Paul Seizes Opportunity and Wins at Petaluma

Michael Paul Jr. celebrates his Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature win at Petaluma Speedway on Aug. 2. The victory was his second of the season in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region, both coming at his home track. (Photo by Action Captured Images)

By Ron Lingron

PETALUMA, Calif. (Aug. 2, 2025) — A wild moment early in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event at Petaluma Speedway turned into a winning opportunity for a familiar local name.

Jeff Browne took command from the drop of the green on the 3/8-mile adobe clay at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, but the lead wouldn’t last long. Brother Tyler Browne quickly reeled him in and challenged for the top spot by lap three. The sibling battle came to a dramatic conclusion when the two tangled while racing down the backstretch. The contact sent Tyler into a frightening series of flips, but thankfully both drivers emerged from the wreckage unhurt.

That opened the door for multi-time track champion Michael Paul Jr., who inherited the lead and never looked back. The hometown hero cruised the rest of the way to earn his second feature win of the season in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region — both triumphs coming at Petaluma.

Chris Sieweke powered to a strong second-place finish, while 2021 track champion Michelle Byron completed the podium in third.

Saturday’s action was broadcast live on IMCA TV affiliate NorCal Speed. Fans can relive every lap with an IMCA TV Replay Subscription for just $24.99/month. And don’t miss Season 2 of the Boone Docuseries, now streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.