Saturday, September 29, 2018

Gomes Returns To SRL Victory Lane With Madera Win

Jacob Gomes returned ti victory lane after a three year drought on Saturday night (Photo Courtesy Jason Wedehase)
Via Madera Speedway Media

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (September 29, 2018) – Manteca’s Jacob Gomes swept the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour 125 presented by 51FIFTY Energy Drink at Madera Speedway, taking fast-time and then leading the final 55 laps for victory. It marked Gomes’ first SRL win since he won twice during his 2015 championship winning season.

The win was not assured early on when he started third and fell as low as sixth during the torrid early battling. Misfortunes for two of the early leaders aided in Gomes’ winning cause.

2006 champion Eric Schmidt of Roseville, CA drew the pole position and led lap one while Blaine Rocha drove from eighth to fifth early on. Ricky Schlick started tenth and had a nice early battle with Bob Lyon for seventh as well.

The first caution flew on lap 17 when rookie Kyle Neveau spun in turn four and he retired to the pits shortly after. On the restart, Schmidt and Carlos Vieira battled with Vieira using the outside line to take the lead on lap 22. Gomes fought with leading Rookie of the Year contender Cole Moore for third on lap 26, while behind them Craig Raudman battled with points leader Jeremy Doss.

Doss, Moore, and Raudman reshuffled several times before Raudman knifed up the inside to advance to third on lap 42. Raudman then nabbed second on lap 45 from Schmidt.

Raudman continued to charge forward from the bottom, getting underneath race leader Carlos Vieira. The duo collided in turn three, sending Vieira for a spin and bringing out a caution on lap 49. Both drivers suffered damage and had to take trips to the infield pits for repairs before returning at the rear of the pack.

Vieira’s hard luck yielded the lead back to Schmidt, who chose the outside line against Doss on the ensuing restart. The decision paid off, with the top-three of Schmidt, Doss, and Gomes all electing to run up high. As the top-five tightened up under a blanket, Doss decided to make his move, diving inside Schmidt on lap 62 in turn three. Schmidt and Doss came together, sending Schmidt spinning with Bob Lyon narrowly avoiding the incident. Yet again, the top-two were relegated to restart at the rear of the field.

These melees thrust Schlick into a lead that he held until a spin by Bob Lyon on lap 67 brought out another caution. The lap 70 restart was Schlick’s undoing as he dropped back steadily, bottling up the field in several three-wide packs. Gomes emerged with the lap 71 lead while Raudman was thrust up into third quickly. Schlick ended up drifting back to 16th before dropping out seven laps shy of the finish.

Gomes was not comfortably ahead by any means, as lapped traffic brought the top-three together briefly by lap 100. Rocha chased Gomes as they darted in and out of traffic. Raudman successfully fended off Doss, who was fighting fading brakes, to maintain third. The caution never flew again and Gomes claimed a popular .814 second victory over Rocha, Raudman, Doss, and Schmidt. The series has two rounds remaining with Doss and Schmidt engaged in a tight points battle.

The Legends of the Pacific concluded their touring series championship with action at Madera on Saturday night, with 15 cars competing in a 35 lap feature. Bakersfield’s Colton Page started seventh and worked his way up into the lead on lap seven and never relinquished it. He accumulated a six second advantage while Pete Soto had a five car deep train for second.

A late race caution for a spin in turn one erased Page’s lead but he managed to drive away again for a 1.757 second victory over Soto. Chad Nascimento fended off second in points Cody Winchel to take the third position and the championship in the series. Matt Winfrey closed out his Young Lions championship run with a fifth place effort. The race was halted by a lap one incident when Brendan Ruzbarsky hit the front stretch wall. He was uninjured.

Super Hobby Stocks were dominated in qualifying by 72 year-old Richard Herzog, but the racing action told a different story. 2018 champion Steve Schermerhorn won the heat race and then raced side-by-side with Herzog for the duration of the 25 lap feature. Their battle for third was the highlight of a main event dominated by Howard Holden as he took a 2.669 second win over Jesus Hernandez. Schermerhorn won the duel with Herzog for third. The series has one race remaining on October 20th.

Toni Breidinger added to her all-time record as the winningest female in USAC competition, using her Honda powered entry to win the 30 lap Western US Midget main event. While the 19 year-old from Hillsborough set a furious pace, the action behind her for second was entertaining. 15 year-old Joey Iest and 17 year-old Adam Lemke, the points leader, raced hard all the way to the finish. Iest outfoxed the veteran Lemke for a well-deserved second place finish.

Legends of Kearney Bowl and Hardtop Sportsman also competed in exhibition races to round out the busy evening at the one-third mile.

Madera Speedway is gearing up for one its largest races in track history with Saturday’s Nut Up Industries Short Track Shootout. The 6th annual event for the RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series is a 150 green flag lap contest with $10,000 on the line for the winner. A field of over 50 is expected to battle in this MAVTV-televised event.

The 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Model Series and Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros will also stage their championship finales. The popular touring Lucas Oil Modifieds round out the buffet of all-televised short track excitement. Activities begin Friday with practice sessions before the lower mains are slated to start at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Saturday’s features begin at 5 p.m.

For more information about Madera Racing on MAVTV please visit www.racemadera.com or www.mavtv.com. For more information on 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 Speedway is presented by major partners RPM Mortgage, 51FIFTY Energy Drink, Nut Up Industries, NICERIDE, iPull-uPull, and Color Fast Industries.

Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Thursdays every week. The show airs at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. PST and is also available on the Lucas Oil Racing TV app. The fifth round of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models airs October 11th.

Madera Speedway 2018 Schedule Celebrating 47 years of Racing!

October 5th -Practice for the RPM Mortgage Short Track "Best of the West" $10,000.00 to win Shootout Event open to Lucas Oil Modifieds, Late Models, Jr. Late Models, and the Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

October 6th - 150 Lap $10,000.00 to WIN “NUT UP SHORT TRACK SHOOTOUT” for the MAVTV televised RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series 150 laps! (race #9 of the televised championship), Lucas Oil Modifieds 75 lap TV race! Race #9 of the 80 lap 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series and the Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

October 13th - Closed, NO RACES /

October 20th - 11th Annual iPull-uPull Pumpkin Smash Halloween Bash and Blow Up and Monster Trucks!, Madera Hobby Stocks, MST's, Toyota Sedans, $2,000 to Win 200 lap Enduro, the Extreme Barrel Racing Series, a Trick or Treat thru the Pits and on Track PUMPKIN SMASH for the KIDS!

October 27th - Closed

November 10th - 2018 Championship Awards Banquet

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Zamora Wins the Race and the Championship



Via Shari Garber/NWSLMS Media

Rochester, WA (August 18, 2018) “Super Girl” Brittney Zamora wowed fans at Wenatchee Valley Super Oval (WVSO) for the Knutson Construction Fall Shin-dig Neal Newberry 125 when she passed northwest legend, Garrett Evans (Wenatchee, WA) to take over the lead and charge to victory in the fifth running of the feature event honoring Neal Newberry. Zamora, who reverted to her trademark green car graphics for the event, merely had to take the initial green flag to secure the championship. Being the first to cross the checkered flag made it even sweeter. Zamora is the defending Neal Newberry 125 and Northwest Super Late Model Series (NWSLMS) champion. This is her second win of the 2018 season. A tight pack made up the field and the race itself was intense. Excited fans saw successful three-wide racing on more than one occasion during the event giving credit to the professionalism of the touring drivers.

Starting third in the field behind quick qualifier, Gracin Raz (Lake Oswego, OR), Zamora quickly moved into the second position. With the tight field, several cautions flew during the 125-lap feature event. Zamora restarted outside of Raz on several occasions and was content to fall in line behind him once they crossed the green flag. Raz developed a flat tire on one such restart, causing Zamora to check up, allowing both Garrett and Jan Evans (Wenatchee, WA) to pass. Zamora was able to retake the younger Evans quickly. The wily veteran proved to be a bigger challenge, as he was able keep Zamora behind him. Zamora waited for the right opportunity and when she got it, nabbed the lead and the took the final fifty-five laps to the checkered. In addition to full-time school and a part-time job, Zamora has run a full-time schedule at Evergreen Speedway, earning a fifth place overall and rookie of the year honors. If that and the touring championship wasn’t enough, Zamora made time for the Boys and Girls Club, and collected money and supplies to put nearly 100 back packs full of school supplies for area children. The icing on the cake was a 3-race deal with High Point Racing and Toyota Racing Development, in which Zamora finished well in the first two events.

Running a limited schedule over the past couple years, Raz showed he still has what it takes to put himself in position to win. Laying down the quickest lap in qualifying and capturing the win in his positioning heat race labeled Raz a threat to win. Raz fell from first to seventeenth with the flat but was able to hang on until a caution flew. Losing valuable track position with the flat, Raz was able to make a comeback to fifth.

Alan Cress (Stayton, OR) who ran a limited schedule in 2018, qualified second on the grid. Cress won his positioning heat race and started outside front row next to Raz. Cress never strayed far from the top to earn his second podium finish of the year, including a win at South Sound Speedway.

Mitch Kleyn (Quincy, WA), the lone veteran of the series made some impressive moves on his way to a fourth-place finish. Starting seventh on the grid, Kleyn worked his way to the front and made an outside challenge for the lead. Evans and Zamora were able to shuffle Kleyn back to fourth where he finished. Kleyn and the Wild 1 Team secured a third runner-up finish in the series championship standings. The point’s battle coming into the race was tight between Kleyn, Andy Sole (San Tan, AZ) and Trenton Moriarity (Monroe, WA). It came down to the checkered flag to determine the final order with Moriarity finishing 7th and Sole finishing 10th respectively in the feature event. Moriarity finished third in the championship standings and was crowned the NWSLMS Rookie of the Year.

The NWSLMS will be back in 2019. Stay tuned for more information. For more information, you can follow series Facebook page or website www.nwsuperlatemodels.com.

Wenatchee Valley Super Oval
Neal Newberry 125
Knutson Construction Fall Shin-dig

Official Finish:
1 52 Brittney Zamora 125
2 64 Garrett Evans 125
3 91 Alan Cress 125
4 1K Mitch Kleyn 125
5 27 Gracin Raz 125
6 83 Braeden Havens 125
7 12 Trenton Moriarity 125
8 17 Bob Presley 125
9 25b Zack Beaman 125
10 20w Andy Sole 125
11 24 Tristan Haider 125
12 89 Doni Wanat 125
13 23 Corey Allard 125
14 33 Christopher Kalsch 125
15 9 Josh Roberts 124
16 5 Jan Evans 104
17 93 Dave Garber 87
18 35 Robb Touchette 80
19 54 Shelby Thompson 56
20 95 Buck Noel Jr 56
21 26 John Newhouse 47
22 4 Arlyn Long DNS
23 38 Chad Hinkle DNS

Lap leaders: Lap 1-48 Gracin Raz, Lap 49-68 Garrett Evans, Lap 69-125 Brittney Zamora

This week’s contingency prizes were awarded to the following drivers:
Hoosier Tire Award – Bob Presley, Alan Cress, Jan Evans
Joe’s Hard Luck Award – John Newhouse
Longacre Racing Products Longest Tow – John Newhouse
Longacre Racing Products Hard Charger – Brittney Zamora
Wheel Chill $100 Gift Certificate off Retail Set of Wheel Chills – not awarded
Wheel Chill $25 Gift Certificate off Driver Wheel Chill – Doni Wanat
Wheel Chill $25 Gift Certificate off Retail Grill Chill – Trenton Moriarity
Frank’s Radio Gift Certificate $100 - $75 - $50 – Brittney Zamora, Garrett Evans, Alan Cress
Auto Meter Gift Certificate – Buck Noel Jr.
The Ti Company “Hard Charger” – Bob Presley

Final Point Standings:
Pos Car# Driver Name Total Points Wins
1 52 Brittney Zamora 320 2
2 1K Mitch Kleyn 273
3 12 Trenton Moriarity 269
4 20 Andy Sole 268
5 89 Doni Wanat 247 1
6 15 Tayler Riddle 197 1
7 91 Alan Cress 187 1
8 83 Braeden Havens 169
9 24 Tristan Haider 151
10 64 Garrett Evans 151
11 17 Bob Presley 150
12 33 Christopher Kalsch 148
13 5 Jan Evans 114
14 33 Brooke Schimmel 106
15 93 Dave Garber 103
16 38 Chad Hinkle 75
17 18 Ian Graham 74
18 23 Brandon Ash 70
19 92 Logan Jewell 69
20 25 Zack Beaman 69
21 12F Chad Fitzpatrick 67
22 35 Robb Touchette 66
23 26 John Newhouse 60
24 95 Buck Noel Jr 55
25 48 Preston Peltier 53
26 75 Jeremy Doss 52 1
27 10 Owen Riddle 46
29 09 Clint Habart 44
28 27 Gracin Raz 48
30 31 Jessie Jensen 42
31 00 Naima Lang 41
32 28 Andrew Koens 41
33 81 Darrell Midgley 39
34 65 Tyler Tanner 39
35 1 Agni Howell 39
36 8 Kelly Admiraal 38
37 53 Alex Lessor 37
38 11 Riley Watson 36
39 12 Thane Alderman 35
40 23 Corey Allard 35
41 11 Ed Thomsen 34
42 4 Arlyn Long 34
43 15F Jim Franklin 33
44 11 Cole Keatts 33
45 9 Josh Roberts 33
46 14 Don Staggs 32
47 30 Jeremy Richardson 31
48 7 Kurt Meyer 30
49 70 Trent Seidel 30
50 54 Shelby Thompson 29
51 88 Dirk Bennett 28
52 8 Tom Elam 28
53 36 Grant Brown 28
54 16 Dan Moore 26
55 88 Jack Chisholm 25
56 27 Tim Elliott 24
57 39 Pete Harding 21

For additional information, please contact Jarrod Goodwin (509) 879-5082.

In their fifth season, the Northwest Super Late Model Series Inc. is the premier regional touring Super Late Model series in the Pacific Northwest. The series has many valued marketing partners including Hoosier Racing Tire, McGunegill Engine Performance, AR Bodies, Accelerated Graphics, Five Star Bodies, Longacre Racing Products, Franks Racing Radio, Jefferson Pitts Racing, Bassett Wheels, TI Company, Pacific Steel Structures, LLC, Leonard Evans Used Car Super Store and Racing Dynamiks. For more information on the series visit www.nwsuperlatemodels.com or on Social Media, Facebook (NWSLMS) or Twitter (@nw_latemodels).

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

SRL Southwest Tour Returns To Madera Speedway On Saturday

Jeremy Doss was "on fire" during the March SRL appearance, taking the win (Photo Courtesy Jason Wedehase)
Via Madera Speedway Media

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (September 25, 2018) – Madera Speedway’s busy stretch of major Late Model races continues Saturday night with the second appearance of 2018 for the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series. USAC Western US Midgets, CSS 360 Super Modifieds, Legends of Kearney Bowl, Legends of the Pacific, and Madera Hobby Stocks will also compete during Saturday’s races. All told, more than 300 laps of competition will take place on the one-third mile asphalt oval.

Jeremy Doss, the 2013 & 2014 SRL championship runner-up, is aiming for his first series crown and leads the championship into Madera. Doss used a last lap pass to win the season opener at Madera, and added another victory in May at Las Vegas. Doss has podiums in five out of six starts this year and his Madera resume includes two Pacific Challenge Series wins as well.

Eric Schmidt ranks second in the standings and last won at Madera in 2006. He went on to win the championship that season, meaning a win on Saturday could be a harbinger of things to come. Ricky Schlick, Livingston’s Carlos Vieira, and St. Mary’s High School graduate Jeff Bischofberger round out the top-five in the points. All three are still in search of a win in 2018.

Cole Moore leads the Rookie of the Year standings from sixth in the points. Many drivers with local ties are expected to compete including Stockton Tri-Holiday champion Matt Wendt of Lodi, Ripon’s Michael Sandoval, Manteca’s Eric Nascimento, Jr., and 2008 Altamont Raceway Park champion Jason Gilbert.

Adam Lemke, the current Rookie of the Year points leader in the RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series at Madera, will make his debut in the series. All told, more than 20 cars are expected to compete in the 125 lap feature presented by 51FIFTY Energy Drink.

Lemke will also be busy with the USAC Western US Midgets, where he leads the points after a dominating season during their eight visits to the speedway. The resurgent 360 Super Modifieds are fresh off of the Donnie Large Memorial during the Harvest Classic, where Eric Humphries of Chowchilla darted to victory. Steve Schermerhorn has already clinched the Madera Hobby Stock championship with still two rounds to go in the competitive division.

The traveling Legends of the Pacific routinely average 15-20 entrants per visit at Madera with Saturday marking their sixth and final run of the season.

Action gets started on Friday evening with pit gates opening at 2:30 p.m. and practices from 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Saturday’s pit gates swing open at 11:30 a.m., followed by practices at 1:30 p.m. Time trials and heat races for the local divisions will follow, along with the 360 Super Modified main event and SRL Southwest Tour qualifying, before opening ceremonies officially take place at 7 p.m. The SRL Southwest Tour 125 presented by 51FIFTY Energy Drink is slated to go green at approx. 9 p.m.

Tickets for this great night of racing are just $20 for adults, $17 for seniors, $10 for youth ages 6-12, and kids five and under are free!

Madera Speedway is busy preparing for the Nut Up Industries Short Track Shootout on October 6th which will pay $10,000 to win the RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model feature. Pre-entry is available now at www.RaceMadera.com

For more information on 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 Speedway is presented by major partners RPM Mortgage, 51FIFTY Energy Drink, Nut Up Industries, NICERIDE, iPull-uPull, and Color Fast Industries.

Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Thursdays re-runs of the 2017 season every week. The show airs at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. PST and is also available on the Lucas Oil Racing TV app. Round #5 of the RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series from May airs on Thursday September 27th.

Madera Speedway 2018 Schedule Celebrating 47 years of Racing!

September 29th – Spears SRL Southwest Tour 125, the USAC Western Midgets, CSS/360 Super Modifieds, Legends of the Pacific, Madera Hobby Stocks, and the Legends of Kearney Bowl

October 5th -Practice for the RPM Mortgage Short Track "Best of the West" $10,000.00 to win Shootout Event open to Lucas Oil Modifieds, Late Models, Jr. Late Models, and the Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

October 6th - 150 Lap $10,000.00 to WIN “NUT UP SHORT TRACK SHOOTOUT” for the MAVTV televised RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series 150 laps! (race #9 of the televised championship), Lucas Oil Modifieds 75 lap TV race! Race #9 of the 80 lap 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series and the Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

October 13th - Closed, NO RACES /

October 20th - 11th Annual iPull-uPull Pumpkin Smash Halloween Bash and Blow Up and Monster Trucks!, Madera Hobby Stocks, MST's, Toyota Sedans, $2,000 to Win 200 lap Enduro, the Extreme Barrel Racing Series, a Trick or Treat thru the Pits and on Track PUMPKIN SMASH for the KIDS!

October 27th - Closed

November 10th - 2018 Championship Awards Banquet

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Uselton’s 2018 Season Coming To A Close



Eureka, CA (September 23, 2018) – The 2018 racing season for young MKinzy Uselton is nearing its end, at least in her home town area. The Humboldt County racer completed her third season of racing in Redwood Acres Raceway’s Legends division and is also currently in her third year behind the wheel of a 250cc outlaw kart.

2018 wasn’t exactly the kind of season that fan favorite Uselton was hoping for on the pavement. In 2017, Uselton led the points standings for Redwood Acres Raceway’s Legends division but narrowly lost out on the championship. In spite of adversity this season, MKinzy finished seventh in the standings, only 11 points out of finishing in the top five of the ever-expanding and highly competitive division.

Track changes forced Uselton to adapt in her 250cc outlaw kart. The first part of 2018, the Humboldt Outlaw Karts raced on a 1/10-mile dirt oval in the infield of Redwood Acres Raceway. The outlaw karts were able to get a permanent 1/8-mile track built at the fairgrounds and the larger circuit has seemed to be a better fit for Uselton’s driving style.

Uselton will be competing for the Humboldt Outlaw Kart’s season ending event at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds on Saturday October 13. MKinzy is also hoping to compete in the Lakeport Indoor Kart series over the winter however she and her team are looking for financial assistance to be able to compete. Current NASCAR drivers Kyle Larson and Tyler Reddick have used the Lakeport Indoor Kart series as a stepping stone in their careers and MKinzy is hoping to better hone her skills against some of the top outlaw kart competition in the region.

If you are interested in partnering with the young, talented up and coming driver toward her efforts in the winter series, in Redwood Acres Raceway’s Legends division or in the Humboldt Outlaw Karts, contact girlracin29@gmail.com for more information. It is a great opportunity to partner up with an exciting female racer who is looking to reach her full potential on both the local and regional levels of racing.

MKinzy is supported every race by her crew chief, Brett Uselton a.k.a “Papa”, Lil John Jameson, Lissa Uselton and Aaliyah Hughes Mitchell. She is sponsored by Jim Redd Four Star Realty, Verizon in Fortuna, CA, John’s Used Cars, Joe’s Auto Glass, Site Master West, Left Coast Vinyl, Redwood Mechanical, Central Office, Grandpa Mitchell, Red Boots Racing/Julia Moulton, Higgins Brothers, The Bud Sister, Happy Donuts Express Asian Food, Dee Kenney at Bayside Realty & Howard’s Body Shop.

Erickson Closes In On Championship With Thrilling Madera Win

Photo Courtesy Jason Wedehase

Via Madera Speedway Media

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (September 22, 2018) – Two of the most dramatic finishes of 2018 came during the penultimate rounds of the 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Model Series and the RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series on Saturday night at Madera Speedway. When the smoke cleared, Dylan Zampa and Matt Erickson emerged with critical victories in their runs for the championships.

For Erickson and the Pro Late Model drivers, they are staring down the upcoming $10,000 to win Nut Industries Short Track Shootout on October 6th.

13 year-old Jesse Love started the Pro Late Model feature from the pole position for their 80 lap affair, but Modesto’s Garland Tyler swooped past him on the outside to take the lead. Love was undeterred, fighting back on the inside to take the lead back on lap five. Erickson followed suit to take second place while sixth starting Austin Herzog, the incoming second in points, was up to fourth on lap 14.

Erickson closed down on Love by lap 18 and used the lapped traffic to box Love, taking over the lead on lap 24. Nick Grossi spun in turn four on lap 32 for the first caution with Loren Kutz collected as well.

When action resumed, Racin Vernon dove to the pits with a blown engine while Love had to retire with failing brakes. April winner Blaine Rocha and Ross Strmiska battled for fourth with Strmiska staying on the high-side for several laps.

A multi-car melee on the backstretch saw Howard Holden and Jarrett Gilmer both suffer significant damage on lap 37. Herzog knifed up into second on the restart and ran on top of Erickson nose-to-tail when they reached the lap 50 break. Tyler, Strmiska, and Rocha rounded out the top-five.

Strmiska took over third coming out of the break. Tyler fell into the clutches of a very strong battle with Rocha and Aguirre where they fanned out nearly three-wide on more than half a dozen occasions. The battle lasted for 15 laps until the next caution.

Jack Wood spun on lap 65 for the yellow flag and Strmiska tried to take second away from Herzog on the restart. Strmiska grabbed the position by lap 70 but Herzog edged back underneath him.

Herzog had second by a nose at the stripe on lap 75 when the caution came out for Gilmer and Kutz stopped on the front stretch. Herzog tried to capitalize on the following restart but Erickson drove away, before another caution on lap 76 for Tyler Herzog spinning.

Herzog drove up alongside Erickson for a side-by-side run to the finish. The pair got tight coming to the white flag, backing Herzog into Strmiska down the front stretch. Herzog spun and tagged Strmiska, sending Strmiska’s car hard into the turn one wall. The race was ended on a yellow checkered flag with Matt Erickson taking the $2,000 victory ahead of Rocha, 15th starting Dillon Tucker, Aguirre, and Logan Zampa. Herzog was unofficially credited with a distant 14th place in the final rundown.

The 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Model finish was similarly spectacular, with cars sliding across the finish line backwards. In the end, Dylan Zampa was credited with the narrowest of victories by .017 seconds over a spinning Tanner Reif.

Joey Iest started the 70 lap race for drivers ages 10-16 from the pole position, but was immediately passed by his teammate Jesse Love. The move was nullified by a caution, but Love, the 2017 champion, made the move again on the next attempt. Dylan Zampa followed him past Iest with the top-two in the points occupying the top-two on the race track.

A significant crash on lap four brought out a red flag when Calvin Hegje and Hailey Liles bounced off the front stretch wall. Both drivers were uninjured. Major crashes continued on lap 16 when Tyler Reif climbed over the top of Iest’s driver’s side door on a restart, with both cars eliminated from contention.

Zampa kept applying pressure to Love with the pair running closely across the line at the lap 40 break while Las Vegas’ Tanner Reif up to third at that point as well.

Kabe McClenny tried a few times to get around Reif for third before Reif solidly joined the battling up front in the closing stages. Reif applied a bump and run to take second from Zampa on lap 49 and a caution on lap 54 set up the battling to the checkered flag. Reif made contact with Love, allowing Zampa to go from third to first in one corner. Reif and Love traded contact again before Reif muscled back into second.

On the final lap, Reif made contact with Zampa down the backstretch and stayed engaged on his bumper as he pushed him into turn three. He attempted to slide up in front of Zampa in turn four and the pair made contact, sending Reif spinning. Zampa and Reif crossed the stripe nearly equal – Reif backwards and Zampa forwards. The MAVTV cameras caught Zampa ahead as did the transponders in one of the wildest finishes in series history. Love watched it all unfold from third with McClenny fourth and Jay Juleson fifth in his debut.

The Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros had a tension-filled evening as well, with their 20 lap event fraught with spins and crashes. The most notable incident came when Bandolero points leader Riley Massey and her teammate Ethan Nascimento tagged each other on the front stretch sending Massey hard into the wall. Bakersfield’s Hank Hall, age 10, went on to win the overall and the Bando portion of the event while Mini Cup points leader Kale McClenny was victorious yet again among those cars.

Jillaun Holden won the 2018 Toyota Sedan championship to add to her 2016 crown, finishing second in Saturday’s race behind Jason Lawton. A spin on lap 22 brought the field together but Lawton motored away over the final three laps. Kyle Labrie overcame the spin to finish third.

Modified Super Toyotas were led by the Reynolds 1-2 punch, with Ryan leading 21 laps for the win while Shaun worked his way past both 2017 champion Bert Stephens and John McCullum Jr. to take second. Patrick Geiger ended up working past them to finish third as well.

Racing continues at Madera Speedway on September 29th with the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour 125, the USAC Western Midgets, CSS/360 Super Modifieds, Legends of the Pacific, Madera Hobby Stocks, and the Legends of Kearney Bowl

For more information about Madera Racing on MAVTV please visit www.racemadera.com or www.mavtv.com. For more information on 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 Speedway is presented by major partners RPM Mortgage, 51FIFTY Energy Drink, Nut Up Industries, NICERIDE, iPull-uPull, and Color Fast Industries.

Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Thursdays every week. The show airs at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. PST and is also available on the Lucas Oil Racing TV app. The fifth round of the RPM Mortgage Pro Late Models airs September 27th.

Madera Speedway 2018 Schedule Celebrating 47 years of Racing!

September 29th – Spears SRL Southwest Tour 125, the USAC Western Midgets, CSS/360 Super Modifieds, Legends of the Pacific, Madera Hobby Stocks, and the Legends of Kearney Bowl

October 5th -Practice for the RPM Mortgage Short Track "Best of the West" $10,000.00 to win Shootout Event open to Lucas Oil Modifieds, Late Models, Jr. Late Models, and the Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

October 6th - 150 Lap $10,000.00 to WIN “NUT UP SHORT TRACK SHOOTOUT” for the MAVTV televised RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series 150 laps! (race #9 of the televised championship), Lucas Oil Modifieds 75 lap TV race! Race #9 of the 80 lap 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series and the Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

October 13th - Closed, NO RACES /

October 20th - 11th Annual iPull-uPull Pumpkin Smash Halloween Bash and Blow Up and Monster Trucks!, Madera Hobby Stocks, MST's, Toyota Sedans, $2,000 to Win 200 lap Enduro, the Extreme Barrel Racing Series, a Trick or Treat thru the Pits and on Track PUMPKIN SMASH for the KIDS!

October 27th - Closed

November 10th - 2018 Championship Awards Banquet