TYLER HERZOG EARNS SECOND PRO LATE MODEL FEATURE WIN OF 2024 AT MADERA SPEEDWAY

MADERA, CALIFORNIA (August 24, 2024) – 2023 Madera Pro Late Model Series powered by Mission Foods champion Tyler Herzog of Fresno extended his 2024 lead with his second win of the year in Saturday’s round seven at Madera Speedway. Texan Tristan Pena also earned a second win on the season in the MAVTV-televised stock car action. Photo by Jake Scarbrough

The initial start of the 80-lap feature saw 2023 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series champion Vito Cancilla drive into the back of Cam Carraway of Castro Valley, with Carraway narrowly missing the wall. On the next attempt at the start, polesitter Shelden Cooper of Clovis restarted on the outside of Glen Cook of Mariposa. Cook took advantage on the bottom to take the lead.

Seventh starting Herzog advanced to third by lap seven. A multi-car crash brought the race to a yellow flag on lap 21. Olivia Manke of Fresno, Troy Ermish of Tracy, and Carlos Vieira crashed in the fourth turn. Vieira suffered heavy damage which ended his evening.

Manke emerged from the pits as the race was restarting. Cooper threaded the needle in a three wide maneuver to soar past Cook to lead lap 22. Herzog then took over second on the outside of Cook as well.

Herzog then dove low on Cooper but was unable to complete the pass. The top-five cars searched high and low on the Madera Speedway with fast-time qualifier Kyle Keller and Matt Erickson battling for third.

Cooper led Herzog, Keller, Erickson, and Cook into the lap 50 break for adjustments and MAVTV interviews. Herzog worked to the inside of Cooper for the lead with the pair making contact down the backstretch. Herzog led lap 53 with Keller knifing inside to lead lap 54. The pair ran side-by-side until Herzog was clear of Keller on lap 56.

Keller used the bottom to trade the second position with Cooper, with Keller solidly in the position on lap 66. Erickson then took third from Cooper on lap 73.

Despite running some of his best laps of the race, Keller was unable to track down Herzog. The 2023 champion topped the 2022 champion with Tyler Herzog in victory lane over Keller. Erickson was third followed by Cooper, and Nathan Quella of Yorba Linda.

San Antonio’s Tristan Pena won his second-career 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series race while points leader Jace Hale extended his points lead over the other drivers in the top-three in the championship.

The 70-lap event kicked off with Cam Carraway of Castro Valley taking the lead on the outside. Carraway then slid wide in turn two, allowing polesitter Jacob Ryan of Livermore to lead lap two.

Ryan and Pena developed a big gap ahead of the battling for third. A caution flew on lap 16 for Mia Wright of Reno spinning. On the restart, Ryan slid which allowed Pena to lead lap 17. Hale drove inside of Pena and took over on lap 18.

Carraway seized third from Ryan on lap 28 as well. The race went into its lap 40 scheduled break two laps early after Wright spun, with Hale leading Pena, Carraway, Ryan, and Skyler Schoppe. Ryan was unable to restart the race with mechanical woes.

On the restart, Pena went outside of Hale for the top spot. A thrilling door banging battle ensued with Hale muscled his way past Pena to lead lap 43 at the stripe. Pena got back to him with his bumper, taking the lead back by the second turn and withstanding an onslaught from Hale to lead lap 44.

Pena drove away for the coveted win followed by Hale, Carraway, Scoppe, and Wright.

Bakersfield’s Colton Page won the 30-lap INEX Legends feature for his second win of the year. Page took the lead from Madera’s Aiden Phillips on lap seven. Wyatt Sansom of Stockton, Bakersfield’s Logan Chambers, Bakersfield’s Eddie Garone, and Phillips were the top-five finishers.

Defending champion Kaine Betancourt won a back-and-forth race with Madera’s Kellen Keller to win the 15-lap INEX Bandolero feature. Andrew Williams finished third.

Tyler Holden held off points leader Steve Schermerhorn to take the 30-lap Pro Sportsman feature. Brian Taylor finished third.

Joseph Holliday won the Mini Super Toyota main event.

Madera Speedway returns to racing on September 14 for round eight of the MAVTV-televised stock car action with Madera Pro Late Model Series powered by Mission Foods, 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series, INEX Legends, INEX Bandoleros, and Mini Super Toyotas competing.

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 51FIFTY LTM, Mission Foods, 805 Beer, Race 2B Drug Free, Competition Carburetion, Hoosier Tires, Franks Radio, Sunoco Race Fuel, and Sealmaster.

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