Ryan Vargas on Fan4Racing Radio, Monday, February 5, 2018, at 8:40 pm ET. Photo – Bob Leverone/Getty Images
Ryan Vargas is our guest on Fan4Racing NASCAR & Race Talk, Monday, February 5, 2018, at 8:40 pm ET. Call 929-477-1790 or tweet @Fan4RacingSite or @Sal_Sigala with any questions or comments during our LIVE broadcast.
As one of the newest members of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, Ryan Vargas was recently awarded his second consecutive Wendell Scott Trailblazer award last December. Now, he’s ready for the 2018 K&N Pro Series East season to start with Rev Racing at New Smyrna Speedway this weekend.
The Wendell Scott Trailblazer award is given annually to an outstanding minority or female driver who competes in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series ranks. A committee reviews candidates based on nominations received from drivers, crew members, and track operators. Committee members base their choice in part on a driver’s final standing in the NWAAS Division I Top 500 points.
Wendell Scott had a huge impact on NASCAR, paving the way toward diversifying the sport. His influence has exceeded beyond his racing career. Not only has Scott earned induction into other halls of fame, but NASCAR has honored his breakthrough with scholarships in his honor. NASCAR awards twelve Wendell Scott Scholarships per year to students from historically black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions. In addition, his career serves as an inspiration to a new generation of drivers competing in NASCAR’s diversity program.
“Being able to receive this prestigious award not only once, but twice is an absolute blessing. Wendell Scott worked hard to break down racial barriers in the sport and set the stage for the drivers like Daniel Suarez, Bubba Wallace, and Kyle Larson. Hopefully, I can follow their path as I compete with Rev Racing in 2018. Wendell persevered through some very difficult times trying to make it in racing, but he never gave up, that is why I look up to a man like Mr. Scott, and to be able to receive an award in his name is just so humbling, and I’m thankful for everyone who helped me get to this point.”
Last year 17-year-old Vargas from La Miranda, California found success in NASCAR’s Whelen All-American Series earning three victories at Irwindale Speedway along with multiple top-five and top-ten finishes. His hard work not only earned him this award, it also earned him the chance to drive for Rev Racing full-time in the K&N Pro Series East, as well as Late Models as part of the 2018 NASCAR Drive for Diversity class.
Vargas joins five teammates, including returning drivers Ruben Garcia Jr. and Chase Cabre. Garcia, finished fifth in the K&N Pro Series East point standings and Cabre was a sixth-place finisher last season. In addition to racing the K&N East this year, Vargas will again take part in the Whelen All American Series in California.
The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East starts their 2018 season this weekend on Sunday, February 11th at New Smyrna Speedway and the Ryan Vargas is anxious for the green flag to wave.