KRN Driver Spotlight: Kirchoff Racing

Kirchoff Racing celebrates a win in Dodge City, from left to right, Tanya Kirchoff, Ryan Kirchoff, Cailyn Kirchoff, Cale Kirchoff and Jack Kirchoff! Photo credits to Carl Red Larson!

By: Sheldon Wickwar

Hailing from Garden City, KS is a three-generation family race team called Kirchoff Racing, Jack and Ryan Kirchoff are the guys behind the wheel of the 88J and 28K sport mods. Ryan’s grandfather, Jack’s father raced a couple times, while focusing on working on and building race cars. A Kirchoff family member has been racing since the 1960’s. The cars today are Jack’s 88J being a bright red sport mod and Ryan’s 28K being solid black with orange numbers, and occasionally a Kansas Jayhawks sticker on a bar. The family duo is always working hard and together, whether it is in the family shop, or at Burtis Motor company where they run the show. The father-son duo is always focused but also always willing to lend a hand and help the up-and-coming drivers in the sport.  

Jack’s career started in 2000 in the micro class, by 2005 he had transitioned to IMCA modifieds, and in 2021 moved to the sport mod class. Jack has four wins in the sport mod class that he currently runs in. Jack says his favorite memories are the wins and seeing his son Ryan grow in his racing abilities. Jack values the friendships that he has with his competitors and fans in racing, when he is not behind the wheel of his sport mod, Jack is running the show at Burtis Motor Company a local Ford dealership. Jack also loves to spend time with his wife, and kids, as well as his grandchildren.  

Ryan’s career started in 2018 where he has always run a sport mod, both family cars are built and prepared by Mike Petersilie with First Class Chassis, and Ryan has found newfound success in the 2025 season. Ryan just wrapped up his first track championship in his career; he won it in Dodge City and said it was “the hardest season ever” while trying to capture a title. Ryan has four career wins, two of them coming in 2025, and his first one captured in Dodge City, KS in 2019. Away from racing, Ryan is a loving husband and father, of two children. Cale his son joins Ryan and Jack trackside often, while Cailyn his daughter, and Tanya his wife makes appearances when their schedules allow. Ryan a Garden City native works alongside his dad at Burtis Motor Company as the vice president, Ryan also enjoys coaching basketball in the offseason, as well as supporting FHSU athletics and his favorite Kansas Jayhawks. Ryan says the time spent with his father trackside has been “priceless” and that he is “very fortunate to have the opportunity to share racing with his father, and wants to see his son or daughter follow, if they are interested.”  

Kirchoff racing has been a multi-generational sport and if they have it their way, will continue for generations to come. Kirchoff racing is supported by Burtis Motor Company, INC, 1^st Class Chassis, First Class Designs, Kearny County Bank, CPD Shocks, Ratliff Financial as well as countless friends and family.