MADERA SPEEDWAY OPENS 54TH SEASON WITH MAVTV-TELEVISED LATE MODELS AND JR. LATE MODELS ON SATURDAY NIGHT

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (March 18, 2025) – The fastest one-third mile in the west opens its 54th season on Saturday night when Madera Speedway hosts the MAVTV-televised Madera SpeedFest 100 for the Mission Pro Late Model Series paying $5,000 to win! The future stars of the sport will compete in the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series. INEX Legends, INEX Bandoleros, and Legends of Kearney Bowl will also be competing in the curtain raiser for the central valley speedway. Photo by Don Thompson

Adult tickets are just $20, seniors and military 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. Opening Ceremonies are at 5:50pm! Race fans can “Join” www.YouTube.com/ShortTrackTV for $19.99 per month for a members-only live stream as well.

The Mission Foods Pro Late Model Series races back to life for an exciting nine-race series in 2025. The Madera SpeedFest season opener has been a breakthrough event for many drivers, with four of the last six events going to a first-time winner. Martinez’ Vito Cancilla became Madera’s youngest winner when he prevailed at 12-years-old in 2024. Other first-timers to win in the curtain raiser include Robbie Kennealy in 2023, Carlos Vieira in 2021, and Dylan Zampa in 2019.

Former Madera Pro Late Model champions Matt Erickson of La Grange and Clovis’ Austin Herzog headline the field ready to challenge for the victory. Madera Summer SpeedFest winner Jay Juleson of San Jose, 2024 race winner Shelden Cooper of Clovis, and Madera winner and ARCA West polesitter Eric Nascimento, Jr. are also saddling up for the 100-lap grind under the lights. The race will be split over a pair of 50-lap segments with a break for MAVTV interviews and adjustments.

The legacy of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series presented by Allied Packaging Corporation continues to grow as drivers across the country make their impact on the motorsports world. NASCAR XFINITY Series championship contender Jesse Love is a two-time Madera Jr. champion. ARCA National race winners Sean Hingorani and Tyler Reif started their journeys at Madera, as did Indy NXT and three-time ARCA West race winner Hailie Deegan.

The 70-lap feature for drivers ages 10-16 years old is once again expected to not feature any previous winners in the series. A total clean slate represents an opportunity for drivers with experience in the class such as Skyler Schoppe of Clovis and Santa Rosa’s Eli Black, hoping to show the way against a crop of rookies from across the western United States. A 40-lap opening segment kicks off the action followed by a 30-lap sprint to the finish.

INEX Legends and INEX Bandoleros represent the grassroots of motorsports with identically prepared scaled race cars for kids and adults to take on some of the most famous short tracks in the United States. The Legends start their 2025 Madera Speedway championship with a 30-lap feature while Bandoleros are scheduled for a 15-lap race.

With such an emphasis on the future, Madera will also take a nod to the racing past with the Legends of Kearney Bowl. The “rolling museum” of famed Super Modified machines from the past participate in a 10-lap exhibition race.

Race weekend action kicks off Friday with optional practice. Gates open at 3pm with cars on track from 5pm to 8pm.

Saturday pit gates open at 1pm with the drivers meeting at 2:30pm. The front gates open at 3:00pm followed by practice and qualifying activities. Heat races for the INEX classes and Legends of Kearney Bowl are set for approx. 5:30pm. Opening ceremonies are at 5:50pm with all five 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 559-507-9931.

The 2025 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.