Gallaher Scores First Stock Car Win of Season at Watsonville

By Gary Thomas WATSONVILLE, Calif. (June 12, 2026) — The Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified main event at Watsonville Speedway saw multiple different leaders while putting on a solid show in its shortened 20-lap feature. Jonathan Hagio took the early command, but it was short-lived as Robert Marsh blasted to the point on lap four. A lengthy red flag period to clean up a crash in turn two forced officials to trim the race from 25 laps to 20 with curfew looming. Jim Pettit II looked extremely fast and took over the lead on lap nine. Starting eighth, however, “Quick Nick” DeCarlo methodically worked his way forward before assuming command with 14 laps complete. Once out front, DeCarlo was never seriously challenged and raced away to score his first DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region victory of the season and first Watsonville Speedway triumph of 2026. Pettit crossed the stripe second, followed by Marsh, Fred Lind and Hagio. Just outside the top five, Gordon Joel turned in one of the night’s strongest performances, advancing from 11th to sixth. [Read More]

By Gary Thomas WATSONVILLE, Calif. (Apr. 3, 2026) — Past Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified track champion Cody Burke of Salinas led all 25 laps in the first race of the season for the division at Watsonville Speedway on Friday. Burke hit his marks down low each time and held off a relentless Andrew Pierce to earn his first win of the year in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region. Pierce, Troy Foulger, Logan Drake, and Nick DeCarlo followed him across the line. The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods put on a fantastic main event for the fans. With track conditions in superb shape, the 20-lapper saw multiple leaders and a finish that wasn’t decided until the very end. Kingsburg’s Todd Carlock led the early stages in his no. 7 mount before having a moment midway through the contest. The always-fast Jason Ryan Jr. then took over and led the second half of the race, as he, Bo Crebs, and Austin VanHoff battled intensely. Lapped traffic created a frantic finish that saw VanHoff take full advantage, picking [Read More]

By Gary Thomas WATSONVILLE, Calif. (May 8, 2026) — Legendary driver Bobby Hogge grabbed the lead on lap 12 of the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified main event and never looked back, scoring his second DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region win of the season—both coming at Watsonville Speedway. The 25-lap finale began with Salinas veteran Robert Marsh pacing the early circuits, while a tight battle brewed just behind him. Jim Pettit II of Prunedale and Hogge raced side-by-side for second, keeping fans locked in as the front-runners battled on the quarter-mile. Pettit surged to the lead on lap eight, with Hogge slipping into second at the same time. The two Hall of Famers then staged a thrilling duel for the top spot before Hogge powered past Pettit on lap 12. Once out front, Hogge pulled away to secure another Watsonville triumph and accept the Ed Entz checkered flag. Martinez racer Nick DeCarlo turned in a standout performance, charging from eighth to finish second. DeCarlo steadily worked through the field and made his move past Pettit with four [Read More]