NASCAR Champion’s Goal is to Win Prestigious Race in New Mexico
Located in Vado, New Mexico off of I-10 West, just over a half an hour outside of El Paso, Texas, if where you'll find the Vado Speedway Park. A racetrack known for its intense dirt track racing; you'll find the fastest woman who ever drove a NASCAR race here. This weekend is the racetrack's 18th annual Wild West Shootout, a race that one NASCAR Champion.
The NASCAR champion that wants to win badly in New Mexico is Kyle Larson
In 2021, Kyle Larson from Elk Grove, California set out to do what any NASCAR drive wishes to do: become a NASCAR Champion. And he did just that while driving the Hendrick Motorsports #5 Chevrolet at the Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. This isn't Kyle's only championship; he's won the Knoxville Nationals, the Kings Royal, & is a 2 time Chili Bowl Nationals champion (in 2020 & 2021).
Now the NASCAR champion has his eyes set on a new prize: to win the Wild West Shootout in Vado, New Mexico. The miniseries of races has already begun this past weekend on January 6th & 7th with Kyle placing 5th on opening night & 4th place on the past Sunday's race. The Instagram page, LarsonLand, also regularly posts about his results during his season, including the results from Vado, New Mexico.
When asked by FloRacing, why does Kyle Larson want to win the Wild West Shootout so badly, Kyle responded by saying "I want to accomplish something new...It’s just good to get into race mode a little bit, get ready for the upcoming season and get me ready before we get to NASCAR, really...It’s good to race a little bit...Hopefully we can win at least one of these things. And have a good time."
This is the 2nd year that Kyle has raced in the Wild West Shootout at Vado Speedway Park. Last year he NEARLY won; Kyle got 2nd place in a battle against Bobby Pierce. Pierce would get the win.
With races still set for the 10th, 12th, 13th & 14th...it's very possible that Kyle could take home the checkered flag before he starts his journey to become a 2 time NASCAR champion.
GO MINERS: Former UTEP Miners Who Have Played in the NFL
Gallery Credit: Daniel Paulus
25 Amazing Texas Foods Every Texan Should Know
Gallery Credit: Daniel Paulus
LOOK: 25 Items You CAN'T Donate at Texas Goodwill Stores
Gallery Credit: Daniel Paulus