CHAMPIONSHIPS AND A $10,000 PRIZE ON THE LINE IN SATURDAY’S SHORT TRACK SHOOTOUT AT MADERA SPEEDWAY
MADERA, CALIFORNIA (October 6, 2026) – Mission Pro Late Model Series drivers from across the west invade Madera Speedway this Saturday night for the 14th annual Short Track Shootout 125, paying $10,000 to win. The championship race for the 2026 Mission Pro Late Model Series is joined by championship finales for the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models, INEX Legends, and Pro Sportsman, plus the return of the MSTs to Madera Speedway. Five divisions make up one big night at the fastest one-third mile in the west.
Adult tickets are $25, seniors and military are $20, 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 5:20pm.
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 traditional pressure cooker of the Mission Pro Late Model Series championship colliding with the biggest and most competitive field of the year continues in 2026. Jason Aguirre has a 14 point advantage in the championship over his teammate Shaun Reynolds, while Mike Hensley of Bass Lake is still mathematically in the hunt from 28 points in arrears in third.
They will face off with an entry list which includes three-time and defending Short Track Shootout winner Kyle Keller of Las Vegas and 2024 winner Ethan Nascimento. 2017 Short Track Shootout winner Buddy Shepherd of Bakersfield returns to Madera Speedway as well. Matt Erickson of La Grange, the speedway’s winningest Late Model competitor, continues his drive for a first career Short Track Shootout victory this Saturday night.
2026 NASCAR Western Regional Rookie of the Year Donald Witkowski, age 15 out of Long Beach, is part of armada of strong teenage racers competing in the event. 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model 2026 race winners Lane Christensen, Wyatt Flowers, and Jarrett Dickson are entered, along with round six Pro Late Model winner and 2025 Jr. Late Model race winner Kellen Keller. Georgia’s Dylan Bongiovanni returns following a podium finish in round seven driving for Naake Motorsports.
The Short Track Shootout presented by Mission Foods, Hoosier Tire, and Allied Packaging features a 75-lap opening segment, a break for adjustments and an optional two-tire change, and a 50-lap sprint to the five figure payday.
By virtue of accepting the green flag, Georgia’s Lane Christensen will claim the 2026 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series championship for drivers ages 10-16 years old on Saturday night. Christensen won his debut in stock cars in the season opener and has maintained the top spot of the championship since then. Round six winner Jarrett Dickson of Redwood Valley, Calif. has advanced to second in the standings followed by round seven winner Wyatt Flowers of Palmer, Alaska. Hunter Gates of Eatonville, Washington and Keatin Lyons round out the top-five drivers.
Turlock’s Antonio Gonzales puts a wrap on the INEX Legends championship this weekend in a 30-lap feature. Gonzales leads Bakersfield’s Colton Page and Jared Torres of Riverside.
A 20-lap Pro Sportsman feature is on tap with Steve Schermerhorn leading the standings. MSTs are scheduled for a return to Madera Speedway as well.
Activities kick off Friday night with an optional practice from 4pm to 7pm. On Saturday, pit gates open at noon with the drivers meeting at 1:30pm. Practice begins at 2pm with time trials at 4pm. Heat races are at 5pm before opening ceremonies at 5:20pm. The Short Track Shootout 125 closes the show.
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.
EXPECTED MISSION PRO LATE MODEL ENTRY LIST
4 Wyatt Flowers
4 Ben Johnson
8J Jarrett Dickson
10 Shaun Reynolds
12 Kyle Keller
12 Greg Potts
15w Lane Christensen
16 Mike Hensley
16 Adam Coonfield
17 Thomas Suarez
20 Donald Witkowski
21 Ethan Nascimento
22 Buddy Shepherd
22 Kellen Keller
28 Trevor Schlundt
42 Matt Erickson
45 Jason Aguirre
77 Rick Thompson
88 Kolby Berry
88 Dylan Bongiovanni
