By Ben Deatherage
AZTEC, N.M. (Mar. 28, 2025) — The opening night of the Inaugural Thaw Brawl kicked off Aztec Speedway’s 73rd racing season, and Regan Tafoya wasted no time asserting his dominance in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event.
Tafoya, a six-time Aztec Speedway champion and three-time New Mexico State titleholder, took control at the drop of the green and never looked back. The Shaw Race Cars Western Region standout left the field behind, with only four cars remaining on the lead lap by race’s end, to earn his first win of the year.
A strong hometown battle for second developed between Julian Garcia Sr. and Travis Sutherlin before Brian Carey, also from Aztec, joined the mix to make it a three-car fight. Garcia held on for the runner-up finish, while Carey claimed third.
Cain Commands for First Stock Car Win of 2025
Rio Rancho’s Josh Cain was in top form during the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature, charging from fifth to the front to earn his first EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region victory of the season.
Robert Reed led the opening laps before an early caution regrouped the field. On the restart, Cain rocketed around the outside to take command and never looked back.
Further back, 1997 track champion Tony Hill battled for third, but Allen Bradley — the nine-time defending track crown winner and two-time New Mexico State titleholder — made the pass to secure the spot.
Cain cruised to the win, with Reed finishing second and Bradley completing the podium in third.
Arizona Teenager Johnson Scores Second SportMod Win of 2025
Laveen, Arizona’s Tyler Johnson continued his early-season roll, picking up his second SportMod win of the year with a strong performance over a talented field. The 15-year-old defending Arizona State champion and reigning National Rookie of the Year won the early battle with Camron Spangler to take control at the start.
While Johnson pulled away, a tight battle for second formed between the father-son duo of Aaron and Camron Spangler. Aaron, the 2019 Aztec Speedway Stock Car champion, and Camron, the reigning New Mexico State and SportMod track champion, traded spots before Camron spun while battling for third with Colorado standout Danny Concelman on lap five.
Concelman, a three-time Colorado State champion, climbed to second shortly after the restart and began to chip away at Johnson’s lead. Just as Concelman closed the gap, a caution flew with 13 laps complete.
After the restart, Johnson maintained his composure and pace. Concelman showed signs of smoke in the final laps but held on for second, with Aaron Spangler rounding out the podium in third.
Ferrell Untouchable in Hobby Stock Feature
Bayfield, Colorado’s Hunter Ferrell wasted no time getting to the front in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock main event, taking the lead at the drop of the green flag and never looking back.
Ferrell built a comfortable advantage early while Arizonans Scott Tenney and Reven Bitting battled for second. Tenney, a former Cocopah Speedway track champion, eventually secured the spot.
The 2023 New Mexico State and Aztec track champ went untouched to score his first B&B Racing Chassis Southern Region victory of the season. Tenney held off Bitting at the line to complete the podium.
Witcher Rockets to First Win of 2025
Three-time defending track and two-time reigning New Mexico State champion Katie Barthel led the early laps of the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact feature before Joey Jock charged from sixth to briefly take over the top spot.
But it was Ignacio, Colorado’s Cody Witcher who stole the spotlight, powering past Jock to take the lead. Once out front, Witcher was on rails, checking out from the field and cruising to his first victory of the 2025 season.
The Lady Eagle racer Barthel held on for second, followed by 2024 Cortez Fairgrounds Speedway track champion Ted Neergaard to make it an all-Centennial State podium.
The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV. Full replays are available through the IMCA TV Replay Subscription Pass for $24.99/month.
