JAY JULESON WINS THE $5,000 MADERA SUMMER SPEEDFEST FOR PRO LATE MODELS

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (July 20, 2024) – San Jose’s Jay Juleson made the most of his first career Madera Pro Late Model Series presented by Mission Foods, powering past San Francisco’s Henry Barton with just two laps to go to win the $5,000, 100-lap feature. The MAVTV-televised feature was part of a four division program. Pro photo by Jake Scarborough. Jr. photo by Don Thompson

“I didn’t want to pressure him too much too early cause I knew I’d wear my stuff out. I just rode behind him and waited for the right time to make my move. Waited until ten or five laps to go and got the green light and made my move,” Juleson said. “This is awesome. Happiest day of my life.”

The 17-year-old Barton drew the pole for the nightcap of the 105-degree evening at the one-third mile speedway in Madera, Calif. He led the 15-car Pro Late Model field to green. After a brief caution, a two-by-two-by-two battle ensued for positions second through seventh behind Barton. 2023 Jr. Late Model champion Vito Cancilla of Martinez, age 12, emerged from the pack with second on lap seven.

A multi-car crash halted the action on lap 20 when Glen Cook of Mariposa tangled with Shaun Reynolds of Coarsegold. 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model points Jace Hale, making his Pro Series debut, also got a piece of the incident in turn one.

Cancilla won a battle with fast-time qualifier Nathan Quella of Yorba Linda for second. Juleson and Quella then battled for third. Quella eventually back pedaled back to fifth. Juleson overhauled Cancilla after a side-by-side duel on lap 43 for second place. Barton led Juleson, Cancilla, 2023 champion Tyler Herzog, and Quella into the lap 50-lap Mission Foods break for adjustments and MAVTV interviews.

Side-by-side action on the restart thrust Juleson into the lead on lap 53 by a nose on the outside of Barton. Barton battled back on the bottom, retaking the top spot on lap 55 before clearing Juleson on lap 56. Juleson clawed to the back bumper of Barton on lap 63 and the duo remained in lockstep the rest of the way. Barton began riding hard on the front brakes to make a successful corner entry, lining up the top six contenders closely over the final 25 laps of the event.

Herzog and Cancilla had a physical tussle for third which allowed Matt Erickson of La Grange to use a nifty two-for-one pass in turn three on lap 86.

Erickson was unable to close in on Juleson and Barton however, leaving the event as a two-horse race. Barton began to slip up the race track, eventually sliding wide and allowing Juleson to take the lead on lap 98. Juleson led the final two laps for the thrilling breakthrough triumph over Barton, Erickson, Herzog, and Cancilla.

The 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 70-lap affair saw Jace Hale of Manteca earn his third consecutive victory in the series. Hale accumulated a ten second advantage after the first 40-lap segment of competition. Lincoln’s Kylie Glick successfully fended off Oakdale’s Hayden Stepps and a trio of former race winners in Jacob Ryan of Livermore, Cam Carraway of Castro Valley, and Tristan Pena of San Antonio in a tight duel for second by the lap 40 break.

The intensity level ratcheted up even higher in the second segment. Glick was shuffled up the hill and back to sixth place. Ryan then hounded the rear of Stepps’ No. 98 machine. The battle boiled over when Ryan dove inside Stepps and they collided in turn one. Carraway, Pena, and Glick all were ruled involved as well with various levels of damage. Pena and Stepps then crashed for fifth in turn three on the restart, with both racers eventually dropping out due to crash damage.

Carraway picked the outside of Hale on the restart with just 12-laps to go. Carraway capitalized after Hale missed a shift coming to green, with Carraway soaring into the lead on lap 59. Hale drove to the back bumper of Carraway and gave him a bump-and-run in turn two. Hale knifed underneath to lead lap 61.

Hale led the final nine circuits for a .819 second win over Carraway, Glick, and Ryan.

Bakersfield’s Eddie Garone won the 30-lap INEX Legends race but was disqualified in post-race inspection. His misfortune handed a first-career victory to 11-year-old Colton Hale, younger brother of Jace Hale. Kyle Labrie of Easton and Daniel Shamoon rounded out the top-three finishers.

Kellen Keller of Las Vegas won his second INEX Bandolero feature of the season. 2023 champion Kaine Betancourt finished second followed by Andrew Williams.

Madera Speedway returns on August 17 for the Olga’s California Dream 100 for Pro Mini Stocks. The signature event of the Mini Stock division has already attracted nearly 50 paid entries and will be televised on MAVTV.

For more information about the Madera Speedway including how to advertise with a race team on MAVTV please visit www.racemadera.com or call the race office at 209-356-1968.

The 2024 season would not be possible without the support 51FIFTY LTM, Mission Foods, 805 Beer, Race 2B Drug Free, Competition Carburetion, Hoosier Tires, Franks Radio, Sunoco Race Fuel, and Sealmaster.

Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Monday nights! Check www.MAVTV.com for program listings.