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JR LATE MODEL CHALLENGE CAMP

JR LATE MODEL CHALLENGE CAMP

About the Camp

The first Annual Jr Late Model Challenge Camp will be held at Madera Speedway on August 16 and 17. Applications are now being accepted through July 12, 2019. The camp will be open to young racers from the ages of 10 to 15. Racers will be selected from a five-panel committee based on their racing accomplishments, history, years of experience and other factors laid out in the application area below. The committee will select the top 50 applicants on July 13. The announcement of the twelve drivers to attend the camp will be made on July 16.  

The camp will invite six racers each day, drivers will have the opportunity to get behind the wheel for 1½ hours in a Naake-Klauers Motorsports championship caliber Jr Late Model, participate in several classroom seminars held by racing and marketing experts. Drivers will also participate prior to getting behind the wheel in hands-on training that will include Getting to Know the Car, Safety First, Spotter Driver Communication before taking to the track. Drivers will compete for the opportunity to race in the final Championship Weekend at Madera Speedway on October 5, 2019, in a Naake-Klauer prepared Jr Late Model at NO cost to the winner and NO crash clause. This event will be filmed and aired on MAVTV. 

The camp winner will be selected by a five-person committee and announced on August 30, 2019, via email and social media. The 12 drivers will be graded on both on-track and off-track potential. Speed will not be a deciding variable. There is no charge for drivers selected to the camp. Participants will be responsible for transportation, lodging, and food. Lunch will be provided on Camp days. This will be a full day of activities and an experience of a lifetime. Click on Application below to get started.

Jr Late Model Series

The Jr Late Model Series is the brainchild of Madera Track owner Kenny Shepherd who formed the series in 2016 giving young racers the opportunity to hone their skills in full-size race cars and compete on a National Stage broadcasted by MAV-TV.  The idea for the 51FIFTY Jr Late Model Series came to life in 2006, when Shepherd saw the need to develop the best of the best talent in a full-size late model at a young age to keep pace with the changes in our sport that were driving the age of the drivers down at the top of the sport. I also saw the need to engage young drivers at a high level to ensure our youth would remain in car racing vs other options.

Many challenges delayed the series from coming to life, Shepherd began testing with 10-12-year-old drivers in restricted late models in 2013. He operated several test races in 2015, and finally, in 2016 he officially launched the series on MAVTV, and the rest is history.

Graduates of the 51FIFTY Jr Late Model program are making their mark on the sport today. TRD driver Hailie Deegan is winning on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series. Austin Herzog is the point leader on MAVTV in the Nut Up Pro Series and has a part-time late model touring series ride. Adam Lemke is part of the Chevrolet Drivers Edge Development Program and drives for JR Motorsports in the CARS late model tour. Dylan Zampa is making waves across the country with his wins on MAVTV in the Pro Series. Jesse Love is also TRD and has one of the top midget rides in the country plus a super late model touring ride.

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Naake-Klauer Motorsports

Naake-Klauer Motorsports is a well-known and highly successful race team known for helping young racers learn to win on and off the track that recently expanded its footprint to include a true stepladder that begins with Jr Late Models and also includes Pro Late Models, SRL Southwest Tour Super Late Models, and the NASCAR K&N Pro Series. Naake-Klauer won the Jr Late Model Championship in 2017 and 2018 with young racer Jesse Love who now races super late Models in the SRL Southwest Tour and the POWERi Midget League for Keith Kunz Motorsports.  The team has also advanced other drivers like Hailie Deegan to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and the ARCA Racing Series. Adam Lemke who is driving for Jr Motorsports in the CARS Tour is also a Jr Late Model alumni.  Mike Naake and his team will provide championship caliber cars and support for the camp along with personal one on one driver coaching from Mike Naake. Drivers will also participate in a chassis seminar conducted by Naake-Klauer Motorsports championship crew chiefs.

The TV Show...

The Jr Late Model Challenge Camp will be filmed and aired on MAVTV as a one-hour special on Madera Racing. Each of the twelve finalists will receive national exposure as they compete both in the classroom and on the track for the right to race in the MAVTV 51FIFTY Jr Late Model Championship Weekend race on October 5th. MAVTV has played host to the 51FIFTY Jr Late Model Series since inception and has built a huge on air following.

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How to apply

All applications must be submitted online through this webpage by July 12 12:00 PM EST. Please fill out the form to the right, then click on upload to submit the following information:

  • Resume / Career Highlights
  • Driver Photo in Uniform
  • In a short paragraph tell us why you should be a finalist
  • 3 racing references 

Once you have completed the form click on Submit Application and you will receive a confirmation email that your application has been received. Good Luck and we look forward to seeing you in Madera.

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For more information email us at:

info@jrlatemodelchallengecamp.com

  • Please list all of your social media links (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
  • Please upload a resume/career highlights of your racing history, a picture of you in your racing uniform, a list of 3 references and a short paragraph of why you should be chosen to participate in the camp.
    Drop files here or
    Max. file size: 20 MB, Max. files: 7.
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