Ryan Vargas Dominates Monster Truck Debut

Ryan Vargas, the once-blossoming NASCAR social media star, has now moved to Monster Trucks after finding his stock car opportunities drying up. Driving the iconic El Toro Loco. It was a total unknown as to how he would do, as it’s rare to see someone make this transition. But he was impressive!

Ryan Vargas Monster Truck Dominance

Consistency was the key for the ex-NASCAR driver in his Monster Jam debut! In the three different BTK racing challenges —the JCB Racing Competition, the 2-wheel skill challenge, and the freestyle competition. He earned a score of 7 across the board, for a total score of 21, which was enough to seal the victory for him. But it wasn’t only consistency but also a very impressive showing of skill, ability to learn quickly, and adaptability that was needed to conquer a Monster Jam event in anyone’s debut!

But perhaps most importantly, it was the passion he had for the competition, which he showed when he celebrated his win by jumping in the air over and over, pumping his fists while yelling to the crowd, and taking in every bit of this incredible moment. It’s exactly what a struggling Monster Jam needed: a shot in the arm of popularity and celebration similar to when SVG won in his Cup Series debut.

But Why Did Ryan Vargas leave NASCAR?

Ryan Vargas was initially a substantial social media personality, and along with Deegan, he was one of the first drivers to embrace social media, gaining massive followings on all social media platforms like TikTok and streaming on Twitch, by interacting with fans and giving them an inside look into the life of a NASCAR driver.

Something fans didn’t even know they wanted, but they loved to get, which makes sense considering the sim racing beginnings of his career, giving him the perfect start to be tapped in with the social media side of things before anyone else.“I think it’s very natural for me to expand upon what I do and expand upon my reach,” Vargas explained to Kickin’ the Tires.

“I think it’s an important application to access, not just as a tool to get better behind the wheel, but as a tool to interact with other racers or fans. That’s been a cool thing. I’ve been able to do a lot of these races, these iRacing deals. I’ve met so many really, really cool people, and I probably would have never met them had I not been on iRacing.” And it got him rides in NASCAR and sponsors.

Bringing In Pieces of NASCAR

Most notably, Ryan Vargas had part-time stints in trucks and then full-time in Xfinity with JDM, but it was here that he encountered trouble. He had flashes of brilliance, like top tens in trucks and Xfinity at Texas and a career high of 6th at Daytona with JDM, but he was never able to put it together for a full season. Never even finishing in the top 25 in the Xfinity points on a team, Chastain made the playoffs, but he was beaten by teammates like Jeffrey Earnhardt, Cassill, and Currey.

He tried to revive his career in EuroNASCAR, but he struggled to adapt to the road courses across Europe. Never even earning a top 5 in either the 1st or 2nd division series. But Ryan Vargas, the passionate man he is, decided to pursue another passion of his, and that’s where he finds himself today.

Will More Drivers Follow Vargas’ Lead?

As I mentioned, Ryan Vargas’s debut triumph has brought the Monster Jam tour its most engagement and attention in a while. Much like NASCAR, Monster Jam has been struggling to regain its 2000s peak for several reasons and has yet to climb back up. So, if they can’t make new stars, then take ones from other motorsports.

NASCAR, along with F1 and IndyCar, boasts numerous drivers with substantial social media followings or very dedicated cult followings that would follow them to Monster Jam. So, if you see ex-NASCAR drivers or drivers from other motorsport disciplines coming to Monster Jam now, you know Ryan Vargas is why! Thanks a bunch for reading!