MADERA FANS APPRECIATE SCHLUNDT’S VICTORY ON SATURDAY

It was "Fan Appreciation Night" Presented by Port Authority Apparel, at Madera Speedway on Saturday, May 2 and despite the threatening weather conditions a huge crowd packed the bleachers. The six division program featured the NASCAR Whelen All American Western Late Models, Grand American Modifieds, American Limited Stock Cars, Modified Super Toyotas, Toyota Sedans and Hornets.

Trevor Schlundt, age 19 of Clovis, had the pole in the 75-lap Western Late Model feature and he used it to maximum advantage as he quickly grabbed the lead from 20-year-old NASCAR Diversity Driver Katie Hagar of Sacramento, who started beside him. As Schlundt sailed comfortably out in front Hagar, 16-year old Manteca rookie Jacob Gomes and season points leader Kyle Gottula slugged it out behind him for second.

On lap 31 Gottula, age 22 of Modesto, moved underneath of Gomes in an attempt to take over third only to get tangled up with Hagar. Gottula climbed Hagar’s front hood, which caused major damage to both of their cars and sent them both to the pits. Gottula was done while Hagar managed to return only to call it a night several laps later due to brake failure.

On a lap 37 restart Merced’s Carlos Vieira made a bold move to get past Jacobs for second. Vieira could never close in on the leader and while Schlundt calmly chewed up the remaining laps to the finish, Vieira spent the last 20 laps of the race fending off trophy dash winner Rick Thompson of Clovis.

"I was nervous in practice because our times were back there. We guessed on the set up and we hit it right because the car was absolutely perfect," said an exhausted Schlundt as he posed for pictures with family and crew after the race. "My spotter made it sound like those guys were right behind me so I kept racing hard on every lap."

Equally pleased was Vieira who posted his best finish of the year.

"We had a great car and I think we may have had a winning car, but we got bumped and I think something got twisted in the back," Vieira said. "I knew I would need a yellow to have a chance to win so we just held on to second and counted the laps down."

Chris Smith, of Mendota, went underneath of polesitter Jessica Brunelli, of Hayward, on the opening lap of the Grand American Modified feature and never looked back as he cruised to an easy victory over Brunelli and Brad Villeggiante of Santa Rosa. It was a satisfying win for Smith after he finished in second place twice in his previous visit to Madera on April 11.

"This car has been really good on the dirt, but this was the best she has ever been at this track," said Smith. "I needed a trophy and I needed a win. This gets everything going."

Modesto pilot Garland Tyler overtook polesitter Rusty Robertson, of Fresno, for the lead on the opening lap in the 30-lap American Limited Stock Car feature. Five laps later Modesto’s Dennis Saunders passed him for the top spot and that was all she wrote as Saunders rolled to his second win of the young season.

Following Saunders across the finish line were Atwater’s Jason Aguirre, the night’s fast qualifier and defending division champion Howard Holden of Clovis.

"My boss told me if this motor ever barked or coughed to get a new one and that is what we did this week," said Saunders, who became the first two-time winner in the ultra competitive division this season. "I have to thank Main Line Equipment. If is wasn’t for them we wouldn’t be out here now."

It took Stockton’s John McCollum Jr. seven years post his first feature win, but it only took him three weeks to win his second as he made it back-to-back victories with his impressive run in the 25-lap Modified Super Toyota main on Saturday.

McCollum took the lead from Stockton’s Rian Bowman on lap 5 and then spent the rest of the race holding off Chowchilla’s John Bowersox, the night’s fast qualifier. McCollum never flinched as he held off Bowersox by a car length to the checkers.

"We made some changes during the week, but we didn’t like them so we changed everything back and left it alone tonight. This thing is just super fast right now," explained McCollum, who once again celebrated by asking for the checkered flag and taking a clockwise lap.

The 30-lap Toyota Sedan feature proved to be a real barnburner. Stockton’s John McCollum Sr. held the early lead as a posse of contenders hung right on his tail. Cody Stout of Clovis got under McCollum on lap 10 and when the two touched, causing McCollum to bobble, Fresno’s Jason Kerns and two-time defending division champion Stan Hankins, of Fresno, followed him through.

Hankins eventually was able to fight his way past Kerns and then set off in hot pursuit of Stout. Hankins made several unsuccessful stabs at Stout, but was forced to play defense on the final laps when division points leader Chris Lewis, of Sanger, challenged him for second.

"It has been a good season so far and we are happy about it," said Stout, who has run near the front all season. "It was fun tonight. We were fortunate to keep those champions behind us."

Dean Davison jumped into the lead on the opening lap of the night’s Hornet feature, but spun coming out of turn four and gave up the top spot to Modesto’s Richard Hull. As Hull ran comfortably out front, two-time champion Miles Humphreys of Clovis, who was making his season debut, Rodney Lopez, Dean Davison and DJ Silva all fought it out for second. Humphreys was able take the runner up spot over Lopez in a battle that lasted right up to the waving of the checkered flag.

"The car was cutting out in the trophy dash but it decided to run good in this race," said Hull. "It definitely needs a little work before the next race."

On Saturday, May 9, the VUKOVICH Classic returns to Madera Speedway for Super Saturday #2 Presented By Inside Lines Apparel & Graphics. This very special open-wheel program will include the powerful 410/360 Super Modifieds, USAC/BCRA Midgets, USAC Focus Midgets, Legends of the Pacific, NCMA Sprint Cars and a Hornets Celebrity Race.

The Madera Speedway is conveniently located at the Madera County Fairgrounds just off to the west side of Highway 99 at the Cleveland Avenue exit.

For more Madera Speedway information visit the track’s website at www.racemadera.com or call the Info/Race Line phone number at (559) 673-RACE and for information on the Madera Speedway Spectator Racing Series program go to www.spectatorracing.com on the web or call (209) 476-8123.