This past weekend marked the final two rounds on the calendar for the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. Headed into the weekend, Critical Path Security driver Ryan Vargas already started with a hill to climb, having to get used to a new car and team after switching from the #30 car to the Anyone.com Co-Sponsored #11.
“It was definitely a challenge to get used to a new car,” said Vargas. “However the car still has the same bones and pieces as the last one, I just need to take some time to adjust to the car’s quirks and acclimate myself with the different chassis.
To start of the weekend, Ryan qualified P13 for Race 1. After a race where Ryan fought handling and brake problems, he was able to persevere and secure a 10th Place result, marking yet another Top-10 result on the season. “If you were to tell me that I’d be mad about finishing 10th, I’d say that’s a good thing. It means we have more in the tank and I think tomorrow can be a good one,” said Ryan following Saturday’s race.
In Race 2 on Sunday, Ryan rolled off from the 12th position but quickly saw his race almost go into shambles. After a few cars spun ahead headed into Turn 1 on lap one, another car veered into the racing path of Ryan and two other cars, causing all four to slam hard into each other and eventually the barrier just before turn 1.
“After the hard hit in 1, I thought we were done. We hit wheel to wheel then nosed-into the barrier, any hits like that normally can bend suspension pieces or knock a radiator out,” said Vargas. Fortunately, Ryan was able to crawl back out of the mud and line up at the tail of the field. After being as low as 22nd, Ryan climbed through the running order, running with and passing former champions and race winners of the series before finishing 12th after a strong recovery.
That 12th place run resulted in Ryan securing himself P10 in points and Critical Path Security’s first Top-10 points finish as a Partner of the Californian. “Honestly, this year was anything but normal. We struggled at the start with the two incidents in Valencia and the parts failure in Italy,” said Vargas. “But we kept pushing, securing a bunch of Top-10’s and a Top-5 in Venray. Being able to leave my first full road course dominant series with a Top-10 points result is exactly what we needed.”
Stay tuned for more updates and let’s keep pushing forward with Ryan Vargas and Critical Path Security!