MADERA, Calif. — Ryan Hart went wire-to-wire for the second time in the last three years in the 200-lap Pumpkin Smash Enduro at Madera Speedway, dominating the proceedings to win on a wet and pumpkin-covered one-third mile speedway. Hart’s margin of victory was three laps over 2023 winner Adam Baggett.
22 Enduro cars accepted the green flag after the frontstretch was covered in 10,000 pounds of Dell’Osso Family Farms pumpkins, smashed by the hundreds of young race fans on hand.
“Nervous doesn’t even begin to describe it,” Hart said. “It was pretty nerve wracking. Whether it looked easy or not, it wasn’t. I was on the edge of my seat. Victory tastes good this October!”
Hart dominated the opening half of the race over Baggett. The second half saw Baggett match Hart stride for stride in a couple of crowd-pleasing duels, despite the fact Baggett was several laps in arrears.
“It was surprising. We were having trouble with the motor so it wasn’t pulling as hard as it could. (Ryan) had the best car today so the fastest car won today,” Baggett said. “This is a big race and we only do it once a year but it means a big deal to all of us.”
Scott Wasson of Fresno won the 10-lap barrel race before the 200-lap feature. Wasson then drove up into third during the second 100-lap segment, which took place in the opposite direction around the Madera Speedway.
“I was just trying to stay down low and trying to keep traction. I can’t seem to keep up with Ryan and Adam over there but we will try some new things next year and see what happens,” Wasson said.
Dave Ski used his diminutive Toyota Paseo to finish fourth for his second consecutive top-five finish. Les Wasson rounded out the top-five finishers.