15 Facts About Ricky Gonzalez

Ricky Gonzalez became the first Hispanic-American driver to compete in ARCA and NASCAR.

Ricky Gonzalez became interested in racing when he attended a race that his father's friend was competing in at Flemington Speedway.

Ricky Gonzalez started racing motocross bikes and moved up the racing ladder, where he would then progress to racing go-karts, microstocks, and Legends cars.

Ricky Gonzalez then competed in the American Race Trucks Series and the NASCAR Goody's Dash Series.

Ricky Gonzalez reached the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2004 and would attempt two races for Troxell Racing in a partnership with Rick Ware Racing.

Ricky Gonzalez was to drive for a team called Coqui Motorsports.

Ricky Gonzalez made his ARCA debut at Chicago in Wayne Peterson Racing's No 06 Chevrolet, and would make one other start in that car in the next race at Salem.

Ricky Gonzalez crashed out of both races and would finish 27th and 26th, respectively.

In 2005, Ricky Gonzalez would run full-time and for rookie of the year with the Peterson team split between their various entries.

Ricky Gonzalez was not eligible to run at Daytona, so his first start of the year came in the second race of the season at Nashville, which he did not qualify for along with a staggering twelve other races.

Ricky Gonzalez's team partnered with Lafferty Motorsports to field his Talladega entry.

Ricky Gonzalez first returned to the Peterson team, with a DNQ in the No 0 at Nashville.

Ricky Gonzalez returned to the same car the following race at Gateway, which was without RNH support.

Ricky Gonzalez failed to qualify the No 94, but was given a chance to return to the Peterson No 0 again when team owner-driver Wayne Peterson stepped out of the start and park ride for Ricky Gonzalez, who would do the same.

Ricky Gonzalez is of Puerto Rican descent and was a member of NASCAR's Diversity Council when he was competing in the sport.