The Flying Gaylords

Family Affair

Gaylord met his future wife while both were competing for the same team in the Escort series. Scott first asked Donna for a date over the car-to-car radio while they were circulating—in separate cars—behind the pace car during a caution period. The then Donna Sue Landon won numerous races, including an SCCA Divisional Championship and a victory in an Escort Endurance race. Donna continued to race until just before second-child Chase was born. Today, Donna acts as a spotter for whichever of her relatives is racing and also works at the garage.


Ryan is a 20-year-old college student who will be racing an IMCA dirt modified this summer. In an auspicious debut, he won his first modified race. He’s also raced on pavement and, since the family is from Colorado, ice. When not driving, he works as an over-the-wall pit crewman for his father. While in high school, Ryan helped his team make it to the state semi-finals in soccer. (More full disclosure: This writer and his wife once babysat Ryan while the infant’s father was racing and his mother spotting. I sincerely hope he wins the NASCAR Cup Series title, so I can say I changed the champ’s diaper.)


After a successful run in karts, Tripp moved up to stock cars as a 14-year-old eighth grader. He scored a fourth-place finish in his debut. In 2009, he’ll be running a full season at I-76 Speedway in Ft. Morgan, Colorado. Like the rest of the family, when he’s not racing he’s helping the others’ racing effort. In his spare time, he’s a soccer player like his older brother. While the Gaylords have a long way to go before equaling the Mannings’ accomplishments, remember the names Ryan and Tripp.

About the Author
Mac Demere is an auto journalist, vehicle tester and race driver who competed in the NASCAR Southwest Tour and Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.