ROUND THREE OF MAVTV TELEVISED MADERA SPEEDWAY LATE MODEL ACTION SPEEDS INTO SATURDAY NIGHT

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (April 23, 2024) – The weekend wars at the fastest one-third mile in the west continue on Saturday night with round three for the Pro Late Model Series presented by Mission Foods and 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series. The MAVTV-televised action will be part of a full slate of grassroots excitement along with INEX Legends, INEX Bandoleros, and Mini Super Toyotas in championship points racing at the Madera Fairgrounds. Photo by Ethan Smith

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

Clovis’ Shelden Cooper put his mark on the 2024 battle with an outstanding effort on April 6. Cooper recovered from his last place finish on opening night to score fast-time, lead the field into the lap 50 break, and ultimately prevail in the 80-lap feature. The victory was hard-earned however, with the top-four finishers crossing the line in lockstep.

2023 champion Tyler Herzog finished that duel in third to go along with a third-place finish on opening night. The consistency has yielded Herzog the championship lead by four points over 12-year-old opening night winner Vito Cancilla of Martinez. Ryan Reynolds of Coarsegold has finishes of fifth and eighth to rank third overall. San Fransisco’s Henry Barton led the most laps opening night, then finished fourth in round two rank fourth. Matt Erickson’s tight second place run in round two has him fifth overall ahead of Cooper.

The highly anticipated return for Loomis’ Kenna Mitchell and Sacramento’s Chase Hand is expected this weekend. Mitchell won the special non-points 100-lap feature as the undercard for the ARCA Menards Series West last October for her first Madera Pro Late Model win. Hand was a model of consistency in the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series last year with a perfect record of eight second place finishes in his eight starts.

Madera Pro Late Model Series competitors race in an 80-lap feature with a 50-lap opening segment, a break for adjustments and MAVTV interviews, and a 30-lap run to the finish for $2,000 to win.

13-year-old Tristan Pena of San Antonio, Texas also served up a comeback win in round two of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series. Pena experienced mechanical failures in qualifying on opening night that prevented him from racing in the feature. He avenged that in round two, driving to his first-career win after a 70-lap race for drivers ages 10-16 years old.

Manteca’s Jace Hale, 13, leads the championship on the strength of finishes of fourth and second. Opening night winner Cameron Carraway of Castro Valley finished third in round two as well and is just four points behind in the standings. Jacob Ryan of Livermore has earned fast-time in both races this year to rank third followed by Clovis’ Sklyer Schoppe and Pena.

Another challenging 70-lap race awaits the youngest stock car drivers in the west. A 40-lap opening segment sets the stage for important adjustments and interviews at the break. The final 30-laps will determine the winner.

INEX Legends enjoyed a triumphant debut as a Madera points-paying championship division in 2024 with a 22-car field. Late race fireworks allowed Aidan Daniels of Fort Bragg to snake through to win the 30-lap race. CJ Dizney of Madera finished third and is the highest driver in the standings of the expected full-time contenders. Another 30-lap race is on tap this weekend.

Kaine Betancourt has kept his foot firmly on the accelerator in his INEX Bandolero championship defense, winning both races this season. Madera’s youngest drivers have a 15-lap race on tap this weekend.

Mini Super Toyotas will race on several MAVTV-televised nights in 2024. Patrick Geiger was the victor on opening night followed by Tyler Ridley and Kyle Labrie. One of Madera’s venerable divisions, the MSTs have a 30-lap feature on Saturday night.

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 4:00pm. Heat races will follow, followed by opening ceremonies at 6:00pm.

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 of Mission Foods, 51FIFTY LTM, Lunkerdaddy Fishing Lures, 805 Beer, Race 2B Drug Free, Competition Carburetion, Hoosier Tires, Sealmaster, Frank’s Radio, and Sunoco Race Fuel.

Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Monday nights in primetime at 6pm Pacific / 9pm Eastern. Check www.MAVTV.com for program listings.