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Three classes of race cars descended on the Vado Speedway track last week as the 17th Annual Wild West Shootout came to New Mexico bringing racers from across the country, and from Canada, to give local drivers a run for their money.
The event has traditionally run in Arizona but is now part of the showcase of the new Vado Speedway, completed four years ago, according to track manager Bobby Seals.
“There are quite a few locals as well as top level professional racers,” Seals said.
Seals has come out of retirement from Albuquerque and been on site for a week before hosting this event. He is a 40-year race driver veteran, who was managing tracks until two years ago.
On the heels of three nights of racing already completed in the six-race winter miniseries at the high-speed oval, NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Larson now joins the roster heading into the final three races of the program this weekend.
While Larson will compete in the 900-horsepower Super Late Model division, the racing action includes complete programs each evening for the ultra-popular Modified and X-Mod divisions. Larson has raced and won all over the world, but for the first time ever he’s brought his talents to the Royal Jones-owned Vado Speedway Park.
In total over $160,000 in prize money is on the line during this event. On Sunday evening Larson and the best drivers in Dirt Late Model racing will compete in the $25,000-to-win Rio Grande Waste Services 50-lap finale presented by Shaw Trucking.
On Friday evening grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. with on-track action beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday both sees grandstand gates opening at 3 p.m. with the racing action starting at 5 p.m.
General grandstand admission on Friday, Jan. 13 and 14 is $25 for adults, $10 for children (ages 6-12) and free for kids (ages 5-and-under). Grandstand general admission on Sunday, Jan. 15 is $30 for adults, $10 for children (ages 6-12), and free for kids (ages 5-and-under). Pit admission is $45 per day.
Tickets are available for purchase at the track each day. For full event details, visit WildWestShootout.net.
