GAFFNEY, S.C. – JD Motorsports with Gary Keller has confirmed Ryan Vargas will return to the team to compete in multiple NASCAR Xfinity Series events this season.
Vargas joined JD Motorsports for three Xfinity Series races last season at Iowa Speedway, Road America and Phoenix Raceway. He earned a best finish of 17th at at Iowa Speedway.
His first start with the team this year will come at Pocono Raceway on June 28.
“The opportunity to race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Johnny Davis and Gary Keller last season was a big step in my career,” Vargas said. “I knew that this group was where I wanted to be, as we mesh really well together. This year, with more races in the works, I am confident that we will have the ability to put together some strong runs. Those who know my story understand how excited I truly am to be a part of this incredible series, and they know how hard I have worked to get to this point.”
With the one-mile oval in Phoenix being the biggest track that Vargas has raced on, he enters uncharted territory at Pocono.
“My goal is to gain as much experience as humanly possible on bigger tracks, and to do so we need to complete all the laps,” Vargas said. “Heading into Pocono this weekend with no prior experience on a track of that caliber is a little intimidating for sure, but I am confident in my team’s ability to put together a strong car capable of a good finish.”
Vargas’ car will carry support from Cranio Care Bears, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to spread awareness and support to families and children that struggle with Craniosynostosis, a condition that causes problems with a child’s brain and skull growth. FACES: The National Craniofacial Ass’n will also support Vargas at Pocono.
Though he has not been in a racecar since November, Vargas has played a key role within JD Motorsports. On race weekends he has helped the team as a crew member, working on the cars and helping during pit stops.