MADERA, Calif. — Jay Juleson made the most of his first career Madera Pro Late Model Series presented by Mission Foods, powering past Henry Barton with just two laps to go to win the $5,000, 100-lap feature.
“I didn’t want to pressure him too much too early cause I knew I’d wear my stuff out. I just rode behind him and waited for the right time to make my move. Waited until ten or five laps to go and got the green light and made my move,” Juleson said. “This is awesome. Happiest day of my life.”
The 17-year-old Barton drew the pole for the nightcap of the 105-degree evening at the one-third mile speedway in Madera, Calif. He led the 15-car Pro Late Model field to green. After a brief caution, a two-by-two-by-two battle ensued for positions second through seventh behind Barton. 2023 Jr. Late Model champion Vito Cancilla emerged from the pack with second on lap seven.
A multi-car crash halted the action on lap 20 when Glen Cook tangled with Shaun Reynolds. 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model points Jace Hale, making his Pro Series debut, also got a piece of the incident in turn one.
Cancilla won a battle with fast-time qualifier Nathan Quella for second. Juleson and Quella then battled for third. Quella eventually back pedaled back to fifth. Juleson overhauled Cancilla after a side-by-side duel on lap 43 for second place. Barton led Juleson, Cancilla, 2023 champion Tyler Herzog, and Quella into the lap 50-lap Mission Foods break for adjustments.
Side-by-side action on the restart thrust Juleson into the lead on lap 53 by a nose on the outside of Barton. Barton battled back on the bottom, retaking the top spot on lap 55 before clearing Juleson on lap 56. Juleson clawed to the back bumper of Barton on lap 63 and the duo remained in lockstep the rest of the way. Barton began riding hard on the front brakes to make a successful corner entry, lining up the top six contenders closely over the final 25 laps of the event.
Herzog and Cancilla had a physical tussle for third which allowed Matt Erickson of La Grange to use a nifty two-for-one pass in turn three on lap 86.
Erickson was unable to close in on Juleson and Barton however, leaving the event as a two-horse race. Barton began to slip up the race track, eventually sliding wide and allowing Juleson to take the lead on lap 98. Juleson led the final two laps for the thrilling breakthrough triumph over Barton, Erickson, Herzog and Cancilla.
The 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series 70-lap affair saw Jace Hale earn his third consecutive victory in the series.
Eddie Garone won the 30-lap INEX Legends race but was disqualified in post-race inspection. His misfortune handed a first-career victory to 11-year-old Colton Hale, younger brother of Jace Hale. Kyle Labrie of Easton and Daniel Shamoon rounded out the top-three finishers.
Kellen Keller of Las Vegas won his second INEX Bandolero feature of the season.