Late Models run at Speedway tonight

Madera Speedway’s MAVTV-televised Late Model championships are nearing the finishline with Round No. 7 of eight set for tonight.

RPM Mortgage Pro Late Models race for $2,000 to win and 100 laps, along with 51FIFTY Energy Drink Jr. Late Models for 75 laps. Toyota Sedans and Modified Super Toyotas will also be competing on the speedway.

Buddy Shepherd holds a one-point lead in the RPM Mortgage Pro Late Models despite missing the August race. His closest rival, Logan Zampa, scored a fast-time and a fifth place finish on Aug. 26th in round No. 6. The duo has four wins and six fast-times between them.

The only other winners this year were Matt Erickson in the $5,000 to win season opener in March and August winner Jeremy Doss. Erickson is the winningest driver in Madera Late Model history and recently won the track’s non-televised Madera Late Model championship. Doss is the winningest driver in the touring PCS Super Late Model series.

While the gap between Zampa and Shepherd is only one, Dillon Tucker is not far behind only 29 points out of first. Garland Tyler and Erickson round out a top-five separated by just 36 points. Any of the five are still very much mathematically in the hunt for the series championship.

Saturday’s race is expected to draw a large turnout as the final tuneup before the Oct. 7 race and the $10,000 to win Short Track Shootout. The Short Track Shootout also serves as the championship race for the division.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and military, $7 for youth ages 6-12, and kids, five and under, are free.

For information, visit www.racemadera.com or www.mavtv.com online.