Full Throttle Drama: Vado Speedway Park Recap – April 26, 2025

Full Throttle Drama: Vado Speedway Park Recap – April 26, 2025 Missed Saturday’s chaos at Vado Speedway Park? While you were flipping channels, 5,000 fans felt the ground shake as drivers battled on tacky clay, chasing glory under the desert lights. Don’t let the sting of missing out hit you again—here’s what went down, and why you need to be at the next race. S.H. Automotive Pure Stocks: Bryce Archuleta Silences the Haters The Pure Stocks kicked off with a 15-lap brawl that had the crowd roaring. Last week’s viral controversy—where Bryce Archuleta’s last-lap rebound sparked debates over his car’s legality—lit a fire under the young gun. Starting sixth, he sliced through the pack like a hot knife, taking the lead by lap five with an 18.856-second scorcher. Dawnica Minks and her mom Sharrii gave chase, but a heartbreaking moment saw Sharrii bump Jimmy Skoog into Dawnica, sending her spinning into the wall. Archuleta stayed cool, fending off Sterling Patterson to clinch back-to-back wins. Winner’s Words : “I kept the noise out,” Archuleta said, ice in his veins. “Stay humble, stay consistent. Thanks to Q Band Motorsports, Ferza Truck, and my family.” Key Moment : Dawnica’s spin was a gut-punch for the Minks family, but Archuleta’s sprint car dreams shone through, proving he’s more than a “legacy kid.” Top 5 : Bryce Archuleta, Sterling Patterson, Caleb Smith, Evan Bennett, Kristen Denman. Why It Matters : The Minks duo’s podcast this Monday at 7 PM on Vado’s Facebook page will unpack this drama—don’t miss it. Were you cheering, or stuck at home feeling the shame of missing the action? Hulsey Racing Legends: Allen Gutierrez’s Hat Trick Heroics The Legends delivered a 15-lap saga of grit and controversy. Allen Gutierrez, starting 10th, was on a mission for a third straight win. But Josh Jackson stole the spotlight with a “hissy fit” for the ages—spinning out, refusing to go to the back, and earning a black flag after delaying the restart. Gutierrez stayed patient, weaving through chaos to pass Eric LaCroix on the bottom with three laps to go, sealing the hat trick.

Winner’s Words : “Starting at the back makes you better,” Gutierrez said. “Thanks to TRMM, my parents, and BD Allen Door—calm and steady wins.” Key Moment : Jackson’s meltdown was pure drama, but Gutierrez’s surgical pass on LaCroix proved why he’s the man to beat. Top 5 : Allen Gutierrez, Eric LaCroix, Mike Money, Jacob Masterson, Pablo De La Fuente. Why It Matters : Gutierrez is rewriting the Legends playbook—envy those in the stands who saw it live? Get your tickets for next week! Sunset Grill POWRi 360 Non-Winged Sprint Cars: Caleb Stelzig’s 305 Miracle The 360 Non-Winged Sprint Cars brought 20 laps of raw courage. Caleb Stelzig, starting on the pole in a 305 motor against bigger 360s, turned heads with a masterclass performance. Averaging 16.4 seconds per lap, he gapped JR Bonesteel by half a second, leaving the field in awe. A wild first lap saw Colt Treharn ride the wall, but Stelzig stayed untouchable, proving smaller motors can pack a punch. Winner’s Words : “Bad luck blew our 360, but this 305 from Performance Plus Racing Engines got it done,” Stelzig grinned. “Thanks to J Anderson Construction and my crew!” Key Moment : Stelzig’s pole draw and flawless line through lap traffic made this a clinic in precision—mysticism at its finest. Top 5 : Caleb Stelzig, JR Bonesteel, Justin Lasiter, Michael Fanelli, Randy Smith. Why It Matters : Stelzig’s underdog win is the kind of secret insiders crave—don’t miss the next sprint car showdown. Extreme Landscaping USRA Stock Cars: Josh Kane’s Hurricane Return The Stock Cars unleashed a 20-lap chess match that had fans screaming. Hunter Sandy led early, but Josh Kane—the “Hurricane”—stormed from 12th, picking off cars with surgical precision. With four laps left, Kane muscled past Sandy on the inside, sparking a tense finale. Sandy retaliated, earning a black flag for contact, while Kane held firm for the win. Winner’s Words : “I expected it,” Kane said of Sandy’s move. “I drove deep, held my line. Thanks to Arne Harley Davidson and my crew.”

Key Moment : Kane’s late pass and Sandy’s black flag ignited bad blood—revenge is brewing for next week. Top 5 : Josh Kane, Cale Riggs, Zach McCoy, Devan Smith, Mark Morris. Why It Matters : Kane’s return shook the class—anger at Sandy’s move? Channel it by grabbing tickets to see the rematch. Rancho Milagro USRA Modifieds: Jake Gallardo’s Masterpiece The night closed with a 25-lap Modifieds epic. Jake Gallardo, starting seventh, seized the lead after a yellow reshuffle put him ahead of CJ Hulsey. Stormy Scott hunted him down, closing the gap in lap traffic, but Gallardo’s bottom-line defense held off Scott’s high-side charge in a photo-finish thriller. Winner’s Words : “I didn’t know I was leading until they said J17,” Gallardo laughed. “The bottom had grip—thanks to Leah, Eric, and MVT!” Key Moment : Gallardo’s lap-traffic navigation was a clinic, proving he’s ready for crown jewel races. Top 5 : Jake Gallardo, Stormy Scott, Christy Barnett, Ricardo Olague Jr., Royal Jones. Why It Matters : This classic showdown is why Vado’s the place to be—fear missing the next one? Secure your seat now. The Night in Review: Drama, Grit, and Glory April 26 was Vado Speedway Park at its finest—Bryce Archuleta silenced doubters, Allen Gutierrez cemented his legend, Caleb Stelzig defied the odds, Josh Kane reclaimed his throne, and Jake Gallardo outdueled a titan. The tacky track tested every driver, rewarding those who blended heart with strategy. Were you there, or stuck feeling the pain of missing out? Standout Performers : Ricardo Olague Jr. (24th to 4th in Modifieds) and Allen Gutierrez (10th to 1st in Legends) were the night’s hard chargers, while Kane and Gallardo showed championship poise. What’s Next : Don’t let envy keep you on the couch—join us May 3 for 305 Wing Sprints, X-Mods, Late Models, Pure Stocks, and Legends. Gates open at 5 PM, racing at 7:30 PM. Tickets are selling fast at VadoSpeedwayPark.com—act now or regret it!

Relive the action on RacingDirt.com, and share your favorite moment @VadoSpeedwayPark. It’s not your fault life’s been dull—you deserve Vado’s thrill. We’re here to make sure you get it.