MADERA, Calif. — Ethan Nascimento outmatched Derek Thorn for a $10,000 haul in the 12th annual Short Track Shootout 200 for the Madera Pro Late Model Series at Madera Speedway on Saturday night.
Matt Erickson persevered through early race issues to come from behind to win the series championship, his third crown at the one-third-mile speedway.
Nascimento became the first former 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series champion to prevail in the Pro Late Model Short Track Shootout and gave his family-owned team their fourth Shootout crown combined with three wins earned by Hall of Famer Eric Holmes.
“It means a lot. I’ve come from Jr. Late Models, Legends, Bandos. This is the first race for me at Madera Speedway for this car,” Nascimento said. “Congrats to Derek we raced well. It’s great. He is the best in the whole nation.
“He could race Super Late Models and win at pretty much any race he goes to.”
2023 Shootout winner Thorn earned quick-time in time trials then drew the number two. He lined up alongside Jadan Walbridge, the 2021 Pro Late Model Series champion making a return visit to Madera. Thorn drove around the outside to lead lap one.
The first 17-laps went caution-free. Under caution for a spin, Bubba Nascimento was relegated to the pits from third with a loose fuel cap. He rejoined the race at the tail of the field. Shelden Cooper raced door-to-door for second behind Thorn. The battle lasted until lap 31 when Cooper nabbed the spot. Erickson had a hiccup when he collided with the lapped car of Doyal Moen and was sent to the rear for involvement.
Nascimento began to challenge Thorn by lap 49. A series of turn three incidents and crashes slowed the action. 14-year-old Jace Hale – the 2024 Jr. Late Model champion – advanced all the way to the inside of Thorn for a lap 58 restart after the choose cone. Hale slid backwards with a flat right rear tire back to the tail end of the lead lap, however.
2023 Pro Late Model champion and 2024 incoming points leader Tyler Herzog was the next challenger on lap 69. Thorn held him off and both Ethan and Bubba Nascimento drove past him for second and third.
Thorn led the Nascimento brothers, Herzog, and Walbridge into the race break a few laps early on lap 93. Walbridge earned the $500 Unstoppable bonus from Sherp West for running fifth.
Ethan Nascimento challenged Thorn relentlessly on the restart while Bubba Nascimento and Herzog raced side-by-side for numerous laps for third behind them. The battling lasted until lap 140 when the caution flew. Another caution flag on lap 153 set up the turning point of the race and the season.
Herzog, who enjoyed a 19-point lead in the standings after the halfway break, raced to the inside of Ethan Nascimento on the backstretch. They collided with Herzog hitting the turn three wall significantly with both the front and rear of his machine. Herzog was unable to continue. Officials allowed Nascimento retain second place and absolved him of involvement.
Nascimento seized the chance, showing his nose on the inside on lap 171 on the backstretch. Thorn held court. Lapped traffic on lap 180 allowed Nascimento to make a three wide move into turn three to take the lead. Thorn pulled off an excellent crossover in turn two to retake the spot on lap 181. The duo raced side-by-side in a sliding duel around the speedway. Nascimento got the pass completed on lap 190 in traffic and led the final ten laps for the coveted victory. Thorn settled for second followed by Bubba Nascimento and Hale. Erickson battled back to fifth and won the championship over Herzog by a scant five markers.
Hale not only finished fourth in the Short Track Shootout but the 14-year-old earned a race win and a championship in a walk-off of the 51FIFTY Series for drivers ages 10-16 years old. Hale spun on the opening lap with contact from Cam Carraway but both young drivers battled back.
Texan Tristan Pena was poised to win his third consecutive 70-lap feature and dominated much of the race. Carraway reeled him in by lap 58 but the pair collided in turn four while sliding for victory. Pena spun and was collected hard by fast-time qualifier Jacob Ryan.
Hale emerged with the race lead in hand while Carraway and Ryan rejoined the race after repairs. On the restart, a significant three-wide crash ended the race for Hayden Stepps, Kourtney Baker and Joseph Holiday.
The race ended prematurely with Hale earning victory ahead of Carraway, Ryan, Eli Black of Santa Rosa, and Holiday.
Hale’s younger brother Colton Hale also won the INEX Legends track championship after Saturday’s 30-lap feature. Logan Chambers prevailed after a tight race for the lead among a five-car lead pack. Hale won a battle with Colton Page to seal the championship. Eddie Garone and C.J. Dizney rounded out the top five.
Kaine Betancourt won his second consecutive INEX Bandolero championship with a season-ending victory as well. Kellen Keller finished second and Andrew Williams was third.