Race Office 559-507-9931
MADERA SPEEDWAY LAUNCHES THE NEXT GENERATION OF STOCK CAR STARS WITH SATURDAY’S SPEEDFEST FOR JR LATE MODELS
MADERA, CALIFORNIA (March 10, 2026) – An international roster of drivers ages 10-16 years old takes on the fastest one-third mile in the west on Saturday March 14th, as the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series kicks off the 2026 Madera Speedway season. The Madera SpeedFest features a 70-lap Jr. Late Model main event and a 70-lap Mission Pro Late Model Series feature, both televised for RACER Network. INEX Legends and INEX Bandoleros also tackle the track.
Main events begin at 6pm. Adult tickets are just $20, seniors and military 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.
Race fans can “Join” www.YouTube.com/ShortTrackTV for $19.99 per month for a members-only live stream as well. The races will be televised at a later date on RACER Network.
51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series has become the proving ground for the next NASCAR and ARCA stars and a new crop is ready to take their place in the place. Tulsa Shootout champion Brexton Busch, age 10, aims to continue his father Kyle Busch’s legacy with his stock car debut on Saturday at Madera Speedway. He is paired at Wilson Motorsports with Japanese kart champion Eiki Koga, also 10-years-old, son of ARCA veteran Takuma Koga.
Alaskan INEX Legends champion Wyatt Flowers travels to Madera, Calif. this season and is paired with 2026 Jr. Late Model Combine winner Lane Christensen of Georgia for a potent Nascimento Motorsports stable on opening night.
HGC Motorsports will feature the second-year Washington driver Hunter Gates and Illinois-based rookie Keatin Lyons. Single car efforts include Washington’s Mason Blodgett driving for Naake Motorsports and Northern California’s Jarrett Dickson taking the wheel with support from Cole Brown Motorsports.
The 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models utilize the same equipment as the Pro Late Models including the GM 602 crate engine and Hoosier 970 tires, limited in performance by a restrictor plate and a 6,000 RPM chip. Saturday’s event features a 40-lap opening segment followed by a break for adjustments and TV interviews. A 30-lap race to the finish determines the winner.
An intriguing field of drivers will compete in the season opener for the Mission Pro Late Model Series in a 70-lap feature this weekend. Madera’s winningest stock car driver Matt Erickson was the first filed entry, ready to duel with many familiar faces. Madera Late Model non-televised champions Jason Aguirre and Trevor Schlundt are expected along with former MST standout Shaun Reynolds and former Hobby Stock champion Manny Gonzales, Jr. Young stock car talents such as Joey Kennealy, Kylie Glick, Cam Carraway, and Alaska’s Hunter Maier will also be competing.
INEX Legends and INEX Bandoleros are also scheduled for Saturday night’s SpeedFest.
Saturday pit gates open at 1pm with the drivers meeting at 3pm. Practice begins at 3:30pm. Qualifying hits the track at 5pm followed by heat races. Opening ceremonies are at approx. 6pm with all main events to follow.
For more information about the Madera Speedway including how to advertise with a race team on RACER Network, please visit www.racemadera.com or call the race office at 559-507-9931.
The 2026 season would not be possible without the support 51FIFTY LTM, Mission Foods, Allied Packaging, 805 Beer, Race 2B Drug Free, Competition Carburetion, Hoosier Tires, Franks Radio, Sunoco Race Fuel, and Sealmaster.
Madera Racing on RACER Network airs on Mondays.
BREXTON BUSCH SET TO MAKE JR. LATE MODEL DEBUT WITH WILSON MOTORSPORTS AT MADERA SPEEDWAY IN 2026
Mooresville, NC (January 20, 2026) — Rising motorsports standout Brexton Busch is set to make his Jr. Late Model debut during the 2026 season, joining Wilson Motorsports for an eight-race campaign at the legendary Madera Speedway. Busch will pilot the No. 18B entry in one of the most competitive developmental series in the country.
The move marks a significant milestone in Busch’s rapidly advancing racing career as he continues his progression through the ranks. Known for winning across multiple platforms, Busch will now take on the Jr. Late Model division, widely regarded as a proving ground for future professional drivers.
“Brexton has shown that he knows how to win in everything he’s driven,” said team owner Charlie Wilson. “We’re excited to welcome him into our Junior Late Model program at Madera Speedway. This series is widely regarded as the most competitive Junior Late Model division in the United States. Over the years, many drivers I’ve raced against in this series have gone on to become Pro Late Model champions, ARCA champions, and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champions. It’s a proven path, and we’re looking forward to seeing what Brexton can do.”
Busch has already exceeded expectations in every discipline he has entered and this adventure becomes yet another step in the right direction of becoming a future champion.
“I’m really excited to get started with Wilson Motorsports and race at Madera Speedway,” Busch said. “This is a big step for me, and I know the competition is going to be tough every time we hit the track. I’m ready to learn, work hard, and make the most of this opportunity. A huge thank you to my partners SERVPRO, Lucas Oil, Starkist, Morgan & Morgan Sport Clips, Pristine Auctions OBX Chevrolet, and everyone who makes this possible.”
Despite his young age, Busch has already built an impressive résumé. During the 2025 season, he claimed the INEX Bandolero Bandits National Championship, recording 23 victories and 28 podium finishes in 33 starts. Across Bandolero, Legends, and Micro classes, Busch earned more than 31 total race wins. Busch also made his Legend Car debut in May, quickly adapting to the new discipline and capturing his first Legend Car victory in just his fifth start at Charlotte Motor Speedway, competing in the Charger Class.
This only adds to his impressive career wins total of over 150 victories across numerous disciplines, including the coveted Golden Driller at the 2025 Tulsa shootout in the Jr. Sprint division.
2026 Madera Speedway Jr. Late Model Schedule:
March 14
April 11
May 16
June 13
July 11
August 22
September 19
October 10
About the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models at Madera Speedway:
The 51FIFTY Jr. Late Models at Madera Speedway serve as one of the premier proving grounds for young stock car drivers in the United States. Program graduates include 2025 XFINITY Series champion Jesse Love, two-time ARCA Menards Series West champion Sean Hingorani, and multiple ARCA West race winners including Kyle Keller, Tanner Reif, and Tyler Reif. Recent CARS Tour West Pro Late Model champion Jace Hale is also a graduate of the program.
Jr. Late Models utilize the GM 602 crate engine producing approximately 350 horsepower before being restricted for junior competition. The division is open to drivers ages 10–16 and runs on an 8-inch Hoosier 970 tire. Races air on RACER Network.
JUNIOR LATE MODEL COMBINE AT MADERA SPEEDWAY ANNOUNCED FOR JANUARY 23-24
MADERA, CALIFORNIA (December 19, 2025) – Nascimento Motorsports, a championship winning race team in Northern California, has announced the Jr. Late Model Combine to take place at Madera Speedway on January 23-24, 2026. Drivers ages 10-16 years old are invited to apply for consideration for the combine. On-track action on the one-third mile asphalt speedway includes Legends testing on Friday January 23 and Jr. Late Model testing on Saturday January 24.
The combine features driver coaching and evaluation from Nascimento Motorsports. The weekend also includes media, marketing, crew, and spotter modules. Drivers and their families will have opportunities to learn from sponsorship and media pros and from championship winning drivers and crew chiefs.
What’s at stake? The top performing driver will earn a fully paid race weekend in the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series on national TV at Madera Speedway. Second prize is a half-priced race weekend. The third best driver earns a fully paid Legends race weekend.
51FIFTY Jr. Late Models has been the proving ground for many of the top young stock car drivers in the nation including 2025 XFINITY Series champion Jesse Love, two-time ARCA Menards Series, West champion Sean Hingorani, ARCA West winners such as Tanner and Tyler Reif, and Madera Short Track Shootout winners Kyle Keller and Ethan Nascimento among many others. Jr. Late Models utilize the GM 602 crate engine producing approximately 350 horsepower before being restricted for junior competition. An 8” Hoosier 970 tire controls the pace and adds additional challenges as well.
Event details and registration can be found at www.NascimentoMotorsports.com Questions can be directed to Eric Nascimento at (209) 993-6457
KYLE KELLER BECOMES LATEST THREE-TIME WINNER OF SHORT TRACK SHOOTOUT, WITH $10,000 MADERA SPEEDWAY VICTORY
MADERA, CALIFORNIA (October 19, 2025) – Kyle Keller avoided chaos and capitalized when it mattered most, scoring his third career $10,000 Short Track Shootout victory for Pro Late Models at Madera Speedway. The victory in the 13th annual 175-lap event places Keller alongside Eric Holmes as the only three-time winners of the race.
Keller inherited the lead when 14-year-old Vito Cancilla of Martinez clashed with Oakdale’s Blaine Rocha, ending a spirited battle for the top spot.
“I knew Ethan Nascimento was going to be hard to beat all weekend. When he pulled the one (card) I knew it was going to be very hard to get up there. We fought really hard there. I think my best move was I had to let Vito (Cancilla) go because I knew he was fast. That really helped there,” Keller said.
Nascimento drew the pole position after qualifying second fastest among the 20 teams to take times. Keller and 2019 series champion Austin Herzog staged a furious duel for second that lasted throughout the first 30-laps. 2023 Jr. Late Model champion Cancilla then used a lap 30 restart to charge around the outside of Keller for second.
2025 series champion Jay Juleson of San Jose raced hard with his teammate Shelden Cooper of Clovis for the fifth spot, with Juleson diving inside Cooper on numerous occasions to no avail. Nascimento led Herzog, Cancilla, Keller, and Cooper into the lap 100 break for adjustments, two fresh Hoosier tires, and RACER Network interviews.
The intensity level increased over the 75-lap final segment. Keller stormed underneath Nascimento on a lap 115 restart to take the lead. Nascimento and Herzog fell to the rear of the field with a slow get away. A multi-car crash followed when Cooper and Madera’s Joey Iest collided in turn four and sailed into the front stretch wall. Nascimento was collected and eliminated from the race. Herzog suffered heavy cosmetic damage as well but was able to continue after repairs.
Cancilla battled with Rocha for the second position, using a slide job to physically clear Rocha for the position on lap 134. Cancilla then dove inside Keller for the lead on lap 145. Cancilla accumulated a 1.9 second advantage over the field that was nullified when Cam Carraway spun in turn four on lap 154.
Rocha chose the inside of Cancilla for the restart and returned favor, sliding Cancilla up the hill in turn two to take the lead on lap 155. Cancilla slid sideways but saved it while falling back to third. He quickly re-took second from a deferential Keller.
Cancilla reeled in Rocha rapidly and slid past him in turn four to lead lap 170. Rocha immediately answered back with hard contact into turn one, sending Cancilla spinning from the lead to bring out the caution flag. The contact ended Rocha’s event when he was parked by race officials.
Keller witnessed all of this unfold from the windshield of his No. 12 Ford, inheriting the lead with five to go. Keller fended off a strong performance from 67-year-old Glen Cook of Mariposa to earn the victory. Herzog came back through the pack to finish third followed by Shaun Reynolds of Coarsegold and 13-year-old Bristol Borneman of Ramona.
Clovis’ Skyler Schoppe won his second 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series event of the 2025 season while Oregon’s James Hamlin won the 2025 championship. Hamlin was involved in several race incidents and did not finish the 70-lap event.
Bristol Borneman started on the pole but collided with Hamlin on just the second lap of the event in turn one, relegating both drivers to the rear. Hamlin and Kellen Keller of Madera then tangled on lap 13, with Washington’s Hunter Gates finding the front stretch wall while attempting to avoid the spin.
Schoppe avoided the incidents to assume the lead and cruise to a commanding advantage into the lap 40 break. Hamlin and Keller engaged again for second place in the final segment before making contact again on lap 49 to bring out the caution. Hamlin was parked by race officials and Keller had to restart at the back of the pack. Schoppe led the final 21 laps for the season finale win ahead of Bristol Borneman with Keller charging back to finish third.
Bakersfield’s Logan Chambers won the 30-lap INEX Legends feature followed by fellow Bakersfield pilot Colton Page, while Lillie Cook of Mariposa wrapped up the championship.
Madera Speedway’s circle track finale is October 25 with the Pumpkin Smash Halloween Bash. The event includes a costume contest for the kids, trick or treating in the pits, a barrel race, and the Pumpkin Smash Enduro race. For more info, visit www.racemadera.com
The 2025 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 RACER Network airs Monday nights.