Steven Blakesley, Amanda Jones photo
WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA (June 27, 2012) – Fremont’s Shane Golobic, who leads the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo standings, will look to make his first 2012 win a big one as drivers in Friday night’s competition will race for a starting position in the Johnny Key Classic at Ocean Speedway Watsonville.
Friday’s Johnny Key Classic qualifier feature winner will earn a starting position in the $10,000 to win DDNi Johnny Key Classic held on August 25. This is the first of four qualifying events leading up to the Key which will also award automatic starting bids to the two highest drivers in the series standings not yet locked in.
Golobic not only would like to get a win to lock himself in the Key, but he also needs a victory to fend off the red hot charge of 2011 series champion Ronnie Day of Salinas. Day, in the Keith Day Trucking #22, has overcome blown engines and shop theft to score three victories this season. A victory on Friday night would place Day in the drivers seat to possibly win his second Key in a row.
Day’s recent charge has narrowed the points gap to just a nine point advantage for Golobic who drives Steve Osborne’s #9J.
Running third in the standings and also winless is “Mr. Consistency” Brad Furr of Stockton, CA. Furr has only one DNF this season after seven races. Rounding out the top-five in the standings is Kurt Nelson of Gilroy and San Martin’s “Cowboy” Craig Smith.
The balance of the top-ten in the standings includes San Jose’s Ryan Rusconi, Salinas’ Carter Train, San Jose’s Wayne Katen, Corralitos’ Jerry Bonnema, and San Jose’s Nick Green. Salinas’ Jason Chisum is the top rookie in 11th.
Other race winners in 2012 that are likely to appear on Friday for a chance at a Key berth include 2010 series champion Tommy Tarlton, with two wins, and single race winners Brent Kaeding and Bud Kaeding.
Friday’s races for the Ocean Sprints will also include racing for the American Stocks, Dwarf Cars, Micro 600s, and Sport Mods. Adult tickets are just $17 with seniors 65+ $15 and kids ages 6-12 are $13. The family pass for two adults and two children is value priced at just $55. Qualifying will get underway at 6 p.m. with fan gates opening at 4:30 p.m.
For more information on the Ocean Sprint Cars presented by Taco Bravo log onto http://www.oceansprints.com and for more on the Ocean Speedway visit http://www.oceanspeedway.com
Ocean Speedway would like to thank Taco Bravo, Digital Delivery Networks, Get Som Sports, Ray Scheidt’s Electric, Hoosier Tires West, and Kaeding Performance for their support of the 2012 Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo.