FIRST SEVEN CONFIRMED DRIVERS ANNOUNCED FOR 2026 JUNIOR LATE MODEL COMBINE AT MADERA SPEEDWAY
MADERA, CALIFORNIA (January 7, 2026) – The 2026 Jr. Late Model Combine has announced the first seven confirmed participants for the upcoming driver development tryout, taking place January 23-24 at Madera Speedway in Madera, Calif. Photo by Ethan Smith
On-track action on the one-third mile asphalt speedway includes Legends testing on Friday January 23 and Jr. Late Model testing on Saturday January 24. The top performing driver will earn a fully paid race weekend in the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series on national TV at Madera Speedway. Second prize is a half-priced race weekend. The third best driver earns a fully paid Legends race weekend.
Participants confirmed include:
Thirteen-year-old Levi Annas out of Nevada with multiple Outlaw Kart championships. Washington’s Jaxon Burnett, age 12, with multiple INEX Legends wins across the country, and California’s Charlie Carty, age 15, winner of several Jr. Spec Late Model races in his already lengthy 11 years of racing.
Also confirmed is 14-year-old Lane Christensen of Georgia, an INEX Bandolero national champion and 15-year-old Wyatt Flowers of Alaska with multiple INEX Bandolero and Legend track and state titles.
Female competitors include 13-year-old Delaney Gray of La Grange, NC, a winner of Allison Legacy races in 2025 and a former INEX Bandolero state champion, along with Utah’s Bentlee Hillock, a 15-year-old racer with a win as a rookie in Pro Trucks last season.
The second batch of confirmed participants will be announced by the end of the week.
The combine features driver coaching and evaluation from Nascimento Motorsports. The weekend also includes media, marketing, crew, and spotter modules. Drivers and their families will have opportunities to learn from sponsorship and media pros and from championship winning drivers and crew chiefs.
51FIFTY Jr. Late Models has been the proving ground for many of the top young stock car drivers in the nation including 2025 XFINITY Series champion Jesse Love, two-time ARCA Menards Series, West champion Sean Hingorani, ARCA West winners such as Tanner and Tyler Reif, and Madera Short Track Shootout winners Kyle Keller and Ethan Nascimento among many others. Jr. Late Models utilize the GM 602 crate engine producing approximately 350 horsepower before being restricted for junior competition. An 8” Hoosier 970 tire controls the pace and adds additional challenges as well.
Event details and registration can be found at www.NascimentoMotorsports.com Questions can be directed to Eric Nascimento at (209) 993-6457
FIRST SEVEN CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS
Levi Annas (13) – Carson City, NV
Jaxon Burnett (12) – Snohomish, WA
Charlie Carty (15) – San Diego, CA
Lane Christensen (14) – Pendergrass, GA
Wyatt Flowers (15) – Palmer, AK
Delaney Gray (13) – La Grange, NC
Bentlee Hillock (15) – Cedar Hills, UT
