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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.
50 YEARS OF RACING AT MADERA SPEEDWAY is Rolling Full Steam Ahead
Madera, Ca. (3-27-21) – The Madera Speedway is celebrating 50 years of racing at the fastest 1/3 mile in the West in 2021 with a variety of high caliber motorsports action and it was the INEX Legends that headlined the action this Saturday night.
The Legends of the Pacific were scheduled for a 35-lap main event with a twenty-four car field, but after nearly hour and a half action packed race that a daredevil thrill seeking fan would really enjoy the event was cut to 30 laps. When the smoke cleared from all the wild action it was the talented Luis Tyrrell that found himself live on ShortTrack TV giving a victory speech. As a footnote Tyrrell won the inaugural Challenge Cup race in a full-sized Cup car at the Madera Speedway several years ago showing how talented these top notch INEX Legends drivers are. The smooth driving Josh Ayers worked his way to a second place finish learning more about the Madera Speedway with every lap he turned, and the final live interview for a podium finish was performed by Foryst Souza bring home third place.
The Madera Late Model Club races are a place you will find many drivers out for a fun Saturday night drive, while others come in to tune up for the nationally televised MAVTV races. One week ago in the March 20th version of the Madera Late Model Club race Matt Erickson rolled the high side on Austin Herzog to take down his first win in a long time. Well, this Saturday night Erickson had the favor returned to him as Jason Aguirre rolled the high side on Erickson to take his first win of the season setting up some big momentum for upcoming MAVTV event on April 3rd. As a footnote Aguirre spent a little time on the high side on Friday night during practice and appeared to have found something his car likes up there so we are sure other teams will take note of this. Shelden Cooper battled hard with the ever-improving youngster and 51FIFTY Jr Late Model graduate named Kyle Keller. Cooper ended up second with Keller impressing everyone with e second podium finish in two weeks.
The growing MST class saw Haley Bugg lead the early portion until contact with Patrick Geiger forced the pair to the rear of the field and then it was the brothers Reynolds that took over. While the two brothers battled Bugg carved her way through the field on her way to a third-place finish. Shaun Reynolds out dulled his brother for the big W followed by Ryan.
The newly formed Pro Spec Modified class enjoyed a nice test run with the Adam Coonfield edging out his brother Aaron for the win. Adam runs the 602 crate package with less weight while Aaron runs the big horsepower ground pounding package with more weight and the rules look to be really good at this point after several adjustments. Coming home in third right behind the Coonfield boys was the talented young lady named Kayli Barker. The Pro Modifieds have another tune up race in May before we head into the Summer with the MAVTV televised Mission Foods Pro Modified $3,000.00 to win three race series.
The Madera Mini Stocks is a rapidly growing class with cars that cost about $1,000 to build and race side by side for some real thrills behind the wheel on a budget. Dan Myrick Sr. outdueled the hard charging Jeff Durant with Shawn DePriest finishing third and John Williams coming home fourth missing the podium by just one spot. This is a class we plan to put new drivers in cars to enjoy a different night out at the races in the near future.
In the Hobby Stocks Llyod Wren edged out Mike Nicks for the win with Manny Gonzales Jr taking home third and Kasey Kleyn won the Jr Late Model exhibition race.
The Madera Club racing series has become very popular with a relaxed environment and great camaraderie, and we invite drivers of all skill levels out for a night of fun at the next club race on April 17th.
The next race for the Madera Speedway is April 3rd and it is a MAVTV televised event featuring race #2 of the Nut Up Pro Late Model Series $2,000 to win 80 laps (50 laps then a break, then 30 laps), Race #2 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 70 laps (40 laps then a break, then the final 30 laps), and Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series.
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.
ERICKSON OUTFOXES HERZOG FOR MADERA LATE MODEL OPENING NIGHT WIN
MADERA, CALIF. (March 20, 2021) – Multi-time Madera Speedway champion Matt Erickson kicked off the Madera Late Model season in style on Saturday night, using a late race restart to charge past 2019 Nut Up Pro Late Model champion Austin Herzog for the victory. The 40-lap event opened the points season for the non-MAVTV “club” Late Model division, utilizing the same rules and procedures as the Nut Up Pro Late Model Series. Erickson extended his reign as the winningest Late Model driver at the one-third mile speedway in the process.
“Just drove the heck out of it,” Erickson said. “Even though the track was green it was good up there for about three laps. It was just hard racing. We finally pulled it off. It’s great to be back in victory lane after missing it for about two years.”
Herzog led time trials before an exciting heat race with Erickson. Erickson won the heat race by .028 seconds but Herzog landed on the pole for the feature with the straight up start from qualifying.
The third-generation Herzog jumped ahead with the lead while Las Vegas’ Kyle Keller held off Erickson and Jason Aguirre for second. The battle continued through lapped traffic on lap 27. Mike Shapiro spun making a pass on Richard Herzog for the eighth position, forcing a caution flag on lap 30 and a narrow miss for Austin Herzog as he avoided the spin.
Herzog restarted inside Keller with Erickson in the third spot. Erickson worked underneath Keller for second on lap 32 but remained five car lengths behind Herzog. Brandon Burd spun in turn two on lap 35, setting up a five-lap shootout between Herzog and Erickson. Erickson took advantage of the outside line, storming to the top spot on lap 36 by .029 seconds. Herzog clawed back, tagging Erickson exiting turn four as they came to the white flag. Herzog tried again on the final corner, knifing inside but falling short by half a car length at the stripe. Aguirre, Keller, and Juleson rounded out the top-five.
Bakersfield’s Mike Nicks won his first Madera Hobby Stock race by taking the 30-lap feature. Nathan Casillas led from the pole while Nicks and Fresno’s Nick Rowe battled for second. Casillas slowed in turn four which brought out a caution and handed Nicks the lead. Manny Gonzales, Jr. went underneath Rowe for second on the restart, with Rowe drifting back to fourth.
Rowe then turned his race around on the extended green flag run, passing Casillas for third then using a three wide move in lapped traffic to take second. Nicks led the rest of the distance over Rowe, Gonzales, Casillas, and 15-year-old rookie Harley Kennealy.
Ryan Reynolds and 2020 Modified Super Toyota champion Shaun Reynolds entertained in their 30-lap feature with Ryan coming out on top. Ryan Reynolds led from the pole position on lap one but Shaun used a strong move out of turn two to lead lap two. They went side-by-side again with Ryan Reynolds reclaiming the lead position on lap seven.
A caution lap 25 for Nick Thompson spinning in turn three set up a final Reynolds battle. They ran alongside each other for a lap before Ryan Reynolds drove ahead for the victory. Shaun Reynolds, Patrick Geiger, Tim Kammerer, and Haley Bugg were the top-five finishers.
Quincy, Washington’s Kasey Kleyn won the 25-lap Jr. Late Model exhibition race, leading Dinuba’s Hailey Liles at the finish. 2020 Mini Cup track champion Rebecca Dubie of Tracy finished third in her debut race. John Williams won the Mini Stock race as well.
Up next for Madera Speedway is the Smokey Hanoian Classic with the 602 Spec/Pro Modifed Series, Madera Late Models, Madera Hobby Stocks, MST/Toyota Sedans, Madera Mini Stocks, Legends of the Pacific, Jr Late Model Exhibition race and Legends of Kearney Bowl.
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.
CARLOS VIEIRA TAKES $5,000 MADERA MAVTV PRO LATE MODEL OPENER
MADERA, CALIF. (March 13, 2021) – Livingston’s Carlos Vieira scored his first MAVTV-televised Nut Up Pro Late Model victory on Saturday night at Madera Speedway, earning the $5,000 season opener during a five-lap shootout to close the 100-lap feature. The opening night on the one-third mile included openers for the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models and Mini Cups vs. Bandolero, streamed live on YouTube and set to be aired later this year on MAVTV.
Vieira drew the pole position and led at several different occasions. He then fended off multi-time champion Matt Erickson in a sprint to the finish for the win.
“It feels great. I want to thank Campbell Motorsports. Car has been good all weekend. All these guys raced hard. It was a lot of fun. Madera Speedway always puts on a good show. I felt pretty confident with the car. We’ve come close many times so it’s finally nice to get one,” Vieira said.
A multi-car tangle slowed the action on lap ten when Bakersfield’s Seth Wise and Tyler Herzog spun in turn four. Riverside’s Cody Kiemele tagged Wise head-on, ending the night for both Jr. Late Model graduates.
2019 Madera Late Model champion Jason Aguirre snaked through into second on the restart, then clamped down on Vieira for the lead. Aguirre knifed underneath Vieira on the backstretch to lead lap 19. Erickson started tenth alongside 2019 Nut Up Pro Late Model champion Austin Herzog with both drivers closing in on the top-five quickly. Eric Nascimento, Jr. worked his way into second before Austin Herzog went around the outside to take the position on lap 41. Aguirre led Austin Herzog, Nascimento, Vieira, and Erickson as the top-five when the scheduled halfway break arrived eight laps early on lap 42.
Nascimento fell steadily on the restart with mechanical troubles that hounded him the rest of the night. Herzog reeled in Aguirre for the lead twice but could not complete a pass, allowing Vieira to enter the picture. Vieira passed Herzog for second on lap 72.
He then briefly jumped underneath Aguirre in traffic on lap 74. Vieira went to the outside, storming past Aguirre to the lead on lap 78. Erickson went outside in a three-wide maneuver to advance to second with Aguirre shuffled to fourth.
Vieira picked the inside of Erickson for the final restart with five laps remaining. Erickson led lap 96 by .042 seconds before swinging wide into turn one to allow Vieira to lead lap 97. Austin Herzog dove underneath Erickson for second but slid up the race track in turn three, bouncing him out of contention. Vieira drove ahead for the win with Tyler Herzog navigating the melees to earn second. Erickson, Aguirre, and 20th starting Kabe McClenny of Bakersfield rounded out the top-five.
Kale McClenny scored his coveted first-career 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model win in a thrilling conclusion to a tumultuous race, steering his #07 Toyota clear of Texan Barrett Polhemus by a scant .007 seconds at the stripe.
Except for the debut race in the series, Saturday’s event marked the first time that a field of Jr. Late Models had taken the green flag without a previous race winner in attendance. 16 drivers ages 10-16 years old made up the grid but the aggressive tone was set quickly. Ethan Nascimento led the first five laps before contact from Idaho’s Jacob Smith sent him spinning in turn four. Nearly a dozen cars were collected in the crash, including fast-time qualifier Kercie Jung of Bakersfield getting her front wheels off the ground after colliding with Loomis’ Kenna Mitchell.
Jung was the only driver unable to continue, however. Smith was involved in several other incidents throughout the night and was relegated to the infield by officials. Cody Kiemele was the benefactor of the lap five fracas, assuming the lead position after starting fifth.
McClenny started 11th but steadily moved forward. He had a grinding battle with Kiemele for the lead with McClenny losing his rear bumper in the process. A pair of separate incidents followed with Brody Armtrout spinning in turn one and Virginian 10-year-old Tristan McKee crashing heavily into turn three.
The race went into the break on lap 32 with McClenny credited as the leader ahead of Kiemele. When action resumed, McClenny maintained the top spot while Kiemele battled with Washington’s Kasey Kleyn. A restart beckoned on lap 65 with McClenny and Kiemele sliding through turns three and four. Polhemus snuck through for second before Kiemele stopped with a flat left front tire.
The final three laps were a side-by-side thrill ride between McClenny and Polheums, with McClenny winning by just inches at the stripe. Colorado’s Brody Moore was third while Nascimento came back to finish fourth. Armtrout rounded out the top-five.
Logan Chambers won his first career Bandolero feature, taking the overall win in the Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros. Konner Karsten and Caden Cordova rounded out the Bandolero podium after 30-laps of competition. Kellen Keller of Las Vegas won his Mini Cup debut after a spin dropped race-long leader Sam Wedehase to a second-place finish.
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 championship finale of the Nut Up Pro Late Models airs on March 15th.
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