8/21/2019
Ocean Speedway
Ocean Sprints Round #14 Highlights Friday’s Last Race Before Month Off
Watsonville, CA – The Ocean Sprints pres. by Taco Bravo have just two races left in their season including this Friday, August 23rd and Championship Night on October 4th. After Friday’s race, the track will be dark until September 20th when a champion in the Police in Pursuit division will be crowned. Last week at the Johnny Key Classic, Aromas’ Justin Sanders was unstoppable. He led every lap on his way to his second career victory in the 50-lap affair. Colby Copeland of Roseville and St. Helena’s Rico Abreu tried all they could, but had to settle for second and third. Fremont’s Shane Golobic and Roseville’s Sean Becker completed the top five at the Key. Bud Kaeding finished sixth in the feature on Saturday and extended his point lead to 145 points over Morgan Hill’s JJ Ringo. Fresno’s Koen Shaw is currently 171 points behind Kaeding while a torrid battle for fourth is underway. Castro Valley’s Jake Andreotti, Salinas’ Jeremy Chisum, and Gilroy’s Kurt Nelson are separated by just four points.
The IMCA Modifieds are back after running at the Key. Hollister’s Andy Obertello finally snapped a four year winless streak after a dominating performance last Saturday. The 2013 champion in the division held off the 2017 champion, Nick DeCarlo of Martinez, to take the victory. Austin and Cody Burke of Salinas came home third and fourth with San Martin’s Jeff Decker completing the top five. The Burke brothers are now tied atop the point standings with four races left. Prunedale’s Jim Pettit II sits 10 points back in third.
The IMCA SportMods are also back after racing at the Key. Hollister’s Dennis Simunovich won his second feature of the season over San Martin’s Justin McPherson. Grass Valley’s Andrew Peckham, Bakersfield’s Kevin Johnson, and Atwater’s Jarrod Mounce rounded out the top five. Jarrod Mounce has a 25 point lead over Watsonville’s Adriane Frost in the championship standings.
The 4-Bangers are back after a week off. On August 9th, Watsonville’s Tony Gullo won his first career feature. Gullo had been battling transmission gremlins in his new car so he stepped into his original machine and was rewarded with a win. Scotts Valley’s Ryan McClelland, Prunedale’s John Grilli, San Jose’s Ray Bunn, and Felton’s Kate Beardsley completed the top five. With just two races left, Kate Beardsley has a four point lead over her sister, Nicole.
The South Bay Dwarf Cars will make their final 2019 appearance this Friday. Back on July 20th, Hollister’s Ryan Ameln won for the first time this year. It was also his first win at the track in over 12 years. Morro Bay’s Joe Barket, Los Banos’ Gene Pires Jr., Gustine’s Jimmy Damron, and Fairfield’s Bobby Johnson completed the top five at the division’s last race.
Advance tickets are available here: https://market.myracepass.com/store/tickets/?i=1176147&store=12231
Pits are scheduled to open at 2pm and Grandstands will open at 4:30pm. Pill draw will close at 4:30pm. The driver’s meeting is scheduled for 4:45pm. Pit passes are $40 for track members and $45 for non-members. All seating is general admission and tickets cost $18 for adults and $16 for seniors. Juniors 12-15 are $12 and Kids 6-11 are $9 and Kids 5 and under are free.
Photo Credits to David Spencer.
Submitted By: Sean Stanish