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via Getty

via Getty

While the majority of teams are focused on the highly regarded Cup Series, Xfinity series driver Ryan Vargas and his 3F racing team are taking a different route by joining the NASCAR Euro League. The NASCAR Euro League is one of NASCAR’s international series and is based in Europe, a continent known for its rich cultural heritage and historic landmarks as well as being the world’s largest motorsports market. 

A recent podcast about the 3F team’s move included a segment where the 23-year-old driver talked about how excited he is about their plans to go on an international adventure, though he acknowledged that the journey may not have smooth sailing.

Ryan Vargas excited to race on seven different types of racetracks

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Ryan Vargas isn’t your typical young NASCAR racer—he’s a rising star with a passion for racing that started at just 11 years old.  Vargas has now shown his skill and perseverance by winning a handful of races and titles in lower stages. By the time he advanced to the Truck and Xfinity Series of NASCAR, he had placed himself in many top-20 races. Now he and his team 3F Racing are ready to take their NASCAR business to the next level, targeting the European market.

Europe holds immense historical charm, and new visitors like the 3F Racing team Head are eager to experience its wonders. When Eric Estepp, the host of the show, asked Vargas to shed some light on international NASCAR, the driver explained with his hungry charm, Well, seven different countries, seven different types of racetracks. They added an oval, there’s an oval again on the schedule in at raceway. So yeah, there’s oval racing in Europe. Fantastic facility there too. It’s a very exciting schedule, you know, tracks like Brands Hatch, Zolder, Oschersleben, and so many more incredible places and historic facilities that you could take NASCAR stock car on here ever fly overhead. It’s NASCAR racing, you know, at a very pure and exciting level that you kind of touched on it there.

Having said that, Dennis Hirtz’s 3F Racing will debut in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series at NASCAR GP Germany in Oschersleben with Ryan Vargas driving the #30 Chevrolet Camaro. Being the first to do so since Bobby Labonte in 2018, Vargas, along with his role as Head of Team, announced his full-time involvement in the EuroNASCAR Pro division for 2024 under CriticalPathSec sponsorship. This decision is in line with the current trend of NASCAR drivers venturing into overseas racing in search of fresh challenges and acquiring experience while racing on unique circuits against varied opponents.

A little perspective is required for those who believe 3F Racing breezed into the NASCAR Euro Pro Division. Vargas wasn’t exactly a seasoned road course racer, but his 2023 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series finish at P10 was so good that it paved the way for 3F’s international NASCAR future.

3F Racing finished top 10 in EuroNASCAR PRO class

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Team 3F originally aimed for the Cup Series but started small with a late model program in partnership with Lee Faulk Racing. In August of last year, they sent Max Mason to Hickory Motor Speedway to test a late model. Ryan Vargas, who isn’t exactly a road course racing celebrity, took on the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series the next month.

He made a strong impression in his first race in Germany on September 23, qualifying in the top ten in Race #1. His top 10 finish was unshaken even after the track ended with a few penalties. While describing the race intensity in Europe, Ryan Vargas said, “A mix of a bias-ply tire and lower power means you can absolutely THRASH the car around and find different ways to find speed. Plus, they’re still big stock cars, so they’re WILD to drive.”

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Starting in the 12th place in Race #2, Vargas fought hard to hold on and earn another top-ten finish against fellow racers like Myatt Snider. As for now, the NASCAR season has gotten off to a good start for 3F Racing, who aim to run a successful show across the pond after these impressive performances.

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Read More –NASCAR Xfinity Series Driver Ryan Vargas Goes Crazy as Brawl Ensues at Bowman-Gray Stadium

The coming adventure of Ryan Vargas and his crew on the Europe circuit is something worth looking forward to. Remains to be seen if he can maintain the same level of performance as last year.