KYLE KELLER BECOMES LATEST THREE-TIME WINNER OF SHORT TRACK SHOOTOUT, WITH $10,000 MADERA SPEEDWAY VICTORY

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (October 19, 2025) – Kyle Keller avoided chaos and capitalized when it mattered most, scoring his third career $10,000 Short Track Shootout victory for Pro Late Models at Madera Speedway. The victory in the 13th annual 175-lap event places Keller alongside Eric Holmes as the only three-time winners of the race. Photo by Pure Pixel Visuals

Keller inherited the lead when 14-year-old Vito Cancilla of Martinez clashed with Oakdale’s Blaine Rocha, ending a spirited battle for the top spot.

“I knew Ethan Nascimento was going to be hard to beat all weekend. When he pulled the one (card) I knew it was going to be very hard to get up there. We fought really hard there. I think my best move was I had to let Vito (Cancilla) go because I knew he was fast. That really helped there,” Keller said.

Nascimento drew the pole position after qualifying second fastest among the 20 teams to take times. Keller and 2019 series champion Austin Herzog staged a furious duel for second that lasted throughout the first 30-laps. 2023 Jr. Late Model champion Cancilla then used a lap 30 restart to charge around the outside of Keller for second.

2025 series champion Jay Juleson of San Jose raced hard with his teammate Shelden Cooper of Clovis for the fifth spot, with Juleson diving inside Cooper on numerous occasions to no avail. Nascimento led Herzog, Cancilla, Keller, and Cooper into the lap 100 break for adjustments, two fresh Hoosier tires, and RACER Network interviews.

The intensity level increased over the 75-lap final segment. Keller stormed underneath Nascimento on a lap 115 restart to take the lead. Nascimento and Herzog fell to the rear of the field with a slow get away. A multi-car crash followed when Cooper and Madera’s Joey Iest collided in turn four and sailed into the front stretch wall. Nascimento was collected and eliminated from the race. Herzog suffered heavy cosmetic damage as well but was able to continue after repairs.

Cancilla battled with Rocha for the second position, using a slide job to physically clear Rocha for the position on lap 134. Cancilla then dove inside Keller for the lead on lap 145. Cancilla accumulated a 1.9 second advantage over the field that was nullified when Cam Carraway spun in turn four on lap 154.

Rocha chose the inside of Cancilla for the restart and returned favor, sliding Cancilla up the hill in turn two to take the lead on lap 155. Cancilla slid sideways but saved it while falling back to third. He quickly re-took second from a deferential Keller.

Cancilla reeled in Rocha rapidly and slid past him in turn four to lead lap 170. Rocha immediately answered back with hard contact into turn one, sending Cancilla spinning from the lead to bring out the caution flag. The contact ended Rocha’s event when he was parked by race officials.

Keller witnessed all of this unfold from the windshield of his No. 12 Ford, inheriting the lead with five to go. Keller fended off a strong performance from 67-year-old Glen Cook of Mariposa to earn the victory. Herzog came back through the pack to finish third followed by Shaun Reynolds of Coarsegold and 13-year-old Bristol Borneman of Ramona.

Clovis’ Skyler Schoppe won his second 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series event of the 2025 season while Oregon’s James Hamlin won the 2025 championship. Hamlin was involved in several race incidents and did not finish the 70-lap event.

Bristol Borneman started on the pole but collided with Hamlin on just the second lap of the event in turn one, relegating both drivers to the rear. Hamlin and Kellen Keller of Madera then tangled on lap 13, with Washington’s Hunter Gates finding the front stretch wall while attempting to avoid the spin.

Schoppe avoided the incidents to assume the lead and cruise to a commanding advantage into the lap 40 break. Hamlin and Keller engaged again for second place in the final segment before making contact again on lap 49 to bring out the caution. Hamlin was parked by race officials and Keller had to restart at the back of the pack. Schoppe led the final 21 laps for the season finale win ahead of Bristol Borneman with Keller charging back to finish third.

Bakersfield’s Logan Chambers won the 30-lap INEX Legends feature followed by fellow Bakersfield pilot Colton Page, while Lillie Cook of Mariposa wrapped up the championship.

Madera Speedway’s circle track finale is October 25 with the Pumpkin Smash Halloween Bash. The event includes a costume contest for the kids, trick or treating in the pits, a barrel race, and the Pumpkin Smash Enduro race. For more info, visit 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.