Tragedy Strikes NASCAR: Ryan Sieg Mourns the Loss of Beloved Pit Crew Member Zachary Yager
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Ryan Sieg, the driver of the #39 RSS Racing Ford in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, has been left shattered by the death of his esteemed pit crew member, Zachary Yager. This devastating loss has cast a pall over the entire racing community, as Sieg expressed profound sorrow for his fallen teammate, emphasizing the impact Yager had on both the team and the broader NASCAR family.
Details surrounding the circumstances of Yager’s untimely passing are scarce, but it has been reported that he had been missing since August 18. The 34-year-old jackman was not just a member of the #39 team; he was a seasoned professional with a rich history in NASCAR, having previously lent his talents to distinguished teams such as Richard Childress Racing, Team Penske, and RFK Racing. Yager’s notable achievements included contributing to the victory of the 2023 Daytona 500 alongside Ricky Stenhouse Jr. with JTG Daugherty Racing, now known as Hyak Motorsports.
In an emotional statement shared on X, Sieg articulated the team’s collective grief: “We are devastated at the loss of a member of the 39 team and the NASCAR family, Zachary Yager. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.” The outpouring of support did not stop there; ThorSport Racing, another team where Yager lent his skills in the Craftsman Truck Series, also expressed their heartfelt condolences, declaring that he would be deeply missed. As a poignant tribute, four of ThorSport’s Ford F-150 entries will don memorial decals in Yager’s honor during the upcoming race weekend.
As Ryan Sieg gears up for the 2025 season, currently positioned 14th in standings with three top-five finishes and nine top-10 finishes, he faces an uphill battle. Heading into the next race at Portland International Raceway, Sieg finds himself grappling with a daunting 56-point deficit to the playoff cutline. This season has been a rollercoaster for Sieg, who recently reflected on his heartbreaking DNF at Daytona.
After leading 19 laps at the Daytona race, Sieg’s hopes were dashed in a catastrophic multi-car wreck that left him reeling. “Couldn’t pull it off,” Sieg lamented, as he watched his chances of playoff contention slip away. Just four laps from the finish, he was leading the charge on the outside when disaster struck, resulting in a collision that involved several other drivers, including Matt DiBenedetto and Josh Williams.
Reflecting on the Wawa 250 at Daytona, Sieg expressed his frustration on social media, stating, “Gave it all we had at Daytona on Friday night. Led in the closing laps but couldn’t pull it off. Thanks to SciAps and all of our fans for always supporting us.” Ultimately, he secured a disappointing 31st-place finish, leaving Florida with a mere 12 points from the weekend. Meanwhile, Connor Zilisch emerged victorious after Parker Kligerman took his #88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet to victory lane.
As the racing world grapples with the loss of Zachary Yager and the emotional toll it has taken on his colleagues, the spirit of camaraderie remains strong. The memory of Yager will undoubtedly continue to resonate throughout the NASCAR community, as fans and fellow racers alike remember the impact he made both on and off the track.
