Round 7 of MAV-TV speedway racing is tonight

With the Nut Up Pro Late Model standings tightening to their narrowest margins in series history, drivers will have a lot to race for in tonight’s round No. 7 at Madera Speedway.

The $2,000-to-win, MAVTV-televised feature for the Late Models is one part of a busy night that includes the seventh race of the year for the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series plus Legends of the Pacific and Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros.

With just three races remaining in the Pro Late Model Series, 17 year-old Austin Herzog leads 15- year-old Dylan Zampa by just two points. Two-time series champion Matt Erickson is only nine points behind Herzog. Herzog and Zampa each have one victory this season while Erickson, the all-time winningest driver in the division, has been locked out of the winner’s circle. The three drivers, collectively, have led just 50 laps out of the 477 that have been contested thus far.

The parity at the front of the points standings has been contrasted by several strong victories by the top stock car drivers in the nation. Eric Holmes won the Military Tribute Night in May by leading all 80 laps. The 2018 SRL Southwest Tour champion, Jeremy Doss, scored both June’s Ron Spencer Classic and July’s $5,000-to-win Summer Speedfest, leading 145 laps across the two races. Doss’ Speedfest victory came from 10th on the starting grid.

The 2018 Madera Late Model champion, Jason Aguirre, ranks fourth in the standings and well within striking distance for the points lead. Aguirre trails Herzog by just 22 points with Carlos Vieira rounding out the top-five. The Pro Late Models will compete for 80 laps with a 50-lap opening segment followed by a 30-lap run to the finish.

Madera’s Joey Iest has used three 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model victories, along with two seconds and one third place finish to lead the championship by 31 points. Seth Wise has two seconds and three thirds in a very impressive rookie season to rank second. Jay Juleson’s first full season of competition has yielded third in the championship with a best finish of second.

Kabe McClenny and Jake Bollman are just one point apart in their battle for fourth in the standings. Kercie Jung has advanced to sixth in the points while Jadan Walbridge scored the quick-time in July to move up to seventh overall. Seventy laps of Jr. Late Model action are on tap for the 10-16-year-old drivers.

Riley Massey continues to lead the Bandolero standings despite hitting the backstretch wall in July for a DNF. Just three points behind her in the championship is rookie Dylan Baptista, who also failed to finish the last race. Opening night winner Ethan Nascimento rounds out the top-five. Joey Kennealy continues to lead the Mini Cup standings as well entering Saturday’s 20-lap race.

Rookie Joey Kennealy leads the Mini Cup portion of the standings in the race- within-a-race series. The youngest drivers at Madera will race for 20 laps on Saturday night.

Legends of the Pacific will make their third appearance at the speedway in 2019 on Saturday night. Colon Page and Sheldon Crouse have split the 35-lap main events so far.

Tonight’s program begins with pit gates opening at noon. Practices run from 1:30-3:30 p.m. with qualifying and heat races to follow. The Mini Cup vs. Bandolero feature is expected to be run at 5:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies are slated for 6 p.m. with both Late Model features and the Legends main event afterwards.

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

For information about Madera Racing on MAVTV, visit www.racemadera.com or www.mavtv.com.

Madera Speedway is presented by major partners Nut Up Industries, 51FIFTY Energy Drink, iPull-uPull, and Color Fast Industries. Contingency sponsors include Five Star Bodies, Maita Motorsports, McAllister Precision Marketing, Shenanigan’s Restaurant and StopTech Brakes.

Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Thursdays every week. The show airs at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. and is also available on the Lucas Oil Racing TV app. The fourth round of the 2019 Nut Up Pro Late Model Series airs on Aug. 29.