Photo caption: Justin Sanders (17) puts a lap on Anthony Simone (10) during his fourth Sprint Car Main Event win on Friday night at the Ocean Speedway in Watsonville. — Joe Shivak/Contributed
____________________
Justin Sanders put on an impressive display of driving on Friday night, winning the 30-lap Taco Bravo Sprint Car Main Event at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville.
It was the fourth win of the season for the 2015 champion, and it kept him in title contention. He is currently third in the standings.
Koen Shaw grabbed the Main Event pole position, as he outran Sanders to win the six-lap Trophy Dash. But Sanders motored ahead at the start of the Main Event and held off runner-up Ryan Bernal for the win.
Brad Furr settled for third ahead of Shaw, Tanner Carrick, Cole Macedo, Matthew Moles, Blake Carrick, Kurt Nelson and Jerry Bonnema.
There were 21 Winged 360 Sprint Cars on hand, and Furr set the fastest time of 11.852, barely beating the 11.897 of Tanner Carrick. Kyle Offill, Shaw and Jason Chisum were the winners of the eight-lap heat races, while Shaw won the six-lap Trophy Dash.
By the end of the night, Furr held a two-point advantage over Shaw and a 79-point lead over Sanders in a close championship battle.
IMCA SPRINT CARS
Blake Robertson won the 30-lap IMCA Western RaceSaver Sprint Car Main Event as the group made their first of two scheduled appearances at the speedway.
Robertson set the pace at the start ahead of Brooklyn Holland and point leader Grant Duinkerken.
Following a lap-17 caution flag, Robertson had Duinkerken in close pursuit in the waning laps, but Robertson prevailed in the end.
Kyle Rasmussen settled for third, followed by Holland, Robert Solomon, Albert Pombo, Rick Bray, Mouro Simone, Michael Pombo and Doug Gandy.
Robertson set the fast time of 12.311, and Michael Pombo and Rasmussen won the eight-lap heat races.
IMCA SPORT MODIFIEDS
Austin Manzella scored the victory in the 20-lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event, solidifying his status as the current IMCA state point leader with his third win at the Ocean Speedway.
Manzella led from the start with Anthony Giuliani in pursuit. The lead two positions remained the same all the way to the checkered flag, as the event had just two yellow flag slowdowns.
Giuliani was disqualified in post race tech.
Austin Williams made the pass around Justin McPherson on the 18th lap for what would be a second-place finish.
Point leader Jim DiGiovanni finished fourth followed by Adrian Frost, Jack Aguilar, John Farrell, Jarrod Mounce and Charlie Hunter.
Giuliani and McPherson each scored wins in the eight-lap heat races.
AMERICAN STOCKS
Norm Ayers collected the victory in the 20-lap American Stock Main Event.
It was his first win of the season, as he became the seventh different winner so far.
Ayers raced into the lead at the start, and never looked back.
Nick Lawrence slipped into second at the checkered flag ahead of J.C. Elrod.
Joe Gallaher finished fourth, followed by point leader in Matt Kile, Rob Gallaher, Chris McCabe, Tom Cline, DJ Keldsen and Tony Oliveira.
Johnson and Rob Gallaher were the eight-lap heat race winners.
POLICE N PURSUIT
Rob Buchanan picked up the victory in the 15-lap Police N Pursuit Main Event.
It was the first win of the season for Buchanan, who represents the Task Force Racers Team.
Buchanan had his hands full with the California Highway Patrol Team car of Chris Murphy running a close second.
Jared Johnson finished third, followed by John Hohmann and Kyle Dorris.
Jesse Mueller and Murphy recorded six-lap race wins.
UP NEXT
Stock Car racing takes center stage at Ocean Speedway next Friday night with the 21st running of the Mike Cecil Memorial.
IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds and American Stocks will all be on the card, and each division will be racing for $1,000.
The American Stocks will run an 80 lap Main Event.
