JAXON BURNETT PREVAILS FOR DEBUT JR. LATE MODEL WIN AT MADERA

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (May 16, 2026) – Madera Speedway’s 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series enjoyed a new winner in their debut race for the second time in 2026 when Snohomish, Washington’s Jaxon Burnett prevailed in a thrilling 70-lap feature on Saturday night. Burnett muscled past opening night winner Lane Christensen of Pendergrass, Georgia with just four laps remaining and overcame a green-white-checkered restart for the breakthrough triumph. Photo by Joshua Rodriguez

“It’s awesome man. My first race here; expecting to get a top-three. A win – definitely not! I’m so happy. I can’t thank Nascimento Motorsports enough for giving me this opportunity,” Burnett said. “I wanted to stay calm. I wanted to get the lead because I knew there was only a couple of laps left. We got it done. The Legend car is pretty twitchy as well and it translated pretty well here.”

Burnett and Christensen were both graduates of the 2026 Jr. Late Model Combine as well, with Burnett earning Saturday’s seat after finishing second in the Combine results.

10-year-old Brexton Busch topped qualifying then drew the third position for the race. Illinois’ Keatin Lyons and Christensen were the front row starters. Christensen drove into the lead immediately from the outside line.  Lyons challenged Burnett for second before drifting to the highside and being freight trained back to the sixth position. A caution on lap 23 erased Christensen’s advantage over Burnett.

Christensen selected the outside on the restart, allowing Burnett to drive underneath him to take the lead on lap 24. Christensen and Washington’s Hunter Gates then collided for second but were able to keep rolling. Busch had a solo spin on the front stretch for the next caution on lap 30.

The top-six drivers ran side-by-side in a three rows deep formation in a narrow battle. Gates tried to seize the lead on the outside but slid in turn four and fell back to third. Alaska’s Wyatt Flowers came to a stop with mechanical trouble, bringing the race to its scheduled race break two laps early on lap 38.

Burnett led Christensen when racing resumed after adjustments and RACER Network interviews. Christensen again chose the top and took the lead on lap 39. Washington’s Mason Blodgett and Clovis’ Connor Penix collided for a spin and a caution, setting up a crucial restart with five laps to go.

Christensen opted for the bottom when action resumed and cleared Burnett out of turn two. Burnett carried momentum down the backstretch, nudging Christensen out of the lead on lap 66. Christensen tried to battle back and collided with Burnett, but Burnett gathered up his car and Busch slid underneath for second place.

A wild scramble on the following lap saw Christensen and Gates collide into turn one, collecting several cars for a caution on lap 68.

Burnett lined up alongside Busch for a green-white-checkered finish and prevailed for victory. Busch finished second over a resurgent Lyons in third. Blodgett and Gates rounded out the top-five.

Shaun Reynolds of Coarsegold claimed the 50-lap feature for the Mission Pro Late Models which went non-stop. His teammate Jason Aguirre of Atwater started on the third row and marched through the field, taking the lead from 2024 Madera Late Model champion Trevor Schlundt on lap eight. Opening night winner Mike Hensley of Bass Lake spun on lap three in turn two but rejoined the race and it stayed green.

Reynolds followed Aguirre through the field then challenged for the lead. Reynolds took sole possession of the top spot on lap 19. Reynolds paced Aguirre by a few car lengths as they battled through lapped traffic, holding him at bay for the win. Schlundt finished third followed by Kolby Berry of Redwood Valley in fourth and Hensley.

Turlock’s Antonio Gonzales won the INEX Legends 30-lap feature. Cameron Hutchison finished second ahead of his brother Trent Hutchison.

Madera Speedway resumes on May 30 with the NCMA Sprint Cars and Pro Sportsman headlining the action. The 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models and Mission Pro Late Models resume on June 13.

For more info, visit www.racemadera.com

The 2026 season would not be possible without the support 51FIFTY LTM, Mission Foods, 805 Beer, Race 2B Drug Free, Competition Carburetion, Hoosier Tires, Franks Radio, and Sunoco Race Fuel.

Madera Racing on RACER Network airs Monday nights.