2025 Winter Meltdown Night #2 Recap

Winter Meltdown Night 2 Recap: High Stakes, Hometown Heroes, and a Weekend Sweep at Vado Speedway Park (3/15/25)

The 2025 racing season at Vado Speedway Park continued its electrifying start with Night 2 of the Winter Meltdown on Saturday, March 15. Following the drama and excitement of Night 1, fans returned to the stands, braving another chilly New Mexico evening for a night of high-stakes racing. With $3,000 on the line for the Rancho Milagro USRA Modifieds and thrilling action across all classes, Night 2 delivered a spectacle that stands as a standalone masterpiece. Reflecting back from Sunday, March 16, with the weekend in the books, it’s clear this night was packed with intense competition, standout performances, and a few surprises that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.

Hulsey Racing Legends: Saunders Secures the Sweep

The Hulsey Racing Legends kicked off the evening, and Aydan Saunders proved unstoppable once again. Starting sixth, Saunders played a patient game, methodically working his way through the field. Despite some pre-race tension with Dusty Riggs—stemming from a Facebook post about contact in the heat race—Saunders kept his cool. He toyed with Riggs, letting him lead for a while before making a decisive pass to take the checkered flag in the 20-lap feature, pocketing another $250 and sweeping the weekend. Dusty Riggs held on for second, while his son Cale Riggs finished third, making it another podium for the Riggs family. The race wasn’t without its drama—Saunders cheekily referenced the earlier social media spat in Victory Lane—but the on-track action remained clean and competitive, setting a high-energy tone for the night.

Aydan Saunders in Victory Lane:

“Yeah, after the heat race, Dusty made a cute little Facebook post about the contact we made. So I figured I’d toy with him and let him think he was gonna win for a little bit, and then I just passed him like he was on jack stands. It was pretty straightforward. Thanks to my crew and everyone who supports me—super happy to sweep this race for the third year in a row.”

USRA B-Mods Sponsored by Hacienda Carpet & Tile: Moseley’s Mastery Continues

Next up, the USRA B-Mods took to the track, and Rob Moseley delivered another masterclass. Starting second, Moseley wasted no time taking the lead and fending off challenges from Hunter Sandy and Mike Rosales. The 25-lap feature saw its share of chaos—multiple cautions, including a red flag for a pile-up in turn three, kept the field bunched up. But Moseley remained unflappable, navigating restarts with precision to claim his ninth win of the season and a $500 payday, sweeping the weekend.Sandy finished second after a hard-fought battle, while Rosales took third. Moseley’s dominance was on full display, and his decision to lend his stock car to Josh Cain for the next race added a heartwarming touch of sportsmanship to the night.

Rob Moseley in Victory Lane:

“I almost spun out trying to pull a tear-off like an idiot, but better to be lucky than good, I guess. This car’s been amazing—we’ve won nine already this season. Thanks to my team, my sponsors, and the fans for braving the cold. And hey, stick around—the stock cars and A-Mods are gonna be real good tonight.”

Extreme Landscaping USRA Stock Cars: Sandy’s Sweet Revenge

The Extreme Landscaping USRA Stock Cars provided one of the night’s most thrilling storylines. Hunter Sandy, still smarting from a frustrating end to Night 1, started on the pole and was determined to make amends. Early on, Arturo Ordonez and Eric McNutt challenged him, but the real drama came from Josh “The Hurricane” Cain. Starting 20th in Moseley’s borrowed car after a motor failure in the heat race, Cain stormed through the field, reaching second by the final laps. A late caution set up a two-lap shootout, with Sandy holding off Cain in a nail-biting finish to claim the $500 prize. Cain’s drive from the back was spectacular, but Sandy’s determination and skill earned him the victory, avenging his Night 1 disappointment.

Hunter Sandy in Victory Lane:

“Last night, I felt like I got shorted a few laps, but tonight I made up for it. The car was a little loose, but I kept the momentum up. Josh was coming, but I held him off. Thanks to Pete for letting me drive this rocket—it’s been a blast.”

Rancho Milagro USRA Modifieds: Ahumada’s Hometown Heroics

The night’s main event, the Rancho Milagro USRA Modifieds’ 25-lap feature, offered a $3,000 prize and a thrilling conclusion to the weekend. Carlos Ahumada Jr. seized the opportunity when pole-sitter Jake Gallardo was forced to the infield with mechanical issues early on. Ahumada took the lead and never looked back, holding off challenges from Mark Smith and Rodney Sanders to claim the checkered flag.

Smith and Sanders battled hard for second, with Smith edging out Sanders in the closing laps. Ahumada’s victory was a hometown triumph, and his joy was palpable as he celebrated in Victory Lane, marking a perfect start to his 2025 season.

Carlos Ahumada Jr. in Victory Lane:

“I saw Jake’s tire wiggling at the start and knew something was up. When he pulled in, I thought, ‘I’m on the front row—might as well capitalize. ’ I slid into turn one and just ripped the lip from there. I’m not usually a high-side guy, but tonight it worked. Thanks to my sponsors and the fans—it’s awesome to win here at home.”

A Weekend to Remember

Night 2 of the Winter Meltdown at Vado Speedway Park was a thrilling standalone event that built on the excitement of Night 1. From Saunders’ dominant sweep in the Legends to Moseley’s mastery in the B-Mods, Sandy’s hard-fought victory in the Stock Cars, and Ahumada’s hometown heroics in the Modifieds, the night had it all. The racing was clean, competitive, and packed with drama, making it a perfect cap to an unforgettable weekend. As we look back from Sunday, March 16, it’s clear that the 2025 season is off to a roaring start. With the Winter Meltdown in the books, fans can look forward to more heart-pounding action at Vado Speedway Park. Catch the next race on RacingDirt.com or join us live—because if this weekend is any indication, we’re in for one hell of a season!