Vado Speedway Park Post-Race Recap – July 5, 2025
The desert clay roared under the stars on July 5, 2025, as Vado Speedway Park delivered an Independence Day weekend showdown that left fans buzzing! Five classes—Johnstone Supply Super Trucks, S.H. Automotive Pure Stocks, White Sands Federal Credit Union POWRi 305 Winged Sprint Cars, Extreme Landscaping USRA Stock Cars, and Hacienda Carpet & Tile USRA X-Mods—battled fiercely, with upsets, comebacks, and photo finishes lighting up the 3/8-mile oval. From Luis Esquivel’s breakthrough to Josh Cain’s last-lap heroics, here’s how the night unfolded!
Johnstone Supply Super Trucks: Esquivel Steals the Show
The Super Trucks kicked off the A Features with a 15-lap thriller. Christy Barnett (790 points) started ninth after a heat race DNF, but her charge to the front was cut short by a late-race flat tire under caution, dropping her to seventh. Luis Esquivel seized the moment, storming from fourth to take his first win of 2025, holding off Billy Roy Harris (second, +6 positions) and Sherman Barnett (third, +2). Jaden Manicki Gallivan (fourth, +3) and Cliff Evrage (fifth, -3) rounded out the top five. Esquivel’s victory, celebrated with a victory lane champagne shower, tightened the points chase as he capitalized on Barnett’s misfortune. “I saw the smoke and took my shot,” Esquivel said, apologizing for slight contact but basking in the glory of his El Paso triumph.
S.H. Automotive Pure Stocks: McCoy’s Redemption, Minks’ Surge
The Pure Stocks delivered 20 laps of family-fueled drama. Zach McCoy redeemed his June 28 DQ, leading wire-to-wire from the pole for his first official win of the year. Sharrii Minks charged from 10th to second, narrowing the gap to points leader Dawnica Minks (803 points), who finished 10th (+1). Loren East (third, +4) and Rudy Ramirez (fourth, -2) battled hard, while Kristen Denman (fifth, +7) kept her top-three points hopes alive at 747. Jimmy Skoog’s Honda Civic ripped to sixth (+3), proving the four-cylinder’s grit. McCoy’s commanding performance—averaging sub-18-second laps—set the tone, but Sharrii’s climb stole the spotlight in the Minks family feud. “It’s all about clean racing and family pride,” McCoy said, tipping his cowboy hat to the fans.
White Sands Federal Credit Union POWRi 305 Winged Sprint Cars: DeMartino’s Shock Victory
The 305 Sprint Cars brought 25 laps of wing-on-wing chaos, with Derek DeMartino stunning the field from 12th to claim his first win of 2025. Lorne Wofford (719 points) finished second (+5), maintaining his points lead, while Vance Wofford (third, 0) and Diego Alvarado (fourth, +7) showcased the depth of this international field. Jett Carney (fifth, -4) led early but faded, and Aydan Saunders (seventh, +6) kept the pressure on Lorne’s lead at 685 points. DeMartino’s engineering precision shone, sticking to the bottom line to fend off Lorne’s late charge. “I stayed committed to my line, and it paid off,” DeMartino said, crediting his Los Alamos team. The Wofford family’s dominance was challenged, but their podium presence kept the points battle tight.
Extreme Landscaping USRA Stock Cars: Combs Holds Strong
The Stock Cars roared through 20 laps of door-banging action, with RC Combs holding the pole to secure his first win of the year. Rob Moseley (second, +4) and Devin Jobin (third, +7) pushed hard, but Combs’ bottom-line mastery—clocking 18.9-second laps—kept him untouchable. Zach McCoy (fourth, +1) and Brian Kleine (fifth, +11) rounded out the top five, while points leader Hunter Sandy (773 points) missed the feature after a heat race DNF. Devan Smith (ninth, 0) and Sherman Barnett (11th, -3) struggled, opening the door for Cale Riggs (seventh, +7, 649 points) to gain ground. Combs’ clean run was a masterclass: “I stuck to the bottom and didn’t let up,” he said, saluting his Albuquerque crew.
Hacienda Carpet & Tile USRA X-Mods: Cain’s Hurricane Strikes
The X-Mods closed the night with a 25-lap barnburner, and Josh Cain delivered a masterclass, storming from ninth to win with a last-lap pass on Greg Gorham (second, +1). Hunter Sandy (third, +7) fought from 11th to keep his 738-point lead, while Donavon Flores (fourth, +9) and Fito Gallardo (fifth, +7) made massive gains. Devan Smith (sixth, 0) held steady, but Christy Barnett (13th, -5) and Mike Rosales (17th, -6) battled bad luck. Cain’s patience paid off, exploiting Gorham’s late mistake in lapped traffic. “I waited for my moment and sent it,” Cain said, celebrating his second X-Mod win of 2025.
Fan Engagement and Highlights
The night wasn’t just about racing—fans got in on the action! The Equine Connection VIP Experience sent the Pelky family from New York to Victory Lane, where they soaked in the champagne and dirt. Raffle tickets at the merch trailer added excitement, and the Elephant Ranch Beer Barns kept the crowd buzzing with $6 Modelos and $10 Pink Elephants. The track’s tacky conditions—drying fast under the desert sun—created multi-lane battles, with drivers like DeMartino and Cain capitalizing on restarts. The FK Rod Ends Instant Replays on the video board had fans roaring, especially for Cain’s photo-finish pass.
Looking Ahead: Fireworks Night on July 12
Vado Speedway Park isn’t slowing down! Next Saturday, July 12, brings the Mesilla Valley Transportation Fireworks Night, featuring the biggest fireworks show in the Southwest alongside USRA X-Mods, Legends, Late Models, and Stock Cars. Gates open at 5 PM, racing at 7:30 PM—get tickets at VadoSpeedwayPark.com to beat the sellout crowds! July 19 and 20 feature Meet the Drivers Night, with trackside access, and August 2 offers $5 entry for Dona Ana County residents. The World of Outlaws Desert Showdown hits September 5-6—secure tickets at the World of Outlaws website!
Final Thoughts
July 5 was a night of underdogs and veterans, with Esquivel, DeMartino, and Cain stealing the spotlight, while points leaders like Lorne Wofford and Hunter Sandy kept the chase tight. Vado’s clay delivered drama, from Christy Barnett’s heartbreak to Zach McCoy’s redemption. Race fans, tag your photos with #VadoSpeedway and join us next week for fireworks and thunder!
