February 10, 2014 — Audio and story by Jacob Seelman for Speed77 Radio and Race Chaser Online — Osborne Racing photo — CHARLOTTE, NC — If you believe in what you can do, then who’s to tell you you can’t?

That mantra has been Pennsylvania native Joe Ryan Osborne’s motto since the start of his career, and in 2014, Osborne will have a prime opportunity to take that motto to the NASCAR level, competing for Rookie of the Year honors on the NASCAR WHELEN Southern Modified Tour with Shady Grady Racing in 2014.

“I’m extrememly excited to be making my Southern Tour debut with Grady Jeffries and the Shady Grady Racing team in 2014,” expressed Osborne to Race Chaser Online after the announcement. “I grew up in Pennsylvania around modified country, and now, to get the chance to race one down South, at some of the most historic tracks in racing, it’s incredible.”

Osborne began his career at the age of four on multiple classes of dirt bikes throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey. Experiencing instant success and a passion for speed, the young driver moved into quarter midgets and traveled across the country for close to the next decade, scoring numerous fast times and track records, over 100 feature wins, eight National championships and three Grand National championships.

In 2010, Joe Ryan took the leap into a Ford Focus Midget in North Carolina and California, which led to an interesting transition into the INEX Legend Car ranks. Osborne made his first Legends start at the 2010 Langley (VA) Nationals, finishing among the top 20 of the top short track drivers in the nation.

Realizing his rapid ascension and success on the lower levels, Osborne wanted to give himself every possible opportunity to take the next step, which led to a move from Pennsylvania to the heart of Motorsports, Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2012 just before the Charlotte Motor Speedway Winter Heat.

2013 was a breakout year for the 18-year-old driver, as Osborne scored the championship in the Legend Car Winter Nationals in Auburndale, Florida. One championship led to another, and Osborne secured the 2013 Summer Shootout Series championship in the Legends Semi-Pro division, winning five of the ten events during the summer. Osborne also ran six PASS South Super Late Model races during the season to expand his versatility, but expresses that showing he could points race and win a championship was a big step in his learning curve and development behind the wheel.

“Winning the championships, both in Florida and in Charlotte, were really big for me this season. Up to now, people knew we could win, but we didn’t always have the consistency to be able to challenge for points. We got close in 2012 at Charlotte and lost it at the end, so to be able to pull that one off at the Shootout was really special this year. Redemption, if you want to call it that.”

Osborne now looks towards his rookie year on the Southern Modified tour with unbridled enthusiasm for being able to step into the NASCAR ranks. The young driver will also compete in the Pro division at the Summer Shootout in the Legends Cars, as well as run select PASS South events again in 2014.

Osborne has already notched a win in 2014 as well, scoring a triumph in the Legend Car in the Winter Heat at Charlotte and coming within four points of scoring the overall championship.

“We came so close to winning the Winter Heat, it stung for a couple days,” Osborne admits. “But that’s done and over with now. My focus is looking ahead, to the modified competition and to defending our Shootout title as well. Moving up to the Pro class won’t be easy, but if it was easy, everyone would do it.”

“I’m going into this year just like I have every other year. There’s no reason we can’t go out and grab a couple of wins along the way this season. I believe in myself, and I believe in this team.”

“If someone tries to tell me I can’t, then my goal is to go out and do my best to prove them wrong. I’m ready to roll this season, and I’m so thankful to everyone for this opportunity.”

Listen in to our complete interview with Joe Ryan Osborne as he talks about his outlook on his rookie season in the 2014 NWSMT and his momentum from the 2013 season: