JAY JULESON WINS ROUND EIGHT OF MADERA PRO LATE MODELS AND CLINCHES 2025 TITLE

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (September 20, 2025) – San Jose’s Jay Juleson sealed the deal on the 2025 Mission Pro Late Model championship a race early, driving to victory during the penultimate round eight on Saturday night at Madera Speedway to clinch the series title. Juleson persevered through a wild 80-lap feature at the one-third mile speedway. Photo by Jeff Thielscher

Juleson led time trials but rolled off eighth after the redraw. An intriguing front row of Merced’s Aiden Phillips and 2025 Jr. Late Model contender Bristol Borneman of Ramona led the field to green. Phillips fell backwards quickly however, then tangled with Fresno’s Rick Thompson for the first caution on lap eight.

Oakdale’s Hayden Stepps charged around the outside of Borneman to lead lap nine. Coarsegold’s Will Martyn then challenged Borneman for second. They collided in turn four, sparking a multi-car crash which gathered up Iowa’s McKenna Haase, Santa Rosa’s Eli Black, and Fresno’s Rick Thompson.

After a lengthy red flag, Stepps led the field back to green flag racing. Her lead was short lived when she spun after contact from Shaun Reynolds of Coarsegold in turn two on lap 14. Jason Aguirre of Atwater steered to avoid and hit the backstretch wall to end his evening.

Juleson avoided each of these incidents to inherit the top position by just the 14th lap of competition. He led the final 66 laps on the way to victory. Borneman and Stepps marched past Phillps coming out of the race break, taking second and third respectively. Stepps then spun challenging for second position for a caution on lap 63. Juleson comfortably drove away over the final 17 circuits with Borneman clinching second position. Phillips finished third followed by Stepps and Ben Johnson.

Oregon’s James Hamlin increased his 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series points lead, following his second 70-lap victory of the season on Saturday night. Clovis’ Skyler Schoppe started on the pole and led a fierce three-car duel with himself, Hamlin, and Eli Black of Santa Rosa lined up in formation. Hamlin eventually muscled his way past Schoppe to lead lap 31. Black then swooped around the outside to score second on lap 34. Hamlin led Black, Schoppe, Washington’s Hunter Gates, and Borneman into the lap 40 break for adjustments and RACER Network interviews.

Hamlin led the final 30-lap without a challenge while Black settled for second. Schoppe finished third followed by Bristol Borneman and Byron Borneman.

Joseph Holiday won the 2025 Pro Sportsman championship and won the 30-lap season finale. Manteca’s Joseph Reichmuth fended off Holiday over the first six laps in an entertaining duel. Reichmuth then battled with 2024 champion Steve Schermerhorn for second. Holiday led Reichmuth and Schermerhorn at the checkered flag to close the Sportsman season.

2023 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model champion Vito Cancilla of Martinez returned to Madera Speedway and won the INEX Legends 30-lap feature. Bakersfield’s Colton Page finished second with rookie Branden Benedix in third.

Hank “The Tank” Galasatos won the INEX Bandolero feature ahead of Chloe LaMatina of Madera.

Madera Speedway returns on Saturday night September 27th for the 52nd Annual Harvest Classic with the Madera 150 for the NASCAR-sanctioned ARCA Menards Series, West. The action also includes the Speed Tour Super Modifieds, NCMA Sprint Cars, Legends of Kearney Bowl, and vintage BCRA Midgets. Tickets are on sale now at www.racemadera.com

The 2025 season would not be possible without the support 51FIFTY LTM, Mission Foods, 805 Beer, Race 2B Drug Free, Competition Carburetion, Hoosier Tires, Franks Radio, Sunoco Race Fuel, and Sealmaster.

Madera Racing on RACER Network airs Monday nights.