51FIFTY JR. LATE MODEL FIELD AT MADERA SPEEDWAY TAKING SHAPE WITH SEASON OPENER MARCH 14TH
MADERA, CALIFORNIA (February 19, 2026) – The 2026 class of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series at Madera Speedway, for drivers ages 10-16 years old, represents one of the most geographically diverse and exciting lineups in series history. The young drivers take on the one-third mile California speedway in full size stock cars for the twelfth season on national television, with RACER Network cameras rolling as the young drivers look to make their mark in the motorsports world. The eight-race championship opens March 14.
Leading the charge is the two-car team from Madera Pro Late Model championship-winning crew chief and car owner Charlie Wilson. Wilson Motorsports will be represented by a pair of 10-year-olds with deep motorsports ties. Brexton Busch, son of NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, makes his leap into stock cars following development in Micro Sprints and INEX Legends and Bandoleros. The North Carolina-based driver will be joined by Eiki Koga, son of ARCA Menards Series veteran driver Takuma Koga. Eiki Koga is a karting champion in his home Japan and will travel to Madera Speedway for the season opener.
Washington’s Hunter Gates will be the most experienced driver in the series while representing the HGC Motorsports stable. Gates finished third on two occasions during his rookie season in 2025, finishing fourth in the championship standings. Gates returns in 2026, flanked by up to three teammates per event. A pair of dirt racers will partner with Gates for the season opener. Illinois driver Keatin Lyons, age 12, moves to the blacktop this year in both 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models and INEX Legends. Nevada’s Levi Annas, age 13, graduates from Outlaw Karts and dirt Street Stocks into the Madera series.
Washington’s Mason Blodgett joins the lauded Naake Motorsports stable in 2026 after competing in youth hornet racing at Evergreen Speedway. Naake Motorsports is a winner of three Jr. Late Model series championships, including serving as the launching pad for 2025 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion Jesse Love.
Nascimento Motorsports will be loaded up following their successful execution of the 2026 Jr. Late Model combine. 14-year-old Georgia driver Lane Christensen, winner of the combine at Madera Speedway, won a seat for the season opener. Alaska State INEX Legends champion Wyatt Flowers, age 15, finished third in the Combine but will travel to California for the entire 2026 Jr. Late Model season as well. A third Nascimento Motorsports entry is also expected.
13-year-old Jarrett Dickson of Redwood Valley, Calif. joins the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series in 2026 with coaching from former driver Cole Brown. Dickson is a veteran of Legends and Outlaw Kart competition in Northern California.
51FIFTY Jr. Late Models has been the proving ground for many of the top young stock car drivers in the nation including 2025 XFINITY Series champion Jesse Love, two-time ARCA Menards Series, West champion Sean Hingorani, and many ARCA West race winners such as Tanner and Tyler Reif.
2025 CARS Tour West Pro Late Model champion Jace Hale and 2026 New Smyrna World Series Pro Late Model champion Vito Cancilla are also a champions of the Jr. Late Model program. Jr. Late Models utilize the GM 602 crate engine producing approximately 350 horsepower before being restricted for junior competition. An 8” Hoosier 970 tire controls the pace and adds additional challenges as well.
The 2026 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series opener on March 14 will be joined by the Pro Late Model Series, INEX Bandoleros, and INEX Legends.
For more information about the Madera Speedway including how to advertise with a race team on RACER Network, please visit www.racemadera.com or call the race office at 559-507-9931.
2026 51FIFTY JR. LATE MODEL SERIES SCHEDULE
March 14
April 11
May 16
June 13
July 11
August 22
September 19
October 10
