Fortney wins back-to-back 18 Second Bracket Race at the Madera Speedway!

MADERA, California — After a top three finish in the Toyota Sedans race, Fresno’s Kyle Fortney finished off a successful night with a win in the newly installed 18 Second Bracket Race on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at the Madera Speedway.

After winning the first ever bracket race in the Speedway’s history on August 18, Fortney won his second straight main as he claimed the 30-lapper in a comeback win over Modified Stock Toyota driver Rick Thompson, who had the lead heading into the final before being edged out by inches right at the finish-line.

Driving in his No. 56 Toyota Sedan, it was announced in the winner’s circle after the main that Fortney didn’t breakout — meaning he didn’t go faster than 18 seconds at any point of the race as he claimed the $175.00 cash prize to add to his $200 winnings from a week ago.

In a race featuring five different types of car classes, Fortney was the closest racer to breaking out as he topped out with the fastest time of 18.193. But in a race where not one of the five drivers that completed all 30 laps dipped under 18 seconds, Fortney had to be fast, not to mention steady, to pull off come-from-behind victory.

On Lap 11, it was Toyota Sedans driver Candee McIntosh, of Madera, that got into first place after Fortney’s car suddenly drifted out of the lead on Turn 4. McIntosh led for the next nine laps before Thompson closed in on her and took the lead on Lap 23. With six laps to go, Thompson led and seemed poised to take the race with Fortney trailing behind in second place.

Heading into the final turn on the final lap, Thompson still led but barely as Fortney started to pull up along side of him. As both drivers crossed the checkered flag almost simultaneously, it was determined that Fortney was slightly ahead in the photo-finish as he made it two-for-two in the bracket race.

Other winners on the night include Tony Schmitz (LunkerDaddy Late Models); Bud Tickel (Toyota Sedans), Ryan Hart (Hobby Stocks) and John McCollum Sr. (MST).

The Madera Speedway will be off for two weeks and will return for back-to-back race nights on Friday, September 14, 2012 when it hosts the Harvest Class No. 1 presented by Madera Auto/Center featuring the LunkerDaddy Late Models, Hobby Stocks, MSTs and 4-Bangers along with the 18 Second Bracket Race. It will be $5 grandstand tickets for everyone on the night courtesy of Madera Auto Center.

There will also be racing on Saturday, September 15, 2012 in the Harvest Classic Super Saturday Round No. 6 presented by Midland Tractor and John Deere featuring the 410/3660 Super Modifieds, USAC Sprints Cars, NCMA Super Sprint Cars, BCRA/USAC Midgets, Vintage Super Modifieds/Valley Sportsman plus the Brown Injected Mutli engine Pulling Tractors!