By Ben Deatherage
WATSONVILLE, Calif. (Sept. 21, 2026) — Two complete nights of racing, a pair of Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying events, and a 103-lap Saturday Modified main event highlight the 16th annual Pettit Shootout at Watsonville Speedway on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2-3.
Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds and Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods will compete both nights, with each program serving as a separate show. There will be no lock-ins from Friday to Saturday, putting every competitor back on equal footing for the second night.
The Pettit Shootout is run in memory of Jim Pettit and Pat Pettit, the parents of event promoter Jim Pettit II. The number three carries special significance in the event because Pat’s birthday was Jan. 3, and that connection is reflected throughout the weekend’s format. Both main events will start 23 cars each night.
Friday’s Modified main event will cover 33 laps and pay $1,003 to win and $103 to start. Saturday’s Modified finale goes 103 laps and increases the payday to $3,006 to win and $206 to start.
Both Modified features will serve as qualifying events for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Each winner will earn eligibility to attempt to qualify for next year’s Invitational at Boone Speedway next September.
SportMods will race 23 laps Friday for $503 to win and $53 to start. Saturday’s SportMod main event will cover 33 laps and pay $1,006 to win and $106 to start.
Both Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly divisions will qualify for their respective main events each night, with heat race results determining the range of positions from which drivers can start the feature.
Heat race winners will redraw for the first four starting positions and can start no worse than fourth. Drivers finishing second in their heats will start between fifth and eighth, while third-place heat finishers will occupy positions nine through 12. Fourth-place heat finishers will start between 13th and 16th.
There will be no carryover or lock-ins from Friday. Competitors will qualify again Saturday for the second complete show.
Like last year, the choose cone will be utilized at the Pettit Shootout, allowing drivers to select their preferred lane for restarts and giving fans a chance to see which line each competitor chooses.
The weekend begins before the first green flag with a free Pettit Shootout Kick-Off Party in the Watsonville Speedway grandstand area Thursday, Oct. 1, from 5-8 p.m.
The evening will include a car show, food and beverages available for purchase, activities for all ages, a general raffle, and the Racer’s Basket Grand Prize Raffle.
All types of vehicles are welcome in the car show, including race cars, classics, modern vehicles, off-road vehicles, and motorcycles. There is no registration or entry fee, and arrival by 5 p.m. is preferred.
Each car show participant will receive a package featuring a $5 food voucher, 10 general raffle tickets, and a participant plaque. The general raffle begins at 7 p.m.
The Racer’s Basket Grand Prize Raffle package includes a Hoosier G-60 race tire, an Aero race wheel, a two-day pit pass, five gallons of race fuel, a Snack Shack voucher, and a two-night transponder rental.
Racer’s Basket tickets are $20 each, with a maximum of five tickets per person and only 100 tickets available. The winner must be present.
Camping will be available Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Competitors with a reserved pit stall who display their race car in Thursday’s car show may drop off their trailer and race car and camp in the pits Thursday night. Each camping spot in the pit area must have a race car.
Camping without a race car is available through the fairgrounds. Competitors looking to reserve a camping spot can contact Samantha at Samantha@watsonvillespeedway.com.
Race fans unable to make the trip to Watsonville Speedway can watch the Pettit Shootout live on IMCA TV affiliate Stars On Dirt TV.
More information on the 16th annual Pettit Shootout will be available through the Watsonville Speedway and Pettit Shootout Facebook pages as race weekend approaches.
