By Gary Thomas
Watsonville, CA – June 15, 2015…The first half of the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo season has certainly featured no shortage of excitement and the second part is expected to be even better, as we kick it off this Friday night June 19 with round number nine.
So far this year nobody has been stronger at the quarter-mile clay oval than Watsonville’s Justin Sanders, who currently holds a 31-point lead in the Ocean Sprints standings. The 22-year-old picked up his fourth win of the season last Friday and has been on the podium in all but two starts. He’s in search of his first championship at his home track and is halfway there to accomplishing that feat. It’s hard to find anyone in Northern California that has had a better campaign up to this point.
Other main event winners thus far have included Easton’s Tommy Tarlton, who captured the first two races of the season, along with Fremont’s Shane Golobic and Stockton’s Brad Furr. Golobic was in position last week to claim his second victory, until contact between himself & Sanders left him parked off turns one & two. Despite missing an event the two-time & reigning Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo champ still ranks third in points. Like Sanders, he has been on the podium in all but two starts.
Furr currently ranks second in the standings and is coming off a third place finish last week. In addition to his win on April 24 the past Ocean Sprints titlist has also earned a pair of Ray Scheidts Electric Fast Time Awards, which ranks second to Golobic’s three fast time efforts. Gilroy’s Kurt Nelson, Washington driver Robbie Price and Tarlton have also earned Ray Scheidts Electric Fast Time Awards this season.
Last week showcased a couple drivers having season and career best runs during the night, including Fresno’s Kyler Shaw. The youngster tallied a runner up finish in the feature after also winning his heat race and the dash. It was Shaw’s first ever podium finish. His brother Koen also earned the High Five Pizza Hard Charger Award, coming from 15th to 7th. Morgan Hills Nicholas Ringo also put together a great night by winning his heat race and running fourth in the main event, as did Fremont’s Dustin Golobic, who earned his second career Ocean Sprints top-five finish.
“It’s been a really exciting year so far for the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo,” said Ocean Speedway promoter John Prentice. “Tom Sagmiller and the track prep guys have been doing a bang up job on the surface. Every week it’s been racy and the fans are getting a great show. It’s been nice to see some different names run at the front of the field the last few weeks as well. We look forward to starting the second half of the season on Friday. It’s going to be another great show. You never know what to expect and that makes it fun for everyone. Big thanks to all the teams, sponsors and fans for all their support so far this year.”
More drivers expected this Friday include Salinas brothers Jeremy & Jason Chisum, who rank fourth & fifth in the standings respectively. Jeremy was on way to having his best night of the season, until catching the wall while running third in the main event and suffering damage. Kurt Nelson will also look to bounce back after a tough end to his night last week after setting fast time. Others hoping for good things Friday will be Corralito’s Jerry Bonnema, Hayward’s Danny Malfatti, Laton’s Heath Duinkerken, Tracy’s Austin Liggett, Coarsegold’s Scott Parker, Morgan Hill’s Nick Ringo Jr, Fresno’s Anthony Simone and more.
With Friday being the only Winged 360 Sprint Car event running we’re expecting to add a few cars for the evening. Cool weather, great racing, good food and more is presented at every Ocean Sprints and Ocean Speedway event!
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.
Next week Ocean Speedway welcomes the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series for the first time this season on Friday June 26. It will be the first ever Pombo/Sargent Classic held at the track and the first of two season appearances by KWS. The prestigious showcase has been a long running event in the Central Valley and is always a special night of reliving the past. Fresno’s Dominic Scelzi leads the King of the West standings going into the Pombo/Sargent Classic. Campbell’s Bud Kaeding, Lemoore’s Carson Macedo, Shane Golobic and Elk Grove’s Bobby McMahan round out the top-five in points.
Make plans also to join us at the 5th annual Howard Kaeding Classic, which is fast approaching. The big weekend will be kicked-off on Wednesday night July 8 with the 2nd annual 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.
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.
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 and Kaeding Performance for their support. For more information on the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo log onto www.racepmg.com
Upcoming Ocean Speedway Sprint Car events
Friday June 19: Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo
Friday June 26: King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series (Pombo/Sargent Classic)
Friday July 10: Civil War Series vs Ocean Sprints (Howard Kaeding Classic Night One)
Saturday July 11: King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series & Joe Hunt Series (Howard Kaeding Classic Finale)