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Ryan Vargas
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Ryan Vargas Truck TBA

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Hometown

La Mirada, CA

Birthday

September 23

Began Competing

2025

Residence

Huntersville, NC

about

  • What are some of your interests/hobbies/favorite pastimes?
    I’m a HUGE fan of all types of motorsports. You often can find me watching highlight videos of old/vintage NASCAR, Monster Jam or Sports Car races. I also love collecting vintage racing apparel; one of my favorite items is my Mark Martin #6 Hat and a World Of Outlaws T-Shirt from the early 2000s. I also have a fender off of Grave Digger that I was gifted when I was 11 years old at the 2012 Monster Jam World Finals! My favorite pastime is spending a day glued to the couch watching auto racing from across the world!
  • Who are your role models?
    At a really early age, my dad instilled a work ethic in me to keep pushing beyond the expectations set for myself. I’d say he’s my biggest motivator.
  • Do you have any pre-event rituals you run through?
    I actually have a pre-race playlist I HAVE to listen to before each race. Music in it ranges from Rock, Country, Electronic and Rap!
  • What’s something a lot of people don’t know about you?
    I am ADDICTED to sparkling water. I had a bad habit of drinking too much soda growing up, so sparkling water fills that space for me.
  • What is your favorite memory on or off the racetrack?
    I’ll never forget the feeling of finishing 6th in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Race at Daytona in 2022. Our team never had the resources of some of the larger organizations, so results like that were rare and hard to extract. We had a lot of fortunate breaks that day. Plus, the race didn’t end until way past 1AM, so everything about that night just felt super unique and crazy. That’s a feeling I’ll truly never forget!
  • What is your most prized possession?
    In 2023, I was awarded the Comcast Community Champion Award for my work with FACES: The National Craniofacial Association. The trophy for that award sits on my desk as a reminder that no matter what I do in my life, I serve as a role model for many kids and young adults suffering from Craniofacial Differences like myself, who has Craniosynostosis. That trophy easily is my most prized possession.

life on the road

  • What is the best and worst thing about being on the road every weekend with Monster Jam?
    The best thing by far is getting to explore new places and try new foods. There’s nothing really bad about being on the road, but as someone who loves to sleep, traveling does not play well for that part of me!
  • While on tour, what is your favorite thing to do during your free time?
    My favorite thing to do while on the road is to take a day or evening and do a little sightseeing. Whether it’s just walking around the block or driving to a place nearby, it’s always cool getting to take in new places!
  • How do you keep fit?
    I try my best to work out every day in some capacity. I love to do some cardio and lifting to keep my mind and body in check, especially while listening to music or my favorite racing podcasts.
  • What item(s) can you not live without while traveling on the road with Monster Jam?
    The items I can’t live without are:
    – My Phone
    – My Charger
    – My iPad
    – and most importantly, some melatonin (can you tell I like my sleep?)
  • What is your favorite city to travel to? Why?
    I love traveling back home to the Los Angeles area. It’s always so great getting to catch up with family and old friends and get to enjoy some of my favorite foods!
  • What countries have you visited with Monster Jam?
    I’ve yet to travel outside the U.S. with Monster Jam, but I’ve always wanted to go to Australia!

career

  • How did you get started competing in Monster Jam?
    I got started really through my interest of all things motorsports. I’ve been a huge Monster Jam fan my whole life, even while racing in NASCAR, so when the opportunity presented itself to pilot one of these insanely awesome Monster Jam trucks, I had to go for it!
  • What is your favorite part about competing in Monster Jam?
    So far, my favorite part about competing in Monster Jam is all the fantastic people I’ve met. From other drivers to the technicians, everyone is super motivated and pushes me to be better!
  • How would you describe your driving style?
    I would say my driving style is similar to how I am in Stock Cars – smooth & methodical. I’ve spent a lot of my career having to focus on repetition and being smooth, which I believe has carried over into my Monster Jam driving style.
  • What advice would you give to kids who want to become a Monster Jam driver?
    My advice to any kid who wants to be a Monster Jam driver is to always keep that dream alive! If you had asked me any time in the last 10+ years if I’d be fortunate enough to pilot a Monster Jam truck, I’d never believe you. If you have the patience & work hard, you can absolutely make your dream happen!
  • What is your greatest memory as a Monster Jam driver?
    I’ll never forget the first time I strapped into a Monster Jam truck at Monster Jam University and got to start the 1500 horsepower engine and hearing/feeling it rumble for the first time. That’s a feeling I’ve never gotten over, and I’m so thankful that I’ve gotten to experience that feeling more and more.
  • Who in Monster Jam do you look up to for inspiration?
    Growing up, I was a MASSIVE Grave Digger & Max-D fan and was a fan of both Dennis Anderson and Tom Meents, but recently I’ve had a massive appreciation for how Camden Murphy has been able to embrace his time in Monster Jam after coming from Stock Car Racing like myself. It’s so cool to see him succeed and it motivates me to do the same!

fun facts

  • Do you have any nicknames?
    The Rhino
  • What’s your favorite movie?
    Ford vs. Ferrari
  • What’s your favorite television show?
    Severance
  • What’s your favorite color?
    Orange
  • What’s your favorite thing to eat?
    Quesadillas
  • What’s your favorite restaurant on the road?
    Taco Bell
  • How would your friends and family describe you?
    Outgoing but reserved when needed to be; motivated and a hard worker to make my dreams come to fruition

2026 STADIUM SERIES EAST

Champion: Tristan England

Tristan England in JCB DIGatron

POINTS THROUGH May 2, 2026

Position
Name
Truck
Points
Behind
Position 1
name Tristan England / Brandon Arthur /
truck JCB DIGatron /
points 550
behind -0
Position 2
name Camden Murphy /
truck Classroom Crusher /
points 475
behind -75
Position 3
name Chris Koehler /
truck Mayhem /
points 438
behind -112
Position 4
name Adam Anderson /
truck Grave Digger /
points 436
behind -114
Position 5
name Colt Stephens /
truck ThunderROARus /
points 417
behind -133
Position 6
name Jamie Sullivan /
truck Sparkle Smash /
points 392
behind -158
Position 7
name Mike Pagliarulo /
truck Excaliber /
points 378
behind -172
Position 8
name Cynthia Gauthier /
truck Lucas Stabilizer /
points 375
behind -175
Position 9
name Jim Koehler /
truck Avenger /
points 300
behind -250
Position 10
name Joe Foley /
truck El Toro Loco /
points 292
behind -258
Position 11
name Kevin Crocker /
truck Megalodon /
points 253
behind -297
Position 12
name Matt Pagliarulo /
truck Jester /
points 180
behind -370

2026 STADIUM SERIES WEST

Champion: Ryan Anderson

Ryan Anderson in Son-uva Digger

POINTS THROUGH May 9, 2026

Position
Name
Truck
Points
Behind
Position 1
name Ryan Anderson /
truck Son-uva Digger /
points 550
behind -0
Position 2
name Tyler Menninga /
truck Grave Digger /
points 538
behind -12
Position 3
name Bari Musawwir /
truck Zombie /
points 466
behind -84
Position 4
name Bryce Kenny /
truck Tech Deck Wreck Deck /
points 460
behind -90
Position 5
name Dalton Widner /
truck Shell Shock’ed /
points 451
behind -99
Position 6
name Zack Garner /
truck Wild Side / Rod Ryan Show /
points 449
behind -101
Position 7
name Cory Rummell /
truck Bailey Circuit /
points 401
behind -149
Position 8
name John Gordon / Deidra Garner /
truck Megalodon /
points 343
behind -207
Position 9
name Mike Christensen /
truck Vendetta /
points 328
behind -222
Position 10
name Cole Venard /
truck Black Pearl /
points 279
behind -271
Position 11
name Jamey Garner /
truck El Toro Loco /
points 254
behind -296
Position 12
name Kayla Blood /
truck Sparkle Smash /
points 252
behind -298

2026 ARENA SERIES WEST

Champion: Armando Castro

Armando Castro in El Toro Loco

POINTS THROUGH May 3, 2026

Position
Name
Truck
Points
Behind
Position 1
name Armando Castro / Matt Dummer /
truck El Toro Loco /
points 1129
behind -0
Position 2
name Ryan Vargas / Geneva Keller /
truck Monster Mutt Dalmatian /
points 1027
behind -102
Position 3
name Matt Cody / Charlie Pauken /
truck Grave Digger /
points 969
behind -160
Position 4
name Tim Hall Jr /
truck Jurassic Attack /
points 921
behind -208
Position 5
name Alex Bardin /
truck Earth Shaker /
points 775
behind -354
Position 6
name Carson Williams /
truck ThunderROARus /
points 674
behind -455
Position 7
name Ashley Sanford / Matt Dummer / Angelina Nock /
truck Megalodon /
points 584
behind -545
Position 8
name Cliff Turner /
truck Velociraptor /
points 441
behind -688

2026 ARENA SERIES EAST

Champion: Jon Zimmer Jr

Jon Zimmer Jr. in Terminal Velocity

POINTS THROUGH May 10, 2026

Position
Name
Truck
Points
Behind
Position 1
name Jon Zimmer Jr /
truck Terminal Velocity /
points 831
behind -0
Position 2
name MJ Solorio /
truck El Toro Loco /
points 696
behind -135
Position 3
name Triton Robbins /
truck Krazy Train /
points 627
behind -204
Position 4
name Coty Saucier /
truck Dragon /
points 620
behind -211
Position 5
name Krysten Anderson / Brandon Arthur /
truck Grave Digger /
points 549
behind -282
Position 6
name Montana Robbins /
truck Plane Krazy /
points 540
behind -291
Position 7
name Jon Zimmer /
truck Megalodon /
points 523
behind -308
Position 8
name Loghan Ashline /
truck Sparkle Smash /
points 353
behind -478

2026 FREESTYLE MANIA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Team Grave Digger: Weston Anderson & Noah Bakken

POINTS THROUGH April 19, 2026

Position
Name
Truck
Points
Behind
Position 1
name Weston Anderson/Noah Bakken /
truck Grave Digger /
points 1699
behind -0
Position 2
name Tony Ochs/TJ Tiffany/Josh Headford /
truck JCB DIGatron /
points 1534
behind -165
Position 3
name Fernando Martinez/AJ Rozboril /
truck El Toro Loco /
points 1424
behind -275
Position 4
name Chuckie Pauken/Drew Slaugh /
truck Classroom Crusher /
points 1257
behind -442
Position 5
name Mikayla Tulachka/Scott Murray /
truck Megalodon /
points 1216
behind -483
Position 6
name Brianna Mahon/Chelsea VanCleave/Gregg Duffy /
truck Bailey Circuit /
points 1206
behind -493
Position 7
name Kylie Kent/Cam Sepulveda /
truck Sparkle Smash /
points 1018
behind -681
Position 8
name Brandan Tulachka/Chandler Haider /
truck Zombie /
points 1017
behind -682