TELLSTROM TAKES CHALLENGE, GOES BACK TO FRONT IN MISSION NORTH STATE MODIFIEDS

 

MADERA, CALIF. (May 8, 2021) – 2020 North State Modified Series champion Kyle Tellstrom of Ukiah charged from 18th starting position to win Saturday’s Mission Modified 60-lap feature at Madera Speedway. The victory paid a total of $2000 including a $1000 bonus from Economy Heating and Air after Tellstrom elected to start at the rear of the field.

 

“(It took a) little bit of patience. Man I’ve just had a lot luck here and a lot of success. This place has been so good to me. Fits my driving. Did what we had to do and stayed disciplined,” Tellstrom said. “Early there it was kind of rough. Once I got clear of a couple of cars, I got the right restart, got to the outside and it just opened up for me.”

 

A caution flew immediately at the start when Rich Cobb of Oregon spun with contact from Bakersfield’s Jim Coffey while Chris Lyon of Greely Hill also spun. When action resumed, Coffey went around the outside to lead lap one. Dustin DeRosier of Cloverdale worked to the inside and took the lead on lap four. Cobb and Utah’s Jeff Longman spun in turn one for a caution on lap six.

 

DeRosier battled side-by-side with Ian Elliott of Lakeport for the lead but held the position. 2002 and 2003 Madera Modified track champion Scott Winters of Tracy passed Hesperia’s Eddie Secord for third. Tellstrom advanced to sixth by the 17th lap. He then went two-for-one on the inside of Secord and 2020 Roseville and Ukiah champion Jason Philpot of Sacramento to grab fourth.

 

The top-four went two-by-two with Elliott sweeping around DeRosier for the lead on lap 24. Tellstrom went upstairs to follow him into second as well. A caution flew on lap 27 for Mike Nielson spinning in turn one. Elliott chose the inside for the restart and Tellstrom immediately took over the lead. The caution fell once more for Longman spinning on the front stretch on lap 29.

 

Winters advanced to the second position but couldn’t capitalize on a late restart to challenge for the victory. Tellstrom won by 1.791 seconds over Winters, Elliott, DeRosier, and Philpot. Philpot won a $750 bonus as the top finishing GM 602 Crate Engine, persevering over a long battle with Keith Bloom, Jr. Secord won $500 as the second highest finishing crate with Kern County Raceway champion Jim Coffey earning $250 for tenth place and the third place finisher among the crates.

 

Jason Aguirre of Atwater won his third Madera Late Model feature of the season in a 40-lap affair. Las Vegas’ Kyle Keller led the opening 14 laps of the event while Aguirre searched for a racing line. Aguirre adjusted to the outside line and started to run down Keller. Keller went high as well, with Aguirre moving low into turn one to take the lead exiting turn two.

 

Aguirre led lap 15 before a caution flew on lap 16. On the restart, Erickson tried the inside line but was unable advance past Keller throughout the final 24 circuits. Aguirre topped Keller, Erickson, Aaron Mullins, and Richard Herzog as the top-five.

 

Bakersfield’s Lloyd Wren, Jr. narrowly won his third Hobby Stock feature of the season in the 30-lap event. Jason Lawton led three laps of action before being passed by Donnie Large, Jr. on lap four. Wren steadily moved forward to become the leader on lap eight. 2020 champion Manny Gonzales, Jr. spun on lap ten in an incident with Lawton in turn three.

 

Gonzales stormed through the pack to move quickly into third, then used a lap 26 restart to get second over Nick Rowe. Gonzales made a bid for the win off turn four coming to the checkered flag, with Wren surviving by a nose for victory. Large finished third over Lawton and Rowe.

 

Dan Myrick led all 20-laps for the Mini Stock victory. Several entries from the West Coast Sport Compacts joined the division for a competitive race. Greg Baronian used an outside maneuver to take over second on lap 17. Randy Brown, Damien Leininger of Bakersfield, and Jeff Durant rounded out the top-five finishers.

 

2020 championship runner-up Ryan Reynolds topped his championship-winning brother Shaun for the Modified Super Toyota 30-lap feature. Tim Kammerer led the first five laps before finishing third. Nick Thompson and kart racer Bill Gorden rounded out the top-five.

 

Hailey Liles of Dinuba led fellow 14-year-old Rebecca Dubie for the 20-lap Jr. Late Model exhibition victory.

 

MAVTV-televised Nut Up Pro Late Models, 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models, Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros, and Challenge Cup are up next at Madera Speedway on May 22. Tickets will be available on MyRacePass and on www.RaceMadera.com

 

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 second part of the Turkey Triple Open airs Monday including Hobby Stocks, Modifieds, and Challenge Cup racing.

 

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.

 

NASCIMENTO BECOMES NEWEST MAVTV-TELEVISED NUT UP PRO LATE MODEL WINNER WITH MADERA TRIUMPH

 

MADERA, CALIF. (April 3, 2021) – Manteca’s Eric Nascimento, Jr. muscled past California State champion Trevor Huddleston, then fended off 2019 Nut Up Pro Late Model champion Austin Herzog, on the way to his first career MAVTV-televised Pro Late Model win at Madera Speedway on Saturday night. Nascimento was joined by Idaho’s 16-year-old Jacob Smith in the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series as another first-time winner in his respective division.

 

The event marked the first in 18 months with fans in attendance as well at the one-third mile speedway.

 

“It was tough. I apologize to (Herzog) for running him hard a little. With (Huddleston) I just ran him the way he ran me,” Nascimento said. “These guys here put in so many hours at the shop and so many hours at the track for free. I learned from Eric Holmes, my uncle Mike, and my dad. This is the car Homes ran and won two Short Track Shootouts. If it wasn’t for him and all these guys I wouldn’t be where I’m at.”

 

Nascimento started on the pole position with fast-time qualifier Herzog advancing from sixth to fourth quickly at the start while Huddleston moved up from tenth to fifth by lap 16. Napa’s Dylan Zampa and Howard Holden of Clovis spun in turn one for a caution on lap 17 while racing for tenth. Third starting Jason Aguirre used the outside line to move past Nascimento for the lead on the restart with Herzog sticking his nose inside Nascimento for second by lap 23. Colorado’s Cassidy Hinds hit the turn four wall head on requiring a red flag stoppage on lap 24. Hinds was uninjured.

 

A two-by-two duel for the top spot ensued on the following restart when Aguirre, Nascimento, Herzog, and Huddleston stayed under a blanket for numerous laps. The thrilling battling saw Nascimento take over the top spot by a nose on lap 28 before Aguirre led lap 30. A caution on lap 31 for Holden in turn four set up another restart.

 

Aguirre picked the inside, allowing Nascimento to sweep past to lead lap 32. Three-wide racing ensued for second behind Nascimento. Aguirre worked Huddleston up the hill on several occasions, allowing Herzog to peek his nose inside. Both Huddleston and Herzog eventually moved ahead of Aguirre.

 

Huddleston then reeled in Nascimento for the lead by lap 41. Nascimento persevered before a lap 48 caution drew the scheduled lap 50 break two laps early. Nascimento led Huddleston, Herzog, Aguirre, and Las Vegas’ Kyle Keller as the top-five at the break.

 

When racing resumed, Nascimento picked the outside line and Huddleston capitalized to lead lap 49. They raced side-by-side for the lead through lap 56 before Nascimento cleared Huddleston. Huddleston then dove back underneath on lap 58, eventually getting the lead coming to a caution on lap 61. The caution reverted the field back a lap, handing the position back to Nascimento.

 

Nascimento had a strong restart on the top, leaving Huddleston to fight with Herzog for second. A caution on lap 64 gave Huddleston another shot, which he took advantage of to lead lap 65.

 

Herzog and Nascimento had a furious battle for second with heavy contact in turn four on lap 73. Behind them, Colby Potts and Aguirre tangled causing a spin for Aguirre and a caution flag. With seven to go, Huddleston restarted outside of Nascimento in the shootout for the win. Nascimento worked Huddleston up the race track, knocking him back to fifth with Nascimento driving ahead for the lead.

 

Shelden Cooper spun on the next lap and Huddleston chose to retaliate on Nascimento under caution. Huddleston was parked into the infield by officials while Nascimento kept his place at the front.

 

Nascimento defended a run up the inside by Herzog on the final turn to take the checkered flag for his first Nut Up Pro Late Model win. Zampa returned to the frame in the closing laps with a strong third place finish followed by Jay Juleson and 2020 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model champion Bradley Erickson of Phoenix in fifth. Adam Lemke of Hollister rounded out a top-six of all-Jr. Late Model graduates.

 

Idaho’s Jacob Smith won his first 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series feature in just his second career start, with the 16-year-old guiding his #11 car to victory lane. Smith led all 70-laps throughout a difficult night for the drivers ages 10-16 years old.

 

Outside pole sitter Barrett Polhemus spun on the opening lap in turn four but the field managed to avoid him. Third row starters Kercie Jung of Bakersfield – the fast-qualifier – and Colorado’s Holly Clark immediately jumped up to second and third respectively on the restart. A multi-car tangle on lap 12 included Loomis’ Kenna Mitchell, relegating her to several laps down after repairs.

 

A caution on lap 20 set up a wild sequence for second position on the restart. Jung and Brody Moore made contact and the field went four-wide. Jung and Ethan Nascimento slid into each other down the backstretch. The race remained green, however. A significant crash on lap 27 brought out the red flag when Jeffrey Erickson and Kylie Ith collided in turn four. Ith then shot up the race track after contact from Robbie Kennealy, sending her into the path of opening night winner Kale McClenny. McClenny ended up lodged against Ith’s driver’s door opening, but all drivers were uninjured.

 

Clark and Moore tangled on a lap 33 restart in jockeying for positioning on the bottom of the race track, with Nascimento hitting the spinning Clark. To start the second half, Clark spun from the fifth position and then a few laps later, Erickson spun from fifth as the position cursed several drivers.

 

Kercie Jung ran down Smith for the lead, using a bump to get inside of him on lap 59. Jung spun entering turn three, costing her a shot at the top position. The last caution on lap 68 set up a green-white-checkered finish where Smith topped Polhemus, Moore, Brody Armtrout, and Erickson at the finish.

 

Logan Chambers of Bakersfield won his second consecutive Bandolero main event while Sam Wedehase won the Mini Cup portion of the combined 30-lap contest.

 

Madera Speedway returns on April 17th with Hampton Inn and Suites night! Madera Late Models, Southwest Tour Truck Series, Madera Hobby Stocks, MST/Toyota Sedans, Madera Mini Stocks, and a 30 Lap Jr Late Model Exhibition race will be in action. Grandstand seating will be available through advance ticket sales, with information coming soon.

 

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 California Dream 100 for the Mini Stocks airs on April 12th.