By Steven Blakesley
WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA (July 25, 2012) – The third qualifier for the 52nd Johnny Key Classic is this Friday at Ocean Speedway, where the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo will race in a 30 lap feature event. Drivers will look to join Tommy Tarlton and San Jose’s Nick Green as those qualified into the $10,000 to win Johnny Key Classic on August 25.
Fremont’s Shane Golobic continues to lead the series standings in Steve Osborne’s Get Som Sports #9J entry with a 15 point advantage over Stockton’s Brad Furr in the #2 Price Rite Restaurant Equipment entry.
Golobic finished fourth last Friday night while Furr came home sixth. The big story as of late has been the domination of Tarlton after winning two consecutive races to bring his win total to four on the year. Friday’s race also had a pair of hard chargers, with Petaluma’s Jason Toft getting his career best finish of fifth after starting 15th, while Corralitos’ Jerry Bonnema finished eighth from 21st to the win the Hard Charger award.
Friday’s winner, or highest finishing driver not locked in, will be guaranteed a starting position in the Key. Six drivers in total, four from qualifiers and the top-two in points not yet locked in, will have reservations for the Key while the rest of the field will be set through 12 lap qualifying races. Bud Kaeding finished third last week and will not return until the Key, so he is the first of many talented drivers who will have race their way in.
Golobic and Furr are both winless on the season but are likely assured a position in the Key based on their one-two in the points standings. For Gilroy’s Kurt Nelson and San Martin’s “Cowboy” Craig Smith, third and fourth in the standings, they will look for either a win themselves or a win by the top-two to assure a spot in the Key.
Rounding out the top-ten in the points is San Jose’s Ryan Rusconi, Salinas’ Ronnie Day, Salinas’ Carter Train, San Jose’s Wayne Katen, Tarlton, and Bonnema.
Friday’s races for the Ocean Sprints will also include racing for the Wingless Sprints, Dwarf Cars, and the 30 lap Cecil Memorial for IMCA Modifieds. 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.