WATSONVILLE — Justin Sanders sprinted his way to victory lane Saturday night after he recorded an impressive win in the 50-lap Johnny Key Classic at Ocean Speedway.
It was Sanders’ second Key Classic win in the Civil War Series Winged 360 Sprint Cars race, which got him a $5,000 paycheck, and his fourth win of the season.
The stage was set for Sanders to have a big night as he earned a front-row start in the feature by finishing second behind Ryan Bernal in the six-lap Trophy Dash.
Sanders motored ahead at the start of the race, while Shane Golobic settled in early to take the second position.
Five-time Chico champion Sean Becker moved up to battle Golobic for the second position.
Becker finally settled the matter for second place on lap 15. Colby Copeland, who came in as the 12th starter, and Rico Abreu (13th starter) found their way into the top 5.
Copeland took over the third position on lap 23, while Sanders was leading at the halfway break ahead of Becker, Copeland, Abreu and Golobic.
Sanders maintained command as the second half of the race began but an intense duel ensued between Copeland, Abreu and Becker for the second position.
Copeland held on to second place for good with Abreu following behind him in third. However, Sanders set a rapid pace ahead of the pack and would not be denied the grand victory.
Copeland settled for second ahead of Abreu, Golobic, Becker, track point leader Bud Kaeding, Chase Johnson, Ryan Bernal, DJ Netto and Mitchell Faccinto.
Twenty-eight of the best Sprint Car racers in the state qualified on the Tom Sagmiller prepared quarter-mile clay oval.
Faccinto set the fast time standard of 11.490 seconds, which was just a bit quicker than the 11.499-second mark set by Golobic. Johnson, Kaeding, Becker and Bernal each won their respective eight-lap heat race.
Chelsea Blevins won 12-lap B Main race to set the final starting positions in the 22 car feature race. Blevins finished ahead of Jason Chisum, Bradley Dillard and Jerry Bonnema.
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Obertello prevails in IMCA Modified race: Andy Obertello won the 25-lap IMCA Modified main event for his first win of the season.
Obertello, who has run a limited schedule this season, had the pole position for the rapidly run race and charged into the lead.
Past track champion Nick DeCarlo quickly assumed the second position and was the main driver providing Obertello a challenge for most of the race.
Obertello stayed cool under pressure and took the checkered flag just ahead DeCarlo.
Austin Burke finished a solid third ahead of point leader Cody Burke, Jeff Decker, Jim Pettit II, Todd Hermosillo, Jerry Movrich, Jeff McCoun and Steven Streeter.
Decker and Anthony Giuliani were the eight-lap heat race winners but Giuliani retired from the main event after one lap.
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Simunovich wins second IMCA Sport Modified feature: Dennis Simunovich won the 20-lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event for his second win of the season.
Simunovich started back in the fourth row and quickly worked his way up to battle Justin McPherson for the lead. Simunovich gained the lead and pulled away just a little bit from McPherson.
McPherson held off a determined Andrew Peckham for a second-place finish. Kevin Johnson finished fourth, followed by point leader Jarrod Mounce, Randy Miller, Adriane Frost, Markus Frazier, Charlie Hunter and Kelly Campanile.
Johnson and Mounce won their respective eight-lap heat races.
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Up Next: The racing will continue on Friday night as the Taco Bravo Sprint Cars return. The action-packed lineup will also include the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Four Bangers and South Bay Dwarf Cars. For information, go to www.racepmg.com.
