MADERA, Calif. – Jeremy Doss went two-for-two in his Nut Up Pro Late Model career at Madera Speedway, nearly two years after his last series win, leading the final 70 laps on Saturday night.
The victory in the prestigious Reverend Ron Spencer Red, White, and Blue Classic left little doubt that the more than 30 time Super Late Model winner and three-time super late model touring champion is a force to be reckoned with in the stock car scene.
Doss clicked off a sizzling 15.083 second lap on the one-third mile asphalt oval in qualifying, but had to start fourth after the redraw. Ross Strmiska and incoming points leader Austin Herzog made up the front row starters for the 80-lap contest. Madera Late Model points leader Tyler Herzog started third.
Strmiska led the opening nine laps while Doss chipped away. He grabbed second from Austin Herzog on lap seven and advanced into the lead on lap 10. Incoming second in points Dylan Zampa faltered with rear end issues to finish in 15th position. Strmiska drifted as low as seventh then suffered a cut right front tire to drop back to 13th on lap 39.
Doss led Austin Herzog, Erickson, Tyler Herzog, and Carlos Vieira into the scheduled lap 50 break. Jason Aguirre made some quick moves to jump up to fourth out of the break. Racin Vernon again succumbed to mechanical issues, leaving the race on lap 63. Doss took one of the most decisive victories in recent series history, winning by 2.660 seconds over Tyler Herzog, Austin Herzog, Aguirre, and Erickson.
Seth Wise nearly completed his first 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series victory before Joey Iest charged out of the scheduled race break to victory, extending his points lead. Wise topped time trials for the first time in his career and started alongside Portland’s Jadan Walbridge.
Wise led early before a spin for Kasey Kleyn on lap 14 allowed Iest to take over the lead on lap 19. Olivia Manke spun and collected Kleyn for another caution on lap 27. Wise took advantage to take the lead and led the field into the lap 40 break.
After adjustments and interviews, Joey Iest reassumed the top spot. Iest continued to anchor the pack through a series of mid-race cautions.  Austin Edwards and rookie Jake Bollman battled for third before they came together for a lap 64 caution.
Lilly Mead spun to avoid and collected Kyler Berry in the process. Edwards had to restart at the rear. Iest drove away for a narrow .330 of a second win over relentless pressure from Wise with Kabe McClenny a season-best third. Jay Juleson and Walbridge rounded out the top-five.
Ryley Massey finally returned to victory lane at Madera, winning Saturday’s 20 lap race for the Mini Cups vs. Bandoleros. Nathaniel Edwards led early before Massey took over on lap three after some three-wide battling. Edwards stopped on the front stretch to draw a caution on lap seven.
When things resumed, Massey stretched out her lead while Aiden Phillips and Joey Kennealy battled for the Mini Cup win. Massey won comfortably over Ethan Nascimento and Trenton Eurto, while Kennealy won the battle with Phillips for Mini Cup glory.
Jason Lawton won the extra distance 48 lap event for the Toyota Sedans with Tim Curtis fending off former champion Jillaun Holden for second. Ryan Reynolds took the lead for good on lap 31 en route to winning the 48 lap Modified Super Toyota feature. Kyle Labrie and Shaun Reynolds followed him closely across the stripe.