Speedway to honor Reverend Spencer

Madera Speedway and its MAVTV-televised Late Model drivers will honor Reverend Ron Spencer with Red, White, and Blue Classic at the fastest one-third mile in the west tonight.

The late Ron Spencer was a fixture at the track for many years, developing a close relationship with many of the drivers and teams. The teams will be extra motivated to go for victory, bolstered by a spectacular trophy up for grabs in the 80-lap Lunkerdaddy Pro Late Model and 70-lap 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series events. The growing INEX Legends Tour and the INEX Bandoleros will also compete.

Adult tickets are $20, seniors are $15, youth ages 6-12 are $10 and kids five and under are free. All tickets will be sold at the track ticket booth the day of the event. Race fans can “Join” www.YouTube.com/ShortTrackTV for $19.99 per month for a members-only live stream as well.

Jadan Walbridge and’ Kyle Keller have staged one of the most closely matched championship battles in the eight-year tenure of MAVTV-televised Pro Late Model racing in Madera. Walbridge and Keller traded the lead back-and-forth in a 40-lap long battle in round three, then nearly duplicated the duel with almost 20 laps of challenges in round four. Walbridge came out on top in both features, boosting himself to the championship lead by six points over round two winner Keller.

Ethan Nascimento has led 20-laps at the front of the pack in his first full-time season, with the double-duty driver ranking third in the standings. Jacob Smith ranks fourth in the Charlie Wilson-prepared No. 11 machine followed by Shelden Cooper in fifth.

Perennial contender Jason Aguirre is sixth in the standings ahead of opening night winner Matt Erickson, who won the inaugural Ron Spencer event in 2018 and enjoyed a close relationship with him throughout his racing career.

The Pro Late Model competition has attracted some returning contenders as well including Seth Wise, who has a pair of third-place finishes in his limited attempts at Madera Speedway after graduating from the Jr. Late Models.

Tonight’s Ron Spencer Classic is an 80-lap contest with a 50-lap opening segment and a 30-lap race to the finish.

Sean Hingorani has been sensational in the last two rounds of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series, going 2-0 to start his career in the division for drivers ages 10-16 years old.

Madera’s Robbie Kennealy leads the championship after four rounds of competition, using a win and a pair of fast-times to earn a 12-point advantage over Kasey Kleyn. He has earned three podium finishes and no finish worse than fourth in his drive for his first win, driving the No. 88 for championship-winning Naake-Klauer Motorsports.

Brody Moore led wire-to-wire in the season opener and runs third in the standings. Ethan Nascimento finished a season-best second in May and is fourth in the series with’ Kenna Mitchell using a third-place in that race to move up to fifth in the standings.

The 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series action is a 70-lap main event spread over a 40-lap segment and a 30-lap segment, with a break for adjustments and MAVTV-interview in between.

The INEX Legends Tour will make its second Madera stop of 2022 for a 35-lap feature. Their appearance on May 14 saw 29 cars in action with second-generation driver Brendan Ruzbarsky earning victory over Sean Hingorani.

INEX Bandoleros have been growing at the speedway as well, with a new crop of the youngest drivers at the speedway looking for victories. Pit gates open at noon with practice at 1:45 p.m. Qualifying hits the track at 4:05 p.m. Heat races are at 5:15 p.m., followed by opening ceremonies are at 6 p.m. All four main events will follow.

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

The 2022 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 at 3 p.m.