đPost-Race Recap: (9/21/24) Vado Speedway Park â Topless Night and Championship Races
What an unforgettable night at Vado Speedway Park! The Topless Night special and season championship battles delivered pure racing excitement that left fans on the edge of their seats. The end-of-season tension was at an all-time high as drivers and crews, who have poured their hearts into perfecting their setups and chasing points week after week, faced the ultimate showdown. For three classes, everything was on the line. The end of the season always feels like racing under a full moonâhearts were broken, dreams were realized, and legends were born. Letâs dive into the action-packed recap, where drama unfolded with every lap and three champions emerged victorious on a night for the history books!
S. H. Automotive Pure Stocks â Championship Showdown
The SH Automotive Pure Stocks kicked off the main event action, and right from the green flag, the racing was intense. With season points on the line, the pressure was high, especially for drivers like David Garcia Jr., who was in line to secure the championship.
From the drop of the green, Robert Eddy in the #00 car set the pace, but it didnât take long for Jimmy Snoddy and Rudy Ramirez to start battling for positions, with Baby Brisco in the #B8B slicing her way up from the outside of row two. The race quickly saw the front runners bunched together as Jasnie Smith in the #14J and Connor Bell (#9) began making early moves through traffic.
As the laps wound down, all eyes were on Jimmy Skoog, who entered the race as a fan favorite. But things took a turn when Skoog made contact with Jeffrey Maag Jr., causing a close call that sent Skoog bouncing on the track, though he kept the car grounded, much to the crowdâs delight.
The drama heightened when Ray Abbott in the #37 flipped on the backstretch, bringing out the red flag. Abbott emerged unscathed, drawing a collective sigh of relief from the crowd.
On the restart, the true show began as Jai Rosalesâstarting from 20thâblazed through the field. With five laps to go, he caught up to Jeff Magg, and in a daring maneuver, Rosales completed a slide job to take the lead, going on to win the feature race in stunning fashion.
In Victory Lane, Rosales thanked his team at Minks Motorsports for preparing a rocket ship, while also reflecting on how much this win meant in honor of their regular driver Sharrii Minks, who was recovering from surgery.
David Garcia Jr., though finishing fourth, secured the 2024 SH Automotive Pure Stocks Championship. At just 16 years old, Garcia emotionally reflected on his season, saying, âThis is a dream come true. We set out at the start of the year to win one of those banners, and we did it. My family, my stepdad, and the entire teamâthis is their championship as much as it is mine.â
Johnstone Supply Super Trucks
Next up, the Johnstone Supply Super Trucks put on a thrilling race, with battles throughout the field. Jeremy DuBois led from the pole, but it was Michael Hartman in the #B52 who stole the spotlight. Starting deep in the pack, Hartman methodically worked his way through the field.
As Christy Georges-Barnett took over second and began closing in on DuBois, Hartman continued to close the gap. The final laps saw an intense battle between Barnett and Hartman, with the two trading positions and driving inches apart.
In the final three laps, Hartman found another gear and surged ahead, claiming the win and bringing the crowd to its feet.
In his post-race interview, Hartman said, âWe worked hard for this one tonight. The truck was perfect, and the topless night felt like it gave us that extra bit of speed. I have to thank my team for all their work.â His comment about the truck being topless drew laughter from the crowd, perfectly capturing the fun yet competitive spirit of the evening.
Sunset Grill POWRi 360 Non-Wing Sprint Cars â Championship Decider
The Sunset Grill POWRi 360 Non-Wing Sprint Cars brought even more drama to the night, with the championship battle going down to the wire. The feature saw Caleb Stelzig starting from sixth, but he was on a mission to grab the win.
Early race leader Troy Treharn set a fast pace, while Colt Treharn and Dylan Harris locked into a tight battle behind him. However, Stelzig made a series of stunning moves, first overtaking Harris and then slipping past both Treharns with a perfectly timed inside pass to take the lead.
From there, Stelzig dominated, cutting through lap traffic with ease and taking the win. Michael Fanelli, who played a smart and conservative race, secured fourth place, enough to lock up the 2024 Sunset Grill POWRi 360 Non-Wing Sprint Cars Championship.
Speaking after his win, Stelzig said, âThe car was dialed in perfectly tonight. I knew if I could keep my momentum, weâd be hard to beat. The track conditions were ideal, and once I got to the top, it was all about staying clean.â Meanwhile, Fanelli was emotional in Victory Lane after securing the championship, reflecting on the journey to the title. “Itâs been an incredible season,” Fanelli said. “Consistency is what got us here. I couldnât be more proud of my team for giving me a fast car week in and week out. This championship is for them.”
Anthony Sosa Roofing Late Models â Championship Showdown
The final feature of the night was the highly anticipated Anthony Sosa Roofing Late Models, where the championship battle reached its peak. Fans were buzzing with excitement as Keko PĂ©rez grabbed the early lead from the outside of the front row, with a fleet of challengers on his heels, including Eric McNutt and Shane McNutt, both in contention for the season championship.
Drama struck when Oscar Perez, running third, was forced to retire after mechanical issues derailed his strong run. Meanwhile, the McNutts fought fiercely for position, with Eric holding the edge until a late-race restart shook things up. On the restart, Keko Perez found an extra burst of speed and began to pull away, while Shane and Eric went door-to-door in a family battle for championship glory.
With just a few laps remaining, Shane made a bold move, diving underneath his father to snatch the second position, securing the points he needed to clinch the 2024 Anthony Sosa Roofing Late Models Championship. Keko Perez cruised to victory in what he called âone of the best races of my careerâ in his post-race interview. Keko, a track owner and NASCAR driver from Chihuahua, Mexico, spoke passionately about his love for racing and the camaraderie he feels at Vado Speedway Park. âIâve raced all over, but thereâs something special about winning here at Vado. Iâm grateful for the support from the fans, and this is a race I wonât forget.â
In Victory Lane, Shane McNutt was visibly emotional, celebrating not just his race performance but the culmination of a season-long battle for the championship. âThis title means everything to me,â Shane said. âMy family, my teamâweâve all worked so hard for this, and it feels amazing to bring the championship home. Sharing this moment with my dad and brother is something Iâll always cherish. It wasnât easy tonight, but we made it happen.â
Rancho Milagro USRA Modifieds â Lucas Ward’s Breakthrough Win (9/21/24)
To cap off an unforgettable night at Vado Speedway Park, the A mods hit the track, with Lucas Ward on pole and hungry for his first feature win of the season. From the drop of the green flag, Ward wasted no time asserting himself, working hard to keep his lead in the early laps. However, the competition behind him was fierce, with Jake Boles, Ricardo Olague Jr., and Nick Rivera relentlessly closing in lap by lap.
As the race unfolded, Ward had to recover from intense pressure, especially after losing some ground to Rivera and Olague Jr. during the mid-race battle. Just when it seemed like Rivera might take control, the race saw a dramatic turn of events. A caution flag waved late in the race, bunching up the field and setting the stage for a nerve-wracking series of restarts.
Nick Rivera, who had been making a strong charge, was dealt a heartbreaking blow with a flat tire, ending his hopes for a win. Ricardo Olague Jr., who had been a consistent threat throughout, found himself frustrated after a call he strongly disagreed with, leaving him battling from the third position instead of the pole. This opened the door for Ward, who found himself back on the pole for the restart after having dropped to positions earlier in the race.
Ward took full advantage of the opportunity. On the final restart, he nailed the launch, keeping his composure as Jake Boles mounted one last challenge. With Boles pressuring him every inch of the way, Ward delivered a flawless drive to the checkered flag, securing his first feature win of the season in dramatic fashion.
In Victory Lane, an ecstatic Lucas Ward couldnât hold back his emotions: âIâve been working so hard for this moment all year. To finally get that win feels amazing. My team never gave up, and tonight it all came together. I knew I had to stay focused with those guys right on me, but we got it done.â
The victory was a testament to Wardâs perseverance and determination, marking a pivotal moment in his racing career. After months of near-misses and tough battles, he finally claimed the victory he had been chasing all season.
This win was the perfect end to a night filled with action, intensity, and championship glory. Lucas Wardâs breakthrough performance capped off a thrilling evening of racing at Vado Speedway Park.
Final Thoughts
Topless Night at Vado Speedway Park will be remembered as one of the most exciting events of the season. From jaw-dropping overtakes to emotional championship battles, it was a night full of unforgettable moments. Congratulations to our 2024 champions: David Garcia Jr. (S. H. Automotive Pure Stocks), Michael Fanelli (Sunset Grill POWRi 360 Non-Wing Sprint Cars), and Shane McNutt (Anthony Sosa Roofing & Construction Late Models), as well as all the feature race winners.
Thank you to all the fans, drivers, and sponsors for making this night an incredible success. Until next time, keep the adrenaline high and your eyes on the finish line. Iâll see you back at the races!
Dr. Joaquin Acosta, CEO of Pharmtrue and Color Commentator at Vado Speedway Park
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