BENTON, Ky. – Dirt late model racer Tanner English has announced he will be joining Riggs Motorsports, effective Monday.
The second generation driver will immediately start prepping the Riggs Motorsports XR1 Rocket Chassis for the 44th annual Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Fla., from Feb. 3-8.
English will pilot the No. 81e machine for Riggs Motorsports, while Jason Riggs will be car No. 81 and his brother, Jack Riggs, will be No. 81j. In addition, Jake Little – who is the crew chief for Jason – will also jump behind the wheel for a select few appearances.
“I am excited to be partnering up with Scott and Jason Riggs with Riggs Motorsports,” English said in a press release on his website. “This will be a big change for me, as I will be able to work at the shop and race full time. It’s a brand new experience, as I usually have very minimal time after work to prepare for upcoming events.
“It will be great to have the opportunity to focus on racing and I think we will make a really good team,” English said. “I want to thank Scott and Jason for believing in me and giving me this opportunity to further my racing career. They are a great racing family with a very similar mindset to my own and I am looking forward to a successful 2020 season.”
Following East Bay’s annual Winternationals, the team will compete in a pick and choose type of schedule throughout the year – one that makes sense geographically and financially. The team plans toe enter most of the DIRTcar Summer Nationals events across the Midwest in June and July, meaning a run at the series title isn’t out of the question.
“Riggs Motorsports is very excited to add Tanner English to our team,” said team owner Scott Riggs, who has also fielded cars in the past for Brian Shirley, Scott James, Kevin Cole and others. “I have personally watched Tanner race since he was eleven years old. Tanner is a very talented racecar driver and will put in the work needed to be successful, but more important than racing – he is a good person and does things the right way. Riggs Motorsports has a big year planned starting at East Bay, as Tanner will drive alongside Jason Riggs and our newest racer – 17-year-old Jack Riggs.”