Photo Courtesy Jason Wedehase

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (January 31, 2018) – The interest in the 2018 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Model Series at Madera Speedway has hit a fever pitch, and track promoter Kenny Shepherd and championship team owner Mike Naake have answered with a unique testing program. The series for drivers ages 10-16 years old sees all nine races televised on MAVTV. Last year’s champion Jesse Love IV, then 12, rose to the occasion as a stock car racing rookie in the highly competitive division.

Love has since moved to a brand-new car within the Naake-Klauer Motorsports stable this year, leaving his five-time winning #38 Toyota available. Naake will offer Love’s championship car for private testing available to new drivers that would like to dip their toes in the Jr. Late Model program. The tests will be one car and one driver only, allowing young drivers to get the full attention and coaching they need. The training and testing regimen will be tailored to each driver’s previous experience level, with the intent to build up their confidence in a flawless car.

This unprecedented opportunity to test a championship car and experience Jr. Late Model racing should be very popular. It serves as a solid gateway to getting involved in the Jr. Late Model Series. Previous competitors have come from such varied backgrounds at quarter-midgets, Off Road Trucks, Micro Sprints, pavement karts, Midgets, Legends, and Bandoleros. Few drivers have ever sat in a full-sized race car before they join the series.

Graduates of the 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Model Series are already planning programs that include NASCAR K&N Pro Series East & West, BCRA Midgets, and Super Late Models including the Winter Showdown. For more information on how to join the series and take part in the testing program, contact Mike Naake at (916) 771-0109.

The 2018 season of MAVTV-televised action at Madera is fast approaching with 9 nights of RPM and 51FIFTY-backed competition plus four Super Late Model events and several open wheel events that will showcase the best young talent in the nation. The $5,000 to win RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Series opens the season on March 10th!

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 airs Thursdays re-runs of the 2016 & 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.

Madera Speedway 2018 Schedule Celebrating 47 years of Racing!

February 24th - Practice Day and Member sign up, this is open to all cars (set up at 11:00am, track will be hot from 1-5pm)

March 3rd - Practice Day and Member sign up, this is open to all cars (set up at 11:00am, track will be hot from 1-5pm)

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 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 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

The top 10 drivers were honored at the North State Modified Series awards celebration Saturday night. From left to right: Adrianna Strugnell, Darrin Sullivan, Eric Johnson, Sierra Furia, Cody Braund, Dustin DeRosier. Front row: NSMS 3-time champion Darrin Knight

Via NSMS PR

Williams, CA. January 27, 2018....... The fourth annual awards banquet honoring the top ten drivers in the 2017 North State Modified Series (NSMS) was held Saturday night at Granzella's Banquet Facility in Williams, CA. Business Manager Nadine Strauss acted as master of ceremonies. Speakers included Mort Houston, founder of the Lloyd Burton Challenge, Chris Scribner, series sponsor and owner of both Scribner Plastics and Racer Bling, and series co-promoters Jeff Stephens and Bob Strauss.

Darrin Knight of Kelseyville was crowned NSMS champion for the third consecutive time. Knight won the second annual Sinister Diesel Gene Welch Classic at All American Speedway in April and followed that up with a big win at Lakeport Speedway in May. He suffered a win-less streak until September 9 at Redwood Acres Raceway in Eureka where he set fast time and captured his third season main event.

Second place honors went to Charlie Collins of Upper Lake for the straight second year. Collins won the Sunoco/Penney Racing Supply fast time award on opening night at All American Speedway. Ten of his 11 races in 2017 were top-10 finishes. His solo win came on July 8 in Ukiah.

Last year's NSMS Sunoco Rookie of the Year, Darrin Sullivan of Kelseyville, finished third overall again this year. Sullivan was on fire in 2017, capturing two feature wins.... the O'Reilly Nor-Cal 60 at Redwood Acres Raceway in Eureka, and the “Lloyd Burton Against the Wind Modified Challenge” at Shasta Speedway in September.

Fourth place went to Kelseyville's Eric Johnson. Out of the 11 races scheduled, Johnson finished in the top ten 10 times. His best finish was a second at Lakeport Speedway.

Sierra Furia of Lakeport, our top female driver, ended the season in fifth with NSMS. She never missed a race and ran up front at each event. Furia finished a very impressive third at Redwood Acres Raceway at the Memorial Day Modified Classic. She also qualified third fast that same day.

Finishing in sixth was Cloverdale's Dustin DeRosier. The DeRosier team had good intentions of racing with NSMS from year one, but different circumstances dictated that they could not. He was at the track at every race in 2017 capturing seven top 10 finishes.

Jason Philpot of Sacramento won more races than any other NSMS driver in 2016. The competition was stiffer this year, and although he never won a main event, he finished second twice, third 3 times and fourth twice, earning seventh place overall.

Eighth place went to veteran driver Richie Potts from Petaluma. Potts missed a few races this season, but was always there trying to make his car faster. He was the winner of 2 Lucas Oil Dashes for Cash, had 4 top 10 finishes, and enjoyed watching his #83 modified finish 2nd at Eureka with Kyle Tellstrom behind the wheel.

Adrianna Strugnell of Kelseyville, our other female driver, finishing in ninth place in her first full season with NSMS. The highlight of her year came on July 18 at Ukiah Speedway when she won the Lucas Oil Dash for Cash. She also enjoyed two top 10 finishes.

Tenth place finisher, Cody Braund of Redding, left his #18 home this season to drive the Bob Lehman #82 modified. It was a frustrating year for Braund with many mechanical problems, but he hung in there to finish in the top 10.

The 2017 Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors went to Simi Tour of Potter Valley. Tour was vacationing in Mexico and was not in attendance.

Special $1000 Lucas Oil products certificates were awarded to Knight, Sullivan and Johnson. Strugnell, Braund and Eric Price Jr. each got a $600 Lucas Oil certificate. DeRosier received the an $800 ASI Racerwear bonus, and Furia collected the Five Star body nose piece.

Recognition went to all the NSMS officials as well as the series sponsors Protect the Harvest, Lucas Oil, Sinister Diesel, Ward Ranches, Penney Racing Supply, American Racer Tires, Naake Suspension, Sunoco Race Fuels, Five Star Bodies, Racer Bling, Keyser Racing Products, Scribner Plastics, DJ Safety, the Buckhorn Bar & Grill, Economy Heating & Air and Mort Houston.