12TH ANNUAL SHORT TRACK SHOOTOUT FOR $10K TO WIN ON TAP FOR MADERA SPEEDWAY
MADERA, CALIFORNIA (October 14, 2024) – The 2024 Madera Pro Late Model championship will be on the line in Saturday’s 12th annual Short Track Shootout 200 presented by Mission Foods, paying $10,000 to win. A purse of more than $30,000 will be on the line in the MAVTV-televised season finale at Madera Speedway. 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models in a 70-lap feature plus INEX Legends and INEX Bandoleros will also be competing in their championship rounds on the one-third mile speedway. Photo by Jake Scarbrough
Adult tickets are just $25, youth ages 6-12 are $15 and kids five and under are free. All tickets will be sold at the track ticket booth. Opening Ceremonies are at 6pm! Race fans can “Join” www.YouTube.com/ShortTrackTV for $19.99 per month for a members-only live stream as well.
Fresno’s Tyler Herzog leads by just 17 points as he aims to complete a successful 2023 title defense. Matt Erickson of La Grange gained 16 points on Herzog after a sweep of the action on September 14th. Erickson earned his third fast-time of the year, leading at the lap 50 break, and seeing the checkered flag first for his second win of the season.
Herzog has had another consistent campaign, with all eight starts yielding top-five finishes. He has two wins, two seconds, two thirds, a fourth, and a fifth on his exemplary record.
After a red-hot start with two victories in the first three rounds, 13-year-old Vito Cancilla of Martinez has settled into third in the standings. Fresh off a Super Late Model victory at Shasta Speedway, Cancilla is still mathematically in the hunt with a 38-point deficit. Round two winner Shelden Cooper of Clovis is fourth followed by Madera’s Joey Kennealy. Nathan Quella, Shaun Reynolds, Rick Thompson, Jason Aguirre, and $5,000 Summer SpeedFest winner Jay Juleson round out the top-ten.
An armada of special talents are expected to return to Madera Speedway on Saturday night including defending Short Track Shootout winner Derek Thorn, two-time Short Track Shootout winner Kyle Keller, 2022 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model champion Ethan Nascimento, Eric Nascimento, Jr., and Bakersfield’s Seth Wise. 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model standouts including 2024 points leader Jace Hale and Cam Carraway will take on the 200-lap challenge as well.
The 200-lap feature will be split across a pair of 100-lap segments. Teams will have an option to purchase six tires with four tires to start the race and two available to change at the halfway break. El Bandido Yankee Tequila will sponsor the $1500-to-win B-Main and also the $1500 “Criminally Smooth Move” which will be voted on by the fans.
Jace Hale brings a 33-point lead into the 70-lap finale for the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series for drivers ages 10-16 on Saturday night. Hale has scored seven consecutive podium finishes this season including an outstanding summer stretch of three consecutive wins. San Antonio, Texas’ Tristan Pena has won back-to-back races to overhaul Cameron Carraway by just one point in the battle for second in the standings. Livermore’s Jacob Ryan runs fourth followed by Skyler Schoppe.
Hale aims to add his name to a prestigious champions list which includes Vito Cancilla, Ethan Nascimento, Joey Iest, and Jesse Love. The 70-lap feature is spread across a 40-lap opening segment, a break for adjustments and MAVTV interviews, followed by a 30-lap race to the finish.
The inaugural Madera Speedway INEX Legends championship battle concludes this weekend in a 30-lap race. Colton Hale leads Bakersfield’s Eddie Garone by a scant four markers. Bakersfield’s Colton Page, Easton’s Kyle Labrie, and Madera’s CJ Dizney make up the rest of the top-five drivers.
Kaine Betancourt will conclude a back-to-back championship effort in the INEX Bandoleros when he takes the green flag in Saturday’s 20-lap race. Andrew Williams and Kellen Keller trail Betancourt with an insurmountable 49-point lead.
The 12th annual Short Track Shootout weekend begins Friday when pit gates open 3pm followed by practice from 5pm to 8pm. On Saturday race day, pit gates open at noon with the drivers meeting at 1:30pm. Practice starts at 2pm followed by time trials at 4:05pm. INEX Bandolero and Legends heat races, plus the $1500 to win B-Main (If necessary) are at 5:15pm. Opening ceremonies are at 6pm with the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model, INEX Bandolero, INEX Legend, and Short Track Shootout 200 features 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 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.
