MADERA, Calif. — Andy Brown won fast-time, overcame a 20-car inversion and stormed to victory lane in the Olga’s California Dream on Saturday night at Madera Speedway. The fifth annual event attracted over 40 Mini Stock participants to the pit area for the 100-lap grind on the one-third mile speedway.
“This is awesome. I’ve won a couple late model races in the Northwest but this awesome,” Brown said. “Can’t thank everybody enough. I’ve got the best friends and family. I can’t believe it!
“I was getting tired; I’m not going to lie. It’s pretty good when the car is good like that.”
2023 runner-up Cody Parenteau led the opening lap of the 24-car feature. 2023 winner Drew Crenshaw took the lead on lap two. Colton Schultz, winner of the fast-dash, went up in smoke for a caution on lap eight.
Joe Flower got sideways in front of the pack on the restart but everyone avoided him with the race staying green. Crenshaw led the field into lapped traffic on lap 16. Casey Jeske led the Jeske three-car assault when he advanced to second. Jeske then seized the lead on lap 32.
Crenshaw suffered a flat right front tire and lost laps in the infield. Terry Armstrong faltered from fourth position. The No. 168 of Mitch Jeske closed in on his son Casey and took the lead on lap 42. A huge fire underneath the hood of Idaho’s Mike Anderson brought out a red flag on lap 44 and brought the race to its scheduled halfway break six laps early. Brown had advanced to fifth by that point.
Casey Jeske retook the lead on lap 46 before a caution for Flower’s car suffering a fire. Justin Carson of Utah and Parenteau tangled in turn one for a caution on lap 49.
Brown started rolling the outside line and took over third on lap 52. Then Mitch Jeske dropped out of the race on lap 56. Brown continued to roll, sweeping past Casey Jeske to lead lap 59. Parenteau and fifth-running Bryce Rupert clashed in turn one to set up a shootout final 28 lap segment for the feature.
Despite a furious challenge from Brad Rhoads, Brown held the lead as they darted in and out of lapped traffic. Brown won by a car length followed by Rhoads, Camron Jeske, Gary Cagle and Rupert.
Chase Hand earned his first career Pro Late Model victory when he led wire-to-wire in the Madera Late Model feature. The event was shortened after several incidents, including a multi-car crash in turn four. Olivia Manke and Matt Erickson collided in the fourth turn, gobbling up over half of the field. Jason Aguirre darted to the right to avoid and hit the wall to end his event.
Hand topped Will Martyn who debuted a new race car to finish second. Trevor Schlundt, Rick Thompson and Loren Kutz rounded out the top five.
“Super” Steve Schermerhorn dominated all 30-laps of the Pro Sportsman feature ahead of “Wingnut” Brian Taylor and Drew Ries. Schermerhorn extended his points lead as well.
Patrick Geiger won his fifth Mini Super Toyota feature of the season, taking the 30-lap contest. A caution fell on lap 18 for Joseph Holliday going up in smoke on the front stretch and stopping at the start finish line. Geiger and Ryan Reynolds lined up alongside of each other with 12 laps to go. Geiger motored ahead of Reynolds while Reynolds topped Shay Gouldy for second position. Gouldy settled for third.