MADERA, CA – Jeremy Doss of Upper Lake, CA added another major event trophy to his growing collection, grabbing the $5,000 round one of the Race 2B Drug Free Big3 at Madera Speedway on Saturday night. Doss outfoxed multi-time NASCAR California State Champion Trevor Huddleston and two-time Nut Up Pro Late Model Champion Buddy Shepherd of Bakersfield for the victory.
The event served as round three of the Nut Up Pro Late Model Series as well and was streamed live for free to race fans due to the COVID-19 Pandemic closing the grandstands. The event will be telecast later this fall on MAVTV as well.
The initial start of the 100-lap feature saw a multi-car skirmish into turn one. On the next attempt, 2019 Nut Up Pro Late Model champion Austin Herzog of Clovis led the opening lap. Shepherd went around the outside of Napa’s Logan Zampa to take third on lap eight. Doss clamped down on Herzog and looked inside for the lead on the front stretch on lap 14. Doss took over the top spot on lap 15. Shepherd then attacked Herzog, with the pair running side-by-side before contact into turn one on lap 18. Both Shepherd and Huddleston passed Herzog as a result. Herzog eventually drifted to seventh in front of Bakersfield’s Racin Vernon.
A caution flew on lap 38 for Michael Mitchell and Shelden Cooper making contact in turn four. On the restart, Shepherd and Huddleston had contact on the front stretch but managed to keep going. Ross Strmiska and Logan Zampa went side-by-side for fourth with Dylan Zampa also entering the discussion for the position.
The Zampa cars made contact coming to the halfway break, with Logan spinning one lap early with 49 laps officially scored complete.
Doss picked the inside on the restart out of the break for MAVTV interviews and adjustments. The decision went in Huddleston’s favor with the Irwindale champion charging past Shepherd in turn two to lead lap 50. Huddleston’s teammate Dean Thompson emerged on the restart in fifth after starting ninth.
Mtichell’s night ended with a hard crash that involved Oklahoma’s Holley Hollan on lap 65. Racin Vernon retired to the pits with a broken rear end as well. Huddleston, despite taking the lead on the outside, picked the inside for the upcoming restart. Doss took advantage to drive past Huddleston in an identical maneuver. Huddleston fell into a great battle with Buddy Shepherd that went back-and-forth on several occasions. Huddleston and Shepherd even made contact on lap 83 but Shepherd drove away.
Shepherd ran his best lap of the main event on lap 87 but it was too little too late as Jeremy Doss claimed the $5,000 Race 2B Drug Free Big3 100-lap feature win. Doss, Huddleston, Ross Strmiska, and Carlos Vieira rounded out the top-five.
For information about Madera Speedway, visit www.RaceMadera.com The 2020 season would not be possible without the support of Nut Up Industries, 51FIFTY LTM, Race 2B Drug Free, Competition Carburetion, Hoosier Tires, and Sunoco Race Fuel.
Madera Speedway Release – Story by Steve Blakesley
Photos courtesy of Horsepower Project by Michele Martin Photography
Feature Results
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Qualifying Results
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For more information on Madera Speedway visit racemadera.com
