Rev. Ron Spencer Red, White, and Blue Classic Brings Late Model Action to Madera Speedway - Speedway Digest

One of the most sought-after race wins of the Madera Speedway season will be on the line this Saturday night with the Rev. Ron Spencer Red, White, and Blue Classic. Honoring the late Reverend Ron Spencer, drivers will compete in the MAVTV-televised Madera Pro Late Model Series presented by Mission Foods and the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series. INEX Legends, Mini Super Toyotas, and INEX Bandoleros will also be competing.

Saturday’s race schedule has been modified due to forecasted high temperatures. Each division will stage a single practice session at 4:30pm followed immediately by time trials and heat races for the INEX divisions and the MSTs. Opening Ceremonies are slated for approx. 7pm with all five features to follow. Race fans can enjoy covered grandstands and plenty of ice cold beverages will be for sale as well.

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. Meet me at Madera! Race fans can “Join” www.YouTube.com/ShortTrackTV for $19.99 per month for a members-only live stream as well.

A brilliant season of two runner-up finishes and two third-place finishes has propelled Fresno’s Tyler Herzog into the points lead in the Madera Pro Late Model Series presented by Mission Foods. The 2023 Pro champion leads 2023 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series champion Vito Cancilla of Martinez by 14 markers in the standings.

The 12 year-old Cancilla has shown well in his rookie campaign in the division with two feature wins surrounded by finishes of seventh and fifth.

Third in the standings is round four winner Matt Erickson of La Grange. Erickson won a dramatic green-white-checkered duel over San Francisco’s Henry Barton to take a narrow win after starting ninth. Clovis’ Shelden Cooper is the other race winner this year with a triumph in round two on April 6. Cooper ranks fourth in the championship while Pro Late Model Series rookie Joey Kennealy of Madera rounds out the top-five.

Ryan Reynolds of Coarsegold, Atwater’s Jason Aguirre, Shaun Reynolds, Yorba Linda’s Nathan Quella, and Fresno’s Rick Thompson are the balance of the top-ten drivers. An 80-lap feature is on tap for the Red, White, and Blue Classic with a 50-lap opening segment, a break for adjustments and MAVTV interviews, and a 30-lap race to the finish.

The top four drivers in the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series for drivers ages 10-16 years old have each scored a race win and have just 26 total points separating the group. Fifth-generation driver Jace Hale of Manteca is the most recent winner in round four and has propelled himself to a seven-point championship lead. Castro Valley’s Cam Carraway ranks second with one win, one fast-time, and three total podium finishes. Three-time fast-time qualifier Jacob Ryan of Livermore is third, just 12 points out of the lead. San Antonio, Texas’ Tristan Pena rounds out the quartet with a pair of top-two finishes this season.

Clovis’ Skyler Schoppe and Oakdale’s Hayden Stepps are battling for fifth in the standings with just 12 points between the pair.

The 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series races in 70-lap features across a 40-lap opening segment and a 30-lap sprint to the finish.

Patrick Geiger leads the Mini Super Toyotas heading into Saturday’s 30-lap feature. Tyler Ridley ranks second. The most recent race winner is Joseph Holiday who is third in the standings. Shay Gouldy and Corey Sedgwick round out the top-five.

Bakersfield’s Eddie Garone leads the INEX Legends track championship standings followed by 11 year-old Colton Hale of Manteca, Bakersfield’s Colton Page, Easton’s Kyle Labrie, and Madera’s CJ Dizney. INEX Legends are slated for a 30-lap race on Saturday night.

2023 defending INEX Bandolero champion Kaine Betancourt holds the top spot for the track’s youngest racers. Las Vegas’ Kellen Keller won the fourth round of the series on May 18th.

Racing action kicks off on Friday night with the pit gates opening at 3pm. Practice runs from 5pm to 8pm. Pit gates open at 2pm on Saturday with the drivers meeting at 3:45pm and practice at 4:30pm. Opening Ceremonies are slated for approx. 7pm with all five features to follow.

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 Mission Foods, 51FIFTY LTM, Lunkerdaddy Fishing Lures, 805 Beer, Race 2B Drug Free, Competition Carburetion, Hoosier Tires, Sealmaster, Frank’s Radio, and Sunoco Race Fuel.

Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Monday nights in primetime at 6pm Pacific / 9pm Eastern. Check www.MAVTV.com for program listings.