Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Military Tribute Night At Madera This Saturday



MADERA, CALIFORNIA (May 24, 2017) – The always popular Military Tribute Night at Madera Speedway is this Saturday night with the third rounds for both the RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series and the 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Models. The MAVTV-televised Late Model divisions have had some of the strongest car counts in the nation, with more than 50 combined entries expected yet again. Toyota Sedans, F4s, and Mini Cups will round out a big night at the fastest one-third mile in the West.

2015 Pro Late Model champion Buddy Shepherd of Bakersfield has taken the fight directly to 2016 champion and all-time winningest driver Matt Erickson of La Grange. The duo traded blows in the series opener. Erickson snookered Shepherd in a late race shootout in the 125 lap, $5000 to season opener in March. Shepherd answered back in April with a dominating performance in that evening's 100 lap event after starting ninth. Erickson settled for a fifth place finish but it was enough to maintain second in the points. Former track champion Rick Thompson, March third place finisher Dillon Tucker, and Ryan Hart round out the top-five in the points.

Napa's Logan Zampa has been strong in the non-televised Madera Late Model races with two fast-times, a victory, and a second place finish. Tucker has a win and is a perfect three-for-three in top-three finishes in the non-televised races.

100 laps of racing are on tap again Saturday night. The series runs a pair of 50 lap segments with a halfway break on the front stretch in front of the fans. A split 25 lap B Main for both transfer positions and B Main points (and a special $500 to win purse) is scheduled if car count permits.

On the 51FIFTY Jr. Model side, 12 year-old Jesse Love has put "The Hammer" down with victories in both 75 lap races this year. The former USAC HPD Midget champion has taken to full size cars quickly despite fields above 20 cars in each race so far. The second year series has seen qualifying action dominated by Redwood Valley's Kolby Berry with fast times in both races and second in the points standings to show for it.

Female off-road star and second generation racer Hailie Deegan followed up a third place finish in round one with a fifth place run to rank third in the points while April runner-up Austin Edwards and Las Vegas' Kyle Keller round out the top-five. The field of drivers age 10-16 will once again battle 75 laps with a 50 lap opening segment before adjustments and TV interviews on the front stretch. That break will be followed by a 25 lap closing segment for the race win.

Mike Marley has bounced back from a 7th place finish in the season opener for the Toyota Sedans to lead the points by 20 markers over Thomas Magray. Erik Woods rounds out the top-three with 20 laps scheduled in Saturday night's main event.

The youngest drivers at Madera Speedway compete in the Mini Cups, with several younger siblings of Jr. Late Model drivers joining the fray this year. Tanner Reif of Las Vegas won his maiden race in April and looks to duplicate that feat on Saturday night!

An open practice kicks off the weekend on Friday before a full day of action on Saturday. Friday practice runs from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. On Saturday, pit gates open at 11 with practice from 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Qualifying will follow with heat races at 4:30 p.m. The B Main events are scheduled for 5 p.m. with Opening ceremonies and the main events beginning after that.

Tickets for this great night of racing are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, $7 for youth ages 6-12, and kids five and under are free! All Military are admitted free this weekend and are encouraged to arrive early to see the special Military tribute during opening ceremonies.

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 begins Thursday June 1st with coverage of the season opener from March 11th for the RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series. The broadcast beings at 8 p.m. Eastern / 5 p.m. Pacific. Madera Speedway racing is also available on the LucasOilRacing.TV app