Sunday, July 1, 2018

Erickson Earns Third Madera Win Of 2018 During Spencer Classic

Matt Erickson celebrates in victory lane (Photo Courtesy Jason Wedehase)

Via Madera Speedway Media

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (July 1, 2018) – Running a tribute hood on his #42 Late Model, Matt Erickson won his third RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series race of 2018, Saturday, during the “Reverend Ron Spencer Red, White, and Blue Classic” at Madera Speedway. The 80 lap MAVTV-televised race was part of a large evening of patriotic racing in honor of the late track Champlain.

Erickson qualified fastest but had to start sixth after the redraw. That placed Military Tribute Night Winner Racin Vernon on the pole position as he aimed for another patriotic win. The caution flew immediately on the 80 lap feature on lap one, then again on lap eight.

Vernon’s run at the front ended after a lap 22 caution for Henk Gaalswyk spinning. Vernon lost a power steering cap and had a brief fire, but was able to rejoin the field. Erickson took over the lead with Jason Agguire up to second. Erickson’s lead was slowed by a lengthy red flag on lap 28 when Blaine Rocha and Kyle Gottula made contact for fourth. The ensuing melee gathered up Glen Cook and B Main transfer Garland Tyler as well.

Vernon then lost a water line on lap 28 for another cleanup period and another red flag. Jarrett Gilmer suffered what he later described as a possible season ending engine failure on lap 40 that ended up beckoning the race’s scheduled break as well.

Teams made repairs and adjustments and the top-three were interviewed for MAVTV before racing continued on the blistering night. A multi-car pileup occurred coming out of the break with rookie Christian Roche spinning. Gaalswyk and David Lewellen both made heavy contact with Roche to end their evenings.

After a lap 53 caution for Vernon spinning, the race went green to the finish with Erickson topping Agguire, incoming points leader Austin Herzog, Adam Lemke for a career best fourth, and Ryan Hart. The championship battle between Herzog and Erickson has closed considerably with the $5,000 to win feature on July 28th looming large. Four-time Modified Super Toyota champion Kevin Thompson won the $500 B Main event for the Pro Late Models as well.

2017 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series champion Jesse Love IV earned his third win of the season as well to extend his points lead. Love was one of many drivers who had a close relationship with Spencer. Love qualified second behind six-time series winner Austin Herzog. Herzog also grabbed the pole in the redraw. Second starting Tyler Reif of Las Vegas, NV took over the lead from the get go while Love marched forward from his fifth starting spot.

Herzog retired to the pits on lap 22 with mechanical woes allowing Love to assume second place. Love then took over the lead on lap 28. Dylan Zampa, a two-time winner this year, took over second on lap 42.

The race was a special 50 lap race with no scheduled breaks and Love went on for a strong 1.4 second victory over Zampa. Tanner Reif took third from his brother Tyler late in the going with Kayla Eshleman fifth after starting eighth.

Riley Massey of Bakersfield won her second Mini Cup vs. Bandoleros race, taking both the Bandolero main event and the overall win in the 20 lap race also televised for MAVTV. Bakersfield’s Kale McClenny returned to his winning ways by taking the Mini Cup portion of the event and finishing a scant .334 seconds behind Massey at the checkered flag The Mini Cup of Aaron Thomas, Zachary Ginn’s Bando, and Aiden Phillips’ Mini Cup rounded out the top-five.

Both the Modified Super Toyotas and Toyota Sedans staged extra-distance 48 lap features as part of the special festivities. Jason Lawton led on three different occasions to take the Toyota Sedan main event in a narrow win over Barrett Sugden. Greg Tyler, Jillaun Holden, and Thomas Magray made up the rest of the top-five.

Ryan Reynolds took the lead from his brother Shaun Reynolds and never looked back for the Modified Super Toyota victory. Dave Lander, Bert Stephens, and Zachary Cook finished out the top-five.

Racing continues at Madera Speedway on July 7th with the Gerhardt Classic 100 Lap Three wide start BCRA Midget Race, the Western Winged Super Sprint Series for $800 to start, USAC Western US Midgets, CSS/360 Super Modifieds, Vintage BCRA, and 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 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 June 7th.


Madera Speedway 2018 Schedule Celebrating 47 years of Racing!

July 7th - Gerhardt Classic 100 Lap Three wide start BCRA Midget Race, The Western Winged Super Sprint Series, USAC Western US Midgets, 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