TAL DOV KAN CLT IOW MOH BLN IRP SLM ELK MCH ISF MLW DSF GLN BRI KAN TOL

ARCA Menards Series East

ARCA Menards Series East results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 AMSEC Pts Ref
2023 Venturini Motorsports 20 Toyota FIF DOV NSV
4		 FRS IOW IRP MLW BRI 29th 40 [12]
2024 TBA FIF DOV NSV FRS IOW IRP MLW BRI

ARCA Menards Series West

ARCA Menards Series West results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 AMSWC Pts Ref
2024 Venturini Motorsports TBA Toyota PHO IRW KER PIR SON IRW SHA TRI MAD AAS KER PHO

References

  1. 1 2 White, Brandon (May 11, 2023). "Gio Ruggiero ready to make the most of his opportunity with Venturini Motorsports at Nashville Fairgrounds". ARCA. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Gio Ruggiero – Toyota Racing". Toyota Racing. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  3. ↑ Adams, Landon (November 14, 2022). "Alabama State CHAMPIONSHIP!". Montgomery Motor Speedway. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Giovanni Ruggiero Leads Wire-to-Wire in CARS Tour Debut". Racing America. April 10, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  5. ↑ Corder, Chuck (September 26, 2023). "Nasse, Pollard win Five Flags, Ruggiero takes SSS title". AccessWDUN. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Gio Ruggiero Posts Strong Rookie Super Late Model Season". Racing America. November 28, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  7. ↑ Branscum, Benjamine (May 25, 2023). "Giovanni Ruggiero wins the Tar Heel 250 After Late Race Dive Bomb on William Byron". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Ruggiero Wins Winchester 400, ASA/CRA Super Series Title". SpeedSport.com. October 15, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  9. ↑ Evans, Zach (October 15, 2023). "Ruggiero, Nasse Clash in Battle for 52nd Winchester 400 Win". Racing America. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Winchester 400 Penalty Statement Released". Racing America. October 18, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  11. ↑ Christie, Toby (December 18, 2023). "Gio Ruggiero Lands 16-Race ARCA Deal With Venturini Motorsports". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Giovanni Ruggiero – 2023 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 18, 2023.

Official website

Giovanni Ruggiero driver statistics at Racing-Reference

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