Gian Buffomante Bio
Gian Buffomante (born March 27, 2008) is an American professional auto racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 22 Ford F-150 for Reaume Brothers Racing, and full-time in the Trans Am Series, driving for Nitro Motorsports.
A young talent born and raised in the United States, Buffomante has progressed quickly through the American motorsports ladder, moving from karting to sports cars before reaching NASCAR national competition as a teenager.
Early Life and Background
Gian Buffomante was born on March 27, 2008, in Naperville, Illinois. Growing up in the American Midwest placed him near a strong network of short tracks, karting circuits, and regional racing programs that helped shape his early development.
His father, Tony Buffomante, is a former champion of the Trans Am Series TA2 class, having won the title in 2016, and a former champion of the Star Mazda Championship, having won it in 1997. That racing pedigree gave Gian early exposure to professional motorsports, with Tony serving as a clear influence and role model as Gian began pursuing his own career behind the wheel.
Path to NASCAR
Buffomante began his racing career in 2019 in regional and national karting series across the United States. Karting provided the foundation for his race craft, including wheel-to-wheel competition, race strategy, and car control at young ages.
After several seasons in karting, he transitioned to sports cars in 2023, competing in the SCCA Super Tour National in the GT2 class. During that season, he captured multiple pole positions, race wins, and podium finishes, and ended the year second in his class. These results demonstrated his readiness for bigger and more competitive machinery.
Gian Buffomante Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Buffomante began racing in 2019 at a young age, entering regional and national karting events throughout the United States. Those early karting seasons allowed him to build a strong competitive base and gain valuable experience against a variety of drivers.
Over the next several years, he continued to refine his skills in karting, earning a reputation as a promising young driver with the discipline and speed required to graduate into cars.
Sports Car Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Buffomante made the move to sports cars in 2023, joining the SCCA Super Tour National in the GT2 class. He responded with a strong debut season, scoring multiple pole positions, race wins, and podium finishes, and finishing second in class.
In 2024, Buffomante made his Trans Am Series debut at Virginia International Raceway, where he finished fourth in his class. Following that performance, it was announced that he would contest the full Trans Am season with Nitro Motorsports in the TA2 class, marking his first full-season commitment in a major professional series.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Debut (2025)
On July 30, 2025, it was announced that Buffomante would make his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Watkins Glen International. He was confirmed behind the wheel of the No. 22 Ford F-150 for Reaume Brothers Racing.
The Truck Series debut represented a major step in his career, expanding his schedule to include a national NASCAR series alongside his full-time Trans Am commitments. The road course at Watkins Glen offered a familiar setting for a driver experienced in sports-car racing.
Driving Style and Strengths
Buffomante’s sports-car background gives him a strong grounding in road-course racing, including braking zones, tire management, and long-distance race craft. His karting foundation supports precise car control and confident wheel-to-wheel racing, both of which translate well to the variety of tracks found on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule.
Notable Races and Milestones
His debut at Watkins Glen International in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series stands as an early career milestone, marking his first start in a NASCAR national series. His fourth-place Trans Am finish at Virginia International Raceway in his series debut is another highlight, reinforcing his rapid transition into professional sports-car competition.
Gian Buffomante Career Wins
Gian Buffomante is still in the early stages of his professional career, and his most confirmed victories to date come from the SCCA Super Tour National in the GT2 class in 2023, where he earned multiple wins on his way to second in the class standings.
Trans Am Series Highlights
Buffomante debuted in the Trans Am Series at Virginia International Raceway in 2024, finishing fourth in his class. He then committed to a full 2025 season with Nitro Motorsports in the TA2 class, giving him a consistent platform to chase his first Trans Am victory.
Other Wins and Performances
In karting, Buffomante built his resume across regional and national U.S. karting series before moving up the ladder. His 2023 SCCA Super Tour season in the GT2 class stands out, with multiple pole positions, wins, and podium finishes and a runner-up result in class.
Gian Buffomante Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Gian is the son of Tony Buffomante, a former champion in both the Trans Am Series TA2 class (2016) and the Star Mazda Championship (1997). That championship-winning pedigree has been a defining influence on Gian’s motorsports development.
Personal Life
Gian Buffomante is based in the United States and continues to balance his education with a growing professional racing schedule across the Trans Am Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a breakthrough year for Gian Buffomante as he stepped up to a full-time ride in the Trans Am Series TA2 class with Nitro Motorsports. Consistent seat time in the series has allowed him to adapt to the demands of professional sports-car racing and continue refining his results.
On July 30, 2025, Buffomante announced that he would make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Watkins Glen International, driving the No. 22 Ford F-150 for Reaume Brothers Racing. That debut added a national NASCAR series to his schedule and marked a significant milestone in his young career.
Looking ahead, the combination of a full Trans Am campaign and select NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts positions Buffomante to gain valuable experience across multiple disciplines. As he continues to develop with Reaume Brothers Racing and Nitro Motorsports, additional starts and improved results appear likely as the 2025 season progresses.