Gallaher Pounces for Second Ocean Speedway Win of 2025

WATSONVILLE, Calif. – IMCA Modifieds and Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods are the featured divisions on both nights of Ocean Speedway’s 10th annual Pettit Shootout.  Modifieds race for $1,003 to win on Friday, Sept. 25 and for $3,006 to win on Saturday, Sept. 26, with the winner at each Watsonville show putting their name on the 2021 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. Northern SportMods run for $503 to win on Friday and for $1,006 to win on Saturday.  IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National and KMJ Performance State points will be awarded both nights. Modifieds also earn Shaw Race Cars Western Region points.  Pit gates open at noon both days. The drivers’ meeting is at 4:45 p.m. with hot laps to follow and racing at 6 p.m. Pit passes are $50. No grandstand seating will be sold and social distancing will be in effect; facial masks are required to enter the pit area. Information about camping is available by calling the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds at 831 724-5671.  Both nights will be broadcast by FloRacing. 

By Steven Blakesley  WATSONVILLE, Calif. (May 30, 2025) – Salinas’ Bobby Hogge topped the second round of the All-Star Challenge in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds at Ocean Speedway. It was his fifth win of 2025 in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region. Troy Foulger led the opening lap of the 25-lap IMCA Modified feature. Robert Marsh mounted a challenge on the high side to seize the lead on lap three. Foulger slid Marsh in turn four and the duo ran side-by-side on lap five. Hogge edged into the battling, looking to the inside of Foulger as well. The furious battling was halted when Todd Hermosillo spun in turn four. Marsh pitted with a flat left front tire as well. Hogge pounced on the restart, diving inside to lead lap eight over Foulger. Hogge accumulated a 4.2 second advantage that was nullified by Kyle Bryan stopping in turn four on lap 23. Hogge persevered over a green-white-checked finish to nab the victory, followed by Jim Pettit II and Foulger in second and third. Wagner Controls Ocean [Read More]

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (Sept. 28, 2024) – Andy Obertello has always been a fan of long races. Now he’s the winner of one. Obertello led the last 78 laps of Ocean Speedway’s of Ocean Speedway’s Pettit Memorial main event for Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, earning a career-best $3,006 payday for his efforts in the 103-lap marathon. “I’m not a rookie to these longer races. I used all the tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years. My main focus was to not overdrive late in the race,”  said Obertello. “When I got to fourth I did a double take when I saw (multi-time race winner) Bobby Hogge. I knew I had something developing and I made it happen.” From Hollister and newly eligible for Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying, Obertello had run fifth in the Friday feature and started eighth in Saturday’s big show. Hogge and Friday winner Troy Foulger both time at the front before Obertello took charge. “I knew we had our work cut out for us but we had a fast car. I had [Read More]