Tuesday, October 3, 2017

5th Short Track Shootout Brings Over 400 Laps Of Action To Madera

(Photo Courtesy Jason Wedehase)

Via Madera Speedway PR

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (October 3, 2017) – The 5th annual – and largest to date – running of the Short Track Shootout at Madera Speedway will present racing fans with over 400 laps of competition at the fastest one-third mile in the West with over 100 race cars expected.

The crown jewel is the 150 lap, $10,000 to win feature for the RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series with nearly 60 pre-entries. It also serves as the championship race for the series televised on MAVTV. MAVTV cameras will also roll for the Lucas Oil Modified Series 75 and the 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Models 75 which is also a championship finale. The Pro Late Model B Main will be a feature in of itself, paying $1,000 to the winner. A Lucas Oil Modified B Main, a Pro Late Model C Main, and the young drivers in the Mini Cups round out the busy evening of racing.

Bakersfield’s Buddy Shepherd will try to close out his second championship season at Madera to go along with the 2016 Kern County Raceway Park championship as well. Three consecutive Late Model track titles in the valley would be a huge accomplishment for the High School Senior, but fellow High Schooler Logan Zampa of Napa, CA would like to spoil that party. The difference between the pair is just five points.

Shepherd is a perfect six-for-six in time trials this year while accumulating four wins. Zampa has one win but a total of five podium finishes. Modesto’s Garland Tyler, Madera’s all-time winngest Late Model driver Matt Erickson, and Dillon Tucker are virtually tied in their battle for third place but are not realistically in contention for the championship. Clovis’ Austin Herzog has remained sixth in the standings despite moving back down to the Jr. Late Models in September where he won the feature.

The entry list for the Pro Late Model feature has attracted a host of Irwindale drivers including 2017 NASCAR national runner-up Trevor Huddleston and 2009 third in national points Nick Joanides. Two-time Pacific Challenge Series champion Jeremy Doss is entered along with 2007 Altamont champion Ryan Philpott and current third in SRL points Blaine Rocha of Oakdale. The inaugural Short Track Shootout winner Mike David and three-time and defending winner Eric Holmes are both ready to race as well.

Four-time 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Model winner Jesse Love IV of Menlo Park, CA has already officially clinched the championship in a dominating performance by the 12 year-old. He took a small bump on the chin in September when he finished fifth. His closest rival this year has been Redwood Valley’s Kolby Berry with five fast-times but still no wins. Third in the points is Mentone’s Austin Edwards with Hailie Deegan and Las Vegas’ Kyle Keller rounding out the top-five. The 10-16 year old drivers race for 75 laps over a 50 lap segment and a 25 lap final segment.

The Lucas Oil Modified Series makes its second run at Madera this year with Taylor Miinch leading former champion Dylan Cappello of Arizona in the points. Cappello claimed the Sumertime Horsepower Nationals win in June at Madera. Two-time track champion and former NASCAR regional champion Scott Winters will be chasing his third career series win at his home track. Winters is currently sixth in the points standings.

Las Vegas’ Tyler Reif has put his stamp on his rookie Mini Cup campaign with four fast-times, three wins, and one second place finish this year to lead the division points. The last main event was won by young female racer Avery Vivian, however, but Reif has a comfortable 36 point lead over Aiden Phillips. The youngest drivers at Madera Speedway will run a 20 lap feature.

An open practice kicks off the weekend on Friday before a full day of action on Saturday. Friday practice runs from 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. On Saturday, pit gates open at 9:00 a.m. with practice from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Qualifying will follow with C Mains and B Mains beginning at 4 p.m. The Mini Cup main will also be during this time. Opening ceremonies are officially at 5:30 p.m. with the 75 lap 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Model championship race, 75 lap Lucas Oil Modified race, and the 150 lap Short Track Shootout for $10k to win for the RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series to follow.

Tickets for Madera’s biggest race of the year are value priced at just $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and military, $7 for youth ages 6-12, and kids five and under are free!

For more information about Madera Racing on MAVTV please visit www.racemadera.com or www.mavtv.com. For more information about RPM Mortgage and to obtain loan information please visit www.rpmwins.com and for more information about 51FIFTY Energy Drink visit www.51fiftyenergydrink.com

Madera Racing on MAVTV airs every Thursday night. Thursday October 5th will feature the July 29th Round #5 of the 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Models. The broadcast beings at 8 p.m. Eastern / 5 p.m. Pacific. Madera Speedway racing is also available on the LucasOilRacing.TV app

2017 Short Track Shootout – RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model *Expected Entries* as of 10/3/2017

# Geoff Morris
07 Britt Wasson
1 Tyler Herzog
2 Jarrett Gilmer
7 Ryan Schartau
10 Lucy Carmona
11 Austin Herzog
16L David Lewellen
17 William Martyn
17s Thomas Suarez
18 Zachary Cook
20 Erik Woods
20 Dennis Furden
21 Eric Holmes
21 Eric Nascimento, Jr.
21 Aaron Mullins
21 Patrick Geiger
22 Buddy Shepherd
22 Jacob Smith
22 Larry Pasquale
25 Lawless Alan
25 Elliot Sterjne
26 Del McIntosh
27 Kevin Thompson
28 Henk Gaalswyk, Jr.
28 Trevor Schlundt
34 Quintin Harris
35 Rodney Peacher
38 Ryan Hart
41 Howard Holden
42 Matt Erickson
43 Robby Hornsby
45 Jason Aguirre
50 Trevor Huddleston
50 Justin Philpott
51 Racin Vernon
52 Ryan Philpott
55 Jagger Jones
55 Kent Cam
56 Dylan Garner
70 Joey Licata
71 Kyle Gottula
73 Garland Tyler
75 Jeremy Doss
77 Rick Thompson
77 Mike David
77 Nick Joanides
81 Ray Mayer
84 Doyal Moen
88 Hailie Deegan
88 Dillon Tucker
89 Shelden Cooper
90 Ross Strmiska
92 Logan Zampa
96 Loren Kutz
97 Shane Butler
98 Blaine Rocha
98 Glen Cook