(Jason Wedehase Photo)

Via Madera Speedway MediaMADERA, Calif. (June 6, 2020) – Two-time Nut Up Pro Late Model champion Buddy Shepherd had a perfect Madera Speedway season opener on Saturday afternoon, sweeping qualifying, the heat race, and leading all 40-laps of the feature. The 2020 season opener attracted 15 non-televised Madera Late Models to the one-third mile asphalt oval at the Madera fairgrounds.

(Jason Wedehase photo)

Via Madera Speedway Media

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (March 10, 2020) –The richest season of stock car racing at Madera Speedway begins this Saturday night with the $5,000 to win Nut Up Pro Late Model 100 at the one-third mile speedway. The event also kicks off the RACE 2B DRUG FREE BIG3 Series, televised on MAVTV. A large field of 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models and Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros will be in action as well, joined by Modified Super Toyotas on the undercard.

Cole Moore won the $10k to win JM Environmental 100 (Don Thompson photo)

Via All American Speedway Media

ROSEVILLE, Calif. (November 3, 2019) – Cole Moore drove to the biggest victory of his career at the All American Speedway powered by Roseville Toyota, holding off 2019 track champion Jason Romero for Saturday’s $10,000 to win JM Environmental 100. Moore’s win closed the season in Roseville, with race fans treated to seven main events of competition at the one-third mile speedway.

Late Models will battle for $10k to win in the JM Environmental 100 (Don Thompson photo)

Via All American Speedway Media

ROSEVILLE, Calif. (October 29, 2019) – Roseville’s All American Speedway will close its 2019 season in a big way, with this Saturday’s $10k to win JM Environmental 100 and the final Riebes Auto Parts Trailer Bash of the year. All six weekly divisions – Late Models, Modifieds, Super Stocks, F4s, Jr. Late Models, and Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros will be competing with the Trailer Bash closing out the evening.

(Jason Wedehase photo)

Via Madera Speedway Media

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (September 17, 2019) – A season full of MAVTV-televised Late Model excitement is reaching its pinnacle at Madera Speedway with Saturday’s round #8 for both the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series and the Nut Up Pro Late Model Series. The races will serve as the final act before the curtains open on October 5th with the prestigious $10,000 to win Short Track Shootout. Championship competition for both the Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros and Modified Super Toyotas will also be served up this Saturday night.

(Don Thompson photo)

Via All American Speedway

ROSEVILLE, Calif. (September 9, 2019) – Over $30,000 in awards - including $10,000 to the Late Model winner - will be on the line when the All American Speedway powered by Roseville Toyota ends Northern California’s pavement stock car season on November 2nd. The JM Environmental 100 will highlight a significant night of action that includes $1,000 to win for both Super Stocks and Modifieds plus increased awards for the Jr. Late Model and F4 divisions. The Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros will also be competing in this non-points race.

(Jason Wedehase photo)

Via Madera Speedway Media

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (August 24, 2019) – Two-time Nut Up Pro Late Model champion Buddy Shepherd of Bakersfield climbed aboard a new car but delivered the same result, driving the Eshleman-owned 81 to victory lane in Saturday’s $2,000 to win event at Madera Speedway. Shepherd’s strong MAVTV-televised win puts a target on his back as a contender for the upcoming Short Track Shootout $10,000 to win race in October.

Close action is expected in the $5,000 to win Summer Speedfest (Jason Wedehase photo)

Via Madera Speedway Media

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (July 23, 2019) – Madera Speedway is raising the stakes and turning up the heat this weekend with the $5,000 Summer Speedfest 100 for the MAVTV-televised Nut Up Pro Late Models. The prestigious event is expected to attract a healthy field of drivers battling on the one-third mile asphalt oval. They will be joined by the sixth round of the 2019 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series plus Modified Super Toyotas and Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros.

Jesse Love in Gerhardt Classic victory lane

Via Madera Speedway Media

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (July 13, 2019) – 14 year-old Jesse Love of Menlo Park came back home to Madera Speedway and grabbed a surprising victory in the 17th Gerhardt Classic 50 for the BCRA Midgets. Love, the two-time 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series champion, added to his already long list of “youngest ever” accomplishments, including youngest BCRA champion and youngest POWRi Midget podium finisher.

Midgets return to Madera for the Gerhardt Classic on Saturday (Zachary Cook photo)

Via Madera Speedway Media

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (July 10, 2019) – The mighty Madera/BCRA Midgets roar back to Madera Speedway on Saturday night to headline the 17th Gerhardt Classic. A host of other divisions will be competing including the 100 lap California Challenge Cup feature plus the debut of the Central Valley Mini Stocks with a large field expected. Legends of Kearney Bowl, Focus Midgets, and NCMA Sprint Cars round out the scheduled divisions.

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.

Tyler Reif leads the Jr. Late Models under the July sun (Photo Courtesy Jason Wedehase)

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (July 28, 2018) – 11 year-old Tyler Reif of Las Vegas, NV won his first career 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Model race while Bakersfield’s Buddy Shepherd nabbed $5,000 in the RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series during Saturday’s Summer Speedfest at Madera Speedway. A hot night of racing challenged the drivers in the MAVTV-televised racing on the one-third mile speedway.

Round #6 of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models was a 70 lap race. The redraw of the top-six cars placed defending champion Jesse Love of Menlo Park on the pole but he was passed on the outside by Kayla Eshleman of Fontana who led lap one. Love and Austin Edwards were among early drivers to fall out of the race with mechanical problems, with Love credited with 15th position as the last place car.

A four car incident in turn one ended the debut for Bakersfield’s Zachary Ginn, who also races in the Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros series. Calvin Hegje and Tanner Reif were also gathered up. Two-time 2018 winner Dylan Zampa of Napa started a long battle with Tyler Reif for second on lap 11 and the duo rarely separated throughout much of the event.

Reif cleared Zampa then saw Zampa crawl right up to his rear bumper on lap 20. A spin from Watsonville’s Lilly Mead from seventh place on lap 26 brought out the caution. Issues with the pace truck forced an extended stoppage that ended up being the lap 40 break, 14 laps early.

Tyler Reif nosed inside Eshleman for the lead coming out of the break and took over the top position on lap 32. The caution flew on lap 33 and on the restart Zampa went around Eshleman for second using the outside. Eshleman fought to get the spot back on lap 37. The pair went side-by-side in lapped traffic on lap 45 which sparked a wild crash. Eshleman tagged the left rear of Hailey Liles, sending Liles down the track to hook the rear of Zampa. Zampa hit the front stretch wall head on. Liles spun back down the race track and made contact with Eshleman again at start finish.

Remarkably Zampa was able to make repairs to both ends of his race car to continue on as he tried to close the points gap on Jesse Love. Hegje and Kyler Berry had an incident for another caution on lap 46. Madera’s Joey Iest charged up to third in his debut, before tangling with Eshleman in turn three for a caution on lap 47 that sent both to the rear.

The incident thrust Tanner Reif back into the picture behind his brother Tyler. One additional caution late in the running set up a sprint to the finish that wowed the crowd. With both drivers chasing their first career series wins, the younger Tyler held off Tanner by a nose in a sliding duel to the checkered flag. Zampa managed third to unofficially take the points lead. Eshleman and Hegje rounded out the top-five.

The Summer Speedfest 100 for the RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series was a battle to see who could outlast a tough night. Points leader Austin Herzog, age 15 from Clovis, drew the pole position but was overhauled by Military Tribute Night winner Racin Vernon of Bakersfield on lap one.

Two-time series champion Buddy Shepherd went inside Herzog to take second as well. Shepherd reeled in Vernon by lap five and they went side-by-side. The Bakersfield drivers battled until lap nine when Shepherd took the lead. The field hit lapped traffic in the 22 car starting grid by lap 18 with the first caution not falling until lap 25.

Dillon Tucker stalled on the backstretch while both Erickson and Kolby Berry spun on opposite ends of the track. The caution was ruled to be for Tucker with an electrical fire, allowing both spinning cars to get their spots back.

Under caution, oil was found on the track from the rear end of Garland Tyler’s car. Both Tyler and Tucker made repairs and returned after a lengthy red flag. Tyler then spun on his own on the restart and B Main winner Ryan Hart tangled with Jack Wood coming back to the yellow.

Racin Vernon fell backwards on the restart getting passed by both Jason Aguirre and Adam Lemke. He eventually fell back to eighth on lap 35 behind Matt Erickson. The battling for Vernon intensified when he went three wide with Ryan Philpott and Logan Zampa, bouncing off the backstretch wall for a lap 37 caution. Vernon managed to make repairs and continue.

Eighth starting Aguirre made his way around Herzog to take second place on the restart with Shepherd leading Aguirre across the stripe to the lap 50 break.

Coming out of the break for MAVTV interviews and adjustments, Herzog and Aguirre had a big sideways slide down the front stretch that bounced them back to fifth and sixth. Rookies Adam Lemke and Nick Grossi took advantage of all the sliding around within the top-five to move up to second and third behind Shepherd. Carlos Vieira started to join the battling as well moving past Grossi into third on lap 62 bringing 2016 champion Matt Erickson with him. Erickson moved past Vieira for third by lap 71 before a caution on lap 73 when Kolby Berry’s engine expired in turn four.

Lemke and Herzog battled for second place on the restart before a red flag on lap 80 for the most serious crash of the evening. Rookie Christian Roche of Oakdale slid off the wall in turn four and clipped Ripon’s Henk Gaalswyk, with both making significant impact to the wall to end their evenings. Another caution came out when Zampa stopped in turn four on lap 82.

Impending curfew meant the final caution would end the event and gave Herzog and Erickson one more shot at Shepherd. Shepherd pulled away when Vieira and Aguirre had a grinding crash off the front stretch wall to end the race on a lap 87 yellow checkered flag. Shepherd, Herzog, Erickson, Lemke and Dillon Tucker were the top-five at the finish.

The Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros 20 lap main event was also spectacular, but not as much in the Bandolero portion of the race within a race. Bakersfield’s Riley Massey got the job done on that end with a comfortable 7.9 second win to extend her points lead. But the battle that transpired half a track behind her was one of the best of the year.

Mini Cup points leader Kabe McClenny and Napa’s Aaron Thomas battled back and forth for the lead of their class throughout the entire race, doing so in the vicinity of second place Bandolero Hank Hall of Bakersfield. The trio ran three-wide on numerous occasions and darted in and out of lapped traffic. McClenny finally drove away from Thomas in the closing stages of the event to win the Mini Cup portion of the evening yet again. The overall finish saw Massey’s Bandolero followed by McClenny, Thomas, and Aiden Phillips’ Mini Cup. Hall suffered a mechanical problem on the final two laps to soldier home in seventh.

The Modified Super Toyotas started with Dave Lander leading the way before a multi-car spin in turn three closed the field up. Shaun Reynolds took over the lead and did not look back ahead of 2017 champion Bert Stephens, while Lander and Patrick Geiger raced hard for third place. Lander and Geiger wrecked hard coming to the finish line with Geiger flipping across the line. He was uninjured and was credited with fourth behind Lander.

Racing continues at Madera Speedway on August 4th with the 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

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 at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. PST and is also available on the Lucas Oil Racing TV app.

Madera Speedway 2018 Schedule Celebrating 47 years of Racing!

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

Photo Courtesy Jason Wedehase

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (October 7, 2017) – Bakersfield’s Buddy Shepherd claimed his third career Late Model track championship and outlasted Eric Holmes to win the 5th $10,000 Short Track Shootout, in the season finale for the RPM Mortgage Pro Series at Madera Speedway on Saturday night. The young driver’s win was his biggest in a productive career at the fastest one-third mile in the west on a night televised for MAVTV.

95 cars lined the pits including 50 Pro Late Models, 14 51FIFTY Junior Late Models, 24 Lucas Oil Modifieds, and seven Mini Cups for the exciting evening of action in front of a healthy crowd.

Shepherd qualified third behind 3-time defending Shootout winner Holmes but drew the pole for the 26 car, 150 lap feature. He had no trouble scooting ahead of Glen Cook with the lead. The first caution flew on lap ten and the restart saw the entire top ten upstairs. Cook drifted backwards on the restart with Doss up to second and Holmes up to third. The yellow flew again on lap 12.

Second in points Logan Zampa of Napa, CA entered the night five points behind Shepherd and found himself in numerous battles including early with NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national runner-up Trevor Huddleston. Tyler Herzog had been a strong story all year before he fell back to 14th position. Contact with 2007 Altamont champion Ryan Philpott in turn two sparked a wild crash that included Lawless Alan making hard contact with Herzog. Eric Nascimento, Jr. launched over them causing Kolby Berry to slow and sending Rick Thompson hard into the turn two wall.

Zampa snaked up to fourth while the back-and-forth musical chairs among the top-three of Shepherd, Doss, and Holmes began. Inaugural Short Track Shootout winner Mike David of Modesto worked past Hailie Deegan in her debut and she was bumped back behind Ross Strmiska as well. Cook took over fourth from Zampa and ran nose-to-tail with the top-three in a strong showing early.

Doss applied pressure at the lap 50 mark showing his nose inside Shepherd before a caution on that lap. David’s race ended when he collided with Strmiska in turn three and stalled a handful of laps later with broken rear trailing arm. Zampa returned the pass on Cook in the ensuing restart and still 21 cars were running at the lap 70 mark.

Hailie Deegan’s brilliant debut hit a snag when she bounced off the wall and collected Herzog on the front stretch. The race stayed green despite debris on the entry to turn one. Holmes went for a Bonzai charge on Shepherd in lapped traffic in turn four with the pair sliding and making contact. The following lap Holmes developed a right front flat tire as more debris appeared in turn three. The race went yellow on lap 96 for the debris, bringing the lap 100 race break four laps early. Holmes was forced to restart last after the break as he changed a tire in the pits.

Coming out of the break after the Lucas Oil Modified feature was completed, Strmiska looked outside Doss for second. Doss jumped out of line with a mechanical problem on the following lap for a caution to end his night.

2016 RPM Pro LM champion Matt Erickson had worked from 17th to fourth by that point. A caution for a spin in turn two saw Deegan retire to the pits with mechanical problems as well. Kolby Berry’s series debut was interrupted by a flat tire for another caution on lap 101.

Six-time 51FIFTY Jr. LM winner Austin Herzog began to make his presence felt. The 15 year-old drifted backwards on the inside, then turned up the wick passing Huddleston, Erickson, and Strmiska to take over on second by lap 111. Zampa stopped in turn four on that lap for a yellow and Holmes had worked from 21st up into sixth. Holmes then moved up to fourth on the restart and began a long term battle with Herzog and Strmiska for the second position. The battle never really relented until the final stages.

A lap 121 caution saw Kevin Thompson suffer a stuck throttle and go hard into the turn one wall with Zampa along for the ride. Zampa’s night and championship chances were ended and he had to settle for second in the points.

Holmes used the inside to get past both Herzog and Strmiska after numerous side-by-side duels with each, to assume second on lap 140. He put Buddy Shepherd in the crosshairs as Jagger Jones spun in turn four with five to go. Holmes had run his best lap of the race on that lap, and had a solid restart that gave him a good look at Shepherd. They ran within inches of each other before Matt Erickson crashed hard on the front stretch in a tangle with Garland Tyler.

That set up a three lap shootout, but Shepherd was much better on this attempt at a restart. Holmes made one last dive inside on the final set of turns, but came up short. Buddy Shepherd cashed the 2017 RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model championship and $10,000 for winning the Short Track Shootout. The three-time defending winner Eric Holmes was second with Strmiska snookering Herzog for third. Trevor Huddleston rounded out the top-five.

Robby Hornsby won from the C Main event from the outside pole in his first Madera start with Canadian Geoff Morris, Ray Mayer, and Del McIntosh transferring to the B Main event.

Morris then drove through the field to take the $1000 grand prize of the 40 lap B Main event, after the four transfers of Lawless Alan, Racin Vernon, Ryan Hart, and Kevin Thompson were pulled out at lap 25.

Linny White won the Lucas Oil Modified Dash then followed that up with victory in the Lucas Oil Modified 75 presented by K&N Filters. A lengthy red flag on lap 38 came out after Arizona’s Blake Rogers tagged the front stretch wall and caught fire. The driver was uninjured. Idaho’s Trevor Cristiani continued his reign from the front of the field with Jason Irwin and White in tow. Things intensified on lap 60 in lapped traffic when Cristiani spun and was hit in the door by former champion Dylan Cappello of Arizona. Both were out of the race.

White led the last 15 laps for the victory with second place Taylor Miinch also wrapping up the series championship.

Jesse Love IV put on arguably the best display of driving in the championship race for the 51FIFTY Junior Late Models, making passes high and low to win the 75 lap season finale. The top-three finishers of Love, Kolby Berry, and Austin Edwards were the top-three in the championship points as well.

Eric Nascimento, Jr. started on the pole and led the opening lap while Las Vegas’ Tanner Reif began to show the outside line that would be a factor in the race later. Reif worked past Berry with Nascimento sliding up in front of Reif in turn four on lap five. That allowed Berry to charge back inside Reif in a tremendous scrum up front.

Reif tagged the front stretch wall nearly half a dozen times as he tried to edge ahead of Berry and Nascimento. Reif finally went a bit too high in turn two and spun, tagging the inside K Rail rear end first for a lap 11 yellow.

The single file restart saw Nascimento, Berry, and Hailie Deegan – all racing the same cars in the Short Track Shootout as well – break away while Anthony Guaimano got sideways down the backstretch but made a nice save. Love and his teammate Adam Lemke ran a side-by-side battle with Love taking fifth on lap 22. Edwards jumped inside Lemke but after some side-by-side running Lemke successfully defended the position. 11 laps later, Love got around Guaimano for fourth.

Lapped traffic became a factor on lap 42 for the lead pack while midpack Reif was attempting a comeback run rolling the outside to pass three cars in succession. Guaimano and Lemke tangled in one on lap 48 to bring the lap 50 break two laps early with 27 laps to go.

Reif continued the amazing use of the outside groove to try to nab fifth from Edwards before he headed to the pits with a mechanical issue.

Love began to close on the top-three and started to take his shot on the outside himself. Love cleared both Deegan and Berry on lap 64 nearly edging Nascimento before a caution for Guaimano and Lemke having a hard crash in turn three.

On the restart, Nascimento went high to defend the outside from Love. The move allowed Love to cut to the inside to take the lead on lap 66.

The battling continued behind Love with Nascimento and Deegan zigging and zagging down the front stretch, with Deegan spun out into turn one against the wall with two go.

Love would not be denied as he led second in points Kolby Berry and third in points Austin Edwards across the line with Las Vegas’ RJ Smothermon and Bakersfield’s Kabe McClenny the top-five.

Tyler Reif of Las Vegas wrapped up a strong rookie Mini Cup campaign, leading all 20 laps of the season finale. The win also gave Reif the championship for the youngest drivers at Madera. Kale McClenny of Bakersfield and Aaron Thomas rounded out the top-three.

Madera’s season concludes October 21st with the 11th Annual Pumpkin Smash Halloween Bash and Blow Up!!! West Coast Sportsman Series, MST's, Toyota Sedans, $2,000 to Win 250 lap Enduro, the Extreme Barrel Racing Series, a Trick or Treat thru the Pits and on Track PUMPKIN SMASH for the KIDS!

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

Buddy Shepherd in RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model victory lane Photo Courtesy Jason Wedehase

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (September 23, 2017) – Bakersfield’s Buddy Shepherd extended his points lead with his fourth RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series victory of 2017 on Saturday night, taking the 100 lap race at Madera Speedway worth $2,000. Shepherd’s win and fast-time gave him critical points in a tight points battle with Napa’s Logan Zampa heading into the Short Track Shootout on October 7th.

Racin Vernon drew the pole alongside Shepherd for an all-Bakersfield front row for round #7 of 8. The busy start for the 25 car field saw Modesto’s Garland Tyler from eighth slide around several times boxing out 16 year-old Eric Nascimento, Jr. Nascimento was forced into a three wide situation to fall back to 11th.

Shepherd led early while Vernon, Zampa, and third-generation driver Ross Strmiska nearly went three-wide on several occasions for second. Tyler’s loose condition jumped him to the outside which was the preferred line anyhow. Mariposa’s Glen Cook and Jarrett Gilmer battled for sixth with Tyler on the outside behind them. There was racing all over the track as Strmiska took over second from Vernon.

Strmiska and Vernon made slight contact in turn two in lapped traffic on lap ten. Strmiska cut down a right rear tire but was saved by a yellow when Nascimento and Oakdale’s Blaine Rocha came together in turn four.

Shepherd had a strong restart which allowed Vernon to get outside Zampa for second. Rick Thompson and Clovis’ Trevor Schlundt crashed in turn three right in front of a side-by-side Howard Holden and Shelden Cooper for a lap 18 caution. Modesto’s Kyle Gottula restarted fourth and followed Shepherd on the following restart to try to pass Zampa, but Zampa held on for second. Vernon drifted backwards but was saved by a yellow when Cook spun and collected Schlundt. Both were able to resume.

Seemingly a new character emerged for third on every successive restart, with Tracy’s Justin Philpott going around the outside of Gottula and 11th starting Matt Erickson also entered the fray.

Gilmer turned around in turn one and sparked a significant crash with six cars stuck together including Mike Shapiro underneath Nascimento. A lengthy red flag resulted although only a couple of cars were actually eliminated from the event. Shepherd lost no momentum when he rocketed away on the restart. A skirmish in turn four ended up with Coarsegold’s William Martyn sideways for another yellow.

Erickson used an uncharacteristic inside line to pass both Tyler and Dillon Tucker to assume fifth before sliding back upstairs on lap 40. Cook had a solo spin for a lap 44 caution that ended up being the halfway break six laps early.

The field resumed 19 cars strong with Vernon and Erickson colliding for a scare down the frontstretch but both managed to keep going.

Zampa had a strong restart at the lap 50 mark but could not make the inside stick, after much of the field reported a tight condition during the break. Erickson and Vernon entertained the fans with a side-by-side battle for many laps for fifth. The race went under its longest green flag stretch which allowed Erickson to crawl up to Tucker for fourth. Erickson threaded the needle on a lapped car to take the spot on lap 75.

Vernon, Shelden Cooper, and Philpott put on a good race for the eighth position before Cooper spun down the backstretch for a lap 84 caution. Erickson was able to restart behind Shepherd from the outside of row two but couldn’t chase him down. A lap 85 yellow for Gilmer spun around in turn one gave Erickson another look. Erickson had a much better restart on this try but Zampa managed to slide up in front of him to keep second behind Shepherd. The scramble brought Rocha into the top-five too. The following lap Rocha spun into the turn three wall to set up the final restart of the evening.

Shepherd proved too strong as he drove away from Zampa with Erickson narrowly edging Gottula for third. Tyler rounded out the top-five. The series concludes October 7th with the $10,000 to win Short Track Shootout that is expected to attract teams from across the country.

Austin Herzog won his sixth career 51FIFTY Energy Drink Junior Late Model race and second of 2017 by taking the 75 lapper. Hollister’s Adam Lemke drew the pole alongside Tanner Reif of Las Vegas against a 17 car field.

Lemke edged forward inside to lead lap one as the top 12 cars all ran side-by-side early. His teammate Hailie Deegan nosed inside Reif to battle for second. Danville’s Anthony Guaimano spun in turn four for the first caution on lap three. Watsonville’s Lilly Mead spun on the backstretch for the next caution on lap five. Lemke jumped ahead by three car lengths while Reif anchored a tightly wound second pack. Deegan looked inside Reif in turn one and they tangled with Reif spinning for a lap 11 yellow flag. Deegan had to restart at the rear which changed the complexion of the race.

The incident allowed Herzog, the evening’s fast-time qualifier, to restart third. Nascimento passed points leader Jesse Love IV of Menlo Park for fifth on the restart. Austin Edwards hounded Lemke up front with several bumps before cutting inside down the backstretch to challenge on lap 17. Edwards led at the line on lap 19 and brought Herzog to second. Tyler Reif spun on the backstretch for a caution on lap 21.

Dylan Zampa and Kyle Keller collided for a turn four spin on lap 24. Love and Deegan worked their way underneath July winner Eric Nascimento, Jr. to drop him back to seventh. Nascimento went to the outside and tried to pass Deegan back while Love peeked inside Berry for fourth in a two-by-two formation.

Herzog got around Edwards and led lap 31 with Lemke following through to take second from Edwards as well. Berry spun from fourth and Love was blocked, dropping him to the rear of the field before the caution flew. Zampa collided with Mead for a caution on lap 34. Deegan and Nascimento displayed great side-by-side action for third on the following restart as Deegan marched through the field.

The intense battle for third continued coming out of the lap 50 break. Deegan finally cleared Nascimento down the backstretch on lap 55. Mead and RJ Smothermon came together on the front stretch prompting a lap 60 caution. Deegan turned up the wick to challenge her teammate Lemke for the second position which allowed Herzog to get a five car length cushion with ten to go.

Lemke managed to motor away from Deegan while Austin Herzog crossed the stripe with the victory. Lemke, Deegan, Nascimento, and points leader Love were the balance of the top-five.

The Modified Super Toyotas and Toyota Sedans ran a combined 30 lap feature where the top two in each respective class ran in unison throughout the race. Dave Lander led the MSTs early before a caution allowed Patrick Geiger to take over the top spot. Lander stayed in tow for the entire distance darting in and out of Sedan traffic.

Lander tried one last move for the lead into turn four at the finish but couldn’t make it work. In Toyota Sedans about ¾ of a lap behind them, Dean Gould held off points leader Mike Marley in a similarly close finish.

Up next for Madera Speedway is a big night this Saturday, with the 75 Lap Open Hobby Stock Race, The USAC HPD Midgets, BCRA Midgets, CSS/360 Super Modifieds, Legends of the Pacific, and the Legends of Kearney Bowl.

For more information about Madera Racing on MAVTV please visit www.racemadera.com or www.mavtv.com. For more information about 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 Racing on MAVTV continues every Thursday night at 8 p.m. Eastern / 5 p.m. Pacific. Madera Speedway racing is also available on the LucasOilRacing.TV app.

Photo Courtesy Jason Wedehase

Via Madera Speedway PR

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (June 29, 2017) – 2015 RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model champion Buddy Shepherd of Bakersfield sent a strong message to the MAVTV-televised field on Saturday, dominating en route to $5,000 and the 125 lap Summer Speedfest victory at Madera Speedway. Shepherd's win is his third so far in the five races of 2017.

An all-new podium greeted fans of the 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Model series as well in a busy night at the one-third mile oval.

Shepherd led 122 laps and endured countless restart battles with June series winner Logan Zampa of Napa, CA in the process. The two high schoolers were the class of the field throughout the evening.

After the front row was changed due to Rick Thompson surrendering his pole position in a backup car, it was Zampa at the front of the pack. Things were rough at the beginning when the night's Jr. Late Model winner Eric Nascimento, Jr. wrecked hard into the front stretch wall at the conclusion of lap one. Zampa led the first

Zampa led the first three laps before Shepherd led by a nose at the conclusion on lap four. A big melee on the backstretch included Shelden Cooper spinning and several cars suffering varying impacts including Quintin Harris, Thomas Suarez, and Mark Squadrito.

Shepherd picked the inside for the restart and rocketed ahead of Zampa as much of the leaders scrambled to the outside line. Henk Gaalswyk spun in turn four but did a complete 360 and continued on. Jr. Late Model graduate Jarrett Gilmer was part of a wild two-by-two battle for fifth that had him inside Kevin Thompson.

Gilmer cleared Thompson and went up high which opened the door for Bakersfield's Racin Vernon. Vernon took fifth on lap 12. Lapped traffic proved a challenge with the big 26 car field as Zampa tried to navigate while fielding pressure from Austin Herzog and Dillon Tucker. The next caution came out for Gilmer spinning in turn two. Tucker used the restart to swoop around Herzog for third before a hard crash with Loren Kutz tagging the turn one gate. Tucker then had to go to work on the inside of Herzog which proved to Herzog's favor as he took third back.

11th starting Matt Erickson cracked the top-five and went after Tucker. Tucker, Erickson, and Garland Tyler staged a nice battle for the position after a series of cautions that brought the race near lap 50. On lap 44, Erickson nosed inside Tucker but couldn't complete the pass before a lap 45 caution for a spin.

Tucker finally got the positioning he needed to get past Herzog for third on the outside with Tyler and Erickson also fixing to do the same. Herzog fell to fifth before sliding up in front of Erickson.

At the race's lap 75 break, Matt Erickson changed a right front tire and had to restart at the rear of the field. After a pair of cautions for spins, a surprise as Modesto's Kyle Gottula had charged the rear of the field and emerged in fourth position ahead of Tucker. Gottula had a significant crash in practice that set his weekend backwards and required him to start on a provisional. Gottula went after Herzog for third on lap 83 but they made contact and Gottula fell back by five car lengths. Kevin Thompson was engaged in a wild battle right in front of the hard charging Erickson. Thompson's night ended with a hard crash in turn three that included Glen Cook. Gottula got another shot at Herzog and took advantage to take over third just past lap 100.

A tremendous three-way battle involved Tucker, Erickson, and Tyler for fifth that thrilled the fans for several laps. Things to heated involving Gottula and Herzog for third when they tangled in turn one and Gottula did a complete 360. Both cars continued but the caution was thrown and both cars had to restart at the rear with five laps to go. Shepherd tried both the high line and the low line during the numerous restarts. His final attempt on the outside snookered Zampa, who was overhauled by Tyler for second.

Howard Holden had run around tenth throughout the event and suddenly found himself alongside Tucker in a spirited battle for fifth.

Shepherd took the comfortable $5,000 victory ahead of Tyler, Zampa, Erickson, and Tucker by a nose over Holden. Herzog drove back to eighth at the finish.

In 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model competition, Jesse Love IV looked poised for his fourth win as he snatched fast-time away from Kolby Berry who had gone 4-0 in qualifying in 2017. But a trio of new faces emerged with Eric Nascimento, Jr. getting his first win with Bakersfield's Kabe McClenny a career best second and Danville's Anthony Guiamano a career-best third in the 75 lap race.

The young drivers are to be commended for handling near 100 degree temperatures at race time. Love led from the get-go after winning the pole in the redraw. Tanner Reif of Las Vegas slid up into the third position past Berry after a series of early cautions.

Love jumped out to a five car length lead on teammate Hailie Deegan who anchored a five car pack for second place. A second pack included Nascimento who had puffs of smoke from mechanical problems from earlier in the weekend.

As the sun began to fall behind the speedway on one of the hottest nights of the season, drivers continued to noticeably fight loose conditions. Berry began to challenge Reif for third as he felt pressure from behind him with McClenny. Berry and McClenny both drove by Reif, who then was passed by Nascimento also. Reif dropped back to sixth in front of Idaho's Zach Telford.

Berry was the car on the move until a caution flew on lap 19 for Reif spinning in turn four. Berry used the restart to snooker Deegan for second and continue his march forward. Deegan was passed by McClenny before a caution involving Allison Gay and Jesse Burks. Nascimento jumped inside McClenny for third but McClenny held the outside for several laps to defend the position.

Berry hounded Love and gave him a shove on lap 30. Four laps later, Love went up the track in turn four and surrendered the lead to Berry. Nascimento jumped on top of the top-two in a three car duel in the final ten laps of the opening segment. Deegan was involved in a significant crash in turn one with lapped car Allison Gay and Telford that ended the first 50 lap segment two laps early.

Coming out of the break, Austin Edwards, who had run as low as tenth, briefly challenged Anthony Guiamano for fifth. That battle for fifth increased to a four car battle about half a track behind the top-four leaders. Love stayed glued to Berry's bumper and on lap 61 the duo came together with Berry spinning in turn four. Both cars had to restart at the rear. Nascimento assumed the lead ahead of McClenny and Guaimano and the trio never looked back. Austin Edwards came back to fourth with Deegan coming back for another top-five as well. Kolby Berry finished eighth with Love in ninth in a big shakeup for the points standings as well with three rounds to go.

The Mini Cup feature may have stolen the show with Tyler Reif of Las Vegas getting a crowd-pleasing win after battling hard with Joey Stearns of Stockton.

Stearns led the opening five laps with Reif in tow. Reif tried several maneuvers before they collided twice in turn three sending Stearns for a spin. Both drivers had to restart the 20 lap feature from the rear.

Aiden Phillips led three laps before Stearns and Reif were back up front again. This time Reif spent many laps seizing up Stearns until they started a door banging duel that lasted two laps side-by-side. After a few hard lumps and door banging, Reif took over on lap 16 and never looked back over Stearns, Phillips, Kale McClenny, and Joseph Holliday.

A tremendous 10 car turnout of combined Toyota Sedans and F4s gave the race fans plenty of side-by-side racing. Jason Kearns led the first six laps before a caution brought the field back together. Former open wheel standout Tim Skoglund of Fresno parted the seas to take the lead before points leader Mike Marley challenged. Marley peeked inside on lap 18 but couldn't complete the deal.

Skoglund successfully drove away from Marley for a 1.123 second win followed by Jason Lawton, Jason Kearns, and Tim Curtis.

Up next for Madera Speedway is the Children's Hospital Kids Night Presented by JBT FoodTech this Saturday! It will feature Madera Late Models, Madera Hobby Stocks, F4's, Toyota Sedans, MST, and the Jr, Late Model 25 lap exhibition race.

Madera Racing on MAVTV continues every Thursay night at 8 p.m. Eastern / 5 p.m. Pacific. Madera Speedway racing is also available on the LucasOilRacing.TV app

For more information about Madera Racing on MAVTV please visit www.racemadera.com or www.mavtv.com. For more information about 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, CALIFORNIA (May 31, 2017) – Officials from Short Track Management and Madera Speedway have amended the results of Saturday night's round #3 of the RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series. The 100 lap victory by Bakersfield's Buddy Shepherd has been reinstated following a review of technical inspection procedures.

Shepherd set quick-time and led the final 68 laps of the event before being disqualified in post-race inspection for an illegal engine set back. After reviewing the inspection procedures, officials deemed that the measurement was not taken accurately. Shepherd will receive all awards earned for the evening including fast-time points, half-way bonus points, finish points, and all prize money.

He will lead the points standings when the MAVTV-televised series resumes on June 17th for round #4.

The amended top-five are Shepherd, Logan Zampa, Garland Tyler, Austin Herzog, and Dillon Tucker.

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

Jesse Love IV in victory lane after his second Jr. Late Model victory

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (April 29, 2017) – 12 year-old Jesse Love established himself as the top contender for the 2017 51FIFTY Junior Late Model championship while 2015 track champion Buddy Shepherd returned to RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model victory lane in a busy Saturday night at Madera Speedway. Both second round events of the prestigious Late Model series were broadcast for MAVTV on a perfect spring evening at the fastest one-third mile in the west.

Love's 75 lap win makes him two-for-two in his young Jr. Late Model career and came against an outstanding field of 20 cars, narrowed from a 15 lap B Main. Redwood Valley's Kolby Berry, the season opening runner-up, brought the field to the green flag alongside last April's winner Austin Edwards, age 12.

An incident early on in turn two involved three female drivers including Jaden Lyn Rocha, Lilly Mead, and Madison Gay. All eventually were freed from the incident but Jaden Lyn eventually retired from the race on lap seven.

A series of short cautions for spins brought the race to a lap nine restart, where Berry spun from the lead but the race remained under green with Edwards assuming the top spot. Las Vegas' Tanner Reif spun on lap 11 with a flat right rear tire and Mead spun in turn two collecting Reif on lap 18. Reif and Mead were again gathered in a melee on lap 22 that included Jesse Burks.

Love took a look underneath Edwards for the lead before another brief caution. Love continued to hound Edwards while four-time winner Austin Herzog tried to overtake Hailie Deegan for third. Herzog and Deegan had a brief door banging battle on lap 28 and Herzog grabbed the position.

Love finally got around Edwards for first on lap 30 in turn 1 before a caution for Berry spun around in turn two. Herzog challenged Edwards for second before Anthony Guiamano tagged the wall with a flat tire to bring the race's 50 lap break early on lap 41.

After the intermission on the front stretch, Love drove away from the pack repeatedly while the biggest mover was Bakersfield's Kabe McClenny. McClenny challenged Deegan for fourth several times in his first series race. McClenny spun on lap 57 in turn two and collected Eric Nascimento, Jr. to end Nascimento's night early.

A final caution for a brief spin on lap 64 set up an 11 lap run to the finish but Love proved too strong for the .518 second victory while Edwards held off Herzog for second. Berry charged back through the field to finish fourth with Deegan rounding out the top-five.

Buddy Shepherd came from the ninth position to get his first 100 lap Madera Speedway RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model victory since his 2015 championship season. The top eight starters after the redraw were all drivers without a previous televised Pro Late Model win, making for a wide-open race. 2016 champion Matt Erickson came to the green from 12th as well.

Ryan Hart led the first three laps with Rick Thompson on his outside, before Thompson edged forward to hold the lead position. Erickson found himself embroiled in three-wide racing early on. Hart hit the front stretch wall head-on during lap 15 but the race stayed green until Howard Holden spun in turn one the following lap.

Shepherd found himself in fourth by that restart, while up front it was Madera Late Model Easter Egg night winner Dillon Tucker charging past Thompson for the lead on lap 16. A caution on lap 25 spelled disaster for top-five running Austin Herzog as he retired to the pits with smoke from the rear of the car.

Tucker's days at the front were numbered as Shepherd pounced to lead lap 26. Several different restart exchanges saw different drivers follow Shepherd on the outside line including Rick Thompson driving back into second. A multi-car spin in turn three slowed action on lap 36 and a two-by-two battle for third followed. Erickson snaked through the battling to advance to fourth by lap 42 with the race hitting its halfway break at lap 50. Tyler slid across the line from fifth at the end of the segment but was able to continue without damage.

After the halfway break on the front stretch for adjustments, racing resumed with Shepherd continually using the outside line to anchor restarts. Erickson ran as high as third on several occasions and faced battles with half a dozen different drivers. Joey Licata eventually emerged as a contender for the race win as he battled with Thompson for second multiple times before having an engine failure on lap 65.

Erickson slipped back to fifth on that restart and never fully recovered, with Garland Tyler starting to become the next driver to challenge the leaders. Logan Zampa and Tyler managed to both work their way past Thompson on the inside line with five laps to go while Buddy Shepherd enjoyed a comfortable margin ahead of them.

Shepherd grabbed the $2,000 victory by 1.630 seconds ahead of Zampa, Tyler, Thompson, and Erickson. Hart overcame the earlier incident to finish ninth while Tucker faded to tenth in the closing laps with front end damage.

All three undercard divisions on the evening had first time winners. Patrick Geiger put together a dominating win in the Modified Super Toyota feature, winning by a full straight away. The remaining four cars in the event ran two-by-two for the entire 20 laps with Bert Stephens edging Zachary Cook for second.

Nine year-old Tyler Reif of Las Vegas, NV made the most of his Mini Cup debut for his first win. A late restart evaporated his comfortable lead but he was not deterred as he charged to a 2.227 second win over JoJo Stearns and Joseph Holiday.

Toyota Sedan points leader Mike Marley picked up his first ever win topping Erik Woods and Thomas Magray.

Madera Speedway's 2017 season continues next Saturday with the 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 HPD Midgets, Legends of the Pacific, PLUS THE WEST COAST SPORTSMAN SERIES featuring Grand National Type stock cars in a 75 Lap race!

For more information on the Madera Speedway, visit RaceMadera.com