Photo Courtesy Jason Wedehase

Via Madera Speedway PR

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (March 6, 2018) – 180 laps of RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model and 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Model Series action kicks off the 2018 season at Madera Speedway on Saturday night. The one-third mile asphalt oval is poised for its best season of stock car racing in its 47 year history, with MAVTV coverage of nine nights of Late Model competition this year.

The third season of the 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Model Series sees the races expand to 80 laps over two segments. A 50 lap opening segment starts the race before a break on the front stretch for teams to make car adjustments and for MAVTV interviews. A 30 lap sprint to the finish concludes the grueling race for drivers ages 10-16 years old.

The series has been responsible for the introduction of drivers such as Hailie Deegan, Ryan Vargas, and Austin Herzog to the racing world, with all going on to compete in larger series. That trend is set to continue in 2018 with defending series champion Jesse Love, 13, running both the Jr. Late Model campaign but also in full BCRA Midgets. He will be one of the youngest drivers in the esteemed history of dirt Midget racing in the United States.

Love’s title defense in the Jr. LM will be intense this year including 2017 third in points Austin Edwards, also 13, returning for his third season. Bakersfield’s Kabe McClenny, Las Vegas brothers Tyler and Tanner Reif, and Napa’s Dylan Zampa are all set to return. Zampa’s older brother Logan was the 2017 Pro Late Model points runner-up. 2017 Jr. Late Model runner-up Kolby Berry of Redwood Valley moves over to the Pro division with his brother Kyler taking the controls of the #88, while Southern California driver Olivia Manke is also among the crop of half a dozen rookies getting ready. Lilly Mead and Jesse Burks are also set for their third seasons in the series as the “veterans” of the youthful division.

On the RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model side, $5,000 is up for grabs in their 100 lap season opener that will be divided among two 50 lap segments. Madera’s all-time winningest Late Model driver Matt Erickson won last year’s opener before Bakersfield’s Buddy Shepherd went on a tear to win his second championship. Erickson will look to improve on his fourth place standing last year in what is shaping up to be a high quality field.

Ross Strmiska finished third in last year’s Short Track Shootout season finale and hopes to parlay that into a successful 2018 campaign. The rookie class will feature Strmiska’s teammate Christian Roche and Hollister’s Adam Lemke, who has a Pro LM career best finish of fourth last year.

Logan Zampa of Napa, Modesto’s Garland Tyler, Erickson, and Madera Ranchos’ Dillion Tucker followed Shepherd in the 2017 points. Former track champions Rick Thompson and Howard Holden along with Bakersfield’s Racin Vernon and Clovis’ Shelden Cooper aim to improve on their 2017 seasons. Multi-time Modified Super Toyota track champion Kevin Thompson and multi-time Altamont champion Glenn Cook are also drivers to watch this season.

Madera MAVTV cameras will roll for the inaugural Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros series event. The new concept will be a geographical battle with Mini Cups from Northern California and Bandoleros from Southern California racing head-to-head. Madera’s popular Toyota Sedan division starts its championship on Saturday also.

An open practice kicks off the weekend on Friday before a full day of action on Saturday. Friday practice runs from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. On Saturday, pit gates open at 11:00 a.m. with practice from 1 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Qualifying will follow with the first races at 5 p.m. including the Mini Cup vs. Bandolero feature. Opening ceremonies are at 6 p.m. with Jr. Late Models, Toyota Sedans, and Pro Late Models to follow.

Tickets are value priced at just $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and military, $7 for youth ages 6-12, and kids five and under are free!

For more information about Madera Racing on MAVTV please visit www.racemadera.com or www.mavtv.com. For more information on RPM Mortgage and to obtain loan information please visit www.rpmwins.com and for more information about 51FIFTY Energy Drink visit www.51fiftyenergydrink.com

Madera Speedway is presented by major partners RPM Mortgage, 51FIFTY Energy Drink, Nut Up Industries, NICERIDE, iPull-uPull, and Color Fast Industries.

Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Thursdays re-runs of the 2017 season every week. The show airs at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. PST and is also available on the Lucas Oil Racing TV app. New 2018 episodes will begin airing later this spring.

Madera Speedway 2018 Schedule Celebrating 47 years of Racing!

March 10th - Madera Speed Fest! Race #1 of the MAVTV televised RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series $5,000 to win 100 Lap main Event (Split 50s), Race #1 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then a break, then the final 30 laps), , Toyota Sedans, Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

March 17th - 75 Lap PCS Super Late Model Series , Western Winged Super Sprints, HPD Midgets, MST, 30 Lap Jr Late Model Exhibition race, F4 Beater Cross

March 24th – The Smokey Classic / Spears Southwest Tour, Madera Late Models, Madera Hobby Stocks, MST, Toyota Sedans, Legends of the Pacific

March 31st - Pombo/Sargent Classic presented by Allied Storage & Containers, Senior Open Vintage Super Modifieds, BCRA Midgets, USAC Western Midgets, NCMA Sprints, Vintage Super Modifieds, Legends of Kearney Bowl, BCRA Vintage Midgets, the CSS/360 Super Modifieds, and a 30 Lap Jr Late Model Exhibition race

April 7th - The BIG EGG HUNT for the Kids Presented by the Hampton Inn and Suites, Race #2 of the MAVTV televised RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series $2,000 to win 80 laps (50 laps then a break, then 30 laps), Race #2 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then a break, then the final 30 laps), MSTs, Toyota Sedans, , Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

April 14th – Closed

April 21st - Closed, NO RACES / The Rusty Wallace Driving Experience

April 28th - $15 Ticket Night! Race #3 of the MAVTV televised $2,000 to win RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series 80 laps ( 50 laps then a break, then 30 laps), Race #3 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then a break, then 30 laps), Madera Hobby Stocks, Toyota Sedans, , Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

May 5th - $15 Ticket Night! Vukovich Classic / The BCRA Midgets, NCMA Sprints, CSS/360 Super Modifieds, Legends of Kearney Bowl, Senior Open Vintage Super Modifieds, California Hard Tops, Vintage BCRA, USAC Western Midgets, Legends of the Pacific

May 12th - The Madera Late Model 40 lap race and Jr. Late Model Exhibition 30 Lap Race! Madera Hobby Stocks, plus the Toyota Sedans and Mini Super Toyotas, F4 Beater Cross

May 19th – Closed

May 26th- $15 Ticket Night! Military Tribute Night presented by 51FIFTY ENERGY DRINK (All active and retired military get in the grandstands for FREE!) Race #4 of the MAVTV televised $2,000 to win RPM Mortgage Pro Model Series 80 Laps (50 Laps then a break, then 30 laps), Race #4 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then a break, then 30 laps), Toyota Sedans, MST , Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

June 2nd - Closed

June 9th - Lucas Oil Summertime Horsepower Nationals presented by Protect the Harvest & Hoosier Tires! Lucas Oil Modifieds in the Protect the Harvest 75 MAVTV SHOW, North State Modified Tour , USAC HPD Midgets, Legends of Kearney Bowl, CSS 360 Super mods

June 16th – Madera Late Models Series 40 laps, Jr. Late Model Series 30 lap exhibition race, Madera Hobby Stocks, Southwest Truck Series, Toyota Sedans, MSTs, Legends of the Pacific , F4 Beater Cross

June 23rd - Closed

June 30th - Reverend Ron Spencer's Red, White and Blue Classic and BIG FIREWORKS SHOW! !) Race #5 of the MAVTV televised $2,000 to win RPM Mortgage Pro Model Series 80 Laps (50 Laps then a break, then 30 laps), Race #5 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then a break, then 30 laps), MST (48 lap main spilt 24’s) , Toyota Sedans (48 lap main, split 24's), Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

July 7th - Gerhardt Classic 100 Lap Three wide start BCRA Midget Race, The Western Winged Super Sprint Series, USAC Western Midgets, NCMA Sprints, CSS/360 Super Modifieds, Vintage BCRA, Legends of Kearney Bowl,

July 14th - Madera Late Models, Madera Hobby Stocks, MST, Toyota Sedans, and the Jr, Late Model 30 lap exhibition race

July 21st - Closed

July 28th - Summer Speed Fest $5,000 to win Race #6 of the MAVTV televised RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series 100 laps (split 50’s), Race #6 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then a break, then 30 laps), MSTs, Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

August 4th - Children's Hospital Kids Night - Madera Late Models, Madera Hobby Stocks, F4 Beater Cross, Toyota Sedans, MST, Jr Late Model 30 lap exhibition race, Southwest Tour Truck Series

August 11th - PCS Super Late Model Series (Pacific Challenge Series), Madera Hobby Stocks, CSS/360 Super Modifieds, USAC HPD Midgets, MST, Legends of the Pacific, F4 Beater Cross

August 18th - Closed

August 25th - Race # 7 of the MAVTV Televised $2,000 to win RPM Mortgage Pro Model Series 80 laps (50 then 30), Race #7 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then a break, then 30 laps), Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series , Legends of the Pacific, Toyota Sedans

September 1st - Hampton Inn and Suites Night at the Speedway, Madera Late Models, Madera Hobby Stocks, MST's, Toyota Sedans, F4 Beater Cross, and the Jr, Late Model 30 lap exhibition race

September 8th - Closed for the Madera Fair

September 14th - 46th Annual Harvest Classic Night #1 presented by ($5 Ticket Night!) for everyone on night one. Madera Late Models, Madera Hobby Stocks, F4 Beater Cross , MST, Toyota Sedans, USAC Western Midgets and Modified Truck Pulls!

September 15th - 46th Annual Harvest Classic presented by Midland Tractor and John Deere! The Western Winged Super Sprint Series, BCRA Midgets, USAC Western Midgets, NCMA Sprints, CSS/360 Super Modifieds, Legends of Kearney Bowl, California Hard Tops, Plus the Blown, Injected multi engine Pulling Tractors!

September 22nd - Race #8 of the MAVTV televised $2,000 to win RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then 30), Race #8 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 80 laps (50 laps then a break, the 30 laps), MST, Toyota Sedans, Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

September 29th – Spears SRL Southwest Tour 125, the USAC Western Midgets, CSS/360 Super Modifieds, Legends of the Pacific, Madera Hobby Stocks, and the Legends of Kearney Bowl

October 5th -Practice for the RPM Mortgage Short Track "Best of the West" $10,000.00 to win Shootout Event open to Lucas Oil Modifieds, Late Models, Jr. Late Models, and the Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

October 6th - 150 Lap $10,000.00 to WIN “NUT UP SHORT TRACK SHOOTOUT” for the MAVTV televised RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series 150 laps! (race #9 of the televised championship), Lucas Oil Modifieds 75 lap TV race! Race #9 of the 80 lap 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series and the Mini Cup vs Bandoleros Series

October 13th - Closed, NO RACES /

October 20th - 11th Annual iPull-uPull Pumpkin Smash Halloween Bash and Blow Up and Monster Trucks!, Madera Hobby Stocks, MST's, Toyota Sedans, $2,000 to Win 200 lap Enduro, the Extreme Barrel Racing Series, a Trick or Treat thru the Pits and on Track PUMPKIN SMASH for the KIDS!

October 27th - Closed

November 10th - 2018 Championship Awards Banquet