MADERA, Calif. — Derek Thorn added another marquee win to his storied career, taking controls of the No. 16 Pro Late Model in a race-day decision and decisively winning the 11th annual $10,000-to-win Short Track Shootout at Madera Speedway. The 150-lap contest also served as the championship race for the Lunkerdaddy Pro Late Models, with Tyler Herzog persevering to win the title.
“Mike and Monica Hensley gave me an amazing opportunity today,” Thorn said. “That last caution (was a surprise). I didn’t want that one at all. At the end of the day we survived. I’ve always been on the other side of the wall, to finally to get my first start in this race and get my first win as well is pretty cool.”
Former Lucas Oil Modified winner at the track Linny White led time trails before Justin Johnson won the $1,000-to-win B-Main to set the grid for the feature. Thorn lined up third behind Kenna Mitchell and White. Thorn drove the No. 16 in place of Mike Hensley who is suffering from shoulder issues and was unable to attempt the 150-lap distance. 2023 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model champion Vito Cancilla was unable to start the feature, with 25-cars ready to battle.
White drove around the outside of Mitchell to lead lap one and Thorn drove into second shortly after. Thorn drove inside White for the lead but White held the position around the outside on lap 17. The first caution flew on lap 20 for Eric Nascimento and Chase Hand colliding in turn one.
Two-time defending Short Track Shootout winner Kyle Keller tried the outside of Thorn for second on the restart before a caution on lap 27. Thorn made the bottom work on the restart, storming past White to lead lap 32.
Keller drifted backwards to fifth on the inside line. The caution flew again on lap 63 for two cars spinning in turn two in front of the leaders. Mitchell was the latest car to suffer on the inside line during the ensuing restart. Madera Late Model champion Jason Aguirre tangled hard with Henk Gaalswyk Jr. of Ripon and Glen Cook of Mariposa for a caution flag on lap 74.
Two-time All American Speedway champion Dylan Zampa used the outside on the restart to sail past White for second. Thorn led Zampa, White, Keller, and ninth row starter Blaine Rocha of Oakdale into the lap 100 break for adjustments.
Thorn held the lead on the restart while White tried to squeeze into the top lane. Ross Strmiska slowed to avoid contact, instead collecting his teammate Rocha. Strmiska spun across the speedway in turn four after contact, gathering up multiple cars including the championship leaders Herzog and Idaho’s Jacob Smith. Mitchell and Hand were eliminated as was Legends standout Henry Barton of San Fransisco. Smith and Herzog both returned to the race, with Smith’s crew making extensive repairs to his radiator to rejoin.
Stockton champion JoJo Stearns pounded the backstretch wall on lap 122. White continued to slip on the following restart, falling back to sixth. Cook and Joe Hylton tangled in turn two for the race’s last caution on lap 141. Thorn held steady over the final nine laps, topping Zampa, a resurgent Rocha, White, and Keller. Herzog survived to finish tenth, wrapping up the 2023 Lunkerdaddy Pro Late Model championship as well.
“I really have no words. I couldn’t do it without my whole pit crew,” Herzog said in an emotional interview. “It was tough but it wouldn’t be possible without all these people. Thank you to Jacob Smith for driving me clean. That was very respectful by him.”
12-year-old Cancilla wrapped up the 2023 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series championship for drivers ages 10-16 years old, just six days after his 12th birthday.
Henry Barton closed out the 2023 INEX Legends Tour Series overall championship while Jeremy Doss won his fourth feature of the year in a 40-lap duel. Doss battled with David Mayhew for the season ending win.
Kaine Bettancourt won the INEX Bandolero championship in style by also winning the 20-lap feature. Bettancourt faced his stiffest competition of the season in a side-by-side race with Kellen Keller. Keller spun coming to the checkered flag, allowing Betancourt to prevail. Keller and Andrew Williams rounded out the finishers.