LANE CHRISTENSEN AND MIKE HENSLEY OPEN 2026 MADERA SPEEDWAY SEASON WITH LATE MODEL VICTORIES

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (March 14, 2026) – Georgia’s Lane Christensen made the most of a one-race opportunity at Madera Speedway on Saturday night. The 14-year-old led an international field of drivers in the season opener for the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series, steering to victory in his debut start in a 70-lap feature. Photo by Mackenzie Naake

Christensen was selected to compete following January’s Madera Jr. Late Model Combine, where he outperformed a group of 15 young racers to earn the ride in the season opener.

“Oh my gosh this is awesome. All these guys at Nascimento Motorsports, my mom, my dad, my brother, Speed-U – it wouldn’t be possible without these guys,” Christensen said.  “I want to come race every single one but we’ll what happens. I love Madera, this whole state of California. This track, these cars – everything is awesome.”

Christensen topped qualifying for the drivers ages 10-16 years old then lined up fourth after the redraw. 13-year-old Jarrett Dickson of Redwood Valley drew the pole for the RACER Network-televised event. The lone Californian in the field darted ahead with a comfortable lead in his inaugural appearance.

Brexton Busch, son of two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, fell to seventh before eventually pulling into the infield with an apparent rear end failure.

Dickson accumulated a 2.5 second advantage that was nullified when Japan’s Eiki Koga, age 10, spun in turn one for a caution on lap 35. Dickson and Christensen lined up alongside each other for the restart. Christensen crossed over to the inside on the backstretch to take the lead on lap 37.

Christensen led Dickson, Alaska’s Wyatt Flowers, Washington’s Hunter Gates, and Illinois driver Keatin Lyons at the lap 40 break for RACER Network interviews and adjustments.

Dickson used the highline to edge back into the top spot over Christensen when racing resumed. Christensen made the bottom work, drive back into the lead to win the side-by-side battle on lap 43. Christensen led the rest of the way for the triumph followed by Dickson. Flowers held off the HGC Motorsports teammates of Lyons and Gates for third.

Bass Lake’s Mike Hensley prevailed in a wild Madera SpeedFest for the Mission Pro Late Model Series, overcoming several incidents to drive into the lead in the 70-lap feature. Hensley took a break from driving late in 2025 with Oregon’s James Hamlin using his vehicle to win the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series championship. Hensley made the most of returning to action by grabbing victory.

“I just kept digging and digging. We actually ran like four races tonight. The car got better and better as it went. We needed this, it’s been a while since we’ve been in victory lane so this will carry us for a little bit,” Hensley said.

Madera’s Joey Kennealy was quickest in time trials while Lincoln’s Kylie Glick drew the pole position. Shaun Reynolds of Coarsegold took the lead at the start of the feature however. Hensley and Ukiah’s Keith Nelson tangled in turn three for the first caution on lap two.

Glick used the high side to seize the lead from Reynolds, with Reynolds shuffled back to fourth. Glick was then overhauled by Jason Aguirre for the lead on lap 13. Cam Carraway followed suit, taking second place.

Glick and Reynolds collided for third heading into turn one, sending Glick into a spin for the next caution on lap 17. Carraway took full advantage on the following restart, using the high line himself to take over the lead from Aguirre.

Hensley and Kennealy came together on the front stretch for a spin and a caution on lap 27. Glick went to the outside line on the restart but spun coming out of turn four, sliding across the field before nearly clipping the inside wall. Reynolds tagged Nelson while attempting to avoid Glick, ending Reynolds’ evening with front end damage.

Carraway and Aguirre battled back-and-forth for the lead with Carraway gaining the upper hand at the race break on lap 38. The break arrived two laps early due to a crash for Bobby Hurst. When the race resumed, Aguirre drove back into the lead on lap 39. Glick spun in turn four but righted her machine in front of the lead duo. Aguirre used the lapped car as a pick to take possession of the lead over Carraway.

Carraway came back, using the bottom line to reel in Aguirre. Carraway took the top spot on lap 63 exiting turn two. Coming into turn one on the following lap, Aguirre collided with Carraway to spin him out of the lead and bring out the caution. Both drivers had to restart at the rear of the field.

Hensley had passed Nelson for third before the caution flew and took control of the race. Hensley prevailed over the final seven laps for the unlikely come from the behind victory. Nelson finished second while Kennealy finished third. Carraway and Glick rounded out the top-five.

Konner Karston of Valencia won his first career Madera INEX Legends feature after avoiding a late-race melee in turn one. Freddy Irvin and Antonio Gonzales collided into the first turn with six laps to go and collected Bakersfield’s Eddie Garone. Karston avoided the chaos to be scored as the winner in a yellow-checkered finish. Aaron Coonfield of Modesto finished second with Gonzales scored third.

Madera Speedway opens the 2026 seasons for both the Pro Sportsman and NCMA Sprint Cars next Saturday night March 21st. Both features will be filmed for a future broadcast on RACER Network.

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, Sunoco Race Fuel, and Sealmaster.

Madera Racing on RACER Network airs Monday nights.