Photo Caption: Justin Sanders (17) races around Cole Macedo (21x) at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville on Friday night. (Joe Shivak/Contributed photo)
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Justin Sanders captured his third 30-lap Taco Bravo Sprint Car Main Event victory Friday night at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville.
The 2015 champion had to battle Cole Macedo before prevailing at the checkered flag.
Macedo settled for his best finish of the season in second.
Two-time champion Brad Furr outran Bud Kaeding for third, as Mathew Moles, Nathan Rolfe, Jason Chisum, Collin Markle, Jeremy Chisum and point leader Koen Shaw completed the Top 10.
Two-time Wingless Spec Sprint champion Ryan Bernal’s 11.436 beat Furr’s 11.451 for fastest time.
Macedo, Sanders and Moles won eight-lap heat races, while Moles outran Macedo to win the six-lap Trophy Dash.
Robert Marsh won his second 25-lap IMCA Modified Main Event. The 2008 champion had a close battle with fourth-row starter Cody Burke before grabbing the victory.
Point leader Burke settled for second ahead of his brother, Austin Burke.
Current IMCA State point leader Shane DeVolder finished fourth, followed by Carl Berendsen II, Alex Wilson, Todd Hermosillo, Raymond Keldsen Jr., Robert Mesloh and Jeff McCoun.
Cody Burke and Wilson scored eight-lap heat race wins.
Austin Manzella won the 20-lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. It was the first Watsonville win for Manzella, who leads the IMCA State point standings.
Adriane Frost provided the pressure before finishing second ahead of Anthony Giuliani and Danny Roe. Merced Speedway star Tanner Thomas finished fifth, followed by two-time champion Matt Hagio, point leader Jim DiGiovanni, Austin Williams, Justin McPheson and Alex Bieser.
Thomas and Giuliani won their eight-lap heat races.
Three-time American Stock champion Billy Nelson turned in a dominant performance in winning his first 20-lap Main Event of the season.
Nelson had the pole for the race and built up a straightaway advantage by the waving of the checkered flag.
Tony Oliveira won a battle with reigning champion Rob Gallaher for second.
J.C. Elrod finished fourth, followed by point leader Matt Kile, Terry Traub, Mike Calhoun, Tom Cline, Wally Kennedy and Joe Gallaher. Eight-lap heat races went to Kile and Nelson.
Tom Summers earned his first 20-lap Mini Stock Main Event victory.
Summers shared the front row with Central Valley Mini Stock visitor Chuck Doglione and battled him for a hard-fought win.
Kate Beardsley turned in another solid effort for third. Abigail Kennedy outran point leader Dakota Keldsen for fourth as Gary Smith, Ray Bunn, Bill Beardsley, Jay Gardner and Nicole Beardsley made up the remainder of the Top 10 at the finish.
Next Friday, the Taco Bravo Sprint Cars are back along with IMCA Modifieds, American Stocks, Four Bangers and SBDCA Dwarf Cars.
