Saturday, March 9, 2019

Dylan Zampa Strikes Speed Fest Gold With $5,000 Pro Late Model Win At Madera



Via Madera Speedway Media

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (March 9, 2019) – 14 year-old Dylan Zampa of Napa, CA made his Nut Up Pro Late Model debut on Saturday night and promptly scored the biggest win of his career, topping his 18 year-old brother for the $5,000 Speed Fest at Madera Speedway. The pair went side-by-side over a dramatic final ten laps for MAVTV cameras before wet weather ended the event prematurely. Tanner Reif scored a shortened opener for the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models that attracted 20 drivers ages 10-16 years old as well. Both the Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros and Modified Super Toyotas were unable to run their features.

A grinding crash for the lead between Carlos Vieira and Blaine Rocha on lap 39 opened the door wide-open for the Zampa battle. Fast-time qualifier Vieira and Rocha slid off of turn four with Rocha spinning across the track into the inside wall with significant damage. Vieira drove away from the crash but with portions of Rocha’s nose piece lodged into his car. He was relegated to the rear for having it removed by officials.

Rocha had led all the way after starting outside Orange Show champion Parker Malone on the front row of the 26 car feature. More than 30 cars attempted to qualify, with the field narrowed by a b-main earlier in the afternoon.

Dylan Zampa, the runner-up in the 2018 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models, slowly negotiated his way to second after starting sixth. The first caution flew on lap 18 for a spin. The caution flew again on lap 21 for Ryan Hart spinning and dropping fluid in turn one. Rocha picked the inside line against Zampa, pinning him into the dry sweep at the top of the first corner.

Through a series of mid-race cautions, Rocha continually maintained the lead over the rookie. A significant crash slowed the festivities when 2007 Altamont champion Ryan Philpott hit the turn one gate head on. He was uninjured and racing resumed after a brief red flag for clean up.

Zampa spun his tires on a lap 36 restart, which allowed the tenth starting Vieira to shoot the gap up into second. Vieira immediately clamped down on Rocha. Two laps later they slid through turn four before Rocha was hooked and hit the inside wall backwards.

The incident thrust Dylan Zampa into the lead, picking the inside against Logan Zampa. They staged a side-by-side battle over the next 10 laps with multiple lead changes. Logan led lap 39, before Dylan led lap 40. Logan edged forward for lap 41 but Dylan managed to lead until lap 45. Logan swung wide in turn four and Dylan danced to a one car length advantage up to lap 49.

Dylan’s advantage was nullified by a caution for Malone spinning out of turn four. The race never restarted as a heavy sprinkle saw officials count caution laps to carry the race to lap 56 just past halfway. The halfway break began before the sprinkle turned into persistent rain showers to end the evening. Dylan Zampa hauled in his $5,000 Speed Fest victory with 2018 Short Track Shootout $10,000 winner Logan Zampa in second.

2018 Madera Late Model champion Jason Aguirre was third over two-time champion Buddy Shepherd and 13th starting Ross Strmiska. Vieira ranked 14th in the rundown in a slight hit to his 2019 championship hopes.

13 year-old Tanner Reif of Las Vegas won his second career 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Model Series race with a late race maneuver to take the shortened victory. 20 drivers ages 10-16 years old took the green flag for MAVTV-televised action.

12 year-old Cody Kiemele from Riverside swept around Jay Juleson to lead lap one. The caution flew immediately for a brief spin in turn three. Juleson looked pinned to the outside on the restart with a line of strong cars attempting to overhaul him including Bakersfield’s Seth Wise. A caution on lap six for a stalled car gave Juelson a break from the battling.

Madera’s Joey Iest rocketed from fourth to second on the restart when Juleson was slow to get away. Iest tucked under Kiemele before Kiemele spun to surrender the lead and bring out the caution.

Iest took over the point with Tyler Reif advancing to second after starting sixth. Iest and Reif built up a five car length lead over the pack but then Reif suffered a solo spin in turn three. The pack of mostly rookie drivers all managed to avoid Reif’s stalled car.

Tanner Reif used these restarts to charge past both Wise and Juleson to get up into second. His brother spun again on lap 25 which allowed Tanner an opening to challenge Iest. Iest held off this attempt that included Reif sliding sideways off of turn four and nearly going around. He saved it and then was saved by a caution period. This next restart was Iest’s undoing with Reif taking the lead on lap 30.

A caution on lap 32 for Tyler Reif having another unfortunate spin set up the final restart of the event. Tanner Reif motored away from Joey Iest for a .187 second advantage with Wise, Kabe McClenny, and Kayla Eshleman the top-five. The lap 41 checkered flag was intended to be the halfway break, but the race never restarted due to weather.

The MAVTV-televised Nut Up Pro Late Models and 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Models return on April 6th. Next up for Madera Speedway is Saturday night’s debut of the MAVTV-televised California Challenge Cup for steel bodied stock cars along with the new Madera Midget Series.

For more information about Madera Racing on MAVTV please visit www.racemadera.com or www.mavtv.com. For more information on Nut Up Industries please visit www.nutupindustries.com and for more information about 51FIFTY Energy Drink visit www.51fiftyenergydrink.com

Madera Speedway is presented by major partners Nut Up Industries, 51FIFTY Energy Drink, iPull-uPull, and Color Fast Industries. Contingency sponsors include Five Star Bodies, Maita Motorsports, McAllister Precision Marketing, H&S Body Works, Hoosier Tires, and StopTech Brakes.

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. 2018 episodes will continue airing until the late spring, when 2019 episodes will hit the airwaves.

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

2019 Madera Speedway Season Begins Saturday With Large Field Of MAVTV Late Models

Joey Iest is among those searching for their first Jr. Late Model win on Saturday (Jason Wedehase photo)

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (March 5, 2019) – Madera Speedway’s fifth season of MAVTV-televised Late Model action begins Saturday night, as drivers get ready to lay the wood for nine race championship campaigns in the Nut Up Pro Late Model Series and 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series. Saturday’s Madera Speed Fest includes the Pro Late Models battling for 100 laps and $5,000 to win, while the Jr. Late Models will race for 70 laps. Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros and Modified Super Toyotas round out the card on the one-third mile asphalt oval.

A very healthy field of competitors are expected to try to challenge Matt Erickson in the Pro Late Models in 2019. Erickson opened his 2018 championship campaign by winning the $5,000 season opener and followed it with three more victories to add to his extensive Madera resume.

Six-time Jr. Late Model winner Austin Herzog of Clovis scored three fast-times and a pair of runner-up finishes to finish second in the championship. Garland Tyler and Ryan Hart were third and fourth in the standings. Rounding out the top-five of 2018 was Racin Vernon of Bakersfield who won twice and added two fast-times as well. Vernon is one of many drivers utilizing a new car with an Outlaw-style body this season.

2018 Jr. Late Model runner-up Dylan Zampa, 14, will advance to the Pro Late Model series to compete alongside his older brother Logan Zampa, winner of the $10,000 Short Track Shootout last season. Both drivers are utilizing new Outlaw Late Model style bodies on their machines.

USAC’s all-time winningest female Toni Briedinger will begin a full-time Pro Late Model campaign hailing out of Hillsborough, CA for Naake-Klauer Motorsports as well.

A bevy of drivers will be part of the substantial field on Saturday night, with two-time series champion Buddy Shepherd, three-time PCS winner Carlos Vieira, Madera race winners Rick Thompson and Blaine Rocha, Madera Late Model champion Jason Aguirre, Altamont champion Ryan Philpott, Nut Up Industries teammates Ross Strmiska and Christian Roche, and many others expected to compete.

Visiting drivers set to appear include 2009 Roseville and 2018 PCS champion Jason Romero and nearly half a dozen Orange Show Speedway regulars including champions Linny White, Parker Malone, and Barry Karr.

With two-time 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model champion Jesse Love graduating into touring Late Models, Sprint Cars, and Midgets in 2019, the championship battle is wide-open this season. Several drivers appear poised to fill the gap with Las Vegas brothers Tyler and Tanner Reif among the returning crop. The older Tanner Reif narrowly missed out on the championship on the strength of a victory in August. Tyler finished fourth in the standings with a photo-finish win in July over his older brother. The victory made him the youngest winner in series history.

The rookie crop of Jr. Late Model drivers will include Portland, OR’s Jadan Walbridge from Outlaw Kart racing, Bandolero and Legends standouts Kercie Jung and Seth Wise from Bakersfield, Yakima, WA’s Patrick Mullins, and off-road champion Jake Bollman. Bollman will take over the #38 season vacated by Love.

Returning drivers to the division include fifth in 2018 points Kabe McClenny, inaugural season winner Austin Edwards, Madera’s Joey Iest, San Jose’s Jay Juleson, Lilly Mead, and Olivia Manke.

The Mini Cup vs. Bandolero drivers will face off with a new crop of drivers from a variety of backgrounds looking to knock Bakersfield’s Riley Massey off her championship pedestal. Several Mini Cup teams have moved into the more powerful Bandolero cars, adding to the intrigue. The youngest drivers at Madera Speedway compete in a 20 lap feature on Saturday.

Modified Super Toyotas continue to be anchored by the twin bothers of Shaun and Ryan Reynolds. They look to continue that momentum in Saturday’s opener with 30 laps on tap for the main event.

Action gets started on Friday evening with practice from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday’s program begins with pit gates opening at 11:00 a.m. Practices run from 1:00 – 2:45 p.m. with qualifying and heat races to follow. The first set of main events starts at 5:15 p.m. including the Mini Cup feature and the Late Model B Main. Opening ceremonies are at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets for this great night of racing are just $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, $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 on Nut Up Industries please visit www.nutupindustries.com and for more information about 51FIFTY Energy Drink visit www.51fiftyenergydrink.com

Madera Speedway is presented by major partners Nut Up Industries, 51FIFTY Energy Drink, iPull-uPull, and Color Fast Industries. Contingency sponsors include Five Star Bodies, Maita Motorsports, McAllister Precision Marketing, and StopTech Brakes.

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. 2018 episodes will continue airing until the late spring, when 2019 episodes will hit the airwaves.

Strong Contingency Program Offered For MAVTV Late Model Program At Madera



Via Madera Speedway Media

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (March 5, 2019) – Competitors in Madera Speedway’s MAVTV-televised Late Model Series will be offered a package of exciting contingencies in 2019, starting with Saturday’s Madera Speed Fest season opener. Teams from across the western United States will be racing for lucrative awards all season long with Saturday’s Nut Up Pro Late Model Series 100 lap feature paying $5,000 to the winner. The 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model season will begin as well, with drivers from five different states expected to compete in the 70 lap event.

Five Star Bodies previously announced a partnership for both divisions for their nine race series. The top-three in each feature will receive a certificate for body parts. First will receive $300, second $200, and third $100. A complete body package of the new 2019 “Gen-6” style body will be given away at the banquet as well.

Madera Speedway’s Late Model rules have just 13 total rules, allowing for many different body types and engine types controlled by a grooved 8” tire and weight penalties. Arguably the most successful package is the low-cost GM 602 sealed crate engine. Maita Motorsports, a division of Maita Chevrolet and approved dealer for GM Performance Parts, is offering contingency certificates towards a new 602 engine. It can also be applied to a CT525 engine as well.

For both Late Model divisions, first will receive a $100 certificate, second $75, and third $50. The program will extend to the non-televised Late Model division at Madera as well.

McAllister Precision Marketing returns to offer their incredible contingency program for the Jr. Late Model Series. As part of the partnership one of the top-five drivers in points will be randomly selected to receive a Premier Marketing Package from McCallister Precision Marketing.

The Premier Marketing Package will include consulting, promotion, 10 free press releases and a free test session with McCallister Precision Marketing client Lee Faulk Racing and Development on the East Coast. Logan Zampa, 14 of Napa, CA, won the prize in 2018 after finishing second in the points.

StopTech Brakes has stepped up their involvement with Madera Speedway in 2019 as well. Previously a large force in the sports car world, StopTech has found recent success in circle track racing at Madera. Both 2018 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model champion Jesse Love and 2018 Nut Up Pro Late Model champion Matt Erickson used StopTech brakes on their cars. StopTech will provide certificate prizes of $200, $150, and $100 for the top-three finishers of each Pro and Jr. event.

The 2019 season opens on Saturday night with the $5,000 to win Nut Up Pro Late Model feature during the Madera Speed Fest. Jr. Late Models, Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros, and Modified Super Toyotas round out the exciting card.

Action gets started on Friday evening with practice from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday’s program begins with pit gates opening at 11:00 a.m. Practices run from 1:00 – 2:45 p.m. with qualifying and heat races to follow. The first set of main events starts at 5:15 p.m. including the Mini Cup feature and the Late Model B Main. Opening ceremonies are at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets for this great night of racing are just $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, $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 on Nut Up Industries please visit www.nutupindustries.com and for more information about 51FIFTY Energy Drink visit www.51fiftyenergydrink.com

Madera Speedway is presented by major partners Nut Up Industries, 51FIFTY Energy Drink, 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. 2018 episodes will continue airing until the late spring, when 2019 episodes will hit the airwaves.

Monday, March 4, 2019

Lucas Oil And Ross Motorsports - A 25 Year Partnership



Via David Ross Motorsports PR

COLTON, CALIFORNIA (March 4, 2019) – 25 year partnerships don’t happen often in the world of motorsports. David Ross Motorsports and Lucas Oil have forged such a pairing, going back to the early days of Forrest Lucas’ effort to create the world’s best lubricants. Today, David Ross competes in both pavement Late Models and in 2019, will embark on a new journey in dirt Street Stocks. It was all made possible by a chance encounter in 1994.

The Ross family has been involved in the plumbing business for decades. David’s late father, Greg, met Forrest Lucas to do some plumbing work on the Lucas Oil facility in Riverside. Lucas Oil was a burgeoning company with just one product – Lucas Oil Fuel Stabilizer. The two started to talk racing and the relationship was born.

Lucas Oil adorned the stock cars owned by Greg Ross and driven by Greg Schiedecker, who later would go on to be an integral part of Lucas Oil as the director of the Lucas Oil Modified Series.

In 1999, David Ross took over as the team’s primary driver beginning with a quarter midget program. Over the course of three years, David captured 50 wins and two track championships. He then advanced into Legends cars where he won the championship at Irwindale Speedway. Late Models were next on the docket, peaking with the 2010 Orange Show Speedway championship. All along the way, Lucas Oil has been by Ross’ side.

His 2019 program will include competing in Late Model races at Orange Show Speedway and also at Madera Speedway in Madera, CA. The events at Madera are televised by MAVTV, owned and operated by Lucas Oil. The team tentatively plans to compete in the $5,000 to win race in July.

Ross will also hit the dirt this year in a new Street Stock, also carrying Lucas Oil colors. Ross expects to compete at Perris Auto Speedway and also at Barona Speedway, located not far from his Colton, CA home. Ross makes his home with his wife and two children.

“Working with Lucas Oil and Forrest for 25 years has created an amazing, long friendship,” Ross said. “It is pretty neat for our family team to still have Lucas Oil help and support over all these years.”

DRM also thanks: Swift Springs, RACECAR Factory, E.R. Block Plumbing and Max Papis Innovations.

For more information, follow David Ross Motorsports on Facebook.

Nut Up Industries Presenting 2019 Pro Late Models At Madera



Via Madera Speedway Media

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (March 4, 2019) – Nut Up Industries will increase its involvement with the MAVTV-televised racing at Madera Speedway, announcing their title sponsorship of the Pro Late Model Series in 2019. The Nut Up Pro Late Model Series will compete in nine races at Madera, headlined in October by the $10,000 to win Nut Up Short Track Shootout. The campaign kicks off March 9th with the $5,000 to win Madera Speedfest 100.

Nut Up is a family-owned full circle almond company located in Escalon, California. They provide a variety of almond products for wholesale and retail sales. Wholesale almond products include: blanched, diced and slivered almonds. Nut Up Industries is widely known for their retail Almond products including: roasted “CHOPPED” flavored almonds, whole flavored almonds and almond butter.

Nut Up products are currently available in their online store and at California retailers including Save Mart, Lucky’s, FoodMaxx, Costless, O’Brien’s Markets, Mar-Val and many independent retailers across the Central Valley.

This will be the third season of Nut Up supporting Madera Speedway, the one-third mile oval located north of Fresno, CA. The Nut Up Pro Late Model Series is one of the largest single track series in the nation with an average car count of 30 entries per race event in 2018. This season will be the fifth year of television coverage for Madera Speedway, with nearly 30 hours of television planned across seven different racing series. The Nut Up Pro Late Models and 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Models share the spotlight on all nine evenings of Late Model racing at the track.

Nut Up will have a presence throughout the entire television program including presenting the Nut Up Post Race Show. Regional promotions tied into the partnership include car shows, promotional appearances, television commercials, and opportunities to meet Madera Speedway drivers.

For more information about Madera Racing on MAVTV please visit www.racemadera.com or www.mavtv.com. For more information on Nut Up Industries please visit www.nutupindustries.com and for more information about 51FIFTY Energy Drink visit www.51fiftyenergydrink.com

Madera Speedway is presented by major partners Nut Up Industries, 51FIFTY Energy Drink, 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. 2018 episodes will continue airing until the late spring, when 2019 episodes will hit the airwaves.