JUNIOR AND PRO LATE MODELS RACE INTO MADERA SPEEDWAY FOR ROUND TWO ON MAY 16
MADERA, CALIFORNIA (May 12, 2026) – On Saturday May 16th, Madera Speedway is the home of the future stars of stock car racing with the RACER Network-televised 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series and Mission Pro Late Model Series racing on the fastest one-third mile in the west. Both stock car series compete in 70-lap features plus INEX Legends and INEX Bandolero racing on tap. Photo by Mackenzie Naake
Main events begin at 6pm. 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.
Race fans can “Join” www.YouTube.com/ShortTrackTV for $19.99 per month for a members-only live stream as well. The races will be televised at a later date on RACER Network.
The growing 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series for drivers ages 10-16 years old continues to attract new faces to the track. Georgia’s Lane Christensen – winner of the 2026 Jr. Late Model combine – won the season opener driving for Nascimento Motorsports. Christensen slides over to Pro Late Model championship-winning crew chief Charlie Wilson’s operation for Saturday’s round two. Jr. Late Model Combine runner-up Jaxon Burnett of Snohomish, Washington makes his series debut driving for Nascimento Motorsports, part of a four-car assault which also includes newcomer Connor Penix of Clovis.
Opening night saw the young drivers zip through the 70-lap feature with just one caution flag. Christensen topped fellow rookies Jarrett Dickson of Northern California and Alaska’s Wyatt Flowers at the finish. All three drivers are accomplished veterans of INEX Legends racing. Brexton Busch, son of NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, returns for Saturday’s race along with Illinois driver Keatin Lyons and Washington drivers Hunter Gates and Mason Blodgett. Quarter Midget racer Sydney Stromiska makes her series debut driving for HGC Motorsports as well.
Saturday’s 70-lap feature is split across a 40-lap opening segment followed by a break for adjustments and TV interviews. A 30-lap race to the finish determines the winner.
2024 Short Track Shootout $10,000 winner Ethan Nascimento headlines the expected drivers for the Mission Pro Late Models 70-lap round two. Nascimento squares off with opening night winner Mike Hensley of Bass Lake along with series veterans such as Rick Thompson, Will Martyn, 2024 Madera Late Model champion Trevor Schlundt, 2025 Madera Late Model champion Jason Aguirre, Alaska’s Hunter Maier, and former MST race winner Shaun Reynolds among the expected contenders.
INEX Legends and INEX Bandoleros are also on tap. Konner Kartson of Santa Clarita won his first career race in the season opener in March for the Legends cars.
Saturday pit gates open at 1:30pm with the drivers meeting at 3pm. Practice begins at 3:30pm. Qualifying hits the track at 5pm followed by heat races. Opening Ceremonies are at 5:50pm.
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.
The 2026 season would not be possible without the support 51FIFTY LTM, Mission Foods, Allied Packaging, 805 Beer, Race 2B Drug Free, Competition Carburetion, Hoosier Tires, Franks Radio, and Sunoco Race Fuel.
Madera Racing on RACER Network airs on Mondays.
