KADEN HONEYCUTT PREVAILS IN RETURN OF WEST SERIES RACING TO MADERA

 

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (October 21, 2023) – Willow Creek, Texas’ Kaden Honeycutt won his second ARCA Menards Series West race out of the last three rounds, winning the return of the series to Madera Speedway in Saturday night’s 51FIFTY Jr. Homecoming 150 presented by the West Coast Stock Car / Motorsports Hall of Fame. The NASCAR-backed series made its first appearance at the one-third mile speedway at the Madera Fairgrounds since 2009.

 

Nine drivers in the field were race-winning graduates of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series and one of them stood tall after time trials, with Bubba Nascimento leading General Tire Pole Qualifying. Nascimento slotted alongside Honeycutt for the 150-lap feature event. Incoming points leader Sean Hingorani of Newport Beach, himself a two-time Jr. winner, started at the rear after unapproved adjustments.

 

Honeycutt swooped around the outside of Nascimento lead lap one. The race was slowed for the first time on lap nine for Mill Valley’s Monty Tipton slowing on the backstretch.

 

When action resumed, a tussle for the third position began between brothers Tyler and Tanner Reif, 2020 Short Track Shootout winner Trevor Huddleston of Agoura Hills, and veteran driver Todd Souza of Aromas. Three-wide action in lapped traffic saw Las Vegas’ Tanner Reif take the spot on lap 28.

 

Nascimento hounded Honeycutt for the lead while Huddleston dueled with Tanner Reif for third. Hingorani slowly entered the busy battle for third as well. Lapped traffic allowed Tanner Reif to try to get third back from Huddleston.

 

Once the leaders were clear of traffic, Nascimento began to gain ground on Honeycutt. Nascimento had a run up the inside of Honeycutt in turn two but the race was halted on lap 76 for Tanner Reif slowing into turn three.

 

Hingorani charged into fifth on the restart while Souza looked to the outside of Huddleston for third. Hingorani and Huddleston jockeyed for fourth, with Hingorani’s sideways car collecting Dustin Ash into the frontstretch wall for a caution flag.

 

The ensuing restart was not favorable for Nascimento, allowing Huddleston to look outside for second. Hingorani and 2022 Madera Pro Late Model champion Kyle Keller of Las Vegas collided for a spin, relegating both to the rear of the field.

 

Souza soared past both Nascimento and Huddleston on the restart to take second. Hingorani lost a panel off the rear end with 27 laps to go to require a caution flag. Nascimento had his most sluggish restart of the night, collecting brother Ethan Nascimento, 2007 Altamont champion Ryan Philpott, Tipton and several others. After an extended red flag for clean-up, the race restarted with 20 to go.

 

Honeycutt dominated the final 20 laps while Souza held second. Tyler Reif and Huddleston boiled over for third with a collision and a spin coming to the checkered flag, allowing 2019 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series champion Joey Iest of Madera to finish in the third position. Phoenix’s Bradley Erickson and Hingorani rounded out the top-five.

 

Loomis’ Kenna Mitchell broke through with her first Madera Pro Late Model win, taking the 100-lap Pumpkin Cup in a non-stop effort. Mitchell seized the lead from Madera’s winningest Late Model driver Matt Erickson of La Grange on lap seven and steered car No. 7 to a dominant performance.

 

San Jose’s Jay Juleson passed teammate and team owner Erickson for second and kept the gap within two and a half seconds behind Mitchell as they darted in and out of lapped traffic. Erickson settled for third followed by 2023 Lunkerdaddy Pro Late Model champion Tyler Herzog of Fresno and Clovis’ Shelden Cooper.

 

14-year-old Joey Kennealy of Madera finished seventh as the highest finishing 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model competitor in the Pumpkin Cup. He also added a victory in the 30-lap Jr. Late Model invitational earlier in the night, giving him back-to-back wins after winning the series finale on October 7. Kennealy was followed by 14 year-old Jeffrey Erickson and 12-year-old Taylor Mayhew of Bakersfield at the checkered flag of the invitational.

 

“The Macho Man” Tyler Ridley scored a great win in the Mini Super Toyota 30-lap race. Thomas Magray, Shay Gouldy, Tucker Sedgwick, and Corey Sedgwick rounded out the top-five.

 

The 2023 oval track season for the Madera Speedway concludes on October 28 with the Pumpkin Smash Halloween Bash Enduro race.

 

For more information about the Madera Speedway including how to advertise with a race team on MAVTV please visit www.racemadera.com or call the race office at 209-356-1968.

The 2023 season would not be possible without the support of Lunkerdaddy Fishing Lures, 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 5:00pm Pacific and 8:00pm Eastern.

 

DEREK THORN WINS $10,000 SHORT TRACK SHOOTOUT AT MADERA SPEEDWAY

 

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (October 7, 2023) – Derek Thorn of Bakersfield added another marquee win to his storied career, taking controls of the No. 16 Pro Late Model in a race-day decision and decisively winning the 11th annual $10,000-to-win Short Track Shootout at Madera Speedway. The MAVTV-televised 150-lap contest also served as the championship race for the Lunkerdaddy Pro Late Models, with Tyler Herzog of Fresno persevering to win the title.

 

“Mike and Monica Hensley gave me an amazing opportunity today,” Derek Thorn said. “That last caution (was a surprise). I didn’t want that one at all. At the end of the day we survived. I’ve always been on the other side of the wall, to finally to get my first start in this race and get my first win as well is pretty cool.”

 

Former Lucas Oil Modified winner at the track Linny White of Colton led time trails before Las Vegas’ Justin Johnson won the $1,000-to-win B-Main to set the grid for the feature. Thorn lined up third behind Loomis’ Kenna Mitchell and White. Thorn drove the No. 16 in place of Mike Hensley who is suffering from shoulder issues and was unable to attempt the 150-lap distance. 2023 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model champion Vito Cancilla of Martinez was unable to start the feature, with 25-cars ready to battle.

 

White drove around the outside of Mitchell to lead lap one and Thorn drove into second shortly after. Thorn drove inside White for the lead but White held the position around the outside on lap 17. The first caution flew on lap 20 for Eric Nascimento and Chase Hand colliding in turn one.

 

Two-time defending Short Track Shootout winner Kyle Keller of Las Vegas tried the outside of Thorn for second on the restart before a caution on lap 27. Thorn made the bottom work on the restart, storming past White to lead lap 32.

 

Keller drifted backwards to fifth on the inside line. The caution flew again on lap 63 for two cars spinning in turn two in front of the leaders. Mitchell was the latest car to suffer on the inside line during the ensuing restart. Madera Late Model champion Jason Aguirre tangled hard with Henk Gaalswyk, Jr. of Ripon and Glen Cook of Mariposa for a caution flag on lap 74.

 

Two-time All American Speedway champion Dylan Zampa of Napa used the outside on the restart to sail past White for second. Thorn led Zampa, White, Keller, and ninth row starter Blaine Rocha of Oakdale into the lap 100 break for adjustments and MAVTV interviews.

 

Thorn held the lead on the restart while White tried to squeeze into the top lane. Ross Strmiska slowed to avoid contact, instead collecting his teammate Rocha. Strmiska spun across the speedway in turn four after contact, gathering up multiple cars including the championship leaders Herzog and Idaho’s Jacob Smith. Mitchell and Hand were eliminated as was Legends standout Henry Barton of San Fransisco. Smith and Herzog both returned to the race, with Smith’s crew making extensive repairs to his radiator to rejoin.

 

Stockton champion JoJo Stearns pounded the backstretch wall on lap 122. White continued to slip on the following restart, falling back to sixth. Cook and Joe Hylton tangled in turn two for the race’s last caution on lap 141. Thorn held steady over the final nine laps, topping Zampa, a resurgent Rocha, White, and Keller. Herzog survived to finish tenth, wrapping up the 2023 Lunkerdaddy Pro Late Model championship as well.

 

“I really have no words. I couldn’t do it without my whole pit crew,” Herzog said in an emotional interview. “It was tough but it wouldn’t be possible without all these people. Thank you to Jacob Smith for driving me clean. That was very respectful by him.”

 

12-year-old Vito Cancilla wrapped up the 2023 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series championship for drivers ages 10-16 years old, just six days after his twelfth birthday.

 

Bakersfield’s Taylor Mayhew topped qualifying and started on the pole in search of his second win of the year in a 70-lap contest. Cancilla, the seven-time winner this season, found himself mired in sixth early in the race.

 

Cancilla edged forward, advancing to third by lap 19. Cancilla then passed both Joey Kennealy of Madera and San Antonio’s Tristan Pena to move into second. A caution on lap 37 set up a three-lap run to the finish of the first half with Mayhew leading Cancilla, Kennealy, Pena, and Jacob Ryan of Livermore into the break.

 

Mayhew and Cancilla tangled for the lead in the second segment, however, colliding on lap 46 in turn three to send Mayhew for a spin. They also collided again under caution, ending both of their evenings early with damage.

 

The fracas thrust Kennealy into the lead. Kennealy motored ahead of a close match for second between Pena, Ryan, and Jace Hale. A caution on lap 67 for Mia Wright of Reno, Nevada spinning did not deter Kennealy. He joined his brother Robbie for the third consecutive season-finale in the division won by the Kennealy family, earning the coveted win. Pena, Hale, Ryan, and Wright rounded out the top-five.

 

Henry Barton closed out the 2023 INEX Legends Tour Series overall championship while Upper Lake’s Jeremy Doss won his fourth feature of the year in a 40-lap duel. Doss battled with Bakersfield’s David Mayhew for the season ending win.

 

Mayhew passed his son Taylor at the start of the feature. Mayhew, Barton, and Doss went three-wide for the lead but Mayhew held the spot. Doss then took over on lap seven on the inside. Mayhew drove back to Doss, taking the lead on lap 32 using the inside line. Doss was committed to the outside line and used it to retake the position for the final time on lap 35. Doss topped Mayhew, Barton, Taylor Mayhew, and Bakersfield’s Eddie Garone.

 

Kaine Bettancourt won the INEX Bandolero championship in style by also winning the 20-lap feature. Bettancourt faced his stiffest competition of the season in a side-by-side race with Las Vegas’ Kellen Keller. Keller spun coming to the checkered flag, allowing Betancourt to prevail. Keller and Andrew Williams rounded out the finishers.

 

Madera Speedway’s stock car season concludes in a big way on October 21 with the 51FIFTY Jr. Homecoming ARCA 150 presented by the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame. The race marks the return of the NASCAR-sanctioned West Series for the first time since 2009. Lunkerdaddy Pro Late Models, 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models, and MSTs will all compete in non-points action as well. Tickets go on sale this week on www.RaceMadera.com

 

For more information about the Madera Speedway including how to advertise with a race team on MAVTV please visit www.racemadera.com or call the race office at 209-356-1968.

The 2023 season would not be possible without the support of Lunkerdaddy Fishing Lures, 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 5:00pm Pacific and 8:00pm Eastern.

 

2023 MADERA MAVTV LATE MODEL SCHEDULE

March 18 - $5,000-to-win

April 8

April 29

May 20 – Military Tribute Night

June 24 – Reverend Ron Spencer Red, White Blue Classic

July 22 - $5,000-to-win

August 26

September 16

October 7 - $10,000-to-win Short Track Shootout

BRYAN WARF CHARGES TO 50TH HARVEST CLASSIC SUPER MODIFIED WIN AT MADERA

 

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (October 1, 2023) – Meridian, Idaho’s Bryan Warf sped ahead of one of the largest fields of Super Modifieds at Madera Speedway in several seasons, claiming the 40-lap Speed Tour Super Modified feature on Saturday night during the 50th Harvest Classic. Warf set fast-time then quickly worked his way through the pack in the No. 91 Super for the exciting win.

 

Many legends of the sport were honored throughout the night including Rebel Jackson, Jr., Clyde Prickett, Donnie Large, Sr., Dick Walen, and Kenny Takeuchi.

 

Warf blitzed across the finish line in qualifying with a 12.091 second lap in the Pat Russell Racing entry, running just a whisker below 100 miles per hour average on the fastest one-third mile in the west.

 

Justin Funkhouser of Olivehurst and Rickey Otts of Canyon City, Colorado were the front row starters for the feature event. Warf rolled off from the outside of row four.

 

Third starting Tim Skoglund of Fresno drove up the inside of Otts for second position on the opening lap with Funkhouser in the lead. Skoglund then used the outside of turn two to sweep into the lead on lap three.

 

Warf’s run through the field was slowed briefly when he went up on third groove in turn two while trying to pass second fastest qualifier Davey Hamilton of Indianapolis.

 

A debris caution tightened up the field which allowed Warf to make his moves. Warf moved up to second by lap ten. He quickly made up a 2.5 second deficit to Skoglund and took over the lead on the inside line on lap 15.

 

Randy Anderson of Tacoma, Washington crashed hard in turn two for an extended stoppage of the race on lap 30. Warf led the final 10 laps while Hamilton knifed through the pack to take second at the finish in the Tom Zizzo owned No. 1 car. Skoglund, Otts, and Rich Castor of Bennet, Colorado rounded out the top-five finishers.

 

The $2,500 to win NCMA Sprint Car feature was a Tribute to Dick Walen. Folsom’s Jerry Kobza led all 30-laps of the feature. The Racing Dentist David Goodwill in the Kenny Walen No. 2 car finished second in a close battle. Fair Oaks’ Shauna Hogg suffered race ending damage while battling inside the top-five on lap four.

 

Justin Kawahata finished the feature in third followed by David Dias, and David Burchett rounding out the top-five finishers in a fast-paced feature. Hogg and Kobza split the heat race competition for the NCMA Sprint Cars.

 

Madera Speedway returns to action this Saturday night, October 7, with the $10,000 to win Short Track Shootout presented by Mission Foods. The 150-lap contest serves as the MAVTV televised championship for the Lunkerdaddy Pro Late Models. Champions will also be crowned in the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models, INEX Legends Tour Series, and INEX Bandoleros.

 

For more information about the Madera Speedway including how to advertise with a race team on MAVTV please visit www.racemadera.com or call the race office at 209-356-1968.

 

The 2023 season would not be possible without the support of Lunkerdaddy Fishing Lures, 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 in primetime. Check www.MAVTV.com for program listings