MADERA, Calif. — Tyler Herzog established himself in the Lunkerdaddy Pro Late Model championship fight at Madera Speedway on Saturday night, earning his first win of the season in the coveted Reverend Ron Spencer Red, White, and Blue Classic and extending his points lead.
The 80-lap race served as round five for the late model series and Herzog became the fifth different winner of the year.
“It’s amazing man. I won this thing two years ago. This is definitely for Rev Ron. He meant so much to this track and Madera Speedway,” Herzog said. “I was focused on getting past the lapped cars as fast as I can and then save.”
2022 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model champion Ethan Nascimento led qualifying before drawing the eight for the feature. Herzog lined up sixth. May 20 race winner Jacob Smith started ninth.
Robbie Kennealy led the first lap from the pole position while dueling side-by-side with Johnny White. Fourth-starting Kenna Mitchell advanced past White into second on lap four.
Mitchell then drove underneath Kennealy for the lead in turn four on lap 11, completing the pass on lap 12. Herzog used an outside pass to get around Kennealy for second on lap 17. He marched towards Mitchell, bringing Nascimento with him in third. Kennealy got mired in traffic and fell to sixth.
Herzog pressured Mitchell, then passed her around the outside to lead lap 39 – his first lap led of the season. Mitchell’s brakes were glowing red and she eventually slid into the turn three wall for a caution on lap 48. The incident brought on the scheduled lap 50 break two laps early. Herzog led Nascimento, Smith, Shelden Cooper, and Kennealy at the stoppage for adjustments.
Herzog comfortably drove ahead while Smith was shuffled back to fifth on the inside line behind Cooper and 2021 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model champion Brody Armtrout. Cooper and Nascimento challenged each other for second position during the non-stop second half. Herzog soared to a 1.1-second lead at the checkered flag ahead of Nascimento, Cooper, a resurgent Smith, and Armtrout.
Other Features
11-year-old Vito Cancilla continued a historic, unprecedented start to the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model season with his fourth triumph of the year in round five of the season.
Kaine Betancourt dominated the 20-lap INEX Bandolero feature to bolster his points lead.
The INEX Legends Tour Series feature went to SRL Southwest Tour champion Jeremy Doss.