High-Speed Thrills and Community Spirit: A Look Back at the 2025 California Mid-Winter Fair Races
As the 2025 California Mid-Winter Fair wrapped up, one event stood out as a true crowd favorite: the thrilling races that took place on March 14 and 15 as well as other days. While a week has passed since the engines roared and the dust settled, the excitement and community impact of these races remain fresh in the minds of attendees.
While many came to the races for entertainment and fun, for others, it was a chance to savor the last days of the fair. “It’s a nice day, nice weather, and we want to bring the kids out to enjoy one of the last days of the fair,” said Edith Anaya.
“We’ve been coming here for a lot of years; we love to come and watch the sprint cars. We come to camp in the desert,” said Danny Johnson, a fan who traveled from San Diego.
Looking beyond the checkered flag, the impact of these races lingers. Competitors are already preparing for their next big event, while fans eagerly anticipate next year’s fair. Even though the 2025 California Mid-Winter Fair has come to an end, the stories, rivalries, and unforgettable moments created during the races ensure they won’t soon be forgotten.
Race Highlights:
• March 14, 2025: Ricky Lewis from Oxnard, California, secured his second Avanti Windows & Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Car win of the season. Driving the No. 41 Coyote Candle Company/Mesilla Valley Transportation DRC, Lewis regained the lead from Braden Chiaramonte on lap 26 to clinch the victory.
• March 15, 2025: Lewis continued his dominance by winning his third consecutive race at Imperial Valley Raceway, completing a sweep of the historic California Mid-Winter Fair races. He led the final 24 laps, finishing ahead of competitors like Chiaramonte and Jake Swanson.
Detailed Results:
March 14, 2025:
• Qualifying:
• Cody Williams recorded the fastest time at 12.257 seconds.
• Heat Winners:
• Heat 1: R.J. Johnson
• Heat 2: A.J. Bender
• Heat 3: Tye Mihocko
• Heat 4: Brody Wake
• Feature Race (30 laps):
1. Ricky Lewis
2. Braden Chiaramonte
3. Jake Swanson
4. Logan Calderwood
5. Cody Williams
March 15, 2025:
• Qualifying:
• David Gasper led with a time of 12.577 seconds.
• Heat Winners:
• Heat 1: Cody Williams
• Heat 2: R.J. Johnson
• Heat 3: Charles Davis Jr.
• Feature Race (30 laps):
1. Ricky Lewis
2. Braden Chiaramonte
3. Jake Swanson
4. J.J. Yeley
5. David Gasper
These races not only showcased the talents of the drivers but also highlighted the community’s enthusiasm for motorsports, making the fair’s conclusion memorable for attendees.
