Vado Speedway Park Race Recap: August 9, 2025 – Jackson’s 10-Year Triumph, Gallardo Glory, and Borderland Battles!
The desert clay crackled with intensity on August 9, 2025, as Vado Speedway Park hosted a Saturday showdown packed with resilience, family rivalries, and last-minute lightning! Five classes—Hulsey Racing Legends, S.H. Automotive Pure Stocks, Anthony Sosa Roofing Late Models, Extreme Landscaping USRA Stock Cars, and Mendoza Law Firm USRA Modifieds—battled under looming storms, delivering spins, surges, and emotional highs. Josh Jackson’s 10-year crash anniversary victory stole hearts, while the Gallardo dynasty dominated. Fans braved the heat for autographs and concessions magic—thank you for fueling Vado’s fire! Relive the action on RacingDirt.tv or MyRacePass, and mark August 16 for more weekly racing thunder. Here’s the breakdown from 15900 Stern Dr, Vado, NM 88072.
Hulsey Racing Legends: Jackson’s Epic Anniversary Charge
The 15-lap Legends feature was a testament to grit, with Josh Jackson (#37, Albuquerque, NM) storming from eighth to first (+7) for his third win of 2025. Marking 10 years since a life-altering sprint car crash at Southern New Mexico Speedway (losing his right eye and defying doctors’ “never race again” verdict), Jackson spun early but clawed back, outdueling Aydan Saunders (#8, El Paso, TX) in a final-lap thriller. Angel Garcia (#6, El Paso, TX) took third (+2). A fiery flip for Allen Gutierrez (#57) added drama (he’s okay—prayers up!), but Hulsey Racing forged this inspirational showdown. Jackson in Victory Lane: “Keep motivation and keep your dream set—you’ll make it.”
Key Moment: Jackson’s inside dive past Garcia after a penalty restart, channeling pure resilience on his milestone night.
Top 5:
1. Josh Jackson (#37, +7)
2. Aydan Saunders (#8, +11)
3. Angel Garcia (#6, +2)
4. Eric LaCroix (#77, +6)
5. Kyle Burnette (#32, +1)
S.H. Automotive Pure Stocks: Minks’ Back-to-Back Family Feud Win
The 15-lap Pure Stocks was a borderland barnburner, with Dawnica Minks (#8M, El Paso, TX) charging from 10th to first (+9) for her third win and second straight. Smart choose-cone plays (sticking low) propelled her past chaos, with passenger Aydan Saunders (her sprint car driver) as “good luck charm.” Conner Bell (#9, Las Cruces, NM) held second (+3), while mom Sharrii Minks (#167, El Paso, TX) climbed to third (+8) in a podium family affair. Drew Cassidy (#3, Las Cruces, NM) and Rudy Ramirez (#2R, El Paso, TX) rounded out the top five. S.H. Automotive powered this points-tightening thriller. Dawnica: “Dad’s making me race for points—he tells us both to win!”
Key Moment: Dawnica’s low-line surge after cautions, turning a mid-pack start into untouchable speed amid spins and flats.
Top 5:
1. Dawnica Minks (#8M, +9)
2. Conner Bell (#9, +3)
3. Sharrii Minks (#167, +8)
4. Drew Cassidy (#3, +5)
5. Rudy Ramirez (#2R, +1)
Anthony Sosa Roofing Late Models: McNutt’s Wire-to-Wire Return
The 15-lap Late Models feature saw Shane McNutt (#24, Las Cruces, NM) dominate from the pole (+0) for a flawless wire-to-wire win, his first since motor tweaks. Keko Perez (#3, Chihuahua, MX) pressured from second (+2), while Brandon Cruse (#151, Las Cruces, NM) took third (+1). Oscar Perez (#51, El Paso, TX) and Arturo Ordonez (#8X, El Paso, TX) battled to fourth and fifth amid spins. Josh Beyer (#777, Las Cruces, NM) in the “cheat code” car (three prior wins) finished sixth. Anthony Sosa Roofing built this comeback classic. McNutt: “Stayed low—it worked out nice.”
Key Moment: McNutt’s bottom-line defense against Perez’s charges, turning a tune-up run into redemption gold.
Top 5:
1. Shane McNutt (#24, +0)
2. Keko Perez (#3, +2)
3. Brandon Cruse (#151, +1)
4. Oscar Perez (#51, +1)
5. Arturo Ordonez (#8X, -3)
Extreme Landscaping USRA Stock Cars: Smith’s Strategic Surge
The 15-lap Stock Cars was a turf tango, with Nathan Smith (#777, Anthony, NM) rocketing from 11th to first (+10) in Pete Vargas’s ride for a savvy win. Hunter Sandy (#777S, Albuquerque, NM) snagged second (+10) with a last-turn inside pass on Eric McNutt (#5M, Las Cruces, NM, +7 to third). Jose De La Fuente (#C7, El Paso, TX) and Justin Garrett (#7J, Deming, NM) took fourth and fifth. Points leader Sandy (773 points) keeps the edge. Extreme Landscaping landscaped this chaotic climb. Smith: “Thanks to Pete—got lucky with the pile-up and stayed smooth.”
Key Moment: Sandy’s weasel-like final-corner dive under McNutt, capping a restart-fueled frenzy.
Top 5:
1. Nathan Smith (#777, +10)
2. Hunter Sandy (#777S, +10)
3. Eric McNutt (#5M, +7)
4. Jose De La Fuente (#C7, -3)
5. Justin Garrett (#7J, +3)
Mendoza Law Firm USRA Modifieds: Gallardo’s High-Side Hustle
The 20-lap Modifieds finale was a dynasty dream, with Peyton Gallardo (#17, Las Cruces, NM) surging from fourth to first (+3) for his first A-Mod win, outrunning Lucas Ward (#11, El Paso, TX, +1) and dad Fito Gallardo (#G17, Las Cruces, NM, +7). Christy Barnett (#44, El Paso, TX) and Rocko Gallardo (#M16, Las Cruces, NM) completed the top five in a Gallardo-heavy podium. Cautions flew, but Peyton’s early high-side discovery sealed it. Mendoza Law Firm litigated this legal-speed showdown. Peyton: “All glory to God… trust yourself.”
Key Moment: Peyton’s slingshot passes, turning a mid-pack shuffle into a father-son duel—pure Gallardo DNA!
Top 5:
1. Peyton Gallardo (#17, +3)
2. Lucas Ward (#11, +1)
3. Fito Gallardo (#G17, +7)
4. Christy Barnett (#44, +4)
5. Rocko Gallardo (#M16, -4)
Fan Engagement and Highlights
Naomi Vega’s anthem and Julian Herrera’s invocation set the tone, with birthday shoutouts to Ralph Kinner (90th) and Logan Hathorn (13th) adding flair. Jaime’s Concessions dished green chile burritos and waffle fries, while Elephant Ranch Beer Barns poured $6 Modelos. The FK Rod Ends Instant Replays captured Gutierrez’s flip and Jackson’s charge—fans roared! Storm threats pushed the pace, but we beat the rain. Tag your pics with #VadoSpeedway—we’ll repost the best!
Sponsor Shoutouts Huge thanks: Hulsey Racing (Legends), S.H. Automotive (Pure Stocks), Anthony Sosa Roofing (Late Models), Extreme Landscaping (Stock Cars), Mendoza Law Firm (Modifieds), KOA Campgrounds (staging), Elephant Ranch (caution flag), TZ Hair Studio (white flag), 3M Solutions (green flag), Throat Punch Performance (checkered flag), and Pharmtrue Pharmacy (double duty car show bonuses).
Looking Ahead: Weekly Racing on August 16 Vado keeps rolling! August 16 brings weekly racing with USRA Modifieds, Late Models, and more—gates at 5 PM, green flag at 7:30 PM. Don’t miss Kids Bike Night on August 23 (bike giveaways!), Labor Day Doubleheader (August 30-31), and the World of Outlaws Desert Showdown (September 5-6). Get tickets at VadoSpeedwayPark.com—bring a rookie and fuel the fire!
Final Thoughts
August 9 was pure Vado magic: Jackson’s resilience, Minks’ family feud, and Gallardo’s dynasty dominance. From Nathan Smith’s pony-boy surge to Peyton’s high-side hustle, the night tapped every emotion. Race fans, your energy beats any storm—see you at the diamond in the desert!
