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MAPLES MOTORSPORTS

CHAMPIONSHIP PERFORMANCE | RACING EXCELLENCE

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ABOUT MAPLES MOTORSPORTS

Our Story

Founded in 2019 by veteran racer and entrepreneur Michael Maples, Maples Motorsports represents the culmination of decades of racing passion, military discipline, and business excellence. Based in Oklahoma, our team combines championship-level talent with cutting-edge technology and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

As a full-time competitor in the NASCAR ARCA Menards Series, Maples Motorsports is building a legacy of performance, integrity, and innovation. Our diverse roster of talented drivers brings together experience, youth, and determination, creating a dynamic team capable of competing at the highest levels of stock car racing.

From our state-of-the-art facilities to our experienced crew chiefs and mechanics, every aspect of Maples Motorsports is designed for one purpose: winning. We're not just racing – we're building a championship organization that will compete at NASCAR's highest levels for years to come.

Commitment to performance, innovation, and continuous improvement
Every decision, every strategy, every race – focused on winning championships
World-class drivers, experienced crew, cutting-edge technology
Maples Motorsports

BY THE NUMBERS

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DRIVERS
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FOUNDED
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RACES

DRIVERS

Michael Maples

MICHAEL MAPLES

Choctaw, Oklahoma

62 years old

Team Owner & Driver #99. Army veteran and oil industry entrepreneur. 7th place ARCA 2025, 8th place 2024. Founded Maples Motorsports after 30+ years racing experience. From California asphalt to ARCA championship contender.

Michael Maples is a 62-year-old racing veteran from Choctaw, Oklahoma. His passion for motorsports began in 1993 with asphalt late model racing in California. After a 21-year hiatus to focus on family, he returned to racing in 2019 with IMCA modifieds. In 2024, Michael made his dream a reality by entering the ARCA Menards Series with Fast Track Racing, finishing 8th in points. For 2025, Michael formed Maples Motorsports as both driver and owner of the #99 Chevrolet, finishing 7th in the championship. An Army veteran and oil industry entrepreneur, Michael brings discipline, experience, and championship ambition to every race.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

  • 2025: 7th Place ARCA Championship
  • 2024: 8th Place ARCA Championship
  • Maples Motorsports Founder & Owner
  • U.S. Army Veteran
  • Oil Industry Entrepreneur
  • 30+ Years Racing Experience
Ryan Vargas

RYAN VARGAS

La Mirada, California

25 years old

2x Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award winner and NASCAR Drive for Diversity graduate. International racing experience across Euro and Canada Series. Community champion and FACES board member inspiring young fans nationwide.

La Mirada, California's Ryan Vargas is more than just another young racer with a dream of making it to the top of NASCAR's ladder. Ryan started racing at 11 years old in 2012 and proved to be a quick learner, winning dozens of races and championships in lower divisions.

Now at 25 years old, Vargas has become a known name in the sport of NASCAR. In 2018, Ryan was signed onto the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program and competed in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East for Rev Racing. In 2019, Vargas made the jump to the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and later the Craftsman Truck Series, garnering numerous top-20's and top-10's in his young NASCAR career.

Internationally, Vargas completed stints in the NASCAR Euro and NASCAR Canada Series, placing Top-10 in the standings in both series, securing overall Podiums and a Junior Class Victory in Germany (Sep. 2024).

Ryan's impressive 10-year racing career includes the 2016 and 2017 Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award which is the highest honors given to a minority (in Ryan's case, Hispanic) or female racer who competes in the NWAAS. Ryan is the first and only driver in NASCAR history to receive the prestigious award more than once.

Along with that, Vargas continues to use his diagnosis of Craniosynostosis (a skull deformation he had surgery for at 11 months old) to inspire young fans across the country to pursue their dreams no matter what.

In November of 2023, Ryan was named the 2023 Comcast Community Champion for his efforts as a board member of FACES: The National Craniofacial Association. As part of the award, FACES was given a donation of $60,000 to go towards grants for medical travel, events and the annual FACES Camp. In January 2024, Ryan was also recognized with the 2023 NMPA Q1 Pocono Spirit Award for his contributions with FACES.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

  • 2x Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award Winner (2016, 2017)
  • First Hispanic Driver to Win Award Twice
  • 2023 Comcast Community Champion
  • 2023 NMPA Q1 Pocono Spirit Award
  • FACES Association Board Member
  • NASCAR Drive for Diversity Graduate
Monty Tipton

MONTY TIPTON

Mill Valley, California

18 years old

Eagle Scout, SF Symphony tuba player, and ARCA West competitor. Triple threat: academics, music, and racing. The future of NASCAR - intelligent, well-rounded, and fiercely competitive. Bare Bones sponsored.

At just 18 years old, Mill Valley native Monty Tipton has his bases covered. This remarkable young man is an Eagle Scout, plays tuba for the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, and is a competitive ARCA driver. Monty's unique background demonstrates the discipline, dedication, and multitasking abilities that translate directly to success on the racetrack.

Competing part-time in the ARCA Menards Series West, Monty brings fresh talent and youthful energy to Maples Motorsports. His ability to balance academics, music, scouting, and professional racing at such a young age speaks volumes about his character and work ethic. Monty represents the future of NASCAR – intelligent, well-rounded, and fiercely competitive.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Eagle Scout Rank Achievement
  • SF Symphony Youth Orchestra - Tuba
  • ARCA Menards Series West Competitor
  • Pro Late Model Experience
  • Bare Bones Sponsorship
  • Academic Excellence
  • Rising Young Talent
Austin Vaughn

AUSTIN VAUGHN

Burnsville, Mississippi

17 years old

2025 ARCA East Rookie of the Year & 4th Place Championship finisher. From go-karts at 9 to ARCA at 15. Mississippi's youngest licensed stock car racer with pit crew experience and championship potential.

Austin's hands-on experience in the pits has given him a deeper appreciation for the sport, helping him better understand what it takes to succeed at a professional level, both on and off the track.

In 2025, Austin completed a full ARCA Menards East season along with select starts in the ARCA Menards Main Series. He finished fourth in the overall East driver standings and earned the NASCAR ARCA Menards East Rookie of the Year title.

Looking ahead to 2026, Austin's focus is on building another strong East season while gaining more experience in the Main Series as he continues his climb to the highest levels of professional racing.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

  • 2025 NASCAR ARCA Menards East ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
  • 4th Place - 2025 ARCA Menards East Championship
  • 2024 ARCA Series Debut at Du Quoin, Illinois
  • 2024 ARCA Series Pit Crew Experience
  • Full 2025 ARCA East Season + Main Series Starts
  • Started Racing at Age 9 (Go-Karts)
  • Open Wheel Modified Experience (Age 11)
  • Youngest Licensed Stock Car Racer in Mississippi
  • Career: Go-Karts → Open Wheel → ARCA (Age 15)
Shane Backes

SHANE BACKES

Racing since 1987

48 years old

U.S. Navy EOD veteran, Union Boilermaker, and commercial diver. 35+ years racing from IHRA drag racing to NASCAR dirt series. Boilermakers Union partnership. Blue-collar excellence meets championship determination.

Shane Backes is a seasoned ARCA driver with an incredible life story that extends far beyond the racetrack. A proud U.S. Navy veteran who served as an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) specialist, Shane brings the same precision, courage, and dedication to racing that he demonstrated in service to his country.

Currently a Union Boilermaker and commercial diver, Shane has been racing since he was 11 years old, competing in everything from IHRA Drag racing to NASCAR dirt series. His partnership with the Boilermakers Union showcases his commitment to working-class values and blue-collar excellence. Shane's decades of experience and unwavering work ethic make him a fierce competitor on any track.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

  • U.S. Navy EOD Veteran
  • Union Boilermaker Professional
  • Commercial Diver
  • ARCA Menards Series Competitor
  • Boilermakers Union Partnership
  • IHRA Drag Racing Experience
  • NASCAR Dirt Series Experience
  • 35+ Years Racing Experience
Tony Cosentino

TONY CONSENTINO

Matt Kemp

MATT KEMP

THE TEAM

2026 ARCA MENARDS SERIES SCHEDULE

1
Sat., Feb. 14

Daytona International Speedway

Daytona Beach, Fla.

Noon ET
FOX
2
Thurs., March 5

Phoenix Raceway

Avondale, Ariz.

6 p.m. ET
FS1
3
Sat., April 18

Kansas Speedway

Kansas City, Kan.

12:30 p.m. ET
FS1
4
Sat., April 25

Talladega Superspeedway

Talladega, Ala.

12:30 p.m. ET
FS1
5
Fri., May 8

Watkins Glen International

Watkins Glen, N.Y.

1:30 p.m. ET
FS2
6
Sat., May 16

Toledo Speedway

Toledo, Ohio

7 p.m. ET
FS1
7
Fri., June 5

Michigan International Speedway

Brooklyn, Mich.

5 p.m. ET
FS2
8
Fri., June 12

Pocono Raceway

Long Pond, Penn.

3 p.m. ET
FS1
9
Sat., June 20

Berlin Raceway

Marne, Mich.

7 p.m. ET
FS2
10
Sat., June 27

Elko Speedway

Elko, Minn.

9 p.m. ET
FS2
11
Fri., July 3

Chicagoland Speedway

Joliet, Ill.

8 p.m. ET
FS1
12
Sat., July 11

Lime Rock Park

Lime Rock, Conn.

4 p.m. ET
FS2
13
Fri., July 24

Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park

Brownsburg, Ind.

5 p.m. ET
FS1
14
Fri., Aug. 7

Iowa Speedway

Newton, Iowa

7 p.m. ET
FS1
15
Sun., Aug. 23

Illinois State Fairgrounds

Springfield, Ill.

2 p.m. ET
FS1
16
Fri., Aug. 28

Madison International Speedway

Oregon, Wis.

9 p.m. ET
FS1
17
Sun., Sept. 6

DuQuoin State Fairgrounds

DuQuoin, Ill.

8:30 p.m. ET
FS1
18
Sat., Sept. 12

Salem Speedway

Salem, Ind.

6 p.m. ET
FS2
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Thurs., Sept. 17

Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol, Tenn.

5:30 p.m. ET
FS1
20
Thurs., Sept. 25

Kansas Speedway

Kansas City, Kan.

8 p.m. ET
FS1

OUR SPONSORS

PARTNERS & SPONSORS

Maple Motorsports is proud to partner with industry-leading brands that share our commitment to excellence, innovation, and championship performance. Together, we're building a winning legacy.

Interested in Partnership Opportunities?

Join the Maple Motorsports family and be part of our championship journey

BECOME A PARTNER

Hero Card Request

Please fill out the information below and we will mail you an autographed Hero Card! Thank you for all your support of Maples Motorsports.

Location

702 Performance Rd. Mooresville, NC 28115

Email

contact@maplesmotorsports.com

Website

maplemotorsports.org

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