Reverend Ron Spencer Classic is this weekend
Madera Speedway’s exciting start to the 2019 season continues into summer with Saturday’s Reverend Ron Spencer Red, White, and Blue Classic featuring MAVTV-televised Late Models and a huge fireworks show.
The on-track action will also include the fifth rounds for both the Nut Up Pro Late Model Series and 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series while honoring the late track chaplain Ron Spencer.
Drivers will be extra motivated to win against the patriotic backdrop and with the special tribute to one of the most popular members of the Madera Speedway family in track history.
Austin Herzog has been on a roll at the one-third mile oval. The third-generation driver has a win and a fast-time along with an average finish of fourth across the four Nut Up Pro Late Model races in 2019. Adding a fast-time and two wins in the non-televised Madera Late Model Series, Herzog finds himself leading both the Pro Late Models and the combined “Overall Late Model championship”.
Herzog’s 14-point lead in the Pro Late Models comes ahead of 2018 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model runner-up Dylan Zampa who won the season opening event for $5,000-to-win and has finished in the top 10 in all four events.
Two-time series champion and all-time winningest driver Matt Erickson is chipping away from third in the championship. Erickson has yet to win at Madera in 2019, but has crossed the stripe first on two occasions in Roseville this year. He is also the defending winner of this event. Fourth is Carlos Vieira who nearly won the season opener himself before tangling with Blaine Rocha. Ross Strmiska rounds out the top five.
Jeremy Doss is planning to join the action for the $2,000-to-win, 80-lap feature, adding to the intrigue. Doss’ impressive career marks include over 30 SLM victories, two PCS championships, the 2018 SRL championship, and two runner-up SRL seasons as well. He successfully debuted a new car in Roseville, picking up the win before turning his attention squarely on Madera.
A new driver has emerged atop the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series with hometown favorite 16 year-old Joey Iest of Madera on top. Iest has a victory and a perfect four-for-four in podium finishes to lead the drivers ages 10-16 years old. The young talent has been hounded all year by Seth Wise, who has a trio of third place efforts himself. Amongst a large pack of rookie drivers, Wise has stood out by leaps and bounds.
Rounding out the MAVTV-televised activities is the Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros. The Bandolero portion of the field has not had a repeat winner yet with all three grabbing their first career Madera wins. Ethan Nascimento won the season opener before rookie Dylan Baptista had top honors in the second event. Round three was won by INEX Bandits national points leader Hank Hall.
The 2018 champion Riley Massey leads the points by just one marker over Baptista with Nascimento in third. The Mini Cups are led by rookie Joey Kennealy.
The undercard on Saturday includes special 48-lap races for the Modified Super Toyotas and Toyota Sedans. Kurt Davidson and Purl’s Sheet Metal have posted a cash purse for the Sedan racers of $150 for first, $75 for 2nd, and $50 for 3rd for the special race.
Saturday’s program begins with pit gates opening at 11 a.m. Practices run from 12:15 p.m.-2 p.m. with qualifying and heat races to follow. The first set of features starts at 4 p.m. before opening ceremonies at 5:30 p.m. The fireworks show will take place at approx. 9 p.m., right before the final 30-lap segment for the Nut Up Pro Late Model Series.
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 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 second round of the 2019 Nut Up Pro Late Model Series airs on July 4.
