Monday, June 13, 2016

Halfway Point For LoanMart LM & JR LM At Madera Saturday

Matt Erickson is a perfect 5-0 at Madera (Photo Courtesy Patriot Photo)

Via Madera Speedway Media/Blakesley Sports Media

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (June 13, 2016) – A sizzling hot season of MAVTV-televised short track racing continues this Saturday night at Kenny Shepherd's LoanMart Madera Speedway. Round four for both the LoanMart Open Late Models and 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models hits the fastest one-third mile in the West as both divisions hit the halfway points in their eight race super series. Super Hobby Stocks, CSS 360 Super Modifieds, Legends of the Pacific, MSTs, and Toyota Sedans make up the balance of the busy race night under the lights.

The LoanMart LM will compete in a split 100 lap feature while 51FIFTY Jr. LM action is a split 50 lap contest.

Matt Erickson's star has shined brightly this year at Madera, as the La Grange driver leads the Open LM points with a 3-for-3 record this year. Erickson has added two wins in the non-TV nights for a total undefeated season at the speedway. He piloted his 602 crate-engined powered #42 car to close wins over the open horsepower of Ryan Philpott in April and 2015 series runner-up Bryan Herzog in May. Perhaps the driver best prepared to throw his name in the mix is Joey Licata. Licata hails from Lake Balboa, CA and is second in the points after a third place effort in May.

Philpott's spectacular engine failure in the last round relegates him to third in the standings while Ryan Hart has book-ended his season with fifth place finishes along with a 17th place run in the middle. Erickson is the only driver this year without a hiccup on his resume in the tough competition against 25 car fields. Jason Aguirre rounds out the top-five in the points ahead of David Ross. 15 year-old rookie Logan Zampa missed the first event but has since put together a fifth place run and a runner-up finish to rank seventh ahead of Garland Tyler, Glen Cook, and Shelden Cooper.

The inaugural season for the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models has left its mark on the motorsports world. 13 year-old Austin Herzog has thrilled fans in the stands and the fans watching at home on MAVTV with wins in the opener and in round three. Mentone's Austin Edwards has made the season a complete Austin sweep with his win in race #2 in April. Herzog's come from behind victory in the May race came at the expense of 12 year-old Dezel West of Las Vegas. West soldiered on to finish second for his first top-three of the year. West leads Herzog by four points heading into Saturday's 50 lap race.

15 year-old Ryan Vargas of La Mirada finished fifth in May to rank third in the order while Canadian Ben Silliker, 11, has led quite a few laps this season to be strong enough for fourth. 15 year-olds Jarrett Gilmer, Ali Gay, Seth Holman, Kolby Berry, and Lily Mead along with Atwater's Jaden Lyn Rocha round out the drivers who made all three races this year.

Bakersfield's Justin Tuey is undefeated in CSS 360 Super Modified competition at Madera this season with two wins. His win in the Vuky Classic came ahead of veterans Donnie Large, Jr. and Lance Jackson. In the Pombo/Sargent Classic it was Tuey leading AJ Russell and Jackson as the top-three finishers.

Super Hobby Stocks return with Joseph Riechmuth and his black Camaro leading the standings by eight points over the very slick #25 of Chuck Dozhier. Thomas Suarez rounds out the top-three ahead of "Supermex" Eloy Bazan, and Ben Lewis.

Legends of the Pacific are one of the largest divisions that competes at Madera and are a very popular traveling series. Former NASCAR K&N West driver Luis Tyrrell of Hayward and Rocklin's Robby Czub have split the two features so far at the speedway.

MST veteran Kevin Thompson is yet another driver having a perfect season with five victories this year to place himself ahead of Bert Stephens, Zachary Cook, Dennis Brandon, and Dave Lander in the points. Jillaun Holden has been steady in Toyota Sedans with two wins to lead fellow female competitor Lucy Carmona ahead of Thomas Magray, Jason Lawton, and Mike Marley.

Race fans can catch up on LoanMart Open Late Model action this Thursday with another original episode of "Madera Racing" The coverage will include the April 30th Round #2 of the series. "Madera Racing" airs Thrusdays on MAVTV at 8 p.m. Eastern / 5 p.m. Pacific.

Adult tickets are only $15, Seniors are $13, youth ages 6-12 are $7, and kids five and under are free.

Pits open at 10am on Saturday, with the first half of the LoanMart Late Model Series firing off at 5pm. There is an open practice for all teams on Friday evening from 5-8pm and the grandstands are open for free on Fridays.

More information at www.RaceMadera.com