Pettit Holds Off Late Charge for Watsonville Victory

Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Results

Jim Pettit II continued his winning ways at Watsonville Speedway, leading the distance to capture the $1,000 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature on June 26. The Prunedale, Calif. driver earned his third DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region victory of the season. (Photo by Top Dawg Photos)

By Gary Thomas

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (June 26, 2026) — West Coast Stock Car Hall of Famer Jim Pettit II continued his mastery of Watsonville Speedway Friday night, wasting little time taking command of the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature. The Prunedale driver raced into the lead at the drop of the green before surviving numerous restarts and relentless late pressure to secure the $1,000 victory.

The five-time Watsonville Speedway Modified champion consistently nailed his restarts while Andrew Peckham, Gavyn Manning, and Andrew Pearce battled fiercely behind him throughout the 25-lap feature. As the laps wound down, Pettit had to withstand determined challenges from Peckham and Manning but never surrendered the point, crossing the stripe first to earn his third DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region victory of the season and first at Watsonville in 2026.

As the laps wound down, Pettit had to withstand determined challenges from Peckham and Manning but never surrendered the point, crossing the stripe first to earn his third DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region victory of the season and first at Watsonville in 2026.

The victory also made Pettit eligible to try and qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September.

Peckham finished second ahead of Manning, Pearce and Markus Frazier. Cody Burke earned hard charger honors after advancing from 11th to sixth.

Frazier Charges From Seventh for SportMod Victory

The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods produced another entertaining feature filled with side-by-side racing after several early cautions.

Bo Crebs, of Yreka, led much of the contest before Matthew Frazier began reeling him in. The Santa Maria driver found momentum around the high side in the closing laps, sweeping past Crebs to take the lead just a few circuits from the finish. Frazier drove away for his second victory of the season and first at Watsonville.

Crebs settled for second while Ethan Johnson advanced from 10th to third. Danny Wagner charged from 11th to finish fourth, with Steven Allee completing the top five.

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 $25.99/month, and don’t miss Season 2 of the Boone docuseries, streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.

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