By Madera Speedway
MADERA — Manteca’s Ethan Nascimento outmatched Bakersfield’s 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 of La Grange persevered through early race issues to come from behind to win the series championship, his third MAVTV-televised 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 and immediately drove around the outside to lead lap one.
The first 17 laps went caution free. Under caution for a spin, Ripon’s Bubba Nascimento was relegated from the third spot to the pits with a loose fuel cap.
Ethan Nascimento began to challenge Thorn by lap 49. A series of Turn 3 incidents and crashes slowed the action. 14-year-old Jace Hale of Manteca – the 2024 Jr. Late Model champion – advanced all the way to the inside of Thorn for a lap 58 restart after the choose cone. Unfortunately, Hale soon slid backwards to the tail end of the lead lap with a flat right rear tire back.
2023 Pro Late Model champion and 2024 incoming points leader Tyler Herzog was the next challenger on lap 69. Thorn held him off, but both Ethan and Bubba Nascimento were able to drive past him for second and third. Thorn led the Nascimento brothers into the mandatory race break on lap 93.
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, absolving him of involvement.
Nascimento seized the chance, showing his nose on the inside on lap 171 on the backstretch while 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.
Ethan Nascimento is a Ripon High junior, while his brother is an East Union grad. Both are alumni of the Manteca Boys & Girls Club. They’ll have a race car on display Nov. 13 at the club’s Night of Transformation event. Both will compete in the Arca Menards Series West at Kern Raceway this weekend.
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 of Livermore. Hale emerged with the race lead in hand while Carraway and Ryan rejoined the race after repairs.
Jace Hale’s younger brother Colton Hale also won the INEX Legends track championship after Saturday’s 30-lap feature. Bakersfield’s Logan Chambers prevailed after a tight race for the lead among a five-car lead pack. Hale won a battle with Bakersfield’s Colton Page to seal the championship. Bakersfield’s Eddie Garone and Madera’s CJ Dizney rounded out the top five.
The 2024 racing season at Madera Speedway concludes on Saturday with the Pumpkin Smash Halloween Bash Enduro, featuring trick-or-treat through the pits, a kid’s costume contest, and hard-hitting Enduro action. More info at www.RaceMadera.com
