TARLTON FINISHES SECOND BY 0.167 SECONDS IN WATSONVILLE

Tommy Tarlton
Tommy Tarlton. - John's Racing Photos

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– WATSONVILLE, Calif. (June 5) – Blink and you missed it.

The separation between the top two as they crossed under the checkered flag was 0.167 seconds, which was roughly the length of a front wheel. In his closest career race, Tommy Tarlton couldn’t quite pull off the spectacular pass on Ronnie Day for the victory as the two banged wheels at the stripe for the Ocean Sprints feature last Friday at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, Calif.

“It was Ricky Bobby style,” Tarlton joked. “The people who paid to watch the race definitely got their money’s worth.”

Getting to that point was just as exciting as the photo finish. Because of an impending storm, the race program was rushed.

The Easton, Calif., resident, who qualified sixth and finished second in his heat race, started on the pole of the feature. Tarlton rocketed to an early lead of several car lengths. He said the bottom of the track was slick so he utilized the top groove, which kept getting closer to the edge.

With approximately three laps remaining he narrowly slid off and momentarily got stuck in a deep rut in turn two. Day was able to slip by, but Tarlton pulled a slide job in turn three. However, Day used a putback to grab the lead at the flag stand and a caution came out shortly after.

The duo battled for the top spot during the final two laps, which came to a head on the last half of the final circuit. Tarlton slid Day for the lead in turn three, setting up a drag race down the frontstretch for the victory. With Day coming off the bottom and Tarlton on the top groove, the two collided just as they came to the line.

“It was pretty exciting,” Tarlton said. “I just came up on the other end this time.

“I was mad because I didn’t win, but I’m a Ronnie Day fan. I grew up watching Ronnie Day. If it had to be somebody, I’m glad it was him.”

Tarlton remains second to Day in the Ocean Sprints standings.

He is taking this weekend off before gearing up for a trip to the Northwest with the King of the West Sprint Car Series. He’s scheduled to race on June 13 at the Cottage Grove Speedway in Cottage Grove, Ore., and June 16-18 at Skagit Speedway in Alger, Wash. – site of the $40,000-to-win Dirt Cup.

QUICK RESULTS –

June 3 – Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, Calif. – Qualifying: 6; Heat race: 2 (3); Feature: 2 (1).

SEASON STATS –

14 races, 14 features, 3 wins, 11 top fives, 11 top 10s, 11 top 15s, 13 top 20s

UP NEXT –

June 13 at the Cottage Grove Speedway in Cottage Grove, Ore. and June 16-18 at Skagit Speedway in Alger, Wash., with the King of the West Sprint Car Series

FAVORITE NUMBER –

0.167: The margin of victory for Ronnie Day against Tarlton last Friday at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, Calif.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS –

Website: www.tarltonandson.com/racing

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/tommytarlton21

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100001286852863

APPAREL –

Tarlton has black t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats, and white women’s shirts available for purchase at every race he attends. For information on where you can get them, visit http://www.tarltonandson.com/tarlton-racing-schedule.

ON THE AIR –

Tarlton was a guest on the Lucas Oil ASCS Show by Racinboys on May 3. Click on the link below to listen. Tarlton’s interview begins around the 32-minute mark.

http://www.meridix.com/mbp/general/index.php?liveid=Racinboys&recordid=18831

Check out the link below to see highlights of Tarlton’s King of the West Sprint Car Series’ win at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif., on May 14.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – BG Products, Inc.

Located in Wichita, Kan., BG Products, Inc., produces various automotive, industrial and heavy equipment products. BG Products, Inc., which was established in 1971, focuses on adding efficiency, economy and reliability to your vehicle. For more information, visit www.bgprod.com.

“We have been with BG Products since 1996 because they have amazing products,” Tarlton said. “We run every product they make that a sprint car can run. And, knock on wood, I haven’t had a rear end failure in my whole career while using BG Products.”

Tarlton would like to thank his sponsors, including Tarlton and Son, Inc., Corporate America Lending, Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino, Bandy & Associates and Sharp Insurance & Bonding for their continued support.