GAFFNEY, S.C. – JD Motorsports with Gary Keller has announced that TikTok, the fastest-growing social media platform of the decade, will partner with Ryan Vargas for the remainder of the NASCAR Xfinity Series season.
Vargas has competed for JDM in three Xfinity Series races this season, with starts at Pennsylvania’s Pocono Raceway, Kansas Speedway, and Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.
In 2019, he also made three starts with the team, including his series debut at Iowa Speedway before following up at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., and Arizona’s Phoenix Raceway – site of this year’s Xfinity Series championship race.
The newly-turned 20-year-old from La Mirada, Calif., has captured the hearts of many fans through social media engagement. As a member of the 2018-2019 NASCAR Next class, Vargas learned valuable skills on the business side of the sport, including relationship building and partnership acquisition.
Vargas is an alumnus of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program and won the prestigious Wendell Scott Trailblazer award, presented to an outstanding minority or female driver who displays exceptional on-track performance, sportsmanship, and community service.
“TikTok has provided me with an incredible outlet to reach new fans and demographics through fun and creative content, and I’ve seen the highest growth in followers on TikTok over my other social channels. The opportunity to run the No. 6 TikTok Chevrolet Camaro in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for the rest of the season is an absolute dream come true,” said Vargas. “Johnny Davis and the whole JD Motorsports with Gary Keller team took a chance on me last year and I’m excited to bring this amazing TikTok partnership their way.
“I wouldn’t want to make this partnership a reality anywhere else.”
TikTok will back Vargas for the final six races of 2020, with events at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway on Oct. 3, Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on Oct. 10, Kansas Speedway on Oct. 17, Texas Motor Speedway on Oct. 24, Martinsville (Va.) Speedway on Oct. 31 and the season finale at Phoenix on Nov. 7.
The social media giant has gained a massive following with millennials and young adults through viral videos. Vargas has found great success on the platform as a content creator, so when the partnership opportunity presented itself, there was a natural fit.
“Creators of all sizes and backgrounds show up to TikTok with their genuine, authentic selves,” said Nick Tran, Head of Global Marketing at TikTok. “Partnering with an iconic brand like NASCAR to sponsor Ryan Vargas on his racing journey is a way for us to continue to support, celebrate and elevate the diverse creators that make our TikTok community what it is today.
“Ryan is an incredible athlete, and we’re looking forward to cheering him on alongside the rest of the TikTok community!”