Foulger, Shrader pace Pettit Shootout on opening night

Modified, Northern SportMod, Results

By Ben Deatherage

WATSONVILLE, California (Sept. 27, 2024) – Troy Foulger got the job done on the first night of the Pettit Shootout at Ocean Speedway in exciting fashion in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified division.

The defending Shootout winner got the lead late in the race, after a three-car dogfight, to score the $1,003 win and Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility.

The race started thrillingly when Robby Sawyer rocketed under Paul Stone and Gavyn Manning, made it three-wide going into the first turn, and led the opening lap. After two early cautions, Manning got around Stone to move into second. But the two kept battling, which allowed Sawyer to pull away.

Sawyer got out to a really good lead a couple of times, but frustratingly, all of his hard work would be erased due to a few more stoppages, which not only reset the race but also tested Sawyer’s ability to maintain his lead under pressure.

On the final restart, with 14 laps to still cover, Foulger started 11th, battled hard with Stone for third and eventually captured the spot. Before too long, Foulger and Manning started to catch up with the leader, but the second and third-place runners seemed to battle each other so fiercely, allowing Sawyer to get some breathing room.

However, a plot twist occurred when the trailblazer got bottled up behind a lapped car with just a few more laps to cover at the Santa Cruz Fairgrounds quarter-mile oval. That allowed for both Manning and Foulger to reenter the fray.

Manning made the first move with a cross-over on the 29th circuit, moving Sawyer to the middle but still allowing Foulger to occupy the top shelf. Coming to the white flag, Foulger effectively ripped the top shelf, got the lead on lap thirty, and held on for the win.

Manning was an impressive second. Stone made critical moves on the last lap to get third place back and end the night on the podium.

The Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods saw Kenny Shrader pick up the $503 triumph.

Shrader and Buddy Kniss engaged in a thrilling battle on the first lap of the contest. The Pacheco pilot seized the lead on the opening circuit and maintained it throughout the race, showcasing their unwavering determination in a display of intense competition. 

Despite the victory being within Shrader’s grasp, Kniss persistently challenged the leader on several restarts. However, Shrader’s strategic counterattacks and unwavering focus, demonstrating his resilience in the face of adversity, allowed him to successfully defend his position.

Throughout the main event, an incredible race for second was on display, and Dylan Wilson obtained the position on the last lap. Kniss was a close third.

IMCA TV affiliate Stars On Dirt TV broadcast the event.

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