Ryan Vargas took two Junior Trophy podiums on his first visit to Autodrom Most – The American is looking forward to compete in Germany and Belgium, two tracks that he raced before in 2023
Ryan Vargas continues to improve and score good results in his first season in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. After scoring his first top-5 overall finish in the special event at Raceway Venray, the American brought home two Junior Trophy podiums at Autodrom Most. The driver of the #30 3F Racing Chevrolet Camaro is tenth in the overall standings entering the EuroNASCAR playoffs, which will be held at two tracks that he had raced before in the 2023 season.
A shock failure during Friday Practice limited the amount of time that Vargas had to acclimatize to the 4.212 kilometer circuit, but he never gave up and gained plenty of speed despite the setback. The 23-year old narrowly missed the Superpole shootout with a 13th place result in Qualifying and joined the top-10 battle in EuroNASCAR PRO Round 8. He finished 12th and added another Junior Trophy podium to his books.
“There’s a lot of good momentum riding here and we’ve been consistent, that’s what I have been needing this year,” said Vargas after EuroNASCAR PRO Round 8. “It’s very physical out there. With these sprint races, you don’t have time to stop. The only time to relax is on the straightaway. You’re hustling and trying to do as much as you can. There’s only so much time to gain or lose and you have to make the most of it.”
He then avoided the start incident on EuroNASCAR PRO Round 9 and fought his way inside the top-10. Once again he took third place in the Junior Trophy classifications, just behind Paul Jouffreau and Liam Hezemans. “We avoided the wreck by going through the gravel,” explained the American after EuroNASCAR PRO Round 9. “We still kept our splitter, usually we went through eight of those in a weekend so that’s great. I fought technical issues in the race car which hampered our speed in the latter half of the race, I guess it’s a good thing when you’re mad about tenth and the Junior podium!”
The Playoff rounds will be crucial for Vargas because he is set to make a return to Motorsport Arena Oschersleben in Germany and Circuit Zolder in Belgium. With the American entering a familiar territory, he is aiming for bigger things and establish himself as one of the star drivers in the 2024 EuroNASCAR playoffs. Watch all of the action on EuroNASCAR’s YouTube channel and several TV networks from all around the world as they will broadcast all qualifying and races from the double points events that will determine the champions of the 2024 season.
Featured image by NASCAR Whelen Euro Series / Nina Weinbrenner
