Johnson, Hagio, Gallaher Win Ocean Speedway Main Events

Watsonville, CA...June 8...Colby Johnson scored the victory in the 25 lap BCRA Midgets Main Event Friday night at Ocean Speedway. Johnson shared the second row with Shannon McQueen as Robert Dalby and reigning champion Maria Cofer were on the front row. A good battle developed up front between the four competitors. Johnson set a fast pace and had the fastest lap of the race at 15.339 as he won feature race, followed closely by Cofer. Dalby settled for third with McQueen following him closely in fourth. Newcomer Jackson Dukes outran USAC Speed2 Midget champion Jesse Love IV for the fifth place finish as Randi Pankratz, Dwarf Car star Matt Sargent, Marvin Mitchell and Kyle Billman rounded out the Top 10.

Johnson won a competitive qualifying session with a lap of 13.423. McQueen was a close second at 13.436. David Prickett outran Pankratz to win the first eight lap heat race. McQueen won the second heat in front of Dalby.

Two-time IMCA Sport Modified champion Matt Hagio won that division's 20 lap Main Event. Hagio started back in the fifth row as Aguiar wrestled the lead from Austin Williams. Aguiar was going for his third win of the season, but Hagio was able to make the pass for his second win. Aguiar settled for a very close second. Point leader Jim DiGiovanni won a good battle for third ahead of Danny Roe and Williams. Merced star Tanner Thomas finished sixth, followed by Justin McPherson, Tim Burk, Adrianne Frost and Charlie Hunter. Williams won a close battle with Aguiar in the first eight lap heat race. Giuliani outran Frost to claim the win in the second heat.

Reiging American Stock champion Rob Gallaher won the 20 lap Main Event, but he had his work cut out for him to do it. Gallaher started back in the sixth row outside as ageless veteran Tony Oliveira set the early pace ahead of Matt Kile. Gallaher steadily worked his way up to the front and made his move around Oliveira in the later stages of the race. Gallaher was picking up his third win in a seven race span. Oliveira was a season best second, followed by Kile, John Farrell, Joe Gallaher, Chris McCabe, Jerry Skeleton, DJ Keldsen, JC Elrod and Norm Ayers. Keldsen won his eight lap heat race ahead of Farrell, while Kile outran Jason Perkins for the second heat race victory.

Zach Price picked up the win in the 20 lap South Bay Dwarf Car Main Event. Gene "Punky" Pires set the early pace, but he eventually surrendered the lead to Price with Eric Weisler also getting by Pires second. Pires was a close third, followed by Eddie Claesson, Mac Maceves, Trafton Chandler, Doug Penny, Mark Biscardi and Brady Beck. Price won an eight lap heat race ahead of Pires, while Biscardi won his heat race ahead of Chandler.

Nicole Beardsley won her first 15 lap Four Banger Main Event. Beardsley led most of the way for the win as championship hopeful Dakota Keldsen was a strong second. Abigail Kennedy had a good hold on third as Bill Beardsley, Ray Bunn, point leader Kate Beardsley, Richard Keldsen and Justin Williams completed the order. Williams won his heat race ahead of Dakota Keldsen.

Mike Mount won the 15 lap Police N Pursuit Main Event in a good battle with Cliff Sloma. Mount represents the Sand City Police Department, while Sloma is running the Capitola Police Department colors. Steven Fernandez was a solid third ahead of Chris Murphy, Kyle Dorris, Mike Hoopes, Dan Anderson, Bryce Danenhouer, Josh McKim and Tony Weir. Sloma won a heat race in front of John Hohmann, and Roy Iler won the other six lapper in front of Mount.

After being absent from the previous three races, the Ocean Sprint Cars, presented by Taco Bravo, return next Friday night along with the American Stocks and Four Bangers. For further information, go to www.racepmg.com.