9/14/24 First Responders Night Recap – Vado Speedway Park
What a Night at Vado! Race fans, if you missed out on last night’s First Responders Night, you missed one for the history books! The dirt was flying, engines were roaring, and the competition was fierce. Each class delivered action-packed thrills, but we all know there can only be one winner at the end of the night. From the heart-stopping collisions to those intense three and four-wide battles, Vado Speedway Park was absolutely insane. Let’s recap the storylines that had us all on the edge of our seats.
Hulsey Racing Legends: Green to Checkered Intensity
The Legends main event was a rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish. The race got off to a rough start with a heart-stopping moment as Daniel Dean, who started on pole, and Jerod Candelaria collided with the unforgiving wall on lap 1. Dean was leading the charge, but in a blink of an eye, his car hooked into the concrete, taking Candelaria with him. Both drivers were okay, but their night was over.
After the restart, the race went to points leader Cale Riggs for a short time. However, Aydan Saunders was relentless as usual and passed Cale Riggs for the lead after a thrilling side-by-side battle through lap traffic. Saunders, clearly the fastest car on track, took full control in the back half of the race, while Riggs held on for second.
Notable shoutout to Luke Solis, who fought his way from the back to finish a commendable 5th after an early visit to the hot pits. In the end, Aydan Saunders claimed his 10th victory of the season, marking a night of redemption after a tough Labor Day weekend.
Extreme Landscaping USRA Stock Cars: A Mosh Pit of a Race
The Extreme Landscaping USRA Stock Cars race felt more like a demolition derby at times! From the drop of the green, the action was chaos. Joe Alvarado, starting on the pole, found himself muscled out of position early, setting the stage for a wild night. By lap three, Alvarado had been shuffled back, while Josh Cain, who started from 10th, was on a tear.
The defining moment came with four to go, as Rob Moseley, who had worked his way to the lead early, suddenly had mechanical issues. His car seemed to betray him once again, causing heartbreak for a driver who had been in control.
This opened the door for Cain, who found himself battling fiercely with Jonathan Burton and Rc Combs. After multiple cautions and intense restarts, Cain showed his tactical brilliance by timing his moves perfectly, eventually taking the lead. He crossed the line to claim his 12th win of the season, solidifying his status as one of the best Stock Car drivers in the country right now with USRA Nationals going down this week up at Lucas Oil Speedway.
POWRi Jackson Compaction 305 Winged Sprint Cars – Speed Demons at Work
The sprint cars never disappoint, and this race was no exception. Right from the green flag, Mike Archuleta set the pace, starting from the outside pole. Archuleta found the top groove early and hammered down, building a sizeable lead as the laps ticked off. Dylan Harris tried to reel him in, showing flashes of speed, but Archuleta’s consistency on the high side proved too strong.
In the battle for third, Aydan Saunders was back in action, driving a double-duty night and putting on another clinic. Saunders had some great battles with Royal Jones, eventually securing a solid third-place finish.
The night belonged to Archuleta, who took the checkered flag for the second time this season, with Harris following closely in second.
S. H. Automotive Pure Stocks: Jimbo Skoog in a Class of His Own
Talk about dominance! James Skoog was in a different league altogether in the S.H. Automotive Pure Stocks feature. Starting 9th, Skoog methodically passed car after car, finding the high groove and cutting through the field like a Samurai Sushi Chef in his 4-cylinder Honda Civic. By halfway, Skoog had built a commanding lead, leaving the rest of the field scrambling to keep up.
While there was some great racing behind him—especially between Bryce Archuleta and Dawnica Minks for the podium spots—Skoog simply had no competition. He took the checkered flag with over a 9-second lead, securing his 8th win of the season in dominating fashion.
Hacienda Carpet and Tile USRA B-Mods: Chocolate Thunder Strikes Again
The USRA B-Mods race wrapped up the night in spectacular fashion. Fito “Chocolate Thunder” Gallardo delivered yet another masterclass in B-Mod racing. Starting back in 13th, Gallardo wasted no time working his way through the field, displaying the kind of patience and precision that has made him a fan favorite.
After a series of cautions, Gallardo found himself in second, behind Christy Georges-Barnett, who had fought hard to maintain her lead. But Gallardo’s speed was undeniable. He took advantage of a restart with 10 laps to go, diving low and overtaking Barnett in a thrilling move in turn three. Once in the lead, there was no catching him. He took the checkered flag, adding yet another win to his already impressive season.
Final Thoughts
First Responders Night at Vado Speedway Park was one for the books! From stunning comebacks to dramatic crashes, the racing was intense, and the drivers left everything on the track. With the championship races heating up, we can’t wait to see what the rest of the season has in store. Make sure you don’t miss out on the action next week at Topless Night, where the Anthony Sosa Roofing Late Models, The Sunset Grill 360 Non-Wing Sprint Cars, and Rancho Milagro USRA Modifieds will be racing for glory. See you at the track!
Dr. Joaquin Acosta, CEO of Pharmtrue & Color Commentator at Vado Speedway Park
