Hogge, Ahlwardt, Gallaher Grab Ocean Speedway Victories

Watsonville, CA...June 1...Taking the lead from Alex Wilson on a lap 17 restart, many time champion Bobby Hogge IV scored his third 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event victory of the season Friday night at Ocean Speedway. Wilson took the lead from early leader Todd Hermosillo on lap three with Cody Burke settling into second a lap later. Reigning champion Nick DeCarlo got around Burke for second on lap eight with Hogge settling into third a lap later. DeCarlo pitted on lap 14, handing second to Hogge, and a lap 16 yellow flag slowed the pace. Hogge took the lead from Wilson on the restart and led through one more yellow flag to pick up the win. Cody Burke led brother Austin Burke into the second and third spots on lap 18 as Wilson fell back to fifth. At the finish, it was Hogge winning, followed by Cody Burke, Austin Burke, Alex Wilson, Brian Cass, Raymond Keldsen Jr, Steve Streater, Jeff McCoun, Hermosillo and DeCarlo. Cody Burke bested Alex Wilson to win the first heat race, and Hogge outran DeCarlo to claim the second eight lap victory.

Guy Ahlwardt won his first career IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. The Antioch Speedway regular started back in the fourth row and quickly worked his way into contention with early leader Adrian Frost. Ahlwardt made his winning pass on lap 11 and proceeded to pull away to a comfortable lead. A final caution flag flew on lap 18. Ahlwardt would not let that stop him as he led the restart and brought it home to a satisfying win. Austin Manzella made a last lap pass around Adrian Frost for the second place finish. Frost settled for third ahead of point leader Jim DiGiovanni, Justin MacPherson, Chuck Weir, Andrew Peckham, two-time champion Matthew Hagio, Anthony Giuliani and Dave Smart. Peckham won the first eight lap heat race in front of Frost. Manzella held off Giuliani to win the second heat.

Reigning American Stock champion Rob Gallagher won his second 20 lap American Stock Main Event. After holding off Chris McCabe to win his eight lap heat race, Gallaher bolted ahead at the start of the Main Event. Terry Campion kept it close but could never get close enough to make a threat to Gallaher as he settled for second. Point leader Matt Kile began to make a charge into the Top 5 during the final 10 laps, taking the third position from Mike Calhoun on lap 15 as Calhoun retired. Kyle Reeder finished fourth, followed by McCabe, Mark Reist, JC Elrod, Logan Doglione, Calhoun and Richard Keldsen. Campion won the other heat in front of Calhoun.

Heat race winner Justin Williams scored the victory in the 15 lap Mini Stock Main Event. He shared the front row with fellow eight lap heat race winner Kelly Campanile and bolted into the lead at the start. The second yellow flag of the race on lap nine erased nearly a straightaway advantage for Williams. Nicole Beardsley had just passed Campanille for second, only to have the yellow flag negate the pass. Williams continued to lead on the restart as Nicole Beardsley again passed Campanile for second. Williams pulled away over the remaining laps and brought it home to a satisfying win. Nicole Beardsley was a strong second ahead of Abigail Kennedy, Campanile, Kate Beardsley, Chuck Doglione, Ray Bunn, Bill Beardsley, Dakota Keldsen and Tom Summers.

After winning his eight lap heat race ahead of Gene "Punky" Pires two-time champion Terre Rothweiler won the 20 lap South Bay Dwarf Car Association Main Event. Rothweiler took the lead at the start of the race. Only one yellow flag slow down occurred on lap two. Rottweiler picked up right where he left off on the green flag and led the remaining laps to win by just under a straightaway. Mark Biscardi took second from Pires on lap five and held the position the rest of the way. Pires settled for third, followed by Kyle Jones, Ryan Amlen, Eric Weisler, Brady Beck, Eddie Claessen, Joe Barkett and Justin Yanez. Biscardi won the other eight lap heat race in front of Beck.

Next Friday night, the Bay Cities Racing Association Midgets headline the show along with the IMCA Sport Modifieds, American Stocks, Four Bangers, South Bay Dwarf Cars and Police n Pursuit cars. For further information, go to www.racepmg.com.