ERICKSON RETURNS TO VICTORY LANE WITH MADERA MILITARY TRIBUTE NIGHT TRIUMPH

 

MADERA, CALIF. (May 22, 2021) – Matt Erickson charged past Jadan Walbridge coming out of the lap 50 break to win Saturday’s Military Tribute Night for the Nut Up Pro Late Model Series. The 80-lap MAVTV-televised feature was joined by Brody Armtrout winning his first 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series event along with Joey Kennealy winning his first Bandolero portion of the Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros.

 

“It means a lot especially with the passing of Dave Eshleman. He helped us out quite a bit,” Erickson said. “That break the sway bar was out. Lap five the brakes were out. Drove that thing to the outside and had good drive off. Hope we can keep this up the rest of the year.”

 

Erickson had only led one lap through the first three rounds of the season but reversed his course by using the outside of Walbridge to lead lap one. The duo went side-by-side over the first four laps before a caution fell on lap four. Non-televised Madera Late Model points leader Kyle Keller of Las Vegas and Bakersfield’s Racin Vernon tangled in turn two.

 

 

Erickson restarted outside Walbridge with a prolonged fight at the front. Walbridge dug in to come back at Erickson, diving inside on lap 10. After side-by-side action, the 16-year-old took the lead on lap 13. Points leader Austin Herzog led Tyler Herzog and 2020 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model champion Bradley Erickson past Howard Holden for fourth, fifth, and sixth on lap 41. The lap 50 break saw Walbridge leading Erickson, Jason Aguirre, Austin Herzog, and Tyler Herzog.

 

Walbridge picked his preferred inside line which placed Erickson in his preferred outside line for the upcoming restart. Erickson pounced, leading lap 51. The pair went side-by-side again but Erickson eventually won the battle. Austin Herzog advanced to third a few laps later past Aguirre, but never closed in on the top-two.

 

Erickson blitzed to a 1.3 second advantage over Walbridge at the finish while Austin Herzog fended off Tyler Herzog for third. Aguirre rounded out the top-five.

 

Smartsville’s Brody Armtout, age 15, won his first career 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series event in the 70-lap affair. Eagle, Idaho’s Jacob Smith entered the night on a streak of 140 consecutive laps led, then drew the pole. He led the way from the start of the feature while fast-timer Ethan Nascimento tried to overcome pulling a six in the redraw.

 

Armtrout and Bakersfield’s Kercie Jung had a physical battle for second before the caution fell for Hailey Liles spinning in turn four. Armtrout drove underneath Jung to grab second on the restart.

 

Incoming points leader Barrett Polhemus of Texas nearly spun on the front stretch and was hit hard by Quincy, Washington’s Kasey Kleyn. Both drivers rejoined the action, although Polhemus lost two laps in the infield. His Wilson Motorsports teammate Brody Moore of Colorado spun in turn one for a caution on lap 24, requiring several trips to the pits as well.

 

 

Polhemus used a pair of cautions to earn enough free passes to get back on the lead lap by the break, which occurred five laps early on lap 35. Smith led Armtrout, Jung, Nascimento, and Robbie Kennealy into the break.

 

Nascimento and Jung battled hard for third when things resumed, with Nascimento taking the position on lap 53. Jung and Colorado’s Holly Clark collided on the following lap, sending them spinning for a caution. They were both relegated to the end of the lead lap, a painful penalty with all 14 starters still running and on the lead lap as well.

 

Armtrout used the restart to move inside of Smith for the lead. Armtrout took the top spot on lap 57 and Nascimento followed into second on lap 60. Armtrout took his first career victory over Nascimento, Smith, Kennealy, and a resurgent Polhemus as the top-five.

 

Joey Kennealy led all 20-laps for the Bandolero win in the combined Mini Cup vs. Bandolero feature. His advantage over points leader Logan Chambers of Bakersfield was erased on lap 17, when the Mini Cup leaders of Sam Wedehase and Kellen Keller spun in their battle for their victory. Kennealy maintained the lead over the final restart, topping Chambers and Ethan Nascimento. Keller was unable to continue with a sprocket issue, allowing Wedehase to grab another Mini Cup checkered flag.

 

The Challenge Cup competed in a 75-lap contest for their full-bodied stock cars with over 600 horsepower. The John Krebs Racing cars of Kyle Keller and Thomas Martin anchored much of the race. Bakersfield’s Paul Ebersbacher spun on lap 37. Martin grabbed the lead on the restart and never relinquished it. He led an all-John Krebs Racing top-three ahead of Keller and Justin Funkhouser, who passed Vince Little on lap 63 after an extended battle. Robbie Kennealy’s debut bore fruit with a fifth-place finish.

 

Ryan Reynolds led brother Shaun in the 30-lap Modified Super Toyota feature. Former Kart racer turned MST driver Bill Gorden finished third ahead of Haley Bugg and Tim Kammerer.

 

Madera Speedway takes an absence for a few weeks before returning on June 12. The program includes a Madera Late Model 40 lap race and Jr. Late Model Exhibition race, Madera Hobby Stocks, Toyota Sedans/MST, Madera Mini Stocks, BCRA Vintage, and Southwest Tour Truck Series.

 

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 Road to the Championship episode airs this Monday, chronicling the seasons for Bradley Erickson and Buddy Shepherd.

 

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.