Via Austin Herzog PR

CLOVIS, CALIFORNIA (May 2, 2019) – Austin Herzog, the 16 year-old points leader of the Nut Up Pro Late Model Series at Madera Speedway, will join the brand-new California Challenge Cup Series on Saturday night on MAVTV. Herzog will drive a #15 car for Wilson Motorsports and Crew Chief Charlie Wilson in the 100 lap debut of the series.

Herzog is in the midst of his career-best start to a season with a fast-time, a win, and finishes of third and seventh in the televised Pro Late Model series. Herzog also added a top-ten qualifying run in February’s Winter Showdown in Bakersfield and a non-televised Madera Late Model win this season. The driver out of Clovis landed in the runner-up spot in the Pro series points last year and previously is a six-time winner in the Madera Speedway 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series.

Drivers and teams from across the western United States will be battling in steel and composite bodied stock cars in the Challenge Cup series.

Saturday will mark Herzog’s third start in this style of equipment. His career has included an eighth place effort with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, West at Kern County Raceway Park and a third place finish with the West Coast Sportsman Series at Madera. The West Coast Sportsman served as the precursor for the series that launches on Saturday.

Races are also scheduled on July 13th, August 10th, and September 14th. The championship finale on October 5th will share the card with the Nut Up Short Track Shootout for $10,000 to win for the Pro Late Models. All five races will be covered by MAVTV. Herzog will carry support from Richard Herzog Construction in the opener but is looking for additional support to run for the title.

Herzog’s string of success over the last year has been thanks in large part to working with crew chief Charlie Wilson. When an opportunity arose to drive for Wilson in this new division, Herzog jumped at the opportunity.

“Working with Charlie Wilson has really helped my entire racing program and improved my results,” Herzog said. “Testing has gone well and I feel optimistic that we can leave with a victory this weekend.”

Action gets underway Friday with open practice before Saturday’s practice, qualifying, and 100 green flag lap feature. All activities on Saturday will be staged on just one set of Hoosier Tires.

Austin would like to thank his sponsors Richard Herzog Construction, Wilson Motorsports, Stark Naked Designs, WDF Concrete, Superior Doors, and VanDoorn Racing for their support.

Potential sponsors are encouraged to contact info@austinherzog.com for more information.

For more information, check out Austin Herzog Motorsports at www.AustinHerzogMotorsports.com Austin Herzog Motorsports can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Via NWSLMS Media

RACE FACTS:
WHAT: Apple Cup 125
Race No. 2 of 7

WHERE: Yakima Speedway, Yakima, Wash.

WHEN: May 11, 2019

DISTANCE: 125 Laps/62.5 Miles

SANCTION: Northwest Super Late Model Series Inc. (NWSLMS)

PROMOTER: B&B Promotions, Inc.

CONTACTS: Randy Marshall Sr. Yakima Speedway (509) 248-0647
Jarrod Goodwin, NWSLMS Director (509) 879-5082

THE RACETRACK: Yakima Speedway is a slightly banked .500-mile paved oval.

2016 TOP-10 IN THE EVENT
1) 64 Garrett Evans East Wenatchee, WA
2) 10 Owen Riddle Naches, WA
3) 5a Garret Archer Maple Valley, WA
4) 37 Mike Longton Moxee, WA
5) 89 Doni Wanat Woodinville, WA
6) 39 Pete Harding Surrey BC
7) 15 Tayler Riddle Naches, WA
8) 33 Nicole Behar Otis Orchards, WA
9) 86 Tom Berrow Surrey BC
10) 20s Andy Sole Marysville, WA

2019 TOP-10 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS
1) Gracin Raz
2) Brittney Zamora
3) Alan Cress
4) Jessie Jensen
5) Mitch Kleyn
6) Tristan Haider
7) Jeff Jefferson
8) Garrett Evans
9) Trevor Cristiani
10) Dave Garber

READY TO TAKE THE GREEN FLAG:
• The last time the NWSLMS was part of Yakima’s premier kick-off event (2016) the race was won by Garrett Evans. Owen Riddle scored the non-points 2017 Apple Cup and is the defending race winner.
• After a one-year hiatus, this will be the first Apple Cup run at Yakima Speedway under the operational leadership of Doug Bettarel. The track ran a limited schedule in 2018 culminating with the Fall Classic.
• Tyler Tanner will be attempting to join his father, two-time NASCAR title-holder Kelly Tanner, as an Apple Cup champion. The younger Tanner has made starts on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series in addition to his successes at Evergreen Speedway running in the NASCAR Whelan All-American Series.
• The Moxee Missile, Mike Longton, makes his 2019 series debut in the Apple Cup 125. Longton is no stranger to success at Yakima Speedway where he’s amassed track championships and wins in the Apple Cup and Fall Classic respectively during his career.
• Mitch Kleyn continued his streak of top-5 points standings with a runner-up position in 2018. This season Kleyn is in the hunt again based off his fifth place run in the series first event, the Leonard Evans 150. Kleyn has finished inside the top-5 championship standings since the series inaugural 2015 season.

APPLE CUP NOTE OF THE WEEK: HAIDER THE INVADER
• Jefferson Pitts Racing Rookie of the Year candidate, Tristan Haider, will be making his first start in the Yakima Speedway Apple Cup. The Olympia, WA youngster recently tested his Chevrolet at Yakima in late April to prepare for the upcoming race. Haider came up through the ranks of quarter midgets and INEX Legends to make a limited amount of NWSLMS starts in 2018. Should Haider win ROTY honors at the end of the season, he will earn a NASCAR K&N Pro Series test session with Jefferson Pitts Racing.

LOOKING BACK TO THE LEONARD EVANS 150:
The following contingency prizes were earned in the season opening event, the Leonard Evans 150 at Wenatchee Valley Super Oval. Prizes will be presented at the Apple Cup 125. Winning drivers were required to run the contingency decal package provided by the series.

Hoosier Racing Tires (1 per driver): Alan Cress, Chad Hinkle and Robert Pressley

Ti Company Hard Charger Award: Mitch Kleyn, $100 cash and plaque

Penske Racing Shocks Awards:
Top Eligible Finisher- Brittney Zamora
2nd: Cress
3rd: Kleyn

AFCO/Longacre Racing Products Long Tow Award: Trevor Cristiani, $50 certificate
AFCO/Longacre Racing Products Hard Luck Award: Dylan Caldwell, $50 certificate

Wheel Chill Pole Position: Alan Cress, $100 certificate
Wheel Chill $25 Driver Cool Box: Trenton Moriarity
Wheel Chill $25 Grill Chill Certificate: Scott Walker

Frank’s Radio Top-3 Eligible Finishers: Zamora, $100 gift card
Cress, $75 gift card
Kleyn, $50 gift card

NEXT UP FOR THE NORTHWEST SUPER LATE MODEL SERIES:
South Sound Speedway hosts its lone NWSLMS event of the season on June 1. Offering some of the closest finishes in series history, the 125-lap feature is sure to attract the best drivers from across the region.

ABOUT THE NORTHWEST SUPER LATE MODEL SERIES:
The Northwest Super Late Model Series Inc. is the premier regional touring Super Late Model series in the Northwest. The series has many valued sponsors including Hoosier Racing Tire, Racing Dynamics, McGunegill Engine Performance, Port City Race Cars, AR Bodies, Joes Racing Products, Penske Racing Shocks, Jostens, Accelerated Graphics, Five Star Bodies, Longacre Racing Products, Wheel Chill, KRC Power Steering, Atomic Screenprinting and Embroidery, Franks Racing Radio, BLP, Jefferson Pitts Racing, Leonard Evans Used Car Super Store, The Ti Company and Pacific Steel Structures LLC. For more information on the series visit www.nwslms.com or on Facebook or Twitter. To contact the series please email northwestsuperlatemodels@gmail.com

Eureka, CA (May 1, 2019) – The 2019 season is looking bright for young MKinzy Uselton. The teenage driver will be racing in her fifth season behind the wheel of a Legends car at Redwood Acres Raceway while also competing on the dirt in her 250cc outlaw kart with the Humboldt Outlaw Karts.

Uselton’s season has already started with the first race of the year at Redwood Acres Raceway on April 27. She had a very solid run in the feature event for the division with a sixth-place effort. Uselton will also be racing this Saturday May 4 in the first race of the season for the Humboldt Outlaw Karts.

Uselton would like to thank her sponsors for their support. They are Auntie Pam Motorsports, Farmer’s Insurance, Mandi Ross Agency, Four Star Realty, John’s Used Cars & Wreckers, Redwood Mechanical, Bay Side Realty, Howard’s Body Shop, Happy Donuts, Higgins Brothers, Joe’s Auto Glass, The Bus Sisters, Miclette Family Racing and Brent Mack.

MKinzy’s 2019 Race Schedule:
May 4 – Karts
May 11 - Legends
May 18 – Karts
June 1 – Karts
June 8 – Legends
June 22 - Legends
June 23 – Karts
July 6 – Legends
July 20 - Legends
August 3 – Karts
August 10 - Legends
August 17 – Karts
September 7 – Legends
September 21 - Legends
September 28 – Karts
October 12 - Karts

Via HOK Media

Eureka CA (May 1, 2019) – The first of eight scheduled races for the Humboldt Outlaw Karts is set for this weekend Saturday May 4. Steve’s Septic Service and Wes Green Landscaping will be presenting the events throughout 2019. The familiar six divisions will take to the track as well as a brand-new division.

This weekend will feature the debut of the Stock Lawn Mower class. Lawn Mower racing has been very popular over the years and it will be the first time that these machines will be regularly racing for points and a championship.

The Champagne Attorney Services beginner box stocks are the entry division for younger and inexperienced racers. The division always presents excitement as drivers begin to learn the ropes of what it takes to get around the track.

The Williamson Financial box stocks are the next step up from the beginner box stocks. The karts are essentially the same with the box stocks having more horsepower. There are more experienced drivers behind the wheel and the faster speeds provide exciting racing.

Fortuna Wheel And Brake presents the fart karts. The division is aimed at adults and a more relaxed feel compared to the other divisions. However, that doesn’t mean that the drivers in the fart karts don’t race less hard or the excitement is any less.

The Miclette Family Motorsports pure stocks are different from the HOK’s other kart divisions. These karts are cageless which helps provide fans the opportunity to see how the drivers react through the turns and track conditions.

The Wes Green Landscaping 250s are a jump in speed from the other karts. These karts are designed as the next step in the ladder from the box stocks. The speeds are higher and more noticeable as 250 drivers learn to handle karts with more horsepower.

HOK’s final division are the NorCal Automotive 500s. These karts are the premier division for racers from all over the United States. Perhaps the most interesting think about 500 karts is the varying ages of drivers. A young teenager can race an adult and be just as if not more competitive which is a rarity in sports.

There will be a test and tune on Friday May 3 at 4:00PM. Saturday’s events will be presented by Champagne Attorney Services. Gates open at 10:00AM with racing starting at 3:00PM. For more information visit www.HumboldtOutlawKarts.com or find us on Facebook #/humboldtoutlawkarts/.

Via RAR Media

Eureka, CA (May 1, 2019) – The 2019 season for Redwood Acres Raceway kicked off this past Saturday, April 27. Mid-City Motor World helped present the evening’s events which provided some great moments that will be remembered at the end of the season.

Unfortunately, the Anderson Logging Bandoleros were not in action for the night however the Compass Community Credit Union mini stocks were. Brett Murrell took the trophy dash victory with Nick Ford and Rick Estes took the wins in the heat races. The first ten laps of the feature saw a fantastic duel between Brett Murrell and Jarett Mayo. The two raced clean until Mayo was able to make a move under Murrell for the lead.

The next lap, the throttle stuck on Murrell’s car going into the third turn resulting in a very hard hit in the wall. Thankfully Murrell was able to walk out of his car unharmed. Mayo had his hands full with Estes the rest of the event but was able to hold the challenge off. At the finish it was Mayo winning over Estes, Gary Klinetobe, Tim Abeyta and Ford.

The Four-Star Realty bomber trophy dash went to Mike Sullivan. Sullivan followed up with a victory in the heat race. The bomber feature was now different as Sullivan maneuvered to the race lead early and never lost the position. Sullivan was able to take the win followed by Tyler Avelar, Sam Brown, Doug Way and Raquel Krupa.

Derek Copeland was victorious in the North Coast Lighting & Electric Legends division. In the heat race, it was Copeland again taking the win. Copeland was able to slice his way to the front quickly at the start of the main event as he led a majority of the laps. Chris Lawrence didn’t make Copeland’s race easy as he was on the leader’s bumper all race long. It appeared that Lawrence had the chance to maneuver under Copeland but it didn’t work out. Copeland fought off Lawrence to win. Leonard Ward placed third.

The first heat for the Mid-City Motor World late models was won by Keith Nelson. Marty Walsh won the second heat which gave him pole position in the main event. Lap one in the feature proved to be a disaster for several drivers. Coming off the second turn, several drivers slid in fluid that came from Shawn Andrews’ car. Luke Hall and Dennis DelBiaggio hit the wall and both suffered severe damage which ended their race prematurely. Mic Moulton also had major damage on the left side of his car but he was able to continue.

Several cautions slowed the first 2/3 of the main event. Walsh looked to have the car to beat but he was forced to the pits under the caution flag which essentially ended his race. The last 1/3 of the race was clean to the finish. David Henderson led David Miller as the race restarted. Miller took to the high side of Henderson and the two ran side-by-side for several laps. Miller was able to get the upper hand but wasn’t able to pull away from Henderson. With the laps ticking off and the tires warmed, it was clear that Miller’s handling was going away while Henderson’s car was dialed in. As the finish loomed, Miller did all he could to hold off Henderson while Henderson did all he could to find a way under Miller. Henderson was driving his car in the high line going into the third turn while coming off turn four at the bottom. At several points it looked as if Henderson was going to get the run he needed to pass Miller. Unfortunately for Henderson, time ran out. At the checkered flag it was Miller taking the victory over Henderson. Dustin Walters, Chris Sarvinski and Nelson rounded out the top five.

The next race on the docket is Saturday May 11. The late models will not be in action but the highly competitive North State Modified Series will be visiting for the first time of three this season. The Upstate Bomber Series will also be in action for its debut. The event will be a non-points race for the local bombers. All other local divisions will be in action as well. For more information visit www.RacinTheAcres.com. You can also find Redwood Acres Raceway on Facebook #/RedwoodAcresRaceway2019/ or Twitter @RacingTheAcres.

Madera Pro Late Model winners Matt Erickson, Austin Herzog, and Buddy Shepherd will be in the Challenge Cup on Saturday (Jason Wedehase photos)

Via Madera Speedway Media

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (April 30, 2019) – Two brand-new MAVTV-televised series will get underway on Saturday night at Madera Speedway, with the POWRi/BCRA Midgets and California Challenge Cup stock cars set to compete on the one-third mile oval. Some of the best young talent in the nation will get an opportunity to shine in two very traditional forms of motorsports but under new platforms in 2019.

For the California Challenge Cup stock cars, their 100 lap debut is the culmination of a multi-year project by promoter Kenny Shepherd to introduce drivers to heavy, truck arm racing in an affordable way. The Challenge Cup will utilize mostly existing inventory of race cars paired with a one set of tires rule that has attracted some strong competition.

Previous Madera Nut Up Pro Late Model champions Buddy Shepherd of Bakersfield and La Grange’s Matt Erickson, along with current 16 year-old Pro LM points leader Austin Herzog, are all expected in action. All three have steel bodied experience including Shepherd’s pair of top-fives in the K&N West division.

“We are exited to launch the new California Challenge Cup Series that will provide a path upwards for our stars,” Shepherd said. “This will start small but I expect it to become one of the biggest series in the western United States over the next 12 months.”

The Vukovich Classic for the POWRi/BCRA Midgets will be a 50 lap contest honoring the Fresno-based family that included Billy Vukovich Sr. and Billy Vukovich III. Both started in Midget racing in the central valley before moving to the highest levels of the sport including the Indianapolis 500. Several of the young drivers in the POWRi/BCRA Midgets have the same hopes and a victory on Saturday night before the MAVTV cameras is a great opportunity for an open wheel resurgence.

Madera Speedway will present an outstanding undercard as well. For stock car fans, the Southwest Tour Trucks will make their first of two appearances of the year. On the open wheel side, the future stars in the USAC Western US Midgets will be competing in their Ford-powered entries. California Hard Tops and Legends of Kearney Bowl will help connect the Vukovich Classic past to present. The always exciting Legends of the Pacific for INEX Legends cars rounds out the evening’s entertainment.

Action gets started on Friday evening with practice from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday’s program begins with pit gates opening at noon. Practices run from 1:30 – 3:20 p.m. with qualifying and heat races to follow. Opening ceremonies are at 6 p.m. with over 250 laps of scheduled racing to follow.

Tickets for the Vukovich Classic featuring the debut of the California Challenge Cup are just $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, $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 Nut Up Industries please visit www.nutupindustries.com and for more information about 51FIFTY Energy Drink visit www.51fiftyenergydrink.com

Madera Speedway is presented by major partners Nut Up Industries, 51FIFTY Energy Drink, iPull-uPull, and Color Fast Industries. Contingency sponsors include Five Star Bodies, Maita Motorsports, McCallister Precision Marketing, and StopTech Brakes.

Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Thursdays 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. 2018 episodes will continue airing until the late spring, before 2019 episodes hit the airwaves on June 6th.

Via NWSLMS Media

Wenatchee, WA (April 28, 2019) – Gracin Raz held off a furious challenge from Brittney Zamora and Alan Cress during the closing laps of the Leonard Evans 150 at Wenatchee Valley Super Oval en route to his first career victory on the Northwest Super Late Model Series.

Jessie Jensen and Mitch Kleyn rounded out the top-5 running order.

Cress captured his first fast time award of the season with a lap of 12.643-seconds, then drew the pole in the series new top-8 invert qualifying procedure.

The Oregon native held the point for the event’s first 47 circuits before yielding to Raz entering turn No. 1. Past NASCAR champion, Jeff Jefferson, driving for his younger brother Jason, wheeled into third place just behind Cress and began to apply pressure to the top-2.

Jefferson tucked behind Raz after a double-file restart on lap 45 and the pair put distance on Cress who had his hands full keeping Trevor Cristiani, Trenton Moriarity and Jensen at bay.

Over the next 10 laps Cristiani would clear Cress and mount a challenge to Jefferson and Raz.

At lap 70 Zamora began to make her charge to the front as she got past Moriarity for fifth place and by lap 83 had cleared Cress to challenge Cristiani for third place.

As the pair battled for the position, Cristiani lost the handle on his Chevrolet, which opened the door for Zamora and Cress to clear the Idaho native in the top-4 running order.

Cress got around Zamora on lap 87 to take over third place with his sights set on catching Jefferson and Raz in the closing laps.

A yellow on lap 99 bunched the field on the ensuing double-file restart, which opened the door for Cress and Zamora to move past Jefferson. Over the next 20 laps Jensen continued his patient approach to the race and moved past Jefferson to nab fourth place.

The night’s final yellow flew at lap 137 setting up a shootout between Raz, Cress and Zamora with Jensen waiting to pounce. Cress was slow to get up to speed as the green flag came out, allowing Zamora to clear for second place. Jensen was unable to stay with Zamora’s move and gave room to Cress to fall in behind the leaders.

Raz was steady in the closing laps, hitting the marks just right to keep Zamora in his rear-view mirror. Over the final handful of laps Zamora drove her Toyota hard through the corners in pursuit of the leader but fell just short at the checkered flag. Cress was able to get his Chevrolet up to speed and moved out to a sizable advantage over Jensen over the waning stages of the race.

The win mark’s Raz’s best finish in a super late model event. A prodigy of Jeff Jefferson, Raz also has a win on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series (2015) as a driver for Jefferson Pitts Racing.

RAZ HUMBLE IN VICTORY LANE:

“I just can’t believe that we were able to get this win. This is an awesome series to race on with the best drivers out here. It’s hard to believe I was able to win over guys like Jeff Jefferson, Garrett Evans and everyone who was here tonight. I have to thank my crew, my brother Kole and my parents for all they’ve done to make this happen.”

NOTES OF INTEREST:

• Garrett Evans, who has never won the race named for his father Leonard, rallied from a poor qualifying effort to bring home an eighth-place finish, advancing 10 positions on the night.

• Mitch Kleyn was the biggest mover of the race, going from his 16th starting position to fifth place over the 150-lap race.

• While it seemed that Jefferson Pitts Racing Rookie of the Year candidate, Tristan Haider, did not advance forward from his sixth place starting position, the Olympia youngster put on quite the show moving to the front of the field after running outside the top-10 for part of the evening. Haider, who made limited starts in 2018 while preparing for his debut season, was the highest finishing rookie of the race.

• Boise, ID driver Dylan Caldwell was involved in a practice accident and was unable to make repairs in time for the event’s qualifying session.

• The race drew competitors from Oregon, Idaho and Washington in addition to the Canadian province of British Columbia.

• Next up for the Northwest Super Late Model Series will be the Yakima Speedway Apple Cup 125 on May 11.

NORTHWEST SUPER LATE MODEL SERIES UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
Leonard Evans 150
Wenatchee Valley Super Oval
150 Laps 37.5 Miles

Unofficial Finishing position/Car No./Name/Hometown/Laps completed
1. 27 Gracin Raz Lake Oswego, OR 150 running
2. 52 Brittney Zamora Kennewick, WA 150 running
3. 91 Alan Cress Stayton, OR 150 running
4. 31 Jessie Jensen Snohomish, WA 150 running
5. 1k Mitch Kleyn Quincy, WA 150 running
6. 24 Tristan Haider Olympia, WA 150 running
7. 42 Jeff Jefferson Naches, WA 150 running
8. 64 Garrett Evans East Wenatchee, WA 150 running
9. 90 Trevor Cristiani Boise, ID 150 running
10. 93 Dave Garber Spokane, WA 150 running
11. 38 Chad Hinkle Yakima, WA 149 running
12. 12 Trenton Moriarity Monroe, WA 149 running
13. 33 Christopher Kalsch Hillsboro, OR 148 running
14. 14 Brandon Carlson Victoria, BC 134 engine
15. 32 Mike Holden Clearview, WA 121 handling
16. 81 Darrell Midgely Sidney, BC 87 engine
17. 17 Robert Presley Olympia, WA 48 accident
18. 15 Tayler Riddle Naches, WA 45 engine
19. 100 Scott Walker West Richland, WA 43 engine
DNQ - Dylan Caldwell, Boise, ID accident

ABOUT THE NORTHWEST SUPER LATE MODEL SERIES
The Northwest Super Late Model Series is the premier regional touring Super Late Model series in the Northwest. The series has many valued sponsors including Hoosier Racing Tire, Racing Dynamics, McGunegill Engine Performance, Port City Race Cars, AR Bodies, Joes Racing Products, Penske Racing Shocks, Jostens, Accelerated Graphics, Five Star Bodies, Longacre Racing Products, Wheel Chill, KRC Power Steering, Atomic Screenprinting and Embroidery, Franks Racing Radio, BLP, Jefferson Pitts Racing, Leonard Evans Used Car Super Store, The Ti Company and Pacific Steel Structures LLC. For more information on the series visit www.nwslms.com or on Facebook or Twitter. To contact the series please email northwestsuperlatemodels@gmail.com

Darrin Knight poses with NSMS flagman Johnny Miskill after his $1000 win at Stockton 99 Speedway Saturday night Photos by Don Bloom

Via Nadine Strauss/NSMS Media

Stockton, CA April 27 , 2019.... After a disappointing run at Madera Speedway on the season opener, Darrin Knight of Kelseyville re-configured his car and led wire-to-wire to capture race #2 of the North State Modified Series, presented by Protect the Harvest, at Stockton 99 Speedway Saturday night. Cameron Austin of Santa Rosa followed Knight across the line for a second place finish. Sacramento's Jason Philpot finished third, Robbie Knittel of Lodi placed fourth, and Cloverdale's Dustin DeRosier drove his new car to a top five finish.

The Stockton 99 Speedway Hoosier Tire track record of 14.319 seconds was set by Lakeport's Ian Elliott in the Terry Deal #01 modified. Darrin Sullivan of Kelseyville clocked in second fast at 14.336, Austin was third with a 14.354. Knight's fourth place qualifying effort was 14.374, placing him on the pole for the 60 lap feature.

Knight powered into the lead at the drop on the Johnny Miskill green flag with Austin and Elliot hot on his trail. Both Sullivan and Knittel drove under Elliott on lap two as Knight was pulling away from the field. By lap 10 Knight had a five-car length lead, and by lap 14 he caught the back-runners and began the lapping process.

Jason Philpot poked his nose under Elliott on 22 to make the pass for sixth. At the same time Knittel was trying everything he could to get around Sullivan, but Sullivan held his ground.

The first of three yellow flags flew on lap 26 when Keith Bloom's car touched Sal Lopez's mount resulting in Lopez spinning in turn two. When racing resumed Knight continued his forward motion, and at the Gone Fishin' Marine Half-Way Mark it was Knight, Austin, Sullivan, Knittel, Philpot, Elliott, DeRosier, Rich Cobb, Stockton veteran driver Buzz DeVore, Bloom, Rick Avila, Donovan Cox and Lopez.

DeVore cut down a tire and scraped the wall on lap 42 to slow the action a second time. The double-file restart saw Knight pull away again, leaving the other front runners in a tight pack where contact was made sending Sullivan against the turn three concrete. This moved Philpot up to third, DeRosier Fourth and Knittel fifth.

Knittel snuck under DeRosier four rounds later. The remaining laps went without incident with Knight the $1000 winner. Austin collected $700 for second. Philpot earned $600 for third, Knittel took home $500 for fourth, and DeRosier's fifth place finish was good for $400. Rounding out the top 10 were Elliott, Bloom, Sullivan, Cobb and Lopez.

With points leader Randy Houston absent, Cameron Austin took over the points lead by four points over Jason Philpot. Knight's win boosted up to third in points with Sullivan fourth and Elliott fifth.

Bloom collected $100 for his win in the Lucas Oil Dash for Cash with Cobb earning $50 for second. Arce Racing Engines donated $50 each to third place DeRosier and fourth place Avila.

The Keyser Hard Charger award went to Philpot. John Baker picked up the Naake Shocks certificate, Bloom and Cobb took home the Scribner jugs, and the Frank's Radios gift cards went to Knight, Knittel and DeRosier.

The North State Modified Series moves North to the Redwood Acres Raceway in Eureka for race #3 on Saturday May 11, with a practice day on Friday, May 10.

The North State Modified Series is presented by: Protect the Harvest, Lucas Oil, Hoosier Tire West, Sunoco Race Fuels, Naake Suspension, Five Star Bodies, Racer Bling, Keyser Racing Products, Scribner Plastics, Gone Racin' Marine, Buckhorn Bar & Grill, and Franks Radios.

NSMS modified rules, procedures, schedule, entry forms and other information are available on the web site www.northstatemodifieds.com.

HOOSIER TIME TRIALS: Ian Elliott (14.319), Darrin Sullivan (14.336), Cameron Austin (14.354), Darrin Knight (14.357), Robbie Knittel (14.374), Jason Philpot (14.391), Rich Cobb (14.560), Dustin DeRosier (14.560), Keith Bloom Jr, (14.653), Sal Lopez (14.709), Rick Avila (14.736), Buzz DeVore (14.793), Donovan Cox (15.000), John Baker (15.603)

LUCAS OIL DASH FOR CASH: Keith Bloom Jr, Rich Cobb, Dustin DeRosier, Rick Avila, Donovan Cox, Buzz DeVore

SUNOCO / NAAKE SUSPENSION MAIN EVENT : Darrin Knight, Cameron Austin, Jason Philpot, Robbie Knittel, Dustin DeRosier, Ian Elliott, Keith Bloom Jr, Darrin Sullivan, Rich Cobb, Sal Lopez, Rick Avila, Donovan Cox, Buzz DeVore, John Baker (DNS)

#51 Racin Vernon won his third career Pro Late Model race on Saturday (Jason Wedehase photo)

Via Madera Speedway Media

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (April 27, 2019) – After a disappointing start to the season with two blown engines, Bakersfield’s Racin Vernon won round #3 of the Nut Up Pro Late Model Series at Madera Speedway, Saturday night. Vernon led twice including the final 14 laps of the 80 lap feature that paid $2,000 to win. In other action, Las Vegas’ Tanner Reif won his third career 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model 70 lap feature to extend his points lead as well.

Both series are televised for MAVTV with a total of 25 Pro Late Models and 15 Jr. Late Models in action on the one-third mile speedway.

Vernon drew the pole position and led the first three laps before a big incident slowed proceedings. Christian Roche had contact with Matt Erickson coming out of turn two that resulted in Roche sliding nose first into the turn three wall. Three-time $10,000 to win Short Track Shootout champion Eric Holmes spun to avoid but suffered damage that ended his night as well.

On the following restart, 2018 non-televised Madera Late Model champion Jason Aguirre and Carlos Vieira began their torrid side-by-side battle for the fourth position. The battle would stretch throughout the entire opening 50 lap segment. Jr. Late Model winner Tanner Reif, 13, made his Pro Late Model debut from 11th on the grid and promptly charged past fellow Jr. graduates Austin Herzog and Dylan Zampa to crack the top-ten by lap 15.

Vernon’s strong lead on the field diminished when he was mired in lapped traffic and by lap 25, 2018 Short Track Shootout winner Logan Zampa was hot on his trail. Erickson closed in as well, and ended up snookering Zampa for second on lap 28. The battle for fourth between Aguirre and Vieira grew to six cars deep in side-by-side fashion. The battle slowed when a caution flew for Tim Furin spun in turn two. Erickson apparently suffered damage to his right rear wheel trying to avoid.

Vernon charged past Erickson from the outside on the restart and fast-time qualifier Herzog knifed through to move into sixth. A lap 39 caution saw Herzog advance to third while Erickson drifted to seventh. The race went into the lap 50 break with Vernon leading Zampa, Herzog, Vieira, and Aguirre.

The restart from the break was significant as Zampa took the lead from Vernon off the line. The inside line all stumbled, which forced Aguirre back to tenth position in the process. Sheldon Cooper suffered serious damage to his car to force a lap 54 caution in turn one. Zampa maintained the top position from Vernon while Herzog peeked his nose inside of Vieira for third.

Vernon tracked down Zampa methodically, and then used lapped traffic to take the lead down the backstretch on lap 67. Herzog then cleared Vieira on lap 71 using lapped traffic to his advantage as well.

Both Logan Zampa and Austin Herzog were unable to close down on Racin Vernon, with the Bakersfield driver taking a 1.895 second win over Zampa, Herzog, Vieira, and Ross Strmiska.

Tanner Reif’s Jr. Late Model victory in the 70 lap contest for drivers ages 10-16 had plenty of excitement. Reif drew the pole alongside his younger brother Tyler. Each successive restart for an incident saw a brief battle before Tanner managed to slide in front of Tyler.

Round two winner Joey Iest tried to get around Tyler Reif off a lap 30 restart. The duo made contact which caused concern for Reif’s left rear tire. Meanwhile third in points Seth Wise was engaged in a back-and-forth battle with Jay Juleson with Juleson moving into fourth after some contact.

A caution on lap 38 brought the scheduled break to fruition two laps early. When things resumed, Tyler Reif used the outside line to take the lead from his brother on lap 39. After a lap 41 caution, Tanner took over for lap 42, before surrendering the lead back on lap 43 to Tyler. Tanner then appeared to take the lead for good on lap 44. Two laps later, Tyler Reif attempted to move up the inside of Tanner into turn one. They nearly made contact, with Tyler spinning the car through the grass to bring out the caution and force him to restart at the rear.

Seth Wise had moved up from fifth to second in just eight laps and restarted inside Tanner Reif. He was unable to challenge and fell into the clutches of Juleson. They ran side-by-side for ten laps until lap 59, when Wise spun off the door of Juleson exiting turn four. The caution flew and Wise restarted at the rear.

Tyler Reif had moved up to sixth at that point and entered into a furious battle between Kabe McClenny and Kyler Berry for fourth. The trio went three-wide down the backstretch, ending with Berry and McClenny making contact into the corner. The contact ended Berry’s race while McClenny lost three positions getting back into line.

Tanner Reif cruised home to victory ahead of Juleson, Iest, Tyler Reif, and eighth starting Jake Bollman.

The youngest drivers at Madera Speedway compete in the Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros with their race producing a first-time winner. Dylan Baptista won in just his second Bandolero start ever and did so in thrilling fashion ahead of 2018 champion Riley Massey.

Nathaniel Edwards led the first two laps before Massey led lap three and brought Baptista with her. Many of the cars in the pack slid around the track for much of the race in sideways fashion. Baptista took the lead on lap five before a caution on lap six brought the field together. Massey tried to crossover Baptista several times but he held onto the lead to take the victory. Trenton Eurto finished third while Joey Kennealy was the Mini Cup winner.

Mikala Stearns of Stockton won an electrifying 25 lap Hobby Stock race where three of the five starters led laps in the feature. Stearns and 2018 champion Steve Schermerhorn made contact on lap 21 exiting turn four that rewarded Stearns with the lead and knocked Schermerhorn back to third. Stearns led Triston Hansen and Schermerhorn across the stripe as the top-three finishers.

Jason Lawton has had the recent hot hand in Toyota Sedans and that trend continued, despite the presence of prior champion Jillaun Holden. Lawton managed to take a three second victory with JJ Brandsen finishing third.

Up next for Madera Speedway is the MAVTV televised North American Challenge Cup for 100 laps, the Vukovich Classic for MAVTV televised BCRA/POWRi Midget Series, USAC Western US Midgets, Legends of Kearney Bowl, California Hard Tops, Legends of the Pacific, and Southwest Tour Trucks.

For more information about Madera Racing on MAVTV please visit www.racemadera.com or www.mavtv.com. For more information on Nut Up Industries please visit www.nutupindustries.com and for more information about 51FIFTY Energy Drink visit www.51fiftyenergydrink.com

Madera Speedway is presented by major partners Nut Up Industries, 51FIFTY Energy Drink, iPull-uPull, and Color Fast Industries. Contingency sponsors include Five Star Bodies, Maita Motorsports, McCallister Precision Marketing, and StopTech Brakes.

Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Thursdays 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. 2018 episodes will continue airing until the late spring, before 2019 episodes hit the airwaves on June 6th