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COONFIELD PULLS OFF AN AMAZING UPSET
Madera, Ca. (7-17-21) – The Madera Speedway is celebrating 50 years of racing at the fastest 1/3 mile in the West in 2021 with a variety of motorsports action during the season and the July 17th Club Race did not disappoint when it came to the entertainment category.
Jason Aguirre and Kyle Keller have been the dominate forces in the Madera Late Model Club Races in 2021 so it was no surprise to find the duo battling just ahead of Matt Erickson for the majority of the 40-lap main event. What was surprising was the fact that a 602 modified from the Mission Modified series was in the mix late in the race.
Here is the backstory on how the modifieds got into the Late Model Club Race. The July 17th race was a make up race for the cancelled June 19th event, and many of the modified drivers could not make the July 17th date. Modified drivers Adam Coonfield and Calvin Hegje asked if they could tag the back of the late model field to get a full 40 lap tune up race in to prepare for the upcoming MAVTV televised Mission Modified race on August 7th and based on the fact we ran modifieds vs late models at the Madera Speedway back in 2009 their request was approved and everyone thought the mods would just tag the rear and run some laps, but what unfolded next became the headline of the night.
Adam Coonfield navigated his way from the back of the pack to the fourth position running just behind Matt Erickson and when Erickson suffered a solo spin going into turn one with just three laps to go this set up a green, white checkered finish with Coonfield at the wheel of his modified in the third position behind second place Kyle Keller and race leader Jason Aguirre.
When the green flag flew for the final time in the 40-lap main event Keller made several moves to get under Aguirre and when the white flag went into the air it looked as though Aguirre had the race in hand as he flew into turn one with a car length lead, but Keller pushed hard through the low groove and going down the back stretch Keller made contact with his right front bumper into Aguirre’s left rear bumper sending the black 45 car into a high speed 360. Aguirre never lifted nor did he touch anything in this amazing display of driving and when the smoke cleared Aguirre still came across the finish line in the third position.
What was even more amazing when the smoke cleared was the fact that Adam Coonfield was the overall race winner in his modified taking down the mighty Madera Late Models and three of the best drivers that regularly compete upfront in the MAVTV televised series.
In a post-race interview in front of the grandstands race promoter Kenny Shepherd asked the enthusiastic crowd if they would like to see a major race with the Modifieds vs Late Models in a format that would showcase the best of each division racing for big money on MAVTV, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Watch for more news on the Modified vs Late Model open style race to emerge at the Madera Speedway.
Steve Schermerhorn won the Hobby Stock main event followed by Donnie Large Jr and Manny Gonzales Jr. Rick Lea jumped out front early in the Mini Stock and fought off a late race charge by Shawn DePriest to took home the Ed Rodriguez $50 bonus. Leo Lotz rounded out the top three in the Mini Stocks. Thomas Martin won the Challenge Cup race with Vince Little and Thomas Suarez filling the next two podium positions. Justin Kawahata won the NCMA race followed by Denny Burrell and David Burchett for the top three.
The next race for the Madera Speedway is one of the biggest events of the year with the Summer Speedfest $5,000.00 to win Nut Up Pro Late Model race that happens on July 31st! The 51FIFTY Jr Late Model Series is also racing on that date so this is a must see show for fans that enjoy seeing the best drivers compete head to head at one of the best short tracks in the country.
For information about Madera Speedway and to see the entire 2021 racing schedule, visit www.RaceMadera.com The 2021 season would not be possible without the support of Nut Up Industries, 51FIFTY, Mission Foods, 805, Colorfast, Franks Radio, Competition Carburetion, Hoosier Tires, and Sunoco Race Fuel.
TYLER HERZOG BECOMES FIFTH DIFFERENT PRO LATE MODEL WINNER OF 2021 AT MADERA SPEEDWAY
MADERA, CALIF. (June 26, 2021) – Tyler Herzog won a fast-paced 80-lap Nut Up Pro Late Model feature on Saturday night from Madera Speedway, taking the Reverend Ron Spencer Red, White, and Blue Classic for the MAVTV-televised series. Herzog’s win makes him the fifth different winner through the first five rounds of the series, with Brody Amtrout going back-to-back in the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series during the night’s action as well.
“I’m just blessed in so many ways. God blesses me every day,” Herzog said. “We’ll just take (the championship) as it comes. We have a really good long run car. Just got to work on the short run speed. We’ll be up there.”
Vancouver, Wash.’s Jadan Walbridge paced qualifying then drew the five pill for the starting lineup. Former Ron Spencer race winner Matt Erickson started on the pole position alongside Jason Aguirre. Aguirre used the outside to take the lead for the opening lap. Walbridge worked his way to the inside of Erickson to take second on lap five. Walbridge then closed on Aguirre for the lead.
Tyler Herzog passed Erickson for third on lap 17, then Walbridge passed Aguirre on the inside for the top spot on lap 18. Herzog followed suit for second on lap 22 in lapped traffic, taking the second position by lap 24. Erickson attempted to grab third from Aguirre as well in a long side-by-side battle for the position. 2019 champion and current points leader Austin Herzog entered the fold, then used the inside to pass both Aguirre and Erickson for third before the lap 50 break. Walbridge led Tyler Herzog, Austin Herzog, Erickson, and Aguirre after the first 50-laps of competition that went caution-free.
After the break for MAVTV interviews and adjustments, racing action continued. Walbridge picked the inside with Tyler Herzog capitalizing. Herzog used a big run on the backstretch to lead lap 51. The first caution ended up being a red flag on the following lap. Carl Pearce bounced off the front stretch wall, hooking Rick Thompson into the turn one gate. Thompson was fortunately uninjured.
Tyler and Austin Herzog both went to the outside of Walbridge on the restart before the caution fell on lap 53 for Erickson stopped in turn two. Erickson rejoined the race after a brief pit stop. Tyler Herzog restarted outside cousin Austin on the restart and drove ahead, never relinquishing the lead. Aguirre used the outside to take second, dropping Austin Herzog into a battle with Walbridge. Austin drove clear of Walbridge but never gained ground on the top two. Tyler Herzog grabbed victory over Aguirre, Austin Herzog, Walbridge, and Las Vegas’ Kyle Keller.
Brody Armtrout of Smartsville won his second consecutive 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model race against the crop of 10-16 year old drivers in a 70-lap feature. Jacob Smith of Eagle, Idaho was the incoming points leader and led time trials. He started alongside Colorado Springs’ Holly Clark, who led her first laps of the season from the pole. Smith drifted back to fourth on the outside line in the early stages.
The top four cars lined up at the front of the field before Ethan Nascimento made his move. Nascimento took over the lead on lap 13. Clark fell back from the outside line as well before caution flew for Bakersfield’s Kale McClenny with significant contact to the front stretch wall which ended his race.
On the restart, Armtrout challenged Nascimento for the lead with Smith in tow. Kenna Mitchell spun in turn two for a caution on lap 22. A multi-car crash followed when Jeffrey Erickson of Arizona and Clark traded contact, with Clark spinning on the front stretch. Texan Barrett Polhemus nosed into Clark into turn one trying to avoid her spinning car. Both cars were able to continue.
Armtrout took over the lead on lap 29 with Smith moving past Nascimento for second. Armtrout led Smith, Nascimento, Polhemus, and Washington’s Kasey Kleyn as the top-five on the scheduled lap 40 break. Nascimento emerged from the break with a strong run on the inside of Smith to take the second position. Polhemus was involved in two separate incidents in the closing laps of the event, setting up a three-lap shootout. Nascimento retook second from Smith before a caution for Clark spinning backwards into the turn one wall.
A big crash ended the race on the final lap under yellow checkered conditions. Moore and Kleyn collided in turn four, with Kleyn spinning into the path of Bakersfield’s Kercie Jung. They collided on the front stretch with Jung’s car going airborne before landing on all fours. All the drivers involved were uninjured. Armtrout led across the stripe over Nascimento, Smith, Erickson, and Mitchell.
Logan Chambers won an entertaining battle with Joey Kennealy to take the Bandolero portion of the Mini Cup vs. Bandolero feature. Caden Cordova won a back-and-forth battle with Konner Karsten for third as well. Las Vegas’ Kellen Keller won the Mini Cup race within a race over Sam Wedehase.
Madera Speedway races again on Saturday July 3rd with Children's Hospital Kids Night! 602 Spec/Pro Modified Series, Madera Late Models, Madera Hobby Stocks, Toyota Sedans/MST, Jr Late Model 30 lap exhibition race, Madera Mini Stocks, and Southwest Tour Truck Series will be in action.
For information about Madera Speedway, visit www.RaceMadera.com The 2021 season would not be possible without the support of Nut Up Industries, 51FIFTY LTM, Mission Foods, 805 Beer, Race 2B Drug Free, Competition Carburetion, Hoosier Tires, and Sunoco Race Fuel.
Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Monday nights at 4:00pm Pacific with new 2020 episodes now airing. Monday July 5 will be the first airing of the 2021 season with the Nut Up Pro Late Model season opener.
ERICKSON RETURNS TO VICTORY LANE WITH MADERA MILITARY TRIBUTE NIGHT TRIUMPH
MADERA, CALIF. (May 22, 2021) – Matt Erickson charged past Jadan Walbridge coming out of the lap 50 break to win Saturday’s Military Tribute Night for the Nut Up Pro Late Model Series. The 80-lap MAVTV-televised feature was joined by Brody Armtrout winning his first 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series event along with Joey Kennealy winning his first Bandolero portion of the Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros.
“It means a lot especially with the passing of Dave Eshleman. He helped us out quite a bit,” Erickson said. “That break the sway bar was out. Lap five the brakes were out. Drove that thing to the outside and had good drive off. Hope we can keep this up the rest of the year.”
Erickson had only led one lap through the first three rounds of the season but reversed his course by using the outside of Walbridge to lead lap one. The duo went side-by-side over the first four laps before a caution fell on lap four. Non-televised Madera Late Model points leader Kyle Keller of Las Vegas and Bakersfield’s Racin Vernon tangled in turn two.
Erickson restarted outside Walbridge with a prolonged fight at the front. Walbridge dug in to come back at Erickson, diving inside on lap 10. After side-by-side action, the 16-year-old took the lead on lap 13. Points leader Austin Herzog led Tyler Herzog and 2020 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model champion Bradley Erickson past Howard Holden for fourth, fifth, and sixth on lap 41. The lap 50 break saw Walbridge leading Erickson, Jason Aguirre, Austin Herzog, and Tyler Herzog.
Walbridge picked his preferred inside line which placed Erickson in his preferred outside line for the upcoming restart. Erickson pounced, leading lap 51. The pair went side-by-side again but Erickson eventually won the battle. Austin Herzog advanced to third a few laps later past Aguirre, but never closed in on the top-two.
Erickson blitzed to a 1.3 second advantage over Walbridge at the finish while Austin Herzog fended off Tyler Herzog for third. Aguirre rounded out the top-five.
Smartsville’s Brody Armtout, age 15, won his first career 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series event in the 70-lap affair. Eagle, Idaho’s Jacob Smith entered the night on a streak of 140 consecutive laps led, then drew the pole. He led the way from the start of the feature while fast-timer Ethan Nascimento tried to overcome pulling a six in the redraw.
Armtrout and Bakersfield’s Kercie Jung had a physical battle for second before the caution fell for Hailey Liles spinning in turn four. Armtrout drove underneath Jung to grab second on the restart.
Incoming points leader Barrett Polhemus of Texas nearly spun on the front stretch and was hit hard by Quincy, Washington’s Kasey Kleyn. Both drivers rejoined the action, although Polhemus lost two laps in the infield. His Wilson Motorsports teammate Brody Moore of Colorado spun in turn one for a caution on lap 24, requiring several trips to the pits as well.
Polhemus used a pair of cautions to earn enough free passes to get back on the lead lap by the break, which occurred five laps early on lap 35. Smith led Armtrout, Jung, Nascimento, and Robbie Kennealy into the break.
Nascimento and Jung battled hard for third when things resumed, with Nascimento taking the position on lap 53. Jung and Colorado’s Holly Clark collided on the following lap, sending them spinning for a caution. They were both relegated to the end of the lead lap, a painful penalty with all 14 starters still running and on the lead lap as well.
Armtrout used the restart to move inside of Smith for the lead. Armtrout took the top spot on lap 57 and Nascimento followed into second on lap 60. Armtrout took his first career victory over Nascimento, Smith, Kennealy, and a resurgent Polhemus as the top-five.
Joey Kennealy led all 20-laps for the Bandolero win in the combined Mini Cup vs. Bandolero feature. His advantage over points leader Logan Chambers of Bakersfield was erased on lap 17, when the Mini Cup leaders of Sam Wedehase and Kellen Keller spun in their battle for their victory. Kennealy maintained the lead over the final restart, topping Chambers and Ethan Nascimento. Keller was unable to continue with a sprocket issue, allowing Wedehase to grab another Mini Cup checkered flag.
The Challenge Cup competed in a 75-lap contest for their full-bodied stock cars with over 600 horsepower. The John Krebs Racing cars of Kyle Keller and Thomas Martin anchored much of the race. Bakersfield’s Paul Ebersbacher spun on lap 37. Martin grabbed the lead on the restart and never relinquished it. He led an all-John Krebs Racing top-three ahead of Keller and Justin Funkhouser, who passed Vince Little on lap 63 after an extended battle. Robbie Kennealy’s debut bore fruit with a fifth-place finish.
Ryan Reynolds led brother Shaun in the 30-lap Modified Super Toyota feature. Former Kart racer turned MST driver Bill Gorden finished third ahead of Haley Bugg and Tim Kammerer.
Madera Speedway takes an absence for a few weeks before returning on June 12. The program includes a Madera Late Model 40 lap race and Jr. Late Model Exhibition race, Madera Hobby Stocks, Toyota Sedans/MST, Madera Mini Stocks, BCRA Vintage, and Southwest Tour Truck Series.
For information about Madera Speedway, visit www.RaceMadera.com The 2021 season would not be possible without the support of Nut Up Industries, 51FIFTY LTM, Mission Foods, 805 Beer, Race 2B Drug Free, Competition Carburetion, Hoosier Tires, and Sunoco Race Fuel.
Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Monday nights at 4:00pm Pacific with new 2020 episodes now airing. The Road to the Championship episode airs this Monday, chronicling the seasons for Bradley Erickson and Buddy Shepherd.
AUSTIN HERZOG EXTENDS POINTS LEAD AS 2019 CHAMP WINS ROUND 3 OF NUT UP PRO LATE MODELS AT MADERA
MADERA, CALIF. (April 24, 2021) – 2019 Nut Up Pro Late Model champion Austin Herzog became the third different winner of the season at Madera Speedway, holding off Matt Erickson to grab Saturday’s victory to extend his points lead. Herzog leaves round three with a win, a second-place finish, and a fast-time for a strong start to his season. The events were taped for a future MAVTV telecast as well with Herzog joined by a fellow #11 car in victory lane as Idaho’s Jacob Smith won the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models as well.
“My crew made some really good adjustments. Last year it was hard for us. I never lost faith in my team. We’re just going to keep digging and see what we can do this year,” said Herzog.
Bakersfield’s Seth Wise started on the outside pole over the 24-car field for the 80-lap Pro Late Model feature, working around the outside of 2020 Jr. Late Model champ Bradley Erickson to lead lap one. A caution flew on the opening lap and Wise used the outside to maintain the lead on the restart.
Herzog and Jason Aguirre of Atwater followed suit as they each passed Bradley Erickson around the top. A bottle neck on the front stretch ended with Hollister’s Adam Lemke tagging the turn four wall while Glen Cook stopped in turn one with a flat left rear, with the caution flying on lap six. Erickson had a throttle linkage issue force him into the infield on lap 18, dropping him from fourth position.
Wise led the field into lapped traffic but earned a reprieve when Jay Juleson stopped in turn four on lap 27 for a caution. Wise restarted outside Herzog with both drivers finding their way to the top line. Colby Potts briefly looked inside Herzog for second while Eric Nascimento, Jr. and Matt Erickson rolled into the top-five on the outside line. Tyler Herzog and Napa’s Dylan Zampa collided for a caution on lap 42, relegating both to the rear of the field.
Wise led Herzog, Potts, Nascimento, and Aguirre into the scheduled break on lap 50. Wise again picked the outside of Herzog, maintaining the top position. Herzog ran down Wise and the pair made contact in turn two, giving Herzog command of the event on lap 54. A caution on lap 60 gave Matt Erickson a chance to challenge Wise for second, going around the outside of him to take second on lap 67.
Erickson then challenged Herzog for the win. Erickson dove underneath Herzog on lap 78 with two laps remaining into turn one. Herzog drove ahead and crossed the line first over Erickson, Wise, Nascimento, and Potts.
Eagle, Idaho’s Jacob Smith won his second consecutive 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series race, again leading all 70-laps of the competition for drivers ages 10-16. Smith qualified first, drew the pole, and immediately jumped ahead while Bakersfield’s Kercie Jung took over second early as well. Outside pole sitter Kenna Mitchell of Loomis drifted back to seventh in the early stages of the event.
The first 40-laps went non-stop with Smith leading comfortably into the Mission Racing Style Tortilla Chips break. Jung ran second over a close pack of Texan Barrett Polhemus and Colorado drivers Brody Moore and Holly Clark in nose-to-tail formation.
The first caution fell on lap 42 when Kasey Kleyn of Washington had an issue on the backstretch. On the restart, Moore looked inside Jung for second. Moore took over the position then ran his best lap of the main to that point on lap 49 but the lap was still a tenth slower than Smith’s strong pace up front. A caution fell on lap 50 for Lane Anderson on the backstretch and Mitchell entered the pits as well.
2020 Bandolero champion Jeffrey Erickson drove into the top-five on the restart before a caution on lap 53 for a crash involving Ethan Nascimento and Smartsville’s Brody Armtrout. Jung and Polhemus went side-by-side for third for multiple laps in the closing stages of the event before Jung won the battle.
Jacob Smith claimed a 2.6 second victory over Moore, Jung, Polhemus, and Clark. The victory marked 140 consecutive laps led for Smith in his rookie season at the one-third mile speedway.
Logan Chambers is a perfect three-for-three in the Bandolero portion of the Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros at Madera Speedway with the Bakersfield driver leading the final 12 laps of the 30-lap affair. After recently relocating to Madera, Joey Kennealy led the opening 18-laps of competition before a mechanical issue bounced him out the event. Chambers topped Castro Valley’s Cam Carraway and Bakersfield’s Caden Cordova in the Bandolero portion while Sam Wedehase won his second Mini Cup checkered flag of the year over Kellen Keller of Las Vegas.
After a pair of lengthy red flags, Josh Gross found his way past Cody Winchel to win the Legends of the Pacific feature. The 35-lapper was halted twice, first for a flip on the backstretch for Stockton’s Michael Stearns. The driver was uninjured. The race was halted again on lap 16 for a multi-car melee on the front stretch that ended the race for Keith Clement, Jason Elf, Eddie Garone, and Aidan Phillips. When the race resumed, Gross took over the lead on lap 20 and brought Christian Bazen with him. Gross, Bazen, Winchel, Josh Ayers, and Kevin Travels were the top-five at the conclusion of the feature.
For information about Madera Speedway, visit www.RaceMadera.com The 2021 season would not be possible without the support of Nut Up Industries, 51FIFTY LTM, Mission Foods, 805 Beer, Race 2B Drug Free, Competition Carburetion, Hoosier Tires, and Sunoco Race Fuel.
Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Monday nights at 4:00pm Pacific with new 2020 episodes now airing. The Turkey Triple Open airs on April 26th.
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