SEVENTH RACE FOR 2024 MADERA PRO AND JR. LATE MODEL ACTION THIS SATURDAY NIGHT

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (August 20, 2024) – A busy night of nationally-televised racing speeds into the Madera Speedway on Saturday night with six divisions racing on the fastest one-third mile in the west. The MAVTV-televised Pro Late Model Series powered by Mission Foods and 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series compete in their seventh races of the season. INEX Legends, INEX Bandoleros, Mini Super Toyotas, and Pro Sportsman are also scheduled for racing at the Madera Fairgrounds. Photo by Don Thompson

Opening Ceremonies are slated for approx. 6pm with six features of racing on tap. All tickets will be sold at the track ticket booth. Adult tickets for the six division super show are just $20, seniors are $15, youth ages 6-12 are $10 and kids five and under are free. Meet me at Madera! Race fans can “Join” www.YouTube.com/ShortTrackTV for $19.99 per month for a members-only live stream as well.

2023 Pro Late Model Series champion Tyler Herzog enjoys a 28-point advantage in the 2024 battle on the strength of a win and no finishes lower than fourth all year. Madera’s winningest Late Model competitor Matt Erickson of La Grange has climbed to second in the order. Erickson carries a victory from round four, a second-place finish, a third-place finish, and two fast-times on his season resume.

2023 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series champion Vito Cancilla of Martinez, age 12, is just one marker behind Erickson in the standings. After a red-hot start with two wins in the first three races, Cancilla has averaged a fifth place finish in the last three events.

Shelden Cooper of Clovis ranks fourth in the standings with one series win this year followed by series rookie Joey Kennealy of Madera in fifth. Nathan Quella of Yorba Linda, Shaun Reynolds of Coarsegold, Jason Aguirre of Atwater, Rick Thompson of Fresno, and Henry Barton of San Francisco make up the balance of the top-ten drivers.

Saturday’s 80-lap feature includes a 50-lap opening segment followed by a break for adjustments and MAVTV interviews. A 30-lap race to the finish wraps up the event.

This weekend’s Pro Late Model action is a combination race with the Madera Late Model division that races weekly on non-TV nights. At the conclusion of lap 50, drivers will be ranked for points for that class. Trevor Schlundt enjoys a scant 10-point lead over Olivia Manke in the Madera Late Model standings with Rick Thompson in third.

14-year-old Jace Hale of Manteca has increased his championship lead in the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series after three consecutive victories. Hale leads the division for drivers ages 10-16 by 27-points over Jacob Ryan of Livermore. Cam Carraway of Castro Valley is in third. San Antonio, Texas’ Tristan Pena has settled in from fourth in the standings and was the fast-time qualifier in round six. Oakdale’s Hayden Stepps rounds out the top-five.

The Jr. Late Model Series races in 70-lap features with a 40-lap opening segment and 30-lap sprint for the checkered flag.

Colton Hale of Manteca leads the INEX Legends championship after being credited with victory on July 20. He leads the standings by a slight six-point margin over Kyle Labrie of Easton and Bakersfield’s Eddie Garone. Colton Page of Bakersfield and CJ Dizney of Madera make up the rest of the top-five with a 30-lap race ahead.

2023 INEX Bandolero champion Kaine Betancourt is still leading the championship ahead of Andrew Williams and Speedfest winner Kellen Keller of Madera. The sport’s youngest racers compete in a 15-lap feature.

Mini Super Toyotas will be racing on back-to-back weekends after being a part of the Olga’s California Dream 100. Patrick Geiger won his third consecutive feature last Saturday night, increasing his points lead over Joseph Holliday to 44-points. Shay Gouldy finished third in the feature and is third in the standings. Tyler Ridley and Marty Baker are the rest of the top-five racing into Saturday’s 30-lap event.

Steve Schermerhorn got his first win of the season last weekend in the Pro Sportsman class. He leads Brian Taylor by 13-points in the standings with a scheduled 30-lap event.

Racing action kicks off on Friday night with the pit gates opening at 3pm. Practice runs from 5pm to 8pm. Pit gates open at 1pm on Saturday with the drivers meeting at 2pm and practice at 2:30pm. Qualifying and heat races begin at 4:30pm. Opening Ceremonies are slated for approx. 6pm with all six features to follow.

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 of Mission Foods, 51FIFTY LTM, Lunkerdaddy Fishing Lures, 805 Beer, Race 2B Drug Free, Competition Carburetion, Hoosier Tires, Sealmaster, Frank’s Radio, and Sunoco Race Fuel.

Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Monday nights in primetime at 6pm Pacific / 9pm Eastern. Check www.MAVTV.com for program listings.