Ryan Vargas Bio
Ryan John Vargas (born September 23, 2000) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Canada Series, driving the No. 28 Dodge Challenger for DJK Racing, while also running part-time in the ARCA Menards Series with Maples Motorsports in the No. 67 Chevrolet/Ford. Throughout his career, Vargas has built experience across several NASCAR national and regional tours, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, and the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.
Early Life and Background
Ryan John Vargas was born on September 23, 2000, in La Mirada, California, a city in the southeastern part of Los Angeles County. He grew up in the area and attended La Mirada High School, balancing his education with a growing commitment to motorsports. Vargas was born with craniosynostosis, a condition that required medical attention early in his life, yet he channeled his energy into competition from a young age.
His early exposure to racing came through Southern California’s active short-track scene. The region’s local speedways gave Vargas an accessible place to learn the basics of stock car racing and develop his craft as a young driver. That grassroots foundation shaped the disciplined approach he would carry into higher levels of the sport.
Path to NASCAR
Vargas began his racing journey in 2012 at Irwindale Speedway, competing in Bandolero cars, a common entry point for young drivers learning race craft. He progressed quickly, moving up to Super Stock and super late model racing by 2015. These local divisions taught him how to handle higher horsepower machines and longer races, building the experience needed for national-level competition.
In 2018, Vargas signed with Rev Racing for a full season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, a key NASCAR development series. He finished the year sixth in points with six top-ten finishes, an impressive result for a teenager running a complete schedule. That performance opened the door to opportunities in NASCAR’s national touring divisions.
Ryan Vargas Career
Early Career (2012-2018)
Vargas started his career in 2012 running Bandolero cars at Irwindale Speedway, learning the fundamentals of stock car racing on short tracks in Southern California. By 2015, he had advanced to Super Stock and super late model competition, two important stepping stones that prepared him for the demands of NASCAR-sanctioned events.
His big break came in 2018 when he joined Rev Racing for a full-time campaign in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. After a slow start, Vargas found his rhythm and posted six top-ten finishes, ending the season sixth in the championship standings. The results confirmed his potential and positioned him for a move to NASCAR’s national series.
Xfinity Series Breakthrough (2019-2023)
In July 2019, Vargas made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Iowa Speedway with JD Motorsports, gaining valuable experience at one of the series’ most demanding intermediate tracks. He returned to the team in 2020 on a multi-race deal, later expanding the schedule with a six-race sponsorship from the social networking service TikTok. The partnership gave him a steady run of starts and helped raise his visibility.
Vargas moved to a full-time Xfinity Series schedule in 2021, driving the No. 6 for JD Motorsports. Mid-season, he switched to the No. 4 car after his original entry sat too low in owner points to guarantee qualifying for later races. In 2022, he initially retained his full-time ride with JDM in the No. 6 before moving to the No. 47 for Mike Harmon Racing. His second top-ten Xfinity finish came during the second Daytona race that season. He also missed several rounds yet still improved on his prior year’s results. By 2023, after failing to qualify twice, Vargas shifted his focus to other series.
Craftsman Truck Series (2023)
During the 2023 season, Vargas made the switch to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, seeking fresh opportunities. He participated in seven races and recorded one top-ten finish, gaining experience in the heavier, more powerful trucks. That same year, he also entered the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, running four races and finishing in the top ten twice.
Whelen Euro Series (2023-2024)
In 2024, Vargas committed to a full season in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, racing on road courses across Europe. He recorded five top-ten finishes, with a best result of fifth place, and ended the year tenth in the championship standings. The international campaign broadened his racing experience beyond American ovals.
DJK Racing Era (2025-Present)
On March 25, 2025, it was announced that Vargas would make his debut in the NASCAR Canada Series, driving the No. 28 car for DJK Racing in a planned full-time effort. Due to a lack of funding, he was unable to run the entire schedule, missing two races. Despite the limited starts, Vargas finished seventh in the championship standings with seven top-ten results and one podium finish. He has also continued part-time in the ARCA Menards Series with Maples Motorsports in the No. 67.
Driving Style and Strengths
Vargas has shown adaptability across a wide range of track types, from short ovals to road courses. His background in late model racing gave him a strong technical foundation, while his time in the Whelen Euro Series sharpened his road course skills. He has demonstrated the ability to maximize equipment, a valuable trait for drivers working with smaller teams.
Notable Races and Milestones
Among Vargas’s career milestones are his 2016 and 2017 Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award wins, recognizing his contributions on and off the track, and his 2023 Comcast Community Champion honor. On the racing side, his top-ten finish in the second Daytona race of 2022 stood out as one of his strongest Xfinity Series results, and his fifth-place run during the 2024 Whelen Euro Series season highlighted his road course growth.
Ryan Vargas Career Wins
Ryan Vargas has not recorded a victory in any of NASCAR’s three national touring series. His career has been built on steady progress, top-ten finishes, and championship consistency across development and international series.
Xfinity Series Highlights
Vargas’s best Xfinity Series result was a sixth-place finish during the second Daytona race of 2022, his second career top ten in the series. He ran full-time schedules with JD Motorsports in 2021 and split time between JDM and Mike Harmon Racing in 2022, gaining valuable experience across multiple seasons.
Other Wins and Performances
In the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, Vargas finished sixth in points in 2018 with six top-ten finishes. He earned one top-ten result in seven Craftsman Truck Series starts in 2023, and during the 2024 Whelen Euro Series season he posted five top-ten finishes, including a best result of fifth place. In the 2025 NASCAR Canada Series, he recorded seven top-ten finishes and a podium.
Ryan Vargas Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ryan Vargas grew up in La Mirada, California, and developed his early interest in racing through the local Southern California short-track community. His career began at Irwindale Speedway, where he raced Bandolero cars beginning in 2012.
Personal Life
Vargas attended La Mirada High School in his hometown of La Mirada, California. He was born with craniosynostosis, a condition he has spoken about publicly. He has been active in community initiatives, as reflected by his 2023 Comcast Community Champion recognition.
2025 Season Performance
Ryan Vargas’s 2025 season has been split between the NASCAR Canada Series and the ARCA Menards Series. Driving the No. 28 Dodge Challenger for DJK Racing in Canada, he was originally announced for a full-time effort but had to scale back due to funding limitations, missing two races. Despite the reduced schedule, he delivered a strong campaign with seven top-ten finishes and one podium, ending the year seventh in the standings.
In the ARCA Menards Series, Vargas has been running part-time with Maples Motorsports in the No. 67 Chevrolet/Ford, adding variety to his racing calendar. The combination of Canadian stock car competition and ARCA events has kept him active and competitive across multiple platforms.
Looking ahead, Vargas continues to pursue opportunities that allow him to compete regularly. His adaptability across ovals, road courses, and different vehicle types positions him well for future full-time rides, whether in North America or abroad.