50 YEARS OF RACING AT MADERA SPEEDWAY

 

Madera, Ca. (1-7-21) – The Madera Speedway will celebrate 50 years of racing at the fastest 1/3 mile in the west in 2021 with a variety of high caliber motorsports action.

 

The headliner of the 2021 racing season will be the seventh consecutive year of the nationally televised Nut Up Pro Late Model Series and the 51FIFTY Jr Late Model Series with nine televised race events each. The Mini Cup and Bandos will be the under card and opening act in all television shows.

 

Then we have the newly formed Pro Modified Series and the Challenge Cup Series that will compete in five events each at the Madera Speedway in 2021. Each series will also be featured in the Madera Racing television show.

 

The Madera Club racing series has become very popular with a relaxed environment and great camaraderie, and for 2021 there are ten events on the schedule for our race teams to enjoy. Club nights include the Madera Late Models, Hobby Stocks, Madera Mini Stocks, and MST/Sedans.

 

There are four special events planned for 2021 pending COVID-19 conditions of operation, they are the Vukovich Classic, the Gerhardt Classic, the Harvest Classic and the world-famous Pumpkin Smash.

 

The 2021 season is scheduled to kick off on March 13th pending operating conditions as set by Madera County with round one of the MAVTV televised series featuring the $5,000 to win Nut Up Pro Late Model Series and the 51FIFTY Jr Late Model Series, plus the Mini Cup and Bandos.

 

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, Twisted Tea, Colorfast, Franks Radio, Competition Carburetion, Hoosier Tires, and Sunoco Race Fuel.

 

 

BRADLEY ERICKSON WINS LATE MODEL DEBUT WITH $2,000 TURKEY TRIPLE OPEN

 

MADERA, CALIF. (November 14, 2020) – 14-year-old Bradley Erickson won his sixth triumph of the 2020 season at Madera Speedway, but first in a Pro Late Model, topping an outstanding field for the $2,000 75-lap Turkey Triple Open win. Erickson was one of four winners during the late-season non-points finale, which was followed by an on-track presentation of the Championship Awards Banquet.

 

Phoenix’s Erickson won the 2020 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series on the strength of five victories in 2020.

 

30 Open Pro Late Models were in attendance, narrowed to 26 starters by a 30-lap B-Main. An eight-car inversion placed 2018 Madera Late Model champion Jason Aguirre on the pole position. Aguirre paced the first 18 caution-free laps. On the ensuing restart, Colby Potts dropped to fifth position on the outside line. Erickson knifed up to the second position by that point.

 

Fast-time qualifier Jason Romero worked from the eighth starting position to third by lap 25, then grabbed second from Erickson on lap 35. Seth Wise spun with contact from Tim Skoglund for a caution on lap 37. Bakersfield’s Buddy Shepherd fell out of the race under that caution as well.

 

Aguirre gave Romero the outside on the restart, with Romero taking over the lead on lap 38. Eric Nascimento, Jr. followed on the outside to take second as well, before Aguirre held off Austin Herzog for third. The next caution fell on lap 47 when Matt Wendt and Thomas Martin tangled in turn four. Justin Westmoreland slammed the turn three wall requiring a red flag on lap 48. Romero chose the inside of Nascimento on the restart. Nascimento edged ahead on the outside, taking the lead by lap 50 when the caution fell yet again.

 

Romero tangled with Aguirre in a scramble for the second position when the race resumed, knocking Romero back to the 14th position. A multi-car skirmish on lap 56 saw both Austin and Bryan Herzog sideways, resulting in Richard Herzog spinning and collecting Calvin Hegje.

 

Eric Nascimento, Jr. picked the inside on the next green flag and held the lead. Aguirre spun from the second position with a right rear flat tire in turn four on lap 59. Nascimento again picked the bottom, this time against Bradley Erickson. Erickson showed veteran skill as he swooped around the outside to lead lap 60.

 

Erickson drove away from the pack while Seth Wise made it past Nascimento for second. The all-51FIFTY Jr. Late Model graduate podium saw Erickson, Wise, and Nascimento on top. They were followed by Potts and a resurgent Romero rounding out the top-five.

 

The Challenge Cup Series ran its final race of 2020 with another 51FIFTY graduate – Las Vegas’ Kyle Keller – topping the field in the 75-lap contest. The race had several lead changes as Jesse James Burks led the first ten laps before sixth starting Thomas Martin took over on lap 11.

 

Vince Little went third to first to lead lap 26. Both Martin and Little encountered issues, allowing Burkes to re-take the top spot on lap 31. Keller challenged Burks until grabbing the point on lap 51. A lap 62 caution for debris did not deter Kyle Keller as he led Martin, Burks, Rich Innis of Sun Valley, NV, and Thomas Suarez as the top-five finishers.

 

A season-best 13 Hobby Stocks raced for $700 to win in a 75-lap affair with Howard Holden overcoming an eight-car invert to win. Holden spun on lap three, but masterfully drove through the field to take the top position by lap 18. Tyler Rogers went to the back for his involvement in the incident but advanced steadily through the field throughout the race. Holden led Brandon Jones, Rogers, Las Vegas’ Kyle Jacks, and Nick Rowe as the top-five finishers.

 

Jason Philpot won his 14th Modified feature of the year as the 2020 Ukiah Speedway and All American Speedway champion won the 75-lap, $1000 to win event at Madera. Doug Hamm led 63 laps of the race before a caution fell on lap 64 for Sam Jacks stopping on the apron to the front stretch. Eddie Secord took over the lead on the restart. Kayli Barker had a mechanical failure while both Hamm and Second spun on opposite ends of the track for a tumultuous lap 68. Barker was unable to continue while both Hamm and Secord were relegated to the tail of the lead lap for spinning.

 

Philpot assumed the lead on lap 69 while Second, Hamm, and Jaron Giannini spun into turn three in a three-wide battle for third.  Hamm suffered heavy damage in the melee that ended his race. Philpot led Second, Giannini, Aaron Coonfield, and Tom Pfundstein across the finish line in the exciting finish.

 

For information about Madera Speedway, visit www.RaceMadera.com The 2020 season would not be possible without the support of Nut Up Industries, 51FIFTY LTM, Mission Foods, 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. Round #5 of the Nut Up Pro Late Model Series airs on November 23rd.

TURKEY TRIPLE OPEN SHOW AND 2020 AWARDS ANNOUNCED

 

Madera, Ca. (10.7.20) – The 2020 racing season has been a challenge to say the least, but the staff at the Madera Speedway has adjusted and worked hard to sell sponsorship to allow us to overcome each obstacle and road block that jumped in front of us.

 

We are not able to host our 2020 Awards Banquet in a traditional manner due to COVID, and anyone that has been to a Madera Speedway Awards Banquet knows how much effort the staff puts into the event to make it an evening to showcase the drivers that have earned the spotlight for that special evening. We are also not able to host the annual Pumpkin Smash that traditionally closes the season at Madera Speedway. But we decided to not give up and to adjust once again to close the 2020 season out on a positive note and with high energy to pay tribute to our drivers.

 

So we can close the door on the season with high energy and also honor our drivers Mission Foods will help us host the Turkey Triple Open show and on track 2020 Awards Banquet on November 14th. The final point race for the MAVTV series will be October 17th, the final point race for the club racers will be October 24th, and the Turkey Triple Open show is a non-point open event and our 2020 Awards Banquet all rolled into one event on November 14th. We will race in the early afternoon and then host the awards ceremonies later in the afternoon live on ShortTrack TV from the race track.

 

There will be three divisions race in the Turkey Triple Open, the 75 lap $2,000 to win Open Late Models, the 75 lap $1,000 to win Open Pro Modifieds and the 75 lap $500 to win Open Hobby Stocks. The rules are below;

 

Open Late Models –

 

Stock Style Bodies only with Rear Spoiler may be no wider than 60", and no taller than 6 1/2". Spoiler must be centered on the rear bumper cover and may not be offset in any direction. There may be NO forward support of any kind, no boxed ends or runners. No Gurney lip, or any type of wicker bill on the upper edge of the spoiler. It is mandatory that the Upper 2/3's of the spoiler and the rear window of the car be made of “clear” lexan to enable other drivers to see through them.

 

TIRES AND WHEELS - Tires are the Hoosier 8.0-15/970 treaded tire. ALL tires MUST be purchased from the track, and tires MAY NOT be cut, soaked or altered in any way. Any team wishing to run used tires must submit the tires for inspection and scanning prior to qualifying, note these used tires must have been purchased from Madera as well. Wheels must be steel and not exceed 8" in width. Competitors must start the race on the tires they qualified with.

 

101” minimum wheelbase, any shock allowed (one shock per tire), rear suspension No fifth (5th) coil, torque arm or lift bar suspensions will be permitted. No bird cages of any kind (3 or 4 link). Trailing arms must mount to the rear end and chassis in a solid manner (heim allowed). No springs, sliders, rubber biscuits allowed on any of the rear trailing arms. All cars will not exceed 79" inch track width, it will be measured from the bulge outside to outside of the front tires at the spindle height. Track width on dry sump cars must not exceed 79" as well.

 

No traction control devices. Only one ignition box allowed and ignition box will be mounted as far to the right side of the car as possible with the chip or RPM dial facing the right side. All wires to the distributor must be run separately and not be part of a bigger wiring harness. All wiring must be sealed with no unplugged wires.

 

FUEL - All cars must run the track fuel, the track spec fuel is Sunoco 110 Purple race fuel or Sunoco E-85R race fuel. Teams may also run stock Chevron 91 octane pump fuel with NO additives and NO mixing of fuels.

 

Drive shaft, NO carbon fiber drive shafts allowed.

 

602 engine cars with straight rail chassis will be a minimum 2900 pounds with a maximum of 60% left side weight and run a 6,200 chip, open engine cars with straight rail chassis will be a minimum 3,000 pounds with a maximum 58% left side weight and have no rpm limit. (Note all perimeter chassis cars can take off 50 pounds from the above listed weights).

 

Pro 602/Open Engine Modifieds –

 

1. Hoosier 970 tires only (MUST purchase from track)

2. Sunoco 110 or E85 fuel only (MUST purchase from track)

3.  Engine Rules: 602 GM crate factory sealed or checked by authorized dealers (1 single carburetor) Or Open Motor (1 single carburetor) cast iron block-wet sump- 410 cubic inch max

4.  Any shock allowed, but NO canisters allowed.

5.  Fabricated front stubs (Authorized dealers: Phils Phabrication/Dana Stahl/STR/Howe) Any other clips please call for approval

6.  Weight Rules and RPM Rules:

·         Crates-2500 lbs. 58 Left Side (6200 RPM)

·         Open- 2650 lbs. 57 Left Side (7200 RPM)

7. 15 X 8 Steel  Wheels Only

8.  NO rack and pinion steering

9.   Rear Gears (Steel Spools Only)

10.  ALL suspension and steering components MUST be made out of only steel· Only Aluminum parts allowed: track bar mounts and sliders (solid links only)

11. Track Width: 78 in. bulge to bulge, front and rear, at ride height

12. Body Rules:

·         Max Rear Deck Width: 68 inch Max

·         Max Rear Deck Height: 38 inch Max

·         Spoiler Dimensions Only: 4 inch X 60 inch wide

·         Front Nose Overhang: 45 inches Max

·         Front Nose Width: 45 ½  inches Max

·         Rear Quarter Panel Overhang: 49 inches Max

 

Open Hobby Stocks –

 

602 cars we weigh a minimum of 3,100 pounds and have a maximum of 55% left side weight. Open engine cars will weigh a minimum of 3,200 pounds and have a maximum of 55% left side weight.

 

Roll Cage - All cars must have a full roll cage built from a minimum 1 ¾ x .095 round tubing, and must have a complete set of driver side door bars and at least and "X" in the passenger side.

 

Wheels & Tires - Wheels must be 8" or less, and must be steel. Tires must be the Hoosier 8.0-15/970 treaded tire. All tires must be purchased from the track. Tires MUST NOT be cut, soaked or modified in any manner at all. Used tires that were purchased from the Madera Speedway are ok to use.

 

Ride Height – 4” minimum ride height on all frame and body parts.

 

Fuel - All cars must run Sunoco 110 Purple track fuel or 91 octane Chevron fuel.

 

TRANSMISSION - May only be STANDARD 3 OR 4 SPEED, OR AUTOMATIC 2 OR 3 SPEED. Must be O.E.M. Manual transmission must use O.E.M. or O.E.M. REPLACEMENT SINGLE DISC CLUTCH. Automatic transmission must use O.E.M. or O.E.M. REPLACEMENT TORQUE CONVERTER. NO RACING OR HIGH PERFORMANCE CLUTCHES OR TORQUE CONVERTERS ALLOWED. A. All gears must be in stock working order. Transmission must be able to go into gear with engine running and car sitting still. B. All standard transmissions must have a S.E.M.A./NASCAR approved STEEL bell housing. Automatics must have a S.E.M.A. approved ring gear shield or a tech inspector approved 1/8" steel plate inside the car on the transmission tunnel part of the floorboard. No aluminum flywheels or drive lines.

 

REARENDS - No quick change rear ends allowed. All drive shafts must be steel.

TRACK WIDTH & Wheel Base - All competing cars will not exceed 78" inch track width, it will be measured from the bulge outside to outside of the front tires at the spindle height. Minimum wheel base is 108".

 

EXHAUST SYSTEM - Stock O.E.M. cast iron exhaust manifolds, Center dumps are allowed, or Single flange tube type bottom dump headers allowed. No wrap around, step, or 180 headers allowed. Any muffler may be used provided maximum sound level 95 db at 100'. Maximum 2.5" pipe, dual exhaust OK. No flex pipe. Exhaust must extend behind the driver's seat, with no exhaust of any kind inside the car. Any size outlet OK. Exhaust must be securely attached to the bottom of the car. Loss of any part of exhaust system on or off track will be cause for Black Flag.

 

Non-conforming exhaust system (75 pound weight penalty) there is also a 55% maximum left side weight rule for any car carrying a weight penalty. All cars must meet the 95db at 100’.

 

Rear Spoiler is a maximum of 60” wide and 5” tall.

 

SHOCKS - Any steel nonadjustable shock, all parts must be steel. Aluminum rod end on shaft end ok. NO bump stops or coil overs.

 

BRAKES - Only single piston OEM style brake calipers allowed. Only OEM brake rotors allowed.

 

Steering & Spindles – OEM stock spindles only, No rack and Pinon unless factory for make and model and mounted in factory location. OEM style center link only. No three piece sway bars.

 

A-Arms - Stock OEM lower control mounts and lower control A-Arms only. Aftermarket upper A-Arms and mounts are ok.

 

All drivers must pre-enter for the November 14th Triple Turkey Open, please send an email to kshepherd@racemadera.com to get an entry form.