Borderland Battle Blitz: A Night of Desert Thunder! đ Race fans, the Borderland Battle Blitz on June 28, 2025, at Vado Speedway Park was a desert dogfight for the ages! Five classesâJohnstone Supply Super Trucks, Extreme Landscaping USRA Stock Cars, Sunset Grill POWRi 360 Non-Winged Sprint Cars, Anthony Sosa Roofing Late Models, and Rancho Milagro USRA Modifiedsâlit up the clay with heart-pounding action. From Christy Barnettâs double victory to Mike Archuletaâs stunning Late Model debut, hereâs how the night unfolded under the New Mexico stars. Johnstone Supply Super Trucks: Barnettâs Redemption Run The 15-lap Super Trucks feature saw Christy Barnett (#44, El Paso, TX) storm from ninth to first, redeeming last weekâs chaotic second-place finish. Despite a hood scoop mishap and steering issues on June 21, her teamâs week-long repairs paid off, as she outran husband Sherman Barnett (#82, El Paso, TX), who climbed from sixth to second. Cliff Evrage (#11, Las Cruces, NM) held third, while Scott Kinney (#13, Las Cruces, NM) and Scott Sullivan (#20S, Truth or Consequences, NM) rounded out the top five. A lap 3 pile-up involving Jeremy DuBois (#9), Luis Esquivel (#7), and Jaden Manicki Gallivan (#28) shook up the field, but Christyâs charge tightened her points lead (690 points) over Billy Roy Harris (618 points), who DNFâd. Extreme Landscaping USRA Stock Cars: Jobinâs Breakthrough Devin Jobin (#81, Alamogordo, NM) dominated the 20-lap Stock Cars feature, surging from ninth to first for his first Vado win of 2025 and seventh statewide. His early heat race crash didnât deter him, as he outpaced Francisco Knight (#665, Las Cruces, NM) and Cale Riggs (#777R, Hatch, NM) for second and third. Devan Smith (#777D, Las Cruces, NM) and Arturo Ordonez Jr. (#8X, El Paso, TX) completed the top five. Points leader Hunter Sandy (#777S, 697 points) struggled, finishing eighth after a heat race wreck. Jobinâs win, powered by New Mexico Septic Systems and MRW Chassis, narrows the gap to Sandy in the standings. Sunset Grill POWRi 360 Non-Winged Sprint Cars: Treharnâs Triumph The 20-lap 360 Non-Winged Sprint Cars feature was a thriller, with Colt Treharn (#77, Los Lunas, NM) charging from fifth to first. After falling to eighth early, Treharn rode the high line, passing Wayne Siddle (#007, Tucson, AZ) on the final lap. Caleb Stelzig (#21, Albuquerque, NM), despite his 305-powered heroics, took second from seventh, while Robert Herrera (#9, Las Cruces, NM) secured third. AJ Hernandez (#72, Phoenix, AZ) and JR Bonesteel (#0,
Albuquerque, NM) rounded out the top five. Special guests Shon Deskins (#21D, Waddell, AZ) and Lonnie Hochstetler (#31H, Chandler, AZ) finished seventh and 11th, respectively. Treharnâs win, backed by Macia Valley Transportation, marked his first of 2025 at Vado. Anthony Sosa Roofing Late Models: Archuletaâs Stunner Mike Archuleta (#777, Las Cruces, NM), a sprint car legend, shocked the field in his first-ever Late Model race, winning the 15-lap feature from second. A lap 4 crash saw Luke Solis (#99, El Paso, TX) spin Oscar Perez (#51, El Paso, TX), leading to a heated exchange and Perezâs black flag. Luke Vargas (#777X, Las Cruces, NM) took second, with Brandon Cruse (#151, Las Cruces, NM) third. Jose Saenz (#612, El Paso, TX) finished fourth, while Arturo Ordonez (#8X, El Paso, TX) was disqualified. Archuletaâs win, in Pete Vargasâs Triple Seven machine, showcased his versatility, tightening the points race (Perez: 600, Ordonez: 583). Rancho Milagro USRA Modifieds: Barnettâs Photo Finish The 25-lap A-Mods feature was a nail-biter, with Christy Barnett (#44, El Paso, TX) snatching her first A-Mod win of 2025 in a last-lap pass over Jake Gallardo (#J17, Las Cruces, NM). Starting second, Barnett battled Fito Gallardo (#G17, Las Cruces, NM) before a late caution set up a three-lap dash. Jake led until a final-corner bobble handed Barnett the victory. CarlosࡠJake Gallardo (#J17, Las Cruces, NM) recovered from 10th to second, followed by Carlos Ahumada Jr. (#65X, El Paso, TX), Austin Adams (#85, El Paso, TX), and C.J. Hulsey (#77, El Paso, TX). Multiple cautions, including a lap 17 pile-up, tested driversâ skill, but Barnettâs precision, backed by Barnett Harley-Davidson and Schoenfeld Headers, sealed the deal. Jake Gallardo retains the points lead (569 points). Points Standings Update Class Leader Points Wins Key Challengers Super Trucks Christy Barnett 690 6 Billy Roy Harris (618), Sherman Barnett (593) Stock Cars Hunter Sandy 697 4 Devan Smith (582), Cale Riggs (558) 360 Non-Winged Sprints Caleb Stelzig 300 2 Michael Fanelli (272), JR Bonesteel (272) Late Models Oscar Perez 600 1 Arturo Ordonez (583), Luke Solis (556) A-Mods Jake Gallardo 569 3 C.J. Hulsey (553), Austin Adams (553)
Fan Engagement and Next Steps The Borderland Battle Blitz was a testament to Vadoâs racing spirit, with Naomi Vegaâs national anthem and High Horse Cannabis Companyâs bikini budtenders adding flair. Fans packed the stands, and the #VadoSpeedway hashtag trended on social media. Missed the action? Watch replays on RacingDirt.com or follow live timing on MyRacePass. Join us next week, July 5, 2025, for more high-octane racing with USRA Modifieds, Late Models, 305-Winged Sprint Cars, Stock Cars, and Super Trucks. Gates open at 5:00 PM MDT, racing at 7:30 PM. Donât miss the Mesilla Valley Transportation Fireworks Night on July 12âsecure tickets at VadoSpeedwayPark.com to beat the lines! Share your race night moments with #VadoSpeedway and bring a friend to the desert dogfight! Sponsor Shoutouts Big thanks to our sponsors: Johnstone Supply (Super Trucks), Extreme Landscaping (Stock Cars), Sunset Grill (360 Sprints), Anthony Sosa Roofing (Late Models), Rancho Milagro (A-Mods), KOA Campgrounds (staging), Elephant Ranch (yellow/red flags), TZ Hair Studio (white flag), 3M Solutions (green flag), and Throat Punch Performance (checkered flag). Special shoutout to High Horse Cannabis Company for bringing the energy with their bikini budtenders! Conclusion The Borderland Battle Blitz was a showcase of raw talent and fierce competition. Christy Barnettâs double triumph, Mike Archuletaâs Late Model stunner, and Colt Treharnâs sprint car charge kept fans on their feet. Vado Speedway Park remains the diamond in the desert, and we canât wait to see you next week for more Saturday night thunder!
