RYAN HART SCORES PUMPKIN SMASH HALLOWEEN BASH WIN AT MADERA SPEEDWAY
MADERA, CALIFORNIA (October 26, 2024) – Ryan Hart of Dos Palos went wire-to-wire for the second time in the last three years in the 200-lap Pumpkin Smash Enduro at Madera Speedway, dominating the proceedings to win on a wet and pumpkin-covered one-third mile speedway. Hart’s margin of victory was three laps over 2023 winner Adam Baggett of Stockton.
22 Enduro cars accepted the green flag after the front stretch was covered in 10,000 pounds of Dell’Osso Family Farms pumpkins, smashed by the hundreds of young race fans on hand. The race was also recorded for a later broadcast on MAVTV, presented by Mission Foods.
“Nervous doesn’t even begin to describe it. It was pretty nerve wracking. Whether it looked easy or not, it wasn’t. I was on the edge of my seat,” Hart said. “Victory tastes good this October!”
Hart dominated the opening half of the race over Baggett. The second half saw Baggett match Hart stride for stride in a couple of crowd-pleasing duels, despite the fact Baggett was several laps in arrears.
“It was surprising. We were having trouble with the motor so it wasn’t pulling as hard as it could. (Ryan) had the best car today so the fastest car won today,” Baggett said. “This is a big race and we only do it once a year but it means a big deal to all of us.”
Scott Wasson of Fresno won the 10-lap barrel race before the 200-lap feature. Wasson then drove up into third during the second 100-lap segment, which took place in the opposite direction around the Madera Speedway.
“I was just trying to stay down low and trying to keep traction. I can’t seem to keep up with Ryan and Adam over there but we will try some new things next year and see what happens,” Wasson said.
Folsom’s Dave Ski used his diminutive Toyota Paseo to finish fourth for his second consecutive top-five finish. Les Wasson of Clovis rounded out the top-five finishers.
The Pumpkin Smash Halloween Bash wraps up the 2024 season for the Madera Speedway at the Madera Fairgrounds. Drivers will be honored for their accomplishments at the awards banquet on November 16. Stay tuned to www.RaceMadera.com or the track Facebook for tickets and details.
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 2024 season would not be possible without the support 51FIFTY LTM, Mission Foods, 805 Beer, Race 2B Drug Free, Competition Carburetion, Hoosier Tires, Franks Radio, Sunoco Race Fuel, and Sealmaster.
Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Monday nights at 6pm Pacific and 9pm Eastern. Check www.MAVTV.com for program listings.
WASHINGTON’S ANDY BROWN TAKES THE FIFTH ANNUAL OLGAS CALIFORNIA DREAM 100
MADERA, CALIFORNIA (August 17, 2024) – Spokane, Washington’s Andy Brown won fast-time, overcame a 20-car inversion, and stormed to victory lane in the MAVTV-televised Olga’s California Dream on Saturday night at Madera Speedway. The fifth annual event attracted over 40 Mini Stock participants to the pit area for the 100-lap grind on the one-third mile speedway.
“This is awesome. I’ve won a couple late model races in the Northwest but this awesome,” Brown said. “Can’t thank everybody enough. I’ve got the best friends and family. I can’t believe it!”
“I was getting tired; I’m not going to lie. It’s pretty good when the car is good like that,” Brown said.
The 20-lap Chad’s Quick Auto C-Main was claimed by Chris Moloso of North Bend, Oregon while the Impel Motorsports B-Main went to Mitchell Mohler of Valley Center, CA.
2023 runner-up Cody Parenteau of Lakeside led the opening lap of the 24-car feature. 2023 winner Drew Crenshaw of Nampa, ID took the lead on lap two. Colton Schultz of Spokane, winner of the fast-dash, went up in smoke for a caution on lap eight.
Joe Flower of Stockton got sideways in front of the pack on the restart but everyone avoided him with the race staying green. Crenshaw led the field into lapped traffic on lap 16. Casey Jeske of Spokane led the Jeske three-car assault when he advanced to second. Jeske then seized the lead on lap 32.
Crenshaw suffered a flat right front tire and lost laps in the infield. Terry Armstrong of Spokane faltered from fourth position. The No. 168 of Mitch Jeske closed in on his son Casey and took the lead on lap 42. A huge fire underneath the hood of Idaho’s Mike Anderson brought out a red flag on lap 44 and brought the race to its scheduled halfway break six laps early. Andy Brown had advanced to fifth by that point.
Casey Jeske retook the lead on lap 46 before a caution for Flower’s car suffering a fire. Justin Carson of Utah and Parenteau tangled in turn one for a caution on lap 49.
Brown started rolling the outside line and took over third on lap 52. Then Mitch Jeske dropped out of the race on lap 56. Brown continued to roll, sweeping past Casey Jeske to lead lap 59. Parenteau and fifth-running Bryce Rupert clashed in turn one to set up a shootout final 28 lap segment for the feature.
Despite a furious challenge from Brad Rhoads of Pasco, Washington, Brown held the lead as they darted in and out of lapped traffic. Brown won by a car length followed by Rhoads, Camron Jeske of Spokane, Gary Cagle of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Rupert.
Chase Hand earned his first career Pro Late Model victory when he led wire-to-wire in the Madera Late Model feature. The event was shortened after several incidents, including a multi-car crash in turn four. Olivia Manke and Matt Erickson collided in the fourth turn, gobbling up over half of the field. Jason Aguirre of Atwater darted to the right to avoid and hit the wall to end his event.
Hand topped Will Martyn of Coarsegold who debuted a new race car to finish second. Trevor Schlundt, Rick Thompson, and birthday boy Loren Kutz rounded out the top-five.
“Super” Steve Schermerhorn dominated all 30-laps of the Pro Sportsman feature ahead of “Wingnut” Brian Taylor and Drew Ries. Schermerhorn extended his points lead as well.
Patrick Geiger won his fifth Mini Super Toyota feature of the season, taking the 30-lap contest. A caution fell on lap 18 for Joseph Holliday going up in smoke on the front stretch and stopping at the start finish line. Geiger and Ryan Reynolds lined up alongside of each other with 12 laps to go. Geiger motored ahead of Reynolds while Reynolds topped Shay Gouldy for second position. Gouldy settled for third.
Madera Speedway races again on Saturday August 24th with the MAVTV-televised Pro Late Model Series powered by Mission Foods and the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series in action for round seven of their championships. INEX Legends, INEX Bandoleros, Pro Sportsman, and Mini Super Toyotas will also be competing.
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 2024 season would not be possible without the support 51FIFTY LTM, Mission Foods, 805 Beer, Race 2B Drug Free, Competition Carburetion, Hoosier Tires, Franks Radio, Sunoco Race Fuel, and Sealmaster.
Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Monday nights at 6pm Pacific and 9pm Eastern. Check www.MAVTV.com for program listings.
ETHAN NASCIMENTO WINS $10,000 AT MADERA SHORT TRACK SHOOTOUT, ERICKSON WINS CHAMPIONSHIP
MADERA, CALIFORNIA (October 20, 2024) – Manteca’s Ethan Nascimento outmatched Bakersfield’s Derek Thorn for a $10,000 haul in the 12th annual Short Track Shootout 200 for the Madera Pro Late Model Series at Madera Speedway on Saturday night. Matt Erickson of La Grange persevered through early race issues to come from behind to win the series championship, his third MAVTV-televised crown at the one-third mile speedway.
Nascimento became the first former 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series champion to prevail in the Pro Late Model Short Track Shootout and gave his family-owned team their fourth Shootout crown combined with three wins earned by Hall of Famer Eric Holmes.
“It means a lot. I’ve come from Jr. Late Models, Legends, Bandos. This is the first race for me at Madera Speedway for this car,” Nascimento said. “Congrats to Derek we raced well. It’s great. He is the best in the whole nation. He could race Super Late Models and win at pretty much any race he goes to.”
2023 Shootout winner Thorn earned quick-time in time trials then drew the number two. He lined up alongside Vancouver, Washington’s Jadan Walbridge, the 2021 Pro Late Model Series champion making a return visit to Madera. Thorn drove around the outside to lead lap one.
The first 17-laps went caution free. Under caution for a spin, Bubba Nascimento was relegated to the pits from third with a loose fuel cap. He rejoined the race at the tail of the field. Shelden Cooper and Walbridge raced doorhandle to doorhandle for second behind Thorn. The battle lasted until lap 31 when Cooper nabbed the spot. Matt Erickson had a hiccup when he collided with the lapped car of Doyal Moen and was sent to the rear for involvement.
Ethan Nascimento began to challenge Thorn by lap 49. A series of turn three incidents and crashes slowed the action. 14-year-old Jace Hale of Manteca – the 2024 Jr. Late Model champion – advanced all the way to the inside of Thorn for a lap 58 restart after the choose cone. Hale slid backwards with a flat right rear tire back to the tail end of the lead lap, however.
2023 Pro Late Model champion and 2024 incoming points leader Tyler Herzog was the next challenger on lap 69. Thorn held him off and both Ethan and Bubba Nascimento drove past him for second and third.
Thorn led the Nascimento brothers, Herzog, and Walbridge into the race break a few laps early on lap 93. Walbridge earned the $500 Unstoppable bonus from Sherp West for running fifth.
Ethan Nascimento challenged Thorn relentlessly on the restart while Bubba Nascimento and Herzog raced side-by-side for numerous laps for third behind them. The battling lasted until lap 140 when the caution flew. Another caution flag on lap 153 set up the turning point of the race and the season.
Herzog, who enjoyed a 19-point lead in the standings after the halfway break, raced to the inside of Ethan Nascimento on the backstretch. They collided with Herzog hitting the turn three wall significantly with both the front and rear of his machine. Herzog was unable to continue. Officials allowed Nascimento retain second place and absolved him of involvement.
Nascimento seized the chance, showing his nose on the inside on lap 171 on the backstretch. Thorn held court. Lapped traffic on lap 180 allowed Nascimento to make a three wide move into turn three to take the lead. Thorn pulled off an excellent crossover in turn two to retake the spot on lap 181. The duo raced side-by-side in a sliding duel around the speedway. Nascimento got the pass completed on lap 190 in traffic and led the final ten laps for the coveted victory. Thorn settled for second followed by Bubba Nascimento and Hale. Erickson battled back to fifth and won the championship over Herzog by a scant five markers.
Jace Hale of Manteca not only finished fourth in the Short Track Shootout but the 14-year-old earned a race win and a championship in a walk-off of the 51FIFTY Series for drivers ages 10-16 years old. Hale spun on the opening lap with contact from Cam Carraway but both young drivers battled back.
Texan Tristan Pena was poised to win his third consecutive 70-lap feature and dominated much of the race. Carraway reeled him in by lap 58 but the pair collided in turn four while sliding for victory. Pena spun and was collected hard by fast-time qualifier Jacob Ryan of Livermore.
Hale emerged with the race lead in hand while Carraway and Ryan rejoined the race after repairs. On the restart, a significant three-wide crash ended the race for Hayden Stepps of Oakdale, Kourtney Baker of La Crescenta, and Joseph Holiday of Madera. The race ended prematurely with Hale earning victory ahead of Carraway, Ryan, Eli Black of Santa Rosa, and Holiday.
Jace Hale’s younger brother Colton Hale also won the INEX Legends track championship after Saturday’s 30-lap feature. Bakersfield’s Logan Chambers prevailed after a tight race for the lead among a five-car lead pack. Hale won a battle with Bakersfield’s Colton Page to seal the championship. Bakersfield’s Eddie Garone and Madera’s CJ Dizney rounded out the top-five.
Kaine Betancourt of Modesto won his second consecutive INEX Bandolero championship with a season-ending victory as well. Kellen Keller of Madera finished second and Andrew Williams was third.
The 2024 racing season at Madera Speedway concludes on October 26 with the Pumpkin Smash Halloween Bash Enduro, featuring trick-or-treat through the pits, a kid’s costume contest, and hard-hitting Enduro action. More info at 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 2024 season would not be possible without the support 51FIFTY LTM, Mission Foods, 805 Beer, Race 2B Drug Free, Competition Carburetion, Hoosier Tires, Franks Radio, Sunoco Race Fuel, and Sealmaster.
Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Monday nights at 6pm Pacific and 9pm Eastern. Check www.MAVTV.com for program listings.
MATT ERICKSON WITHSTANDS PRESSURE FROM CANCILLA TO PREVAIL IN MADERA PRO LATE MODELS
MADERA, CALIFORNIA (September 14, 2024) – Matt Erickson of La Grange outlasted multiple challenges from 12-year-old Vito Cancilla of Martinez to earn his second Madera Pro Late Model Series powered by Mission Foods feature win of the season on Saturday night. The victory in the MAVTV-televised series came during the penultimate eighth round of the 2024 championship, with Erickson running second in the standings.
His night opened in perfect fashion with fast-time in qualifying on the one-third mile speedway followed by drawing the pole in the redraw.
“After that opening day where we grenade’d (a motor) with a dominant car, this is a lot better,” Erickson said. “Without the help of Eric Nascimento we wouldn’t have got a motor. The 12-year-old over here gave me a run for my money.”
Erickson fired of from the pole for the 80-lap contest with Cancilla taking over third on lap 12. Incoming points leader and defending champion Tyler Herzog of Fresno battled throughout the opening 50-lap segment with Bubba Nascimento for fifth. Will Martyn of Coarsegold spun on lap 20 to bring out a caution. On the restart, Cooper tried to drive outside of Erickson but the paid made slight contact and Erickson held the position.
Cancilla then drove underneath Cooper to nab second place. An additional spin for Martyn on lap 23 allowed Cancilla to restart outside Erickson. Cancilla tried high and low multiple times but was unable to pass Erickson. Erickson led Cancilla, Cooper, rookie Joey Kennealy of Madera, and Herzog at the lap 50 break for adjustments and MAVTV interviews. Trevor Schlundt of Clovis wrapped up the club Late Model division championship at the conclusion of lap 50 as well in the combined race, winning the title on his mom’s birthday.
The second segment saw Yorba Linda’s Nathan Quella and Loomis’ Kenna Mitchell collide in turns one and two. The race stayed green but Mitchell fell to the back of the field. Quella then spun in turn two on lap 54, getting hit hard in the nose by Shaun Reynolds. 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model winner Cam Carraway of Castro Valley and Schlundt also suffered race ending damage.
On the restart, Cancilla continued to jockey with Erickson. A caution flew on lap 70 for Mitchell spinning after side-by-side contact with Mariposa’s Glen Cook. Cancilla threw his No. V5 for Nascimento Motorsports inside of Erickson on multiple occasions over the final ten laps to no avail. Erickson won by a nose over Cancilla with Cooper finishing third. Kennealy and Herzog rounded out the top-five.
Tristan Pena of San Antonio scored his second consecutive 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 70-lap feature and third of the season after winning a side-by-side battle with points leader Jace Hale of Manteca.
“It feels amazing because we’ve gone through so much adversity this season. This just makes up for it,” Pena said. “It was pretty tough but I knew I could drive in a little deeper than (Hale) could.”
Like Erickson, Pena led qualifying and drew the pole for the feature event. Hayden Stepps and Skyler Schoppe collided on the opening turn to bring out a caution flag. Both continued on. A caution for debuting racer Kourtney Baker, age 13, spinning gave Hale his first shot on the outside of Pena. Hale led lap two before Pena battled back to lead lap three and take the race all the way to its lap 40 schedule race break. Pena led Hale, Cam Carraway, Livermore’s Jacob Ryan, and Schoppe at the break.
When action resumed, Carraway challenged the back bumper of Hale for second. Pena accumulated a 1.096 second lead which evaporated when Stepps spun on lap 55 in the third turn. Hale tried to make the outside work again, but Pena found a way to keep the lead. Tristan Pena darted off to victory followed by Hale, Carraway, Ryan, and a resurgent Stepps in fifth.
13-year-old Taylor Mayhew returned to Madera Speedway and won his first Madera Legends feature in a 30-lap contest. Mayhew had to fend off his father David throughout the race. August winner Colton Page of Bakersfield tagged the backstretch wall at the start and was unable to continue.
The Mayhew and Mayhew show were followed across the checkered flag by their teammate Johnny White. Madera’s CJ Dizney finished fourth while championship contender Eddie Garone of Bakersfield rounded out the top-five.
Madera’s Joseph Holliday had a successful debut in the new Pro Sportsman division, winning qualifying, his heat race, and the main event. Holliday led just the final two laps for the exciting win in the 30-lap event. Finishing second was Steve Schermerhorn of Oakhurst who still managed to wrap up the championship. Brian Taylor finished third.
2023 INEX Bandolero champion Kaine Bettancourt has virtually locked up the 2024 title after winning the 15-lap event. Madera’s Kellen Keller finished second with Andrew Williams in third.
Up next at Madera Speedway is the 51st annual Harvest Classic featuring the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame 150 for the ARCA Menards Series West. The Speed Tour Super Modifieds will also be competing along with NCMA Sprint Cars and Legends of Kearney Bowl. On-track autographs kick off the festivities at 6pm followed by the main event action. Tickets and info will be available this week at www.RaceMadera.com
The 2024 season would not be possible without the support 51FIFTY LTM, Mission Foods, 805 Beer, Race 2B Drug Free, Competition Carburetion, Hoosier Tires, Franks Radio, Sunoco Race Fuel, and Sealmaster.
Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Monday nights at 6pm Pacific and 9pm Eastern. Check www.MAVTV.com for program listings.