By Gary Thomas
WATSONVILLE, Calif. (Apr. 17, 2026) — A total of 26 Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars packed the pit area for the inaugural American Giuliani Construction and Restoration Classic on Friday night at Watsonville Speedway, and when all was settled it was veteran driver Paul Stone who claimed the $2,500 grand prize.
Stone began the evening by qualifying second overall and shot to the lead by way of the pole position in the feature. The Winton driver ended up leading every lap, but it was far from easy.
A relentless Tyler Bannister ran the high scary side of the quarter-mile oval and gave it everything he had in an attempt to wrestle away the lead. Stone was smooth as glass on the bottom, however, and never gave Bannister an opportunity to pounce.
A late caution set up a green-white-checkered finish that went into overtime. During the restart, Stone hit his marks to claim the Ed Entz checkered flag for victory over Bannister, 12th-starting Lance Hurst, Fred Ryland, and Terry DeCarlo Jr.
It was Stone’s third EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region victory of 2026 and his first at Watsonville this season. The race also served as a qualifier for the B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational, making Stone eligible to attempt to qualify at the event during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s.
Hogge Hustles Late to Steal Modified Win in Thriller
In the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, California legend Bobby Hogge led just one lap, but it was the one that counted. Fellow veteran Nick DeCarlo of Martinez jumped into the lead at the drop of the green and held the field at bay for much of the race.
Hogge methodically gained speed as the race wore on and charged from fourth to second on lap 20. After stalking DeCarlo for several circuits, the moment finally arrived. With the white flag in the air, Hogge closed in tight.
As the pair exited turn four for the final time, Hogge dove to the inside and made the winning pass, stealing the victory in a thrilling finish. It was his first win of the year in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region.
Troy Foulger crossed the stripe in third, followed by Markus Frazier and Cody Burke.
Thomas Takes Control in SportMods
Atwater racer Tanner Thomas entered the night as the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod point leader and led all 20 laps in the feature to earn his first Watsonville triumph of the season and his second win overall in 2026.
Reigning track champion Danny Wagner ran second for much of the race and kept Thomas honest to the finish. Wagner came home second, followed by Matthew Frazier, Ethan Johnson, and Fred Ryland.
A stellar 28-car field was on hand.
The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV affiliate Stars On Dirt TV. Catch every lap again with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for just $25.99/month. Don’t miss Season 2 of the Boone docuseries, now streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.
