- All Sports
Motorsport-Speedway
SELECT LEAGUE
Quick Sports
Watsonville Motorsport-Speedway
Ocean Speedway
Justin Sanders locks up first Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo title by winning his 20th overall race of the season on Friday
By Gary Thomas
Watsonville, CA – October 11, 2015…The Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo season has been dominated by Watsonville’s Justin Sanders and on Friday night he capped the 2015 campaign the only way it should have been finished off, in victory lane.
Sander’s raced to his ninth Ocean Sprints victory of the year and his 20th overall in what has been a career year for the 23-year-old. It was certainly a year to remember for the North County Plastering/ Fire Protection Management No. 17 team. Sanders won the title by a large 122-point margin over Stockton’s Brad Furr.
“This is pretty awesome to come out here and win our 20th race of the season and wrap up the championship on the same night,” said a very happy Sanders. “It’s been a phenomenal year for us and I can’t thank everyone enough that helps out on this team. We had another great car tonight. To finally win the title at my home track is a pretty special feeling. We’ve got two championships now and hopefully we can go get that Civil War title on November 7 in Stockton.”
Sanders lined up on the pole of the feature and was never seriously challenged during the 30-lapper. Brad Furr ran second from the get go, but was challenged for much of the race by Auburn’s Andy Forsberg. Furr was able to win out in that battle and brought home a runner up finish at the checkered.
“We’re happy to end the season on a good note tonight,” said Furr. “Justin Sanders has had a great season so to finish second to him is nothing to hang our heads at. I want to thank my whole team for their support this season. This is a great place to run at and we enjoy it a lot.”
Johnny Key Classic winner Forsberg came home third to continue his solid season at the Ocean Speedway. “We always love coming down here to Ocean and have to congratulate Justin Sanders on a strong year. He’s been the man here this year. I tried hard to get Brad there, but he was good tonight.”
Gilroy’s Kurt Nelson scored fourth at the finish to lock up third in the Ocean Sprints standings, with Fresno’s Koen Shaw earning the High Five Pizza Hard Charger Award finishing fifth. The remainder of the top-10 was filled out by Fremont’s Dustin Golobic, Hayward’s Danny Malfatti, Hollister’s Tony Gualda, Corralitos’ Evan Bonnema and Morgan Hill’s Nick Ringo Jr.
Stay glued to www.racepmg.com for updates in the off season for the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo
Photos courtesy TDS Shots
Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo championship night on deck this Friday as Justin Sanders looks to claim first home-track title
By Gary Thomas
Watsonville, CA – October 5, 2015…Watsonville’s own Justin Sanders brings a near insurmountable point lead into this Friday’s season finale for the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo and will be gunning to add one final victory to his record breaking 2015 campaign.
It has been a fantastic year for the Ocean Sprints with great racing, historical moments and new faces emerging throughout 2015. This Friday is also the first event since the 55th Johnny Key Classic on August 29, which saw Andy Forsberg race to one of the biggest wins of his career. Forsberg is set to return this Friday for championship night, an event he has won the last two seasons. The seven-time Civil War champ is also coming off a big win at last week’s Fall Nationals Tribute to Stephen Allard in Chico.
This season has no doubt been the year of Justin Sanders at the Ocean Speedway. The now 23-year-old has driven to eight wins, which broke the all-time Ocean Sprints record set by Brent Kaeding in 2007. Sander’s is looking to become the sixth champion of the Taco Bravo Sprints and it’s all over but the shouting, as he maintains a 120-point advantage over his nearest rival. In theory all he has to do is start the A-main on Friday and he will be crowned Ocean Sprints champion for 2015. Sanders has already wrapped up the track title at Marysville Raceway.
Stockton’s Brad Furr has one victory so far this year and hopes to add a second to that total on Friday. The 2013 Ocean Sprints champ sits second in the standings going into the finale. Gilroy’s Kurt Nelson has had a solid season and looks to lock up third in the points on Friday. Nelson has tallied multiple top-five’s this year and brought home a runner up finish on August 21. Salinas driver Jeremy Chisum is also gunning to take home the fourth position in the standings, but is only six-digits up on fifth place Dustin Golobic, who is in just his second year of Sprint Car racing.
The top-10 in points going into the finale is rounded out by Salinas’ Jason Chisum, Fresno’s Koen Shaw, Fremont’s Shane Golobic, Morgan Hill’s Nicholas Ringo and rookie contender Danny Malfatti of Hayward. Golobic has been the biggest challenger to Sander’s over the course of the year and will be searching for his fourth Taco Bravo win of the season during championship night. More possibilities for Friday will include Jerry Bonnema, Kyler Shaw, Jarrett Soares, Ken Fredenburg, Nick Ringo Jr. Darrell Taylor and others.
This Friday’s event is also the opener of another Prentice Motorsports Group Double Down Bonus Weekend. If a driver wins this Friday at Ocean Speedway and can go on to win the King of the West race on Saturday in Tulare, they’ll go home with an extra $3000 bonus.
The front gate at Ocean Speedway will open at 4:30pm this Friday night with hot laps at 5:30pm, qualifying around 6pm and racing to follow. The pit gate will open at 2pm. All seating will be general admission with adult tickets $17, seniors 65 & older $16, children 6-12 $13 and kids five and under free. A family pack featuring two adults and two kids is available for $55.
A-main winners so far this year: Justin Sanders (8), Shane Golobic (3), Tommy Tarlton (2), Brad Furr (1), Andy Forsberg (1)
The Ocean Speedway is located on the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville, California with the physical address being 2601 East Lake Ave, Watsonville, CA 95076.
Ocean Speedway & the Ocean Sprints would like to thank Taco Bravo, High Five Pizza, Ray Scheidts Electric, Beer Optics, Hoosier Tires West, Bullet Proof Energy Drink, Flowmaster and Kaeding Performance for their support. For more information on the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo log onto www.racepmg.com
Former Ocean Sprints champions
2014- Shane Golobic
2013- Brad Furr
2012- Shane Golobic
2011- Ronnie Day
2010- Tommy Tarlton
2009- Tommy Tarlton
2008- Brent Kaeding
2007- Brent Kaeding
2013- Brad Furr
2012- Shane Golobic
2011- Ronnie Day
2010- Tommy Tarlton
2009- Tommy Tarlton
2008- Brent Kaeding
2007- Brent Kaeding
Photos courtesy TDS Shots & Paul Trevino
By Gary Thomas
Watsonville, CA – August 24, 2015…An exciting season of racing at the Ocean Speedway has all been an appetizer leading up to this Saturday August 29, when the 55th running of the Johnny Key Classic takes place at the quarter-mile bullring. The night of action also marks the second & final Ocean Sprints vs Civil War Series event of the season at the track.
Please note an earlier start time is also scheduled for Saturday, with the front grandstand gate opening up at 3:30pm. The pit board meeting will be held at 3:45pm with track packing at 4pm and qualifying & racing to follow. The pit gate opens at 1pm. This is the same time frame used during all Saturday shows at the Ocean Speedway. All seating will be general admission with adult tickets $20, $15 for kids 6-12 and children five & under free.
The Johnny Key Classic originally started out at the paved San Jose Speedway following the passing of driver Johnny Key during a racing crash in 1954, before moving to the fairgrounds dirt track in 1978. The event had been a staple at the speedway until the closing of the dirt oval in 1999. After a number of years sitting idle, John Prentice & Ocean Speedway decided to bring the event back in 2007 and this year will mark the ninth consecutive season that it’s held at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds facility.
The Key Classic will pay $6,000-to-win & $300-to-start on Saturday. A special thanks goes out to Jason Newton of 35 Industries, who donated extra money to the winner’s share, along with $500 for fast time & $500 for the hard charger in the A-main. With the weekly support of Ray Scheidts Electric added in, fast time will pay $600 on Saturday, while hard charger will also pay $600 with the support of weekly sponsor High Five Pizza.
The Key Classic A-main will consist of 50-laps. There will be two 25-lap segments. At the conclusion of the first segment the cars will be stopped on the front straight in front of the grandstands. There will be a 10-minute intermission in which cars can refuel, change tires, and make whatever adjustments the crews can do on the front straight, before teams are signaled to leave the track and cars are pushed off. Cars will be lined up to resume the race in the order in which they finished the first segment.
With Justin Sanders winning last Friday that means there will be just five drivers locked into the six-lap dash on Saturday, which sets the first five starting spots in the 50-lap feature. The drivers locked into the dash are Sanders, Fremont’s Shane Golobic, Chico’s Jonathan Allard, Elk Grove’s Greg Decaires and Auburn’s Andy Forsberg. This means that the sixth starting spot will be available to the driver who sets fast time among the cars not already locked-in and transfers through their heat, or earns their time back in the B-main.
This Saturday’s event is also the penultimate race of the season for the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo. Sanders has extended his lead in the standings to a large 114-markers following his record breaking eighth win of the year last week. The 22-year-old also sits atop the Civil War Sprint Car Series presented by Flowmaster points going into the Johnny Key Classic. When the tour last competed at Ocean Speedway on July 10 it was Sanders who took the checkered flag.
Shane Golobic has been the driver that has battled Sanders all season at Ocean Speedway and is likely to do so once again on Saturday. The now 24-year-old has scored three Ocean Sprints wins this year and also claimed the season-opener with the Civil War Series back in March. Golobic earned his lock-in position by winning the July 17 Taco Bravo event, with Sanders earning his during the July 24 outing. Allard, Decaires & Forsberg claimed their lock-in spots during Civil War events in Petaluma, Placerville & Marysville respectively.
Going into the penultimate Ocean Sprints event of the season Stockton’s Brad Furr, Gilroy’s Kurt Nelson, Salinas’ Jeremy Chisum & Fremont’s Dustin Golobic round out the top-five in the standings. Nelson is fresh off a season-best runner up finish last week, while Golobic has moved into the top-five by just five-points over Jason Chisum. More Taco Bravo regulars ready to do battle at the Key will include Koen Shaw, Nicholas Ringo, Jerry Bonnema, Danny Malfatti, Austin Liggett, Nick Ringo Jr., Tony Gualda and others.
A solid field of Winged 360 Sprint Cars are expected to tackle the Ocean Speedway at the 55th Johnny Key Classic on Saturday, including Pombo/Sargent Classic winner DJ Netto of Hanford & Howard Kaeding Classic winner Kyle Hirst of Chico, along with Campbell’s Bud & Brent Kaeding, Sebastopol’s Bradley Terrell, Lemoore’s Carson Macedo, Wilton’s Matt Peterson, Foresthill’s Ryan Robinson, Grass Valley’s Jason Statler, Fresno’s Craig Stidham, Roseville’s Sean Becker & Colby Copeland, Visalia’s Steven Tiner, Hanford’s Mitchell Faccinto, Laton’s Heath Duinkerken, Clarksburg’s Justyn Cox, Coarsegold’s Scott Parker and more.
Ocean Speedway & Taco Bravo will be hosting a Johnny Key Classic Pre-Party at the Taco Bravo location at 1950 South Bascom Avenue, Campbell, CA from 5pm to 8:30pm on Friday August 28, 2015. All pre-qualified cars and other teams are welcome to come and display their race cars at the event. Help us sell 3055 Taco’s. Tickets for Saturday will also be available at the party.
The Ocean Speedway is located on the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville, California with the physical address being 2601 East Lake Ave, Watsonville, CA 95076.
Ocean Speedway & the Ocean Sprints would like to thank Taco Bravo, High Five Pizza, Ray Scheidts Electric, Beer Optics, Hoosier Tires West, Bullet Proof Energy Drink, Flowmaster and Kaeding Performance for their support. For more information on the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo log onto www.racepmg.com
Upcoming Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo events
Saturday August 29: 55th Johnny Key Classic (Civil War vs Ocean Sprints)
Friday October 9 Championship Night
Saturday August 29: 55th Johnny Key Classic (Civil War vs Ocean Sprints)
Friday October 9 Championship Night
Photos by TDS Shots
By Gary Thomas
Watsonville, CA – August 21, 2015…Lining-up from the front row on Friday night current Ocean Sprints point leader Justin Sanders showed once again that he’s the man to beat at the quarter-mile, by leading all 30-laps to score his eighth Taco Bravo victory of the year.
The triumph made Sanders the all-time winningest driver in one season with the Ocean Sprints, breaking the record Brent Kaeding had held for eight-years. It also extended his lead atop the standings to a staggering 114-points with just two events remaining this year. The 22-year-old has won four of the last five events aboard his North County Plastering/ Fire Protection Management No. 17 Sprinter.
“Wow this is so awesome that I don’t even really know what to say,” said a very happy & excited Sanders on the front stretch. “To get our eighth win and break the single-season record is pretty incredible. We’ve had a great year, but I never could have imagined a season like we’ve had so far in this 17 car. I can’t thank all our sponsors enough and everyone that helps out on this team. The car was really good tonight and hopefully we can come back next week in the Warrington 18 and have the same kind of speed.”
Early on in the feature Sanders felt pressure from Gilroy’s Kurt Nelson, who put together his best night of the 2015 campaign. The veteran driver captured the night’s Dash and stalked Sanders through traffic during the early stages, before bringing home a season-best runner up finish at the conclusion.
“This was a great night for us and I’m definitely happy to be standing up here on the podium tonight,” Nelson commented. “To finish second to someone that’s had a year like Justin has had is nothing to be ashamed of. I want to thank everyone that came out tonight and give a big thanks to all my sponsors & supporters. We couldn’t do this without all of them. We’ve had the car rolling well lately and I’m looking forward to the Johnny Key Classic next week. Hope all the fans come back as well. It’s going to be a great show.”
Campbell’s Bud Kaeding made a late surge to round out the podium, as he gears up for the 55thJohnny Key Classic next week. The 1996 winner of the event set fast time to begin the night and battled with youngsters Kyler Shaw & Ryan Robinson over much of the feature.
“We definitely wanted to get locked-in tonight, but everyone has been chasing that 17 car all year,” Kaeding said. “Justin Sanders has been the man to beat and they’ve been on a roll this season. We will come back next week and try to get a little better in the feature to have something for him. 50-laps definitely changes the ballgame, so you never know what will happen. The track should slick up a little more and we’ll have some slide jobs to give the fans a show. We’ll see everyone next week.”
Kyler Shaw came home in fourth to continue his solid summer of racing with the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo, while 14-year-old Ryan Robinson earned his career best finish at the track by rounding out the top-five. Robinson spent time racing with Nelson for second late in the going and looked very impressive once again. The son of former Civil War champion David Robinson Jr. is certainly one of the rising stars in the state and someone to keep an eye on.
The remainder of the top-10 was filled out by Brad Furr, Jerry Bonnema, Mitchell Faccinto, Koen Shaw and Kalib Henry. Henry, who is the 15-year-old son of another former Civil War Series champion Mike Henry, was making his debut in a Winged Sprint Car. Like Robinson, Henry has also cut his teeth racing in an Outlaw Kart throughout Northern California. Jeremy Chisum came from 20th to 11th earning the High Five Pizza Hard Charger Award, while his brother Jason received the Beer Optics Hard Luck Award for his flip in the A-main.
As noted Kurt Nelson won the dash, while the three eight-lap heat races were picked off by Nelson, Tony Gualda and Jerry Bonnema. Bud Kaeding’s lap of 11.785 was good enough to give him his first Ray Scheidts Electric Fast Time Award of the season.
A-main finish: #17 Justin Sanders, #72W Kurt Nelson, #0 Bud Kaeding, #92 Kyler Shaw, #1R Ryan Robinson, #2 Brad Furr, #58 Jerry Bonnema, #37 Mitchell Faccinto, #88 Koen Shaw, #56K Kalib Henry, #8 Jermey Chisum, #83 Austin Liggett, #12 Scott Parker, #55 Danny Malfatti, #9J Dustin Golobic, #7 Nick Ringo Jr, #10 Anthony Simone, #34 Darrell Taylor, #3T Nicholas Ringo, #25Z Jason Chisum, #99 Tony Gualda, #17S Eric Rossi
The Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo will now get ready for the 55th running of the Johnny Key Classic next Saturday August 29. It will also be the second & final appearance of the season by the Civil War Sprint Car Series presented by Flowmaster, in what is sure to be a huge night of racing. With Justin Sanders winning on Friday that means there will be just five drivers locked into the dash, which sets the first five starting spots in the 50-lap feature.
The drivers locked into the dash are Sanders, Fremont’s Shane Golobic, Chico’s Jonathan Allard, Elk Grove’s Greg Decaires and Auburn’s Andy Forsberg. This means that the sixth starting spot will be available to the driver who sets fast time among the cars not already locked-in and transfers through their heat.
The front gate will open at 3:30pm next Saturday August 29, with the drivers meeting scheduled for 3:45pm. Please note the early start time like usual on Saturday events at the track. The pit gate will open at 1pm.
Ocean Speedway & Taco Bravo will be hosting a Johnny Key Classic Pre-Party at the Taco Bravo located at 1950 South Bascom Avenue, Campbell, CA from 5pm to 8:30pm on Friday August 28, 2015. All pre-qualified cars and other teams are welcome to come and display their race cars at the event. Help us sell 3055 Taco’s. Tickets for Saturday will also be available at the party.
TDS Shots Photo
Two-time Taco Bravo champion Shane Golobic dominates Ocean Sprints round 11 to lock himself into the 55th Johnny Key Classic at Ocean Speedway
By Gary Thomas
Watsonville, CA – July 17, 2015…Taking the lead at the waving of the green flag and never looking back Fremont’s Shane Golobic put on a dominating performance Friday night, lapping up to the fourth place car en route to his third victory of the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo season.
The win locks Golobic into the 55th running of the Johnny Key Classic, joining Jonathan Allard, Greg Decaires and Andy Forsberg as the fourth automatic qualifier. The Key will be held at Ocean Speedway on Saturday August 29 and is the final Civil War vs Ocean Sprints event of the season at the quarter-mile. Golobic’s win came at the helm of the Keith Day Trucking/ Gabilan Ag Service No. 22 machine.
“We had a great car tonight and I’m really happy to get our third win of the year at Ocean Speedway and to lock into the Johnny Key Classic,” Golobic commented. “The Johnny Key is one of those events I really want to check off on my bucket list. Locking in tonight is an important deal when it comes to having a shot to win the Key. Thank you to my whole team and all our sponsors for their support. We’ll now go on to Placerville tomorrow and try to sweep the weekend.”
Current King of the West Series point leader Carson Macedo of Lemoore started on pole by way of winning the dash, but when the green flag waved it was outside front row starter Golobic getting the jump. A lightning fast surface was seen and Golobic’s machine was on a rail all race long. The only thing slowing him down early was a pair of scary incidents on lap-four. The first when young Ryan Robinson suffered a reported broken rear axle, which sent him for a wild snap roll in turn four. The 14-year-old was battling for the third spot at the time of his misfortune. He emerged from the car okay.
On the ensuing restart Jeremy Chisum & Ken Fredenburg went for a violent end-over-end ride down the front stretch. Chisum got the worst end of the deal in one of the scariest accidents we’ve seen in some time. After a few intense moments he emerged from the car and walked to the ambulance, much to the delight of the crowd. Following this 26-straight laps were clicked off and saw Golobic check out from the field. He did a masterful job through lapped traffic and took the checkered flag by four & a half seconds over Macedo. The only cars left on the lead lap at the end were Golobic, Macedo, Justin Sanders and Kurt Nelson.
Macedo’s runner up finish was his best result in two Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo starts this year and came aboard the Josh Ford Motorsports No. 73 mount. The 19-year-old did a nice job to hold off Sanders over the later stages, who applied heavy pressure to his rear bumper. The podium effort for Sanders continued his ultra impressive season aboard his family owned North County Plastering No. 17 Sprinter. The 22-year-old has finished on the podium in all but two races this year with the Ocean Sprints and leads the field into round 12 next Friday night. It was a nice rebound for Sanders after getting upside down in the dash while battling for second.
Nelson had a solid night in the Babe’s Lightning & Muffler No. 72 and came out on top of a hard fought battle with Nicholas Ringo for the fourth position. A week after suffering electrical issues Ringo came back to have a nice evening and rounded out the top-five. The remainder of the top-10 was filled out by Heath Duinkerken, Jason Chisum, Koen Shaw, Dustin Golobic and Jerry Bonnema. Jason Chisum claimed the High Five Pizza Hard Charger Award, while brother Jeremy earned the Beer Optics Hard Luck Award for his scary crash in the feature.
As mentioned, Macedo captured the dash, with three entertaining eight-lap heat races being picked off by Brad Furr, Ryan Robinson & Shane Golobic. Robinson’s win came after holding off a very fast Justin Sanders, while Golobic made a final corner high-side pass of Macedo. Brad Furr kicked-off the night by setting his fourth Ray Scheidt’s Electric Fast Time of the season with a blistering lap of 11.593. By doing so he tied Shane Golobic for the most fast time efforts so far this season. Full results will be available at www.racepmg.com
A-main finish: 1. 22 Shane Golobic, 2. 73 Carson Macedo, 3. 17 Justin Sanders, 4. 72w Kurt Nelson, 5. 3t Nicholas Ringo, 6. 79 Heath Duinkerken, 7. 25z Jason Chisum, 8. 88 Koen Shaw, 9. 9j Dustin Golobic, 10. 58 Jerry Bonnema, 11. 83 Austin Liggett, 12. 55 Danny Malfatti, 13. 29r Riley Matson, 14. 2 Brad Furr, 15. 10 Anthony Simone, 16. 23 Ken Fredenburg, 17. 8 Jeremy Chisum, 18. 1r Ryan Robinson, 19. 83m Mike Stallings
The Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo will return to action next Friday night July 24 to open a PMG Double Down Bonus Weekend. Win Friday in Watsonville & Saturday at the King of the West Peter Murphy Classic, a driver will go home with a $3000 bonus. It also marks the fifth Johnny Key Classic Qualifying race and the second with the Ocean Sprints.
By Gary Thomas
Watsonville, CA – July 13, 2015…The busy summer of events at Ocean Speedway continues this Friday July 17 with round number 11 for the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo. It also marks the first of three Johnny Key Classic Qualifying races at the quarter-mile clay oval.
So far there have been three Key Qualifiers held with the Civil War 360 Sprint Car Series presented by Flowmaster. Drivers already earning lock in spots have been Auburn’s Andy Forsberg on May 23 in Marysville, Elk Grove’s Greg Decaires on May 30 in Placerville and Chico’s Jonathan Allard on June 20 in Petaluma.
The three qualifiers with the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo take place this Friday July 17, July 24 and August 21. During the qualifying races, only the race winner will lock into the 24-car Johnny Key Classic feature. This year there will be no series point leader lock in position. The 55thrunning of the Key Classic takes place on Saturday August 29 at the Ocean Speedway in Watsonville.
Justin Sanders continued to be a blazing inferno last week by racing to his fifth victory of the year on opening night of the Howard Kaeding Classic. The Watsonville based driver stretched his lead to 54-markers going into this Friday, where he looks to lock his way into the Johnny Key Classic.
The 22-year-old has finished on the podium in all but two Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo events this season. Overall Sanders has claimed 10 main event wins between Ocean Speedway & Marysville Raceway in 2015, as he looks to bring home both track titles.
Stockton’s Brad Furr led early in the going last week and comes into Friday sitting 54-markers behind Sanders. The past Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo champion ultimately finished fourth in the feature during opening night of the HK Classic.
Fremont’s Shane Golobic grabbed the lead from Furr last Friday on lap-nine, before surrendering it to Sander’s on a lap-17 restart. The two-time & reigning Ocean Sprints champ ranks third in the points despite missing one event. His runner up last week marked the seventh podium he has scored in 9 Taco Bravo starts this year.
Going into the Friday’s round the top-10 in points is rounded out by Salinas brother’s Jeremy & Jason Chisum, Fremont’s Dustin Golobic, Gilroy’s Kurt Neslon, Hayward’s Danny Malfatti, Morgan Hills Nicholas Ringo and Fresno’s Koen Shaw. Just 17-points separate Jason Chisum, D Golobic and Nelson for the fifth spot in the standings.
More drivers expected Friday will include Lemoore’s Carson Macedo, Fresno’s Kyler Shaw, Corralitos’ Jerry Bonnema, Gilroy’s Ken Fredenburg, Tracy’s Austin Liggett, Coarsegold’s Scott Parker and others.
The front gate at Ocean Speedway will open at 4:30pm this Friday night with hot laps at 5:30pm, qualifying around 6pm and racing to follow. The pit gate will open at 2pm. All seating will be general admission with adult tickets $17, seniors 65 & older $16, children 6-12 $13 and kids five and under free. A family pack featuring two adults and two kids is available for $55.
A-main winners so far this year: Justin Sanders (5), Shane Golobic & Tommy Tarlton (2), Brad Furr (1)
The Ocean Speedway is located on the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville, California with the physical address being 2601 East Lake Ave, Watsonville, CA 95076.
Ocean Speedway & the Ocean Sprints would like to thank Taco Bravo, High Five Pizza, Ray Scheidts Electric, Beer Optics, Hoosier Tires West, Bullet Proof Energy Drink, Flowmaster and Kaeding Performance for their support. For more information on the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo log onto www.racepmg.com
Upcoming Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo events
Friday July 17: (Johnny Key Classic Qualifying Race)
Friday July 24: (Johnny Key Classic Qualifying Race)
Friday August 7:
Friday August 21: (Johnny Key Classic Qualifying Race)
Friday July 17: (Johnny Key Classic Qualifying Race)
Friday July 24: (Johnny Key Classic Qualifying Race)
Friday August 7:
Friday August 21: (Johnny Key Classic Qualifying Race)
TDS Shots Photos
Eighteen-year-old Dominic Scelzi brings a 19-point lead over Bud Kaeding & Carson Macedo into Watsonville
By Gary Thomas
Watsonville, CA – July 7, 2015…Since starting in 2011 the prestigious Howard Kaeding Classic has been a destination event for the King of the West Sprint Car Series at Ocean Speedway each summer. This Saturday night the tour invades the cool confines of Watsonville, CA for the fifth annual edition of the showcase, which doubles as KWS round number nine.
The event on Saturday marks the final appearance in 2015 for the King of the West Series at Ocean Speedway and caps a big weekend of racing at the quarter-mile. On Friday night the Civil War 360 Sprint Car Series takes on the Ocean Sprints. On Saturday the Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprints then share the stage with the King of the West 410 Sprinters. Camping is allowed on the grass area near & behind the grandstands. Hook ups cost $40 per night with dry camping $20.
Reigning King of the West 410 Sprint Car Rookie of the Year DJ Netto picked up his second win of the season when the series was on hand at Ocean Speedway just a couple weeks back. The 19-year-old from of Hanford has moved his way up the ladder in recent weeks and now ranks a season-best fifth in the KWS standings. Netto on Saturday will be gunning to continue his hot streak and become the first driver to reach three wins on the season.
Defending Howard Kaeding Classic winner Bud Kaeding of Campbell will also be searching for his third King of the West victory of the yearon Saturday. The three-time USAC Silver Crown champ sits in a tie with Lemoore’s Carson Macedo for second in the KWS points. Kaeding’s wins this season have come at the Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial in Chico and the Petaluma Speedway. Macedo has been in position to win multiple times this year and will look to seal the deal on Saturday.
Everyone is chasing Fresno’s Dominic Scelzi at the top of the heap however, as he brings a 19-point lead into the Howard Kaeding Classic. During the event two weeks back at Ocean Speedway he came from 16th to sixth in the feature and backed that up by claiming fourth in Calistoga the following night. Scelzi will be searching for his second win of the season on Saturday to try and extend his lead in the standings. The 18-year-old picked up a win on June 13 at the Stockton Dirt Track.
Fremont’s Shane Golobic has been ultra close to a HK Classic win on a couple occasions in his career and goes into Saturday sitting fourth in the KWS points. The two-time Ocean Speedway champion charged from 13th to third two weeks ago at the track. Chico’s Kyle Hirst has also been within reach of capturing the event before and is the most recent winner in KWS competition. The two-time series champion earned his second victory of the season at Calistoga on June 27.
Chico’s Jonathan Allard & Los Angeles’ Tyler Walker have both been near victory in recent weeks with KWS. Allard, a two-time Howard Kaeding Classic winner, charged from 16th to second in Calistoga and led the first 24-laps of the feature at Ocean Speedway on June 26. After Allard was knocked out in a lapped traffic incident, Walker then led the feature that night until the final corner, when DJ Netto was able to steal the win away. The 2009 KWS champ has three podiums in four starts this year.
More drivers expected to be on hand Saturday will include 13-time King of the West champ Brent Kaeding of Campbell, Elk Grove’s Bobby McMahan, Easton’s Tommy Tarlton, Grass Valley’s Jason Statler, Gilroy’s Jarrett Soares, Hanford’s Mitchell Faccinto, Penngrove’s Chase Johnson, Fresno’s Craig Stidham, Roseville’s Colby Copeland, Coarsegold’s Scott Parker, Hollister’s Ryan Bernal, Scotts Valley’s Evan Suggs and others.
The week begins on Wednesday night July 8, with the 2nd annual HK Classic Car Show & BBQ at High Five Pizza located at the Silver Creek Sports Plex in San Jose. Various drivers, hot rods and race cars will be on hand at the get-together in the parking lot that runs from5pm-9pm. Tickets for the weekend will be on sale at the car show for fans to avoid lines come race day. There will be a delicious BBQ dinner from 6pm-8pm for donation, with proceeds going to the Silver Creek Sports Plex Foundation.
Following Friday nights races High Five Pizza will be hosting a post-race party at the track with appetizers, drinks and a lot of fun to be had. On Saturday afternoon the annual HK Classic Luncheon takes place. Both events are held to support the Northern Auto Racing Club Benevolent Fund. The Post Race Party & Luncheon will both be held in the Big White Tent off turn four.
The HK Classic luncheon on Saturday will feature an excellent lunch for a $20 donation to the NARC Benevolent Fund. Easy access is available to enter from both the pit area and the campgrounds. All race teams & fans are encouraged to come enjoy a great lunch prepared by Myles & the crew at Catering by 5. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction. The Benevolent Fund uses 100% of the funds raised to support the families of injured drivers, crew members and officials running Sprint Car Series’ in California.
Tickets for Friday’s Civil War 360 vs Ocean Sprints event will be $20 for adults, $15 for kids 6-12, children five & under free. The front gate will open at 4pm. Tickets for Saturday’s King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series & Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprints event will be $25 for adults, $15 for kids 6-12, children five & under free.
The front gate on Saturday opens at 3pm, drivers meeting scheduled around 4pm, with hot laps, qualifying & racing to follow. As usual at Ocean Speedway everything starts an hour early on Saturday.
Saturday will also feature the Williams Roofing Royal Fan Pill Draw with an extra special incentive. A trivia question will be asked from the announce booth and the fan that answers correctly will pull a random number (1-22) out of a bag. The fan automatically wins $100 and if the driver wins the feature from the starting spot drawn, the driver receives a $2000 bonus! Friday night will also see the draw take place, with one driver having a chance at a $1000 bonus. Big thanks to Williams Roofing of Fremont, California!
The Ocean Speedway is located on the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville, California with the physical address being 2601 East Lake Ave, Watsonville, CA 95076.
Info on the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series can be found at http://www.racepmg.com
Upcoming KWS events
Saturday July 11: Ocean Speedway (5th annual Howard Kaeding Classic)
Saturday July 18: Placerville Speedway (Bullring Nationals)
Saturday July 25: Thunderbowl Raceway (2nd annual Peter Murphy Classic)
Saturday August 1: Stockton Dirt Track
Saturday July 11: Ocean Speedway (5th annual Howard Kaeding Classic)
Saturday July 18: Placerville Speedway (Bullring Nationals)
Saturday July 25: Thunderbowl Raceway (2nd annual Peter Murphy Classic)
Saturday August 1: Stockton Dirt Track
Stout field set to invade the quarter-mile to kick-off the big weekend
By Gary Thomas
Watsonville, CA – July 6, 2015…After a couple weeks of being idle the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo will return to action in a big way this Friday night to help kick-off the fifth annual Howard Kaeding Classic at Ocean Speedway. The special showcase also features the traveling Civil War Sprint Car Series presented by Flowmaster, making for a huge night of Winged 360 Sprint Car racing at the quarter-mile.
Howard Kaeding was a multiple-time California state super-modified champion, a four-time Johnny Key Classic winner and once captured a record 17-straight races at the San Jose Speedway. The driver known as the "Campbell Comet" claimed over 300 main event victories in his career and even raced into his 60's, before retiring in the 1990's. The HK Classic has been a great weekend of re-living memories from the past and will certainly be so once again in 2015.
Camping for the weekend will be allowed on the grass area near & behind the grandstands at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Hook ups cost $40 with dry camping $20. Money will be collected by the fairgrounds.
Tickets for Friday night’s Civil War 360 Series vs Ocean Sprints event will be $20 for adults, $15 for kids 6-12, children five & under free. The front gate will open at 4pm with hot laps at 5:45pm, qualifying around 6pm and racing to follow. The pit gate will open at 2pm. Tickets for Saturday’s King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series & Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprints event will be $25 for adults, $15 for kids 6-12, children five & under free. Everything on Saturday starts an hour earlier. Front gate opens at 3pm on Saturday, with pit booth opening around noon.
Over the years at Ocean Speedway the Ocean Sprints vs Civil War Series events have been must see outings, with large and deep fields on hand each time. Watsonville’s own Justin Sanders sits atop the standings with both groups and leads the pack into the big night on Friday. So far this year he has claimed four wins with the Ocean Sprints, but is still in search of his first with Civil War. Competing at his home track may be just what the doctor ordered for that to happen. Overall this year Sanders has captured eight main event victories.
Stockton’s Brad Furr is the defending Friday night winner of the HK Classic and goes into this week ranking second in the Ocean Sprints standings. Furr has claimed one victory thus far in 2015. Fremont’s Shane Golobic has missed one event so far this season, but still sits third in points and has been one of the hottest drivers as of late. The reigning Ocean Sprints & Civil War Series champion has two wins in Watsonville this year and one with Civil War. Salinas brother’s Jeremy & Jason Chisum round out the top-five going into Friday night.
More Ocean Sprints drivers expected to be on hand will include Easton’s Tommy Tarlton, Fremont’s Dustin Golobic, Gilroy’s Kurt Nelson, Fresno’s Koen Shaw, Morgan Hills Nicholas & Nick Ringo Jr, Corralitos’ Jerry Bonnema, Tracy’s Austin Liggett, Hayward’s Danny Malfatti, Gilroy’s Ken Frendburg, Fremont’s Anthony Espinosa, Fresno’s Anthony Simone and others.
A full field of Civil War & King of the West Series regulars are expected to tackle the Ocean Speedway as well on Friday, including Pombo/Sargent Classic winner DJ Netto of Hanford, Campbell’s Bud & Brent Kaeding, Fresno’s Dominic Scelzi, Auburn’s Andy Forsberg, Chico’s Jonathan Allard & Kyle Hirst, Sebastopol’s Bradley Terrell, Lemoore’s Carson Macedo, Grass Valley’s Jason Statler, British Columbia’s Robbie Price, Fresno’s Craig Stidham, Roseville’s Colby Copeland, Scotts Valley’s Evan Suggs, Hollister’s Ryan Bernal, Coarsegold’s Scott Parker and more.
The week begins on Wednesday night July 8, with the 2nd annual HK Classic Car Show & BBQ at High Five Pizza located at the Silver Creek Sports Plex in San Jose. Various drivers, hot rods and race cars will be on hand at the get-together that runs from 5pm-9pm. Tickets for the weekend will be on sale at the car show for fans to avoid lines come race day.
There will be a delicious BBQ dinner from 6pm-8pm for donation, with proceeds going to the Silver Creek Sports Plex Foundation, which aims to ensure that every child, regardless of financial ability, is able to participate in local amateur athletic training and competition. Please come out and enjoy a fun night with some great food, all put on for a good cause. High Five at the Plex is located at 800 Embedded Way in San Jose, CA 95138.
Following Friday nights races High Five Pizza will be putting on a post-race party at the track with appetizers, drinks and a lot of fun to be had. On Saturday afternoon the annual HK Classic Luncheon takes place, which kicks-off the final night’s action. Both events are held to support the Northern Auto Racing Club Benevolent Fund. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction. The Post Race Party & Luncheon will both be held in the Big White Tent off turn four.
The HK Classic luncheon hosted by Catering by 5 on Saturday at the track will feature an excellent lunch for a $20 donation to the NARC Benevolent Fund. Howard, Brent & Bud Kaeding, along with other drivers will all be available for photos and autographs at the luncheon. Easy access is available to enter from both the pit area and the campgrounds. All race teams & fans are encouraged to come enjoy a great lunch prepared by Myles & the crew at Catering by 5.
The NARC Benevolent Fund uses 100% of the funds raised to support the families of injured drivers, crew members and officials running Sprint Car Series’ in California. Various beneficiaries of the fund over the last 10-years include Dennis Moore Jr., Billy Sellers, Danny Faria Jr., the family of Alan Urias, Randy Hannagan, Tom Milne, Brad Bumgarner, the family of David Tarter and Peter Murphy.
The Ocean Speedway is located on the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville, California with the physical address being 2601 East Lake Ave, Watsonville, CA 95076.
Ocean Speedway & the Ocean Sprints would like to thank Taco Bravo, High Five Pizza, Ray Scheidts Electric, Beer Optics, Hoosier Tires West, Flowmaster and Kaeding Performance for their support. For more information on the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo log ontowww.racepmg.com
Upcoming Ocean Speedway Sprint Car events
Friday July 10: (Howard Kaeding Classic Night One) Civil War 360 Sprint Car Series vs Ocean Sprints
Saturday July 11: (Howard Kaeding Classic Night Two) King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series & Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Series
Friday July 18: Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo (Johnny Key Classic Qualifying Race)
Friday July 25: Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo (Johnny Key Classic Qualifying Race)
Friday July 10: (Howard Kaeding Classic Night One) Civil War 360 Sprint Car Series vs Ocean Sprints
Saturday July 11: (Howard Kaeding Classic Night Two) King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series & Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Series
Friday July 18: Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo (Johnny Key Classic Qualifying Race)
Friday July 25: Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo (Johnny Key Classic Qualifying Race)
TDS Shots Photo
.jpg)
Special events include July 8 Car Show & BBQ, Post Race Party Friday & Saturday Afternoon Luncheon
By Gary Thomas
Watsonville, CA – July 1, 2015…One of the most anticipated events of the year in Northern California Sprint Car racing will take place next weekend when the fifth annual Howard Kaeding Classic converges at the Ocean Speedway in Watsonville.
Everything begins on Wednesday night July 8, with the 2nd annual HK Classic Car Show & BBQ at High Five Pizza located at the Silver Creek Sports Plex in San Jose. Various drivers, hot rods and race cars will be on hand at the get-together that runs from 5pm-9pm, which is the official kick-off for the Howard Kaeding Classic week.
There will be a BBQ dinner from 6pm-8pm for donation, with proceeds going to the Silver Creek Sports Plex Foundation, which aims to ensure that every child, regardless of financial ability, is able to participate in local amateur athletic training and competition. Please come out and enjoy a fun night with some great food, all put on for a terrific cause. Hive Five at the Plex is located at 800 Embedded Way in San Jose, CA 95138.
The racing weekend then begins on Friday night July 10 at Ocean Speedway with the Civil War 360 Sprint Car Series presented by Flowmaster taking on the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo. The event concludes Saturday July 11 with the Howard Kaeding Classic finale featuring the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series & Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprints. Both nights also showcase the Dwarf Car Regionals.
Following Friday nights races High Five Pizza will be putting on a post-race party at the track with appetizers, drinks and a lot of fun to be had. Teams & fans are all encouraged to come and join in following the races. On Saturday afternoon the annual HK Classic Luncheon takes place, which kicks-off the final night’s action. Both events are held to support the Northern Auto Racing Club Benevolent Fund. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction.
The Friday night Post Race Party & Saturday afternoon HK Classic Luncheon will both be held in the Big White Tent off turn four.
The NARC Benevolent Fund uses 100% of the funds raised to support the families of injured drivers, crew members and officials running Sprint Car Series’ in California. Various beneficiaries of the fund over the last 10-years include Dennis Moore Jr., Billy Sellers, Danny Faria Jr., the family of Alan Urias, Randy Hannagan, Tom Milne, Brad Bumgarner, the family of David Tarter and Peter Murphy.
“We definitely hope to see everyone at the Howard Kaeding Classic in Watsonville,” said Brent Kaeding, who is one of the NARC Benevolent Fund coordinators. “The special events support a very good cause and it’s an opportunity for everyone to have the chance to socialize and enjoy some great food. We always love getting the opportunity to hang with all the fans and we look forward to seeing everyone there. It’s going to be a big weekend with Civil War, the King of the West Series and the Hunt Series all at Ocean Speedway. This event has really grown into being a premier showcase for Sprint Car racing in our state.”
“We definitely hope to see everyone at the Howard Kaeding Classic in Watsonville,” said Brent Kaeding, who is one of the NARC Benevolent Fund coordinators. “The special events support a very good cause and it’s an opportunity for everyone to have the chance to socialize and enjoy some great food. We always love getting the opportunity to hang with all the fans and we look forward to seeing everyone there. It’s going to be a big weekend with Civil War, the King of the West Series and the Hunt Series all at Ocean Speedway. This event has really grown into being a premier showcase for Sprint Car racing in our state.”
The HK Classic luncheon catered by High Five Pizza on Saturday July 11 at the track will feature an excellent steak lunch for a $20 donation to the benevolent fund. Howard, Brent & Bud Kaeding, along with other drivers will all be available for photos and autographs at the luncheon. Easy access is available to enter from both the pit area and the campgrounds. All race teams & fans are encouraged to come enjoy a great lunch prepared by Myles & the crew at Catering by 5.
“We really want to thank Myles at High Five Pizza & Catering by 5 for all of his support at the Howard Kaeding Classic,” said Brent Kaeding. “Myles is doing so much for us when it comes to the food and set up for these extra functions. We’re trying to make this event one of the big happenings in Northern California and one that fans want to attend every year. The racing this season at Ocean Speedway has been second to none, so if you haven’t made it out yet this year, be sure and do so at the HK Classic.”
Tickets for the Friday night July 10 Civil War 360 Series vs Ocean Sprints event will be $20 for adults, $15 for kids 6-12, children five & under free. Tickets for the Saturday July 11 King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series & Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprints event will be $25 for adults, $20 for kids 6-12, children five & under free. Saturday will see an earlier start time like usual during Saturday events at Ocean Speedway.
Camping for the weekend will be allowed on the grass area near & behind the grandstands. Hook ups cost $40 with dry camping $20. Money will be collected by the fairgrounds.
Howard Kaeding was a multiple-time California state super-modified champion, a four-time Johnny Key Classic winner and once captured a record 17-straight races at the San Jose Speedway. The driver known as the "Campbell Comet" claimed over 300 main event victories in his career and even raced into his 60's, before retiring in the 1990's. The HK Classic has been a great weekend of re-living memories from the past and will certainly be so once again in 2015.
The Ocean Speedway is located on the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, two miles east of Watsonville, California on SR 152. The physical address is 2601 East Lake Ave, Watsonville, CA 95076. More info on all things Prentice Motorsports Group can be found atwww.racepmg.com
Previous Howard Kaeding Classic winners
2011- Evan Suggs
2012- Jonathan Allard
2013- Jonathan Allard
2014- Bud Kaeding
2011- Evan Suggs
2012- Jonathan Allard
2013- Jonathan Allard
2014- Bud Kaeding
Nineteen-year-old DJ Netto executes a thrilling final corner slider to win a wild 30th annual Pombo/Sargent Classic on Friday at Ocean Speedway
By Gary Thomas
Watsonville, CA – June 28, 2015…The Ocean Speedway has had no shortage of excitement this year and that was certainly the case on Friday night when the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series came to town for the 30th Pombo/Sargent Classic.
When the white flag waved it looked as if Tyler Walker would be headed for victory, but 13th starting DJ Netto had other ideas in mind. As the pair headed into turn three for the final time and the crowd rising to their feet, the 19-year-old Hanford driver threw a monster slider to grab the lead. Walker tried to cut back underneath, but Netto beat him to the line by 0.175 seconds for the victory. It was Netto’s second career King of the West victory, after winning his initial series race on May 16 at Thunderbowl Raceway.
The Central Valley youngster also came close to bringing home a victory at last year’s Pombo/Sargent Classic, where he came home with a runner up finish. The triumph on Friday night came aboard his Netto Agriculture/ Penny Newman Grain 88n Sprinter. Walker finished second in his first start aboard the Josh Ford Motorsports 73, with 14th starting Shane Golobic rounding out the podium in the Keith Day Trucking 22. Jason Statler had a great run from 19th to fourth aboard the DF Rios Motorsports 00, while Carson Macedo completed the top-five at the helm of the WFO Apparel 21x.
“This is such an awesome feeling I don’t even know what to say about it,” said an exuberated Netto on the front stretch. “To be able to pull off a last corner pass on a guy like Tyler Walker is just unreal. Sometimes it’s better to be running second and that was the case tonight. It’s pretty special to win the Pombo/Sargent Classic after coming so close last year. I want to give a huge thanks to my guys for giving me such a great car. To win a race after starting 13th is awesome. Thanks to all you fans for coming out tonight and supporting us. Hopefully we gave you a good show and you’ll be back in July for the Howard Kaeding Classic.” 
When the green flag waved in the 30-lapper front row starters Jonathan Allard & Mitchell Faccinto battled for the top-spot. Faccinto officially led lap one, before the yellow waved for a stalled car. On the restart Allard fought his way past to take the lead, with Evan Suggs following along for second. Faccinto’s strong start to the night came to an end on lap six when contact from behind left him stalled in turn four. Things began to heat up on the restart with movers & shakers coming lap after lap. Bud Kaeding & Tyler Walker would take over second & third shortly after going back green, as Suggs got out of shape and dropped in the order.
Another well prepared surface was seen on Friday and despite Allard having his way out front for the majority of the feature, things behind him continued to be exciting. A number of drivers spent time filling out the top-five throughout the duration of the main event. Sliders were prevalent all race long as restarts kept thing intense. Drama would develop late in the going however, when leader Allard had issues in traffic just six laps shy of the finish. The three-time KWS champ was in search of his first win of the season, but his night came to an end after contact with a lapped car sent him into the turn two wall extremely hard.
This moved Walker & Carson Macedo up to the front row for the double file restart. Prior to the red flag the duo was putting on a show battling for the second position. At this time Netto was also making some fantastic moves, charging from 13th third. More drama would develop after going green though, as Brent Kaeding & Bud Kaeding raced hard for the fourth position, which resulted in Brent making contact with Bud off turn four. It saw Bud get upside down to bring out the red. Brent also had damage and exited to the work area. Both drivers restarted, but their shot at victory came to an end.
On the restart Netto shot to second around Macedo and gave chase after Walker. It set up the miraculous finish with Netto making up immense ground on the final lap to pass Walker and hold him off for the stunning win. Showing just how hard Netto drove on the last lap, his fastest lap of the race came on the final go around.
Although disappointed Walker was happy to bring home another consistent finish. “I just feel really bad for my guys because I feel like I let them down right there, but DJ did a great job on that last lap. I’m definitely happy to be up here on the podium again and want to thank Jimmy May and the Josh Ford Motorsports team for giving me the chance to drive this car tonight. It was great race and a lot of fun, although I hate finishing second.”
Golobic’s strong charge from 14th to third continued his solid 2015 campaign with KWS. “We had a great run in the main event tonight and I had a nice front row seat to that great battle between DJ & Tyler. It’s been an awesome year for us and I really have to give a big thanks to Keith Day and this whole 22 team. We’ve been really consistent and I know the wins are going to start coming soon. I can’t wait to be back here for the HK Classic in July.”
Jason Statler’s outstanding run from 19th to fourth was good enough to earn him the KSE Hard Charger Award. It was the best outing of the season for the 2004 KWS champ, who made some excellent pinpoint passes in the 30-lapper. After challenging for the lead at one point Macedo crossed the stripe in fifth to earn his fifth top-five finish of the year. Dominic Scelzi came from 16th to sixth, Bobby McMahan was seventh, Ryan Bernal went 15th to eighth, Scott Parker 19th to ninth and Bud Kaeding rounded out the top-10.
The dash went to Jonathan Allard, with the three 10-lap heat races going to Carson Macedo, Bud Kaeding and Allard. Evan Suggs opened the night by setting his first fast time of the season with a lap of 11.414. Full results are available at www.racepmg.com
Make plans to join us at the 5th annual Howard Kaeding Classic in July at the Ocean Speedway. The big weekend will be kicked-off on Wednesdaynight July 8 with the 2ndannual HK Classic Car Show & BBQ, held at the High Five Pizza located at the Silver Creek Sportsplex in San Jose. The Car Show takes place from 5pm to 9pm, with Dinner served from 6pm to 8pm.
Proceeds from the Wednesday event go to the Silver Creek Sportsplex Foundation, which aims to ensure that every child, regardless of financial ability, is able to participate in local amateur athletic training and competition. Please come out and enjoy a fun night with some great food, all put on for a great cause.
The racing weekend then begins on Friday night July 10 at the Ocean Speedway with the Civil War 360 Sprint Car Series presented by Flowmaster taking on the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo. The event concludes Saturday July 11 with the Howard Kaeding Classic finale featuring the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series & Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprints. We’ll have a post race party Friday and a Saturday afternoon lunch as part of the festivities. More info will be out in the coming week.
Photos courtesy Collin Markle
