MILITARY TRIBUTE NIGHT AWAITS FOR MADERA SPEEDWAY LATE MODEL ACTION

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (May 18, 2022) – The Lunkerdaddy Pro Late Models, 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models, INEX Bandoleros, and Modified Super Toyotas hit the fastest one-third mile in the west on Saturday night during Madera Speedway’s Military Tribute Night. The MAVTV-televised action presents 210 laps of feature racing honoring all active military and veterans alike. Photo by Ethan Smith

The first 100 kids into the grandstands will receive a race bag filled with goodies from race teams and all fans will be entered into a free raffle for prizes.

Adult tickets are $20, seniors are $15, youth ages 6-12 are $10 and kids five and under are free. All tickets will be sold at the track ticket booth the day of the event. Race fans can “Join” www.YouTube.com/ShortTrackTV for $19.99 per month for a members-only live stream as well.

Kyle Keller of Las Vegas and Jadan Walbridge of Vancouver, Wash. have opened the 2022 Lunkerdaddy Pro Late Model season with tremendous battles. Keller is the defending non-televised Madera Late Model champion while Walbridge won the 2021 Lunkerdaddy MAVTV crown.

The battle for bragging rights among two of the fastest 17-year-olds in the nation in stock cars came to a head in round three on April 30th. One of the all-time great Madera Speedway duels saw the pair trade the lead across 13 lead changes with over 40 laps of side-by-side racing.

Walbridge outfoxed Keller with a pass around the outside on the final restart, giving each driver one win this season. Keller leads Walbridge by just one point entering the fourth event of the year on Saturday with 80-laps of racing on tap. 14-year-old Ethan Nascimento, Clovis’ Shelden Cooper, and multi-time Madera Late Model champion Jason Aguirre round out the top-five in the championship.

The 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models had an equally dynamic round three in April, with Newport Beach’s Sean Hingorani debuting at Madera and promptly driving into victory lane. 15-year-old Hingorani battled with 2022 points leader Robbie Kennealy, age 16, throughout the race and throughout the afternoon, tying in qualifying before racing hard in the 70-lap feature.

Kennealy leads the series for drivers ages 10-16 years-old by 13 points over opening night winner Brody Moore of Colorado. Washington’s Kasey Kleyn – age 14 – is the most improved driver in 2022 from third in the championship. Rookie Joey Kennealy of Madera ranks fourth ahead of Nascimento. Loomis’ Kenna Mitchell is just six points out of the top-five as well. The 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models battle in a 70-lap feature across a 40-lap opening segment, followed by a 30-lap run to the finish.

Former kart racer Bill Gorden leads the MST championship by just two points over Patrick Geiger. Usually green is unlucky in racing, but these drivers of green machines have taken the checkered flag across all three races this year. Former Mini Cup competitor Joseph Holliday ranks third.

The INEX Bandolero division continues to grow with Skyler Schoppe – who entered 2022 with no previous racing experience – enjoying the points lead over Las Vegas’ Kellen Keller.

Action gets underway on Friday with practice from 5pm until 8:30pm with pit gates opening at 3pm. On Saturday, pit gates open at noon with practice at 2pm. Qualifying hits the track at 4:10pm. Opening ceremonies are at 5:50pm with main events to follow.

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 2022 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 4:00pm Pacific and 7:00pm Eastern.

2022 MADERA MAVTV LATE MODEL SCHEDULE

March 5 – $5,000-to-win

April 2

April 30

May 21 – Military Tribute Night

June 25 – Reverend Ron Spencer Red, White Blue Classic

July 30 – $5,000-to-win

August 27

September 17

October 15 – $10,000-to-win Short Track Shootout

October 29 – Pumpkin Cup Open (Non-Points)

About Steven Blakesley

Steven Blakesley is a motorsports announcer and public relations specialist with more than 15 years of experience. His biggest pet peeve is race fans who only enjoy one form of racing over all others.