Ryan Vargas joins CHK Racing as driver/consultant
Both Ryan Vargas and Gary Keller left JD Motorsports at the end of the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, and the two once again teamed up with Mike Harmon’s revamped CHK Racing. Vargas will drive the #74 Chevrolet Camaro for the team while also serving as a consultant.
As part of Vargas’ non-driving duties, he will oversee internal business operations, marketing and media, among other responsibilities.
“I’m really excited to join CHK Racing this season,” said Vargas. “It is undeniably going to be a great year for this organization, and I look forward to playing a role that goes beyond driving the car. I am delighted to help assist the team in our reorganization and hopefully -le, to lead them into a new competitive era.With new support from Gary Keller and Mike Clayton as well as Mike’s old school racer mindset, I fully anticipate a swing for the better at the both on and off the track.
“The work done internally has already been great to see, and I’m thrilled to be a part of helping this team take the steps necessary to achieve competitive form. This is more than a driving opportunity for me, it’s t is an opportunity to play a personal role in a project that is close to the hearts of everyone involved.
Vargas has raced in the Xfinity Series since 2019, primarily for JD Motorsports before announcing his exit in October. He ended his four-year stint at JDM with two top ten finishes and a best sixth place at Daytona. Keller, a JDM partner who dubbed them “JD Motorsports with Gary Keller”, also parted ways a month later to partner with Harmon. Clayton joined the group in mid-January to create CHK Racing.
He first drove for Harmon in Portland on a pseudo-driver trade in which MHR’s Gray Gaulding took over Vargas’ ride for the race, finishing twenty-third. He also entered Road America with Harmon but failed to qualify.
In addition to helping develop CHK, Vargas is hosting seven Craftsman Truck Series races for On Point Motorsports that he announced the day before.