📝Post-Race Recap: Vado Speedway Park, August 17th, 2024
All right, race fans, last night at Vado Speedway Park was nothing short of a blast! It was the much-anticipated debut of the “Choose Cone” format, and the energy was palpable from the start. We had a full slate of racing action on the schedule, with the Super Trucks and Sprint Cars taking center stage. Leading up to the event, there was plenty of buzz about how the new restart rules might impact the races, and whether the seasoned drivers would take it all in stride or if we’d see some surprises on the track.
As the night unfolded, we witnessed how the drivers adapted to the new strategies. The veterans certainly made their mark, but the younger, hungry drivers seized the opportunity to shine as well. It was a night full of unforgettable moments, with every race delivering high-stakes action and more than a few surprises. Let’s dive into the recaps of each feature race and relive the highlights from another incredible night at Vado Speedway Park!
Johnstone Supply Supertrucks: Billy Roy Harris Claims Victory in Supertrucks Showdown!
The Super Trucks kicked off the night with a thrilling race that kept the fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Sherman Barnett got off to a strong start, leading the field early, but the action quickly intensified as Michael “The Burning Man” Hartman, who started from 8th, carved his way through the field with precision. Hartman showed his prowess, battling side-by-side with Sherman Barnett and others, even as a dramatic three-car incident brought out the yellow.
As the race resumed, Hartman continued his push, but it was Billy Roy Harris in the 9D who emerged as the real story. Harris, driving for Jake Dart Racing, made a brilliant move late in the race, overtaking both Hartman and Barnett to grab the lead. The final laps saw a fierce battle as Hartman and Christy Georges-Barnett tried to chase down Harris, but it was Harris who held on, crossing the finish line first and taking his second victory of the season in the Super Truck division.
Amidst the on-track excitement, there was plenty of drama in the infield as well, with Jake Dart visibly frustrated over an earlier incident involving his truck. Despite the controversy, it was a night of redemption for the Dart Racing Team, with Harris celebrating in the Rio Grande Waste Services Victory Lane, bringing a thrilling end to a race packed with intense competition and unexpected twists.
Hulsey Racing Legends: Aydan Saunders Dominates for 9th Win in Legends Thriller!
The Legends race was a rollercoaster of excitement, with Aydan “Superman” Saunders showing why he’s one of the brightest young stars at Vado Speedway Park. Starting from the 10th position, Saunders methodically worked his way to the front, battling through traffic and using every inch of the track to his advantage. A late-race charge saw him take the lead and never look back, securing his 9th win of the season in the Legends class. The Riggs family duo, Cale and Dusty, put up a strong fight, with Cale finally putting his old-man in his rear view, but it was Saunders who proved unstoppable. Aydan left the crowd in awe of his double-duty performance as he quickly transitioned to the Sprint Car race.
POWRi Jackson Compaction 305 Sprint Cars: Dylan Harris Hammer-Down for Sprint Car Triumph!
If there’s one word to describe the Sprint Car race, it’s intense. Dylan Harris, fresh off a recent fire incident that left him with burns, showed no signs of slowing down. Starting from the pole, Harris led every lap, but not without feeling the pressure from Aydan Saunders, who was hot on his heels, fending off a late push with 2 laps to go. A major incident involving Robert Teague and Lorne Wofford brought out the red flag, but Harris kept his cool, fending off all challengers to take his second win of the season. Saunders finished a strong second, showing once again that he’s a force to be reckoned with in multiple classes after his recent sprint car tour out west.
S. H. Automotive Pure Stocks: Young Caleb Smith Shocks with First Career Pure Stocks Win!
The Pure Stocks brought the drama with a race that saw multiple lead changes and a surprise ending. Young Caleb Smith, just 13 years old, stunned the crowd by taking his first career win. Smith, who had been quietly working his way through the field, capitalized on a late-race mistake by then-leader Bryce Archuleta, who spun out of contention. Smith’s victory was a testament to his skill and patience, as he navigated through the field and avoided trouble to emerge victorious. The future of racing looks bright with talents like Smith rising through the ranks.
Hacienda Carpet and Tile USRA – United B-Mods: Hunter Sandy Takes Controversial B-Mods Win in Fiery Finale!
The final race of the night at Vado Speedway Park was nothing short of a thriller, featuring 27 drivers battling it out in the USRA B-Mods. Hunter “Hunt the Front” Sandy lived up to his new nickname, taking control of the race early on and defending his lead with tenacity against fierce competitors like Israel Ortega and Josh Cain.
The battle for the top spot was intense, with Sandy and Christy Georges-Barnett, known as “No Mercy,” going wheel to wheel multiple times. Barnett, ever the fierce competitor, pushed hard on the low side, while Sandy kept his momentum on the top. The tension reached a boiling point late in the race when a collision between the two saw Barnett’s night end prematurely. Barnett, visibly frustrated, made her feelings known by protesting in Turn 2, stepping out of her car to confront Sandy with a display of anger that caught the attention of everyone in the stands.
Sandy, undeterred by the drama, continued to push forward, but his post-race comments added fuel to the fire. In Victory Lane, Sandy openly admitted to racing Barnett the way she had raced him in previous encounters, acknowledging that there was no love lost between the two. This revelation only heightened the sense of rivalry and drama that had unfolded on the track.
Despite the controversies, Sandy’s performance was a masterclass in maintaining composure under pressure, leading him to secure his second win of the year.
Post-Race Reflections
As the dust settled, it was clear that the battle lines had been drawn, setting the stage for even more intense showdowns in the future.
The night was marked by standout performances, particularly from Hunter “Hunt the Front” Sandy, who took home his second win of the year in the Hacienda Carpet & Tile USRA B-Mods. But it wasn’t without its share of drama. Sandy’s aggressive move on Christy Barnett, which led to her dramatic protest in Turn 2, sparked intense debate both in the stands and online. Sandy’s candid admission in Victory Lane that he raced Barnett the way she had raced him only added fuel to the fire.
Post-race, we dove into the decisions that shaped the night’s outcomes in our “Behind the Checkered Flag” podcast, where we broke down the key incidents, including the controversial calls and the heated rivalries. Our infield track manager, Curt Barnett, and scorer, Sarah Q Rosales, provided insights into the tough decisions made during the night, underscoring the challenges of maintaining fairness and consistency in dirt track racing.
As we look forward to the upcoming events, it’s clear that the competition is only heating up, and the storylines are getting richer with each race. If tonight was any indication, the future races at Vado Speedway Park will be must-watch events.
Don’t miss out on next week’s action as we gear up for Kids Bike Night at Vado Speedway Park! With more thrilling races and a hundred bikes to be given away, it’s going to be another unforgettable night at the track.
Until then, keep the excitement alive, and I’ll see you at the races!
Dr. Joaquin Acosta
CEO of Pharmtrue and Color Commentator at Vado Speedway Park
