Monday, May 21, 2018

Military Tribute Night Brings Late Model Action Back To Madera

Austin Herzog (#11) leads the RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model points

Via Madera Speedway Media

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (May 21, 2018) – The annual Memorial Day Weekend “Military Tribute Night” at Madera Speedway is this Saturday night, with the fourth rounds for the RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series and 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Models on deck. The MAVTV-televised series continue their championship battles on the one-third mile oval with Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros, Modified Super Toyotas, and Toyota Sedans also in action.

A disastrous DNF in 20th position out of the 27 car field on April 28th knocked Matt Erickson out of the RPM Pro Late Model points lead. The winner of the first two races of the season now finds himself in an 11 point hole behind 15 year-old Austin Herzog. Herzog, the 2017 series Rookie of the Year and six-time Jr. Late Model feature winner, had his career best second place finish capitalizing on Erickson’s misfortunes.

Herzog and Erickson ran side-by-side for the lead of the April 8th round #2 and appear poised to continue that battle into round #4. Garland Tyler is third in the standings head of 2017 Pacific Challenge Series Rookie of the Year Jack Wood. Wood, age 17 from Loomis, CA, had his career best stock car finish when he finished third in the last event.

The race winner last month was Blaine Rocha in a strong performance. Former track champion Rick Thompson rounds out the top-five in the standings. 80 laps are scheduled with the traditional format of a 50 lap opening segment followed by on track adjustments and MAVTV interviews, then a 30 lap sprint to the finish.

2017 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model champion Jesse Love has taken points lead in the division despite a severe crash that prevented him from finishing round #3. Love, previous points leader Tanner Reif of Las Vegas, and Anthony Guaimano were all tangled in the melee coming out of the race’s halfway break. The championship has tightened considerably with Love leading Reif by eight points. Dylan Zampa’s two wins have propelled him to third in the points in a tie with Bakersfield’s Kabe McClenny. The top-four are separated by just 13 points while Watsonville’s Lilly Mead is in fifth but only 27 points out of first herself. The drivers ages 10-16 years old compete in 70 lap features with a 40 lap opening segment and a 30 lap conclusion.

The inaugural Mini Cup vs. Bandolero series has seen all six trophies won by Bakersfield drivers. Kale McClenny has scored all three Mini Cup wins. He topped Aaron Thomas for the Mini Cup victory in the combined race by just .005 seconds in the third race of the year. On the Bandolero side, female driver Kercie Jung won the first two races. Her absence in the third race opened the door for fellow Bakersfield female Riley Massey to motor on to victory. The largest combined field of the season is expected on Saturday as these young men and women battle for 20 laps with coverage on MAVTV.

Toyota Sedans and Modified Super Toyotas form the foundation of the Madera Speedway schedule and have had a busy start to 2018. 2016 Sedans champion Jillaun Holden has four wins and a second place finish to lead rookie Greg Tyler by 44 points with Thomas Magray in third. On the Modified Toyota side of things, Patrick Geiger enjoys a four point advantage over “Dirt” Bert Stephens with May 12th winner Ryan Reynolds quickly closing in from third in the points.

This weekend’s activities begin with an open practice on Friday night from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. On Saturday, pit gates open at 10:30 a.m. with practices beginning at 12:45 p.m. Qualifying follows at 2:45 p.m. with the first heat races and main events beginning at 4:15 p.m. Opening ceremonies are slated for 5:30 p.m. The special Military Tribute is a must-see and fans are encouraged to arrive early to pay their respects to our veterans and our fallen heroes.

Tickets are value priced at just $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, $7 for youth ages 6-12, and kids five and under are free! Military are free for this special event!

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 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. New 2018 episodes will begin airing later this spring.

Madera Speedway 2018 Schedule Celebrating 47 years of Racing!

May 26th- $15 Ticket Night! Military Tribute Night presented by 51FIFTY ENERGY DRINK (All active and retired military get in the grandstands for FREE!) Race #4 of the MAVTV televised $2,000 to win RPM Mortgage Pro Model Series 80 Laps (50 Laps then a break, then 30 laps), Race #4 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then a break, then 30 laps), Toyota Sedans, MST , Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

June 2nd - Closed

June 9th - Lucas Oil Summertime Horsepower Nationals presented by Protect the Harvest & Hoosier Tires! Lucas Oil Modifieds in the Protect the Harvest 75 MAVTV SHOW, North State Modified Tour , USAC HPD Midgets, Legends of Kearney Bowl, CSS 360 Super mods

June 16th – Madera Late Models Series 40 laps, Jr. Late Model Series 30 lap exhibition race, Madera Hobby Stocks, Southwest Truck Series, Toyota Sedans, MSTs, Legends of the Pacific , F4 Beater Cross

June 23rd - Closed

June 30th - Reverend Ron Spencer's Red, White and Blue Classic and BIG FIREWORKS SHOW! !) Race #5 of the MAVTV televised $2,000 to win RPM Mortgage Pro Model Series 80 Laps (50 Laps then a break, then 30 laps), Race #5 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then a break, then 30 laps), MST (48 lap main spilt 24’s) , Toyota Sedans (48 lap main, split 24's), Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

July 7th - Gerhardt Classic 100 Lap Three wide start BCRA Midget Race, The Western Winged Super Sprint Series, USAC Western Midgets, NCMA Sprints, CSS/360 Super Modifieds, Vintage BCRA, Legends of Kearney Bowl,

July 14th - Madera Late Models, Madera Hobby Stocks, MST, Toyota Sedans, and the Jr, Late Model 30 lap exhibition race

July 21st - Closed

July 28th - Summer Speed Fest $5,000 to win Race #6 of the MAVTV televised RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series 100 laps (split 50’s), Race #6 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then a break, then 30 laps), MSTs, Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

August 4th - Children's Hospital Kids Night - Madera Late Models, Madera Hobby Stocks, F4 Beater Cross, Toyota Sedans, MST, Jr Late Model 30 lap exhibition race, Southwest Tour Truck Series

August 11th - PCS Super Late Model Series (Pacific Challenge Series), Madera Hobby Stocks, CSS/360 Super Modifieds, USAC HPD Midgets, MST, Legends of the Pacific, F4 Beater Cross

August 18th - Closed

August 25th - Race # 7 of the MAVTV Televised $2,000 to win RPM Mortgage Pro Model Series 80 laps (50 then 30), Race #7 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then a break, then 30 laps), Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series , Legends of the Pacific, Toyota Sedans

September 1st - Hampton Inn and Suites Night at the Speedway, Madera Late Models, Madera Hobby Stocks, MST's, Toyota Sedans, F4 Beater Cross, and the Jr, Late Model 30 lap exhibition race

September 8th - Closed for the Madera Fair

September 14th - 46th Annual Harvest Classic Night #1 presented by ($5 Ticket Night!) for everyone on night one. Madera Late Models, Madera Hobby Stocks, F4 Beater Cross , MST, Toyota Sedans, USAC Western Midgets and Modified Truck Pulls!

September 15th - 46th Annual Harvest Classic presented by Midland Tractor and John Deere! The Western Winged Super Sprint Series, BCRA Midgets, USAC Western Midgets, NCMA Sprints, CSS/360 Super Modifieds, Legends of Kearney Bowl, California Hard Tops, Plus the Blown, Injected multi engine Pulling Tractors!

September 22nd - Race #8 of the MAVTV televised $2,000 to win RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then 30), Race #8 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then a break, the 30 laps), MST, Toyota Sedans, Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

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