📝 El Paso County Night: An Epic Evening of Dirt Track Racing at Vado Speedway Park! Post-Race Recap 9-7-24
Race fans, what a night we had at Vado Speedway Park this past Saturday for El Paso County Night! The hammers were down and the dirt was flying as local legends and hungry underdogs went all out to make their mark with the season winding down. For just $5, El Paso County residents packed the stands to witness thrilling heat races and A-Feature battles across multiple divisions. Let’s break down the night’s action, race by race, with all the drama, intensity, and excitement!
Extreme Landscaping USRA Stock Cars: The Hurricane Takes No Prisoners!
Starting with a stacked field, the Extreme Landscaping USRA Stock Cars delivered the kind of door to door action fans crave. The Hurricane himself, Josh Cain, started from mid-pack and wasted no time tearing through the field with precision and tenacity. Early chaos erupted as Jonathan Burton and Arturo Ordonez Jr. tangled in a wild moment that sent Ordonez into the wall, but Cain stayed calm and collected.
The race saw several intense restarts as drivers battled three and even four-wide, but Cain, as always, remained methodical. A late-race restart set up a nail-biting showdown between Cain,Devon Jobin, and Rc Combs. With just a few laps remaining, Cain pounced, using a daring slide job to take the lead and never looked back. For the 11th time this season, Cain stormed into Rio Grande Waste Services Victory Lane, his eyes firmly set on the USRA Nationals. The question remains: Who can stop this dominant force?
Hulsey Racing Legends: Josh Jackson’s Back-to-Back Triumph!
The Hulsey Racing Legends brought the heat with another thrilling display of skill and perseverance. Albuquerque’s Josh Jackson, hot off his return to victory lane last week, came into this race with momentum, but he had to fight for every inch.
Starting mid-pack, Jackson expertly navigated traffic, dodging an early pileup that claimed Eric LaCroix due to a dislodged bumper. With Daniel Dean leading most of the early laps, Jackson made his move just past halfway, launching a bold pass that electrified the crowd. Meanwhile, Luke Solis—determined to avenge his spectacular flip from the previous outing—fought his way into second, only to spin on the final lap in a heartbreaking moment.
When the dust settled, it was Jackson who stood tall again, securing his second consecutive victory and proving that the legend still has plenty of fight left in him.
Johnstone Supply Super Trucks: Michael “The Burning Man” Hartman Sets the Track Ablaze
In the Super Trucks, it was all about Michael Hartman, aka “The Burning Man.” Starting from mid-pack, Hartman methodically picked his way through the field, making key passes, including a crucial move on Rusty Bowen. By lap 7, Hartman found himself in a tight battle with Clifton Evrage and Sherman Barnett, but his precision and poise paid off as he took the lead.
Despite a caution that bunched up the field with just a few laps to go, Hartman fired off the restart like a rocket, pulling away from the pack. He held on to claim his 12th victory of the season, adding to his impressive resume as the season points leader. The battle behind him was intense, with Christy Barnett and Rusty Bowen locked in a tight fight for second. In the final lap, Barnett made a brilliant move to snatch second place by a nose at the line. Watch out, Super Trucks – the Burning Man isn’t cooling down anytime soon!
S. H. Automotive Pure Stocks: David Garcia Jr. Dominates in Front of His Hometown Crowd
For the hometown hero, David Garcia Jr., it was a night to remember. The SH Automotive Pure Stocks provided plenty of thrills and spills, with Garcia biding his time in the early stages, running behind Jimmy Marta. But as the race progressed, Garcia seized his moment, executing a flawless overtake on Marta and taking control of the race.
A mid-race caution threatened to shake things up, but Garcia’s nerves of steel kept him firmly in the lead. Mel Romero, despite battling some mechanical issues, put in a strong performance to take second making it a fun last couple laps. The crowd erupted as David Garcia crossed the finish line, hand out the window, claiming his seventh win of the season! The El Paso County faithful couldn’t have asked for a better ending, as their hometown star shined bright under the Vado lights. Garcia’s victory is a huge boost as he continues his quest for the season championship.
The final feature of the night, the Rancho Milagro USRA Modifieds, was nothing short of spectacular. It was a family affair as Rick Ortega battled took full advantage of starting at the front and held off all challengers to secure his first-ever A-mod win at Vado Speedway Park! Ortega’s dominant performance from the pole position wasn’t without challenges, as Fito Gallardo and Jake Gallardo pushed hard, searching for any advantage on the slick track.
Ortega, laser-focused, navigated lap traffic with precision, making sure no one could catch him. As the checkered flag waved, the emotion was palpable—years of hard work and dedication finally paying off in victory lane. The roar of the crowd said it all: This was a victory well-earned and long overdue!
Conclusion: An Unforgettable Night Under the Desert Sky
El Paso County Night at Vado Speedway Park was everything dirt track racing fans live for: thrilling battles, heart-pounding moments, and emotional victories. From Josh Cain’s dominance to Rick Ortega’s emotional win, every race had its own unique story to tell.
As we near the end of the season, the stakes keep getting higher, and the racing more intense. With USRA Nationals & 24th Annual USRA Fall Nationals around the corner, every lap counts, and every race could make or break a season. Next Saturday, September 14th, we’re back at it, and it’s First Responders Night, where we’ll honor those who serve and protect our communities.
Until next time, keep the pedal to the metal, and I’ll see you at the track!
Dr. Joaquin Acosta, CEO of Pharmtrue & Color Commentator at Vado Speedway Park
