MADERA SPEEDWAY COMES TO LIFE WITH THE MADERA SPEEDFEST FOR $5K TO WIN ON MARCH 16

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (March 6, 2024) – The 2024 MAVTV-televised stock car racing season arrives at Madera Speedway on Saturday night March 16th with the $5,000 to win Madera SpeedFest for Pro Late Models, presented by Mission Foods. Opening night will also feature the first championship rounds of the season for the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series, Mini Super Toyotas, and INEX Bandoleros. Photo by Ethan Smith

All tickets will be sold at the track ticket booth. Adult tickets are just $20, seniors are $15, youth ages 6-12 are $10 and kids five and under are free. Race fans can “Join” www.YouTube.com/ShortTrackTV for $19.99 per month for a members-only live stream as well. Opening ceremonies are slated for 6pm. Madera Speedway will have plenty of cold drinks for sale along with a covered main grandstand for fans to enjoy.

The 100-lap curtain raiser for Madera Speedway has been the scene for many emotional victories and breakthrough triumphs. Madera’s all-time winningest driver Matt Erickson dedicated his opening night win to his mother in 2022. Young Robbie Kennealy earned a critical paycheck for his family run team when he earned his first Pro Late Model win in the 2023 edition of the SpeedFest.

2023 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series champion Vito Cancilla of Martinez, Calif. has his eyes on history as the 12-year-old embarks on a full-time season in the Pro Late Model Series. Cancilla could become the youngest winner in Madera Pro Late Model history at the SpeedFest. His rookie season is expected to be joined by Legends graduates Nathan Quella and Matt Winfrey entering the Pro Late Model ranks.

Clovis’ Shelden Cooper had a career season in 2023, with a victory in round seven of the series and a third place finish in the championship. He looks for the most lucrative win in his career with the $5,000 prize on his mind. Series veteran Rick Thompson of Fresno returns after earning four top-ten finishes in 2023.

Several drivers are still hunting their first MAVTV-televised Pro Late Model win in the 100-lap feature such as Shaun and Ryan Reynolds, Jay Juleson, Mike Hensley, Glen Cook, Will Martyn, Olivia Manke, and many more.

The 100-lap Madera SpeedFest is run over a pair of 50-lap segments, with a break for adjustments and MAVTV interviews after lap 50.

An outstanding fresh crop of 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series competitors aim to continue the tradition of great racing for drivers ages 10-16 years old. The series has been the birthplace for the stars with NASCAR XFINITY full-time competitors Jesse Love and Hailie Deegan starting their careers at the one-third mile. 2023 ARCA Menards Series West champion Sean Hingorani started at Madera with four of the top-five in the final West Series standings being series alumni.

Who will make their mark in 2024? The Northwest will send two of its best teenagers to compete with Rowdy Rupinski of Rathdrum, Idaho and JJ Mullins of Naches, Washington venturing south. Mullins, 15, won the Hobby Stock championship at Hermiston Raceway in Oregon in 2023 with two wins.

Quarter Midget star Eli Black of Santa Rosa and Micro Sprint racer Hayden Stepps of Oakdale will move up to the full body Jr. Late Models in 2024. Kylie Glick of Lincoln and Jace Hale of Rio Linda return to Madera, after part-time rookie seasons, with checkered flags on their minds. Tristan Pena of San Antonio, Texas will run his sophomore season for crew chief Charlie Wilson.

13-year-old Cameron Carraway of Castro Valley scored six top-five finishes in the 2023 series. Joey Kennealy of Madera won the season finale and followed that up with a victory in the non-points event during the ARCA Menards Series West event. They look to be two of the senior members of the field, leaning on veteran experience against some hungry young drivers.

The youngest stock car drivers in the west will race in a 70-lap feature across a 40-lap opening segment and a 30-lap run to the finish.

Mini Super Toyotas will also be racing on opening night, competing in a 30-lap feature. Patrick Geiger of Clovis prevailed by 29 points over Zachary Cook in the 2023 championship battle, followed by the “Macho Man” Tyler Ridley in third.

INEX Bandoleros were dominated by Kaine Betancourt last season, as he won six races en route to the championship. A programming note: the previously scheduled season opener for the INEX Legends championship season has been postponed to April 6.

Action gets underway on Friday with practice from 5pm until 8:30pm with pit gates opening at 3pm. On Saturday, pit gates open at noon with practice at 1:30pm. Qualifying hits the track at 4:00pm. Heat races will follow, followed by opening ceremonies at 6:00pm.

For more information about the Madera Speedway including how to advertise with a race team on MAVTV please visit www.racemadera.com or call the race office at 209-356-1968.

The 2024 season would not be possible without the support of Lunkerdaddy Fishing Lures, 51FIFTY LTM, Mission Foods, 805 Beer, Race 2B Drug Free, Competition Carburetion, Hoosier Tires, and Sunoco Race Fuel.

Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Monday nights in primetime. Check www.MAVTV.com for program listings.