Mesilla Valley Transportation Fireworks Night Recap – July 12, 2025

Race fans, what a night at Vado Speedway Park! The Mesilla Valley Transportation Fireworks Night on July 12, 2025, delivered a spectacle of high-octane racing, heart-pounding moments, and a dazzling fireworks display that lit up the Southwest sky. Despite early rain showers slicking up the 3/8-mile clay oval, the borderland battleground roared to life with four classes—Hulsey Racing Legends, Extreme Landscaping USRA Stock Cars, Anthony Sosa Roofing Late Models, and Rancho Milagro USRA Modifieds—delivering edge-of-your-seat action. With heavy hearts, we honored Deputy Antonio Aleman and those lost in recent floods, but the unbreakable spirit of our community shone through, fueled by the passion of our fans and the support of our incredible sponsors.

Hulsey Racing Legends: A Father-Son Triumph

The night kicked off with the Hulsey Racing Legends, where 19 drivers battled for 20 laps of open-wheel chaos. Dusty Riggs (#01, Hatch, NM) emerged victorious, using lap traffic to his advantage to overtake early leader Allen Gutierrez (#57, Albuquerque, NM) in a masterful chess game on the slick clay. Gutierrez held strong for second, while Dusty’s son, Cale Riggs (#96, Hatch, NM), charged from eighth to third, nearly securing a family podium. Josh Jackson (#37, Albuquerque, NM) and Eric LaCroix (#77, El Paso, TX) rounded out the top five, showcasing the class’s depth. A scary moment came when Daniel Dean (#7, El Paso, TX) flipped in turn three, but he walked away, earning a roar from the crowd for his resilience. Thanks to Hulsey Racing for forging these legends!

Key Moment: Dusty Riggs’ lap-traffic pass on Gutierrez, proving veteran savvy on a tricky track. Top 5:

1. Dusty Riggs (#01, +4)

2. Allen Gutierrez (#57, -1)

3. Cale Riggs (#96, +5)

4. Josh Jackson (#37, -1)

5. Eric LaCroix (#77, +4)

Extreme Landscaping USRA Stock Cars: Cale Riggs Steals the Show

The Extreme Landscaping USRA Stock Cars brought 13 entries for a 15-lap thriller, and Cale Riggs (#777R, Hatch, NM) delivered a breakout performance. Starting fifth, the young gun knifed through the field, overtaking 89-year-old legend Sherman Barnett (#82, El Paso, TX) to claim his first-ever stock car win. Hunter Sandy (#777S, Albuquerque, NM), the points leader with 773, battled hard for second, while Barnett held on for third. David Garcia Jr. (#45, El Paso, TX) and Jeramey Bradley (#25, Odessa, TX) completed the top five. The slick track sparked slide jobs and three-wide battles, with Riggs’ patience and precision shining through. Extreme Landscaping ensured the turf met the torque in style!

Key Moment: Cale Riggs’ slide job on Barnett, securing the lead with eight laps to go. Top 5:

1. Cale Riggs (#777R, +4)

2. Hunter Sandy (#777S, +4)

3. Sherman Barnett (#82, -2)

4. David Garcia Jr. (#45, 0)

5. Jeramey Bradley (#25, +6)

Anthony Sosa Roofing Late Models: Mark Smith’s Surprise Victory

Eight drivers took on the Anthony Sosa Roofing Late Models for 15 laps, and Mark Smith (#777, Anthony, NM) stunned the field. A last-minute substitute for Pete Vargas, Smith led from the pole, fending off Arturo Ordonez (#8X, El Paso, TX) in a side-by-side duel to claim the win. Keko Perez (#3, Chihuahua, MX) took third, adding international flair, while Brandon Cruse (#151, Las Cruces, NM) and Tyler Tallmon (#X0, Anthony, NM) rounded out the top five. The race saw drama with Luke Solis (#99, El Paso, TX) and Oscar Perez (#612, El Paso, TX) both DNFing, leaving the points chase wide open. Anthony Sosa Roofing kept the action built to last!

Key Moment: Smith’s outside pass on Ordonez with six laps to go, showcasing his wheelman prowess. Top 5:

1. Mark Smith (#777, 0)

2. Arturo Ordonez (#8X, +1)

3. Keko Perez (#3, -1)

4. Brandon Cruse (#151, +1)

5. Tyler Tallmon (#X0, +2)

Rancho Milagro USRA Modifieds: Fito Gallardo’s Grand Finale

The night’s finale, the Rancho Milagro USRA Modifieds, saw 24 entries battle for 25 laps in a high-speed chess match. Fito Gallardo (#G17, Las Cruces, NM) stole the show, charging from seventh to first, navigating lap traffic with ease to secure his first A-Mod win of the season. John Neal Reid (#37, Loving, NM) held strong for second, while Carlos Ahumada Jr. (#65X, El Paso, TX) surged from tenth to third. Peyton Gallardo (#17, Las Cruces, NM) led early but settled for fourth, with brother Jake Gallardo (#J17, Las Cruces, NM) climbing from 15th to fifth in a thrilling family feud. A late caution with two laps to go set up a dramatic restart, but Fito’s high-line mastery sealed the deal. Rancho Milagro fueled this organic horsepower showcase!

Key Moment: Fito Gallardo’s lap-traffic navigation and high-side pass on John Neal Reid with four laps remaining, capping a dominant run. Top 5:

1. Fito Gallardo (#G17, +6)

2. John Neal Reid (#37, +1)

3. Carlos Ahumada Jr. (#65X, +7)

4. Peyton Gallardo (#17, -3)

5. Jake Gallardo (#J17, +10)

Fireworks and Community Spirit

The Mesilla Valley Transportation fireworks show was a jaw-dropping spectacle, turning the borderland sky into a canvas of light and thunder. Fans braved early rain to pack the stands, creating an electric atmosphere. The night honored Deputy Antonio Aleman and flood victims with a moment of silence, reflecting the community’s resilience. A special Army reenlistment ceremony for Corporal Aaron Austin added patriotic pride, with fans

saluting our heroes in Section H. The candy toss and wing-eating contest kept the energy high, with Deming’s champion taking home $100.

Sponsor Shoutouts

A massive thank you to our sponsors who made this night unforgettable:

· Mesilla Valley Transportation: For the biggest fireworks show in the Southwest.

· Rancho Milagro: Where organic meets horsepower in the Modifieds.

· Pharmtrue Pharmacy: Your prescription for adrenaline.

· Extreme Landscaping: Where the turf meets the torque in Stock Cars.

· Anthony Sosa Roofing: Built to last for the Late Models.

· Hulsey Racing: Forging legends in the Legends class.

· Additional partners: Johnstone Supply, Hacienda Carpet & Tile, White Sands Federal Credit Union, Sunset Grill, S.H. Automotive, Valley Cold Storage, Toro Rock Products, Sun Valley Hardware, KOA Campgrounds, TZ Hair Studio, 3M Solutions, Throat Punch Performance, and High Horse Cannabis Company.

Final Thoughts

From Dusty and Cale Riggs’ father-son triumph to Fito Gallardo’s high-line heroics, Fireworks Night was a celebration of racing, community, and American pride. The slick track delivered slide jobs, three-wide battles, and photo finishes, with every class showcasing the heart of Vado Speedway Park. Fans, you made this night epic—your energy fueled the drivers and honored our community’s spirit. Relive the action on the MyRacePass app with live timing, results, and announcer audio, and join us next week for Meet the Drivers Night to get up close with your racing heroes. Visit VadoSpeedwayPark.com for more, and drive safe, race fans!