By Ben Deatherage
WATSONVILLE, Calif. (Mar. 19, 2026) — A new era is underway at Watsonville Speedway, and Rob Gallaher is leading the charge.
The longtime racer and successful businessman has taken over as promoter of the ¼-mile clay oval at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, a facility long known to fans as Ocean Speedway. With a blend of fresh ideas, deep racing roots, and strong community backing, Gallaher is determined to build on the track’s legacy while pushing it forward.
“I’m enjoying this,” Gallaher said. “There’s a lot to do in a short amount of time, but the support from the sponsors and the community has really fired me up and created a lot of energy for me to do the best job I can.”
A Storied Facility With a Strong Foundation
Watsonville Speedway has been a cornerstone of California dirt track racing since opening in 1960. The track crowned its first Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified champion in 2004, when Kenny Nott put his name into the record books. Nott went on to become one of the division’s most accomplished drivers, earning four track championships in his career.
Other multi-time champions have left their mark as well. Bobby Hogge captured two titles, while Cody Burke put together one of the strongest runs in track history with four championships. In recent years, Jim Pettit II has set the bar lately, winning the last four consecutive track titles.
Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, first sanctioned at Watsonville in 2012, have also produced a strong list of champions. Matt Sotomayor was the inaugural title winner, helping establish the division in its early years. Matthew Hagio and Jim DiGiovanni are the only multi-time champions in the class, each earning two track championships.
Now, Watsonville is preparing for another milestone moment.
For the first time, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars will compete for a track championship, adding a new layer to an already strong weekly lineup.
Fifteen point-paying events are scheduled between March 27 and August 28 for the track’s three Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing divisions, with track, California State, and national points all available. Modified drivers will also earn DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region points, while Stock Car competitors will chase EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region standings.
An early-season highlight is already circled, with an April 17 event expected to be the highest-paying IMCA Stock Car race in California this year, paying $2,500 to win and serving as a B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational qualifier for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s.
“Anthony Giuliani with Giuliani Construction jumped on board immediately to help get the Stock Cars going,” Gallaher said. “There was a lot of pent-up demand for the class — myself included — so we’re bringing them in with a big splash.”
All events will be available on IMCA TV affiliate StarOnDirt TV.
Showing off the Watsonville Speedway social media wall, Rob Gallaher highlights an area where fans can tag the track and share photos from race night. (Courtesy Photo)
From the Driver’s Seat to the Promoter’s Office
Gallaher’s journey to becoming a promoter wasn’t something he initially planned.
Former promoter John Prentice, who guided the track since 2006, had planted the idea years earlier. At first, Gallaher resisted.
“I didn’t want my fun place to become a workplace,” he admitted.
But after giving it serious thought and discussing it with his wife Elise, the opportunity began to take on new meaning.
“We felt like the track could use some fresh energy, and we didn’t want to see it go away or get into the wrong hands,” he said. “That’s what made the decision for us.”
The move also aligned with Gallaher’s business instincts.
“My track record is I tend to buy a new business about every five years,” he said. “It was time, and everything has worked out so far.”
That combination of passion and business acumen now shapes his vision for Watsonville Speedway.
Rob Gallaher records content for his Profit X program, which includes online courses and training designed to help business owners implement profit-sharing systems and leadership development strategies. (Courtesy Photo)
Racing Roots and Family Tradition
Long before taking over the track, Gallaher was a racer — and part of a racing family.
His father, Joe, competed in the 1990s at Bakersfield Speedway during the Bill Henderson era, and even after stepping away, the family remained connected to the sport.
“It was always a part of my childhood,” Gallaher said. “Even when my dad wasn’t racing, we were still going to the track.”
After high school, Gallaher moved to San Jose, where racing faded from the forefront for a time.
“I was into dirt bikes and doing the things most 20-year-olds do,” he said. “Racing really wasn’t on my radar then.”
That changed during a poker game, when someone brought a set of rules for a four-cylinder class at Watsonville and talked about building a car.
“After a few beverages, I said if you build one, I’ll build one — and I’m going to beat you,” Gallaher said.
He followed through while they didn’t.
Gallaher built his first car in 2008 — and never looked back.
Racing has since become a full family effort. His father returned to competition in 2015, his son Bobby is a regular competitor, his daughter Joyce is returning to the track this season, and his 14-year-old son William is set to begin his rookie campaign.
Gallaher himself made a major impact in the IMCA Northern SportMod division in 2014, earning National Rookie of the Year honors while also capturing the Antioch Speedway track championship in a grueling 56-race campaign.
“That was a lot of racing and a lot of time away from the family,” he said. “After that, I focused more locally to balance things out.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he expanded into IMCA Stock Car competition, traveling across multiple states where racing continued.
“The nice thing about IMCA is the rules are the same everywhere,” he said. “You can show up and race without worrying about changing your car.”
More recently, he returned to SportMod competition, drawn back by the strength of the Watsonville field.
“The SportMods here are just so good,” he said. “There’s a lot of talent, great car counts, and guys traveling in every week — you’ve got to be on your game to compete with them.”
In 2024, Gallaher also stepped into a car owner role, fielding an IMCA Modified for Bakersfield standout Robby Sawyer.
“We’ve won some races and had a lot of fun, and it’s been pretty cool getting a talented old driver off the couch and back into a race car,” he said with a laugh.
Celebrating in victory lane at Watsonville Speedway, Rob Gallaher is joined by family, including his father Joe and son Bobby. (Photo by Top Dawg Photos)
Investing in the Future of Watsonville
Gallaher’s plans for Watsonville extend well beyond competition.
Significant work has already been done to improve the racing surface, including adjustments to banking — particularly in turn two where the track had a tendency to flatten out — along with widening the corners and increasing compaction to create a smoother, more consistent racing surface.
“We want a place where you can race everywhere,” he said. “More room means better racing and less torn-up equipment.”
Facility improvements are also a major focus. A new sound system is being installed, while the overall fan experience is being reimagined with themed nights, upgraded concessions, and enhancements to the bar area to create a more engaging atmosphere throughout the facility.
Family-friendly elements are also a priority, with balloons and free face painting planned every week to give younger fans something to look forward to.
“We want to make it something where kids are begging their parents to come back the next week,” Gallaher said.
Additional plans include the installation of a kart track in the infield, aimed at introducing younger racers to the sport and creating a natural progression into divisions like the SportMods and Stock Cars.
Support from local businesses and the surrounding community has played a key role in these efforts. Companies have donated equipment to help improve the racing surface, while new signage and promotional efforts — stretching from Salinas to Santa Cruz and into the surrounding areas — have helped generate buzz heading into the season.
“There’s a lot of renewed energy right now,” Gallaher said. “People are excited.”
A Business Approach to Racing and a New Era Begins
Away from the racetrack, Gallaher manages a wide-ranging business portfolio that includes Extreme Express Car Wash, One Hour Drain, a plumbing company, Gallaher Company, and Hot Shot Restorations, a Bay Area-based business specializing in fire and mold cleanup, employing approximately 110 people across his operations.
His approach to business centers on leadership development and accountability, something he has spent years refining.
“Leadership and having great people is the secret weapon,” he said. “I invest a lot into leadership, responsibility, and integrity across all my companies.”
In 2015, Gallaher launched Profit X, a leadership and profit-sharing program designed to help business owners implement systems within their organizations that tie compensation directly to profit and loss performance. The concept encourages managers to think and operate like business owners while building stronger teams and accountability.
The program includes online courses, training resources, and mentorship opportunities aimed at helping entrepreneurs better understand their numbers, develop company culture, and improve long-term profitability.
“It changes the way people look at things,” Gallaher said. “When their pay is tied into the P&L, they start making decisions like it’s their own company.”
The model has proven successful enough that Gallaher expanded it into a book and online course, helping other business owners apply the same principles.
That same philosophy is now being applied at Watsonville Speedway.
Gallaher has retained much of the existing staff while working to establish a culture built on leadership, accountability, and shared responsibility — the same framework that has driven success in his other ventures.
“We’ve got a great group of people,” he said. “Now it’s about putting the right structure in place and making everything run like a well-oiled machine.”
With a full schedule, facility upgrades, and growing community support, Watsonville Speedway is entering a new era.
“There’s a lot of momentum right now,” he said. “And we’re just getting started.”
Fans can stay up to date on everything happening at Watsonville Speedway by visiting the track’s official website and Facebook page.