watsonvillespeedway Archives

DeCarlo Charges from Eighth for First Watsonville Win of 2026

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]

Marsh Masters Modifieds at Watsonville

By Gary Thomas WATSONVILLE, Calif. (June 5, 2026) — The Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds showcased some of their best racing of the season Friday night at Watsonville Speedway, with multiple grooves in play and side-by-side battles throughout the 25-lap feature. Jonathan Hagio led the opening three circuits before Salinas driver Robert Marsh took command. Although Marsh built a sizable advantage out front, the action remained intense behind him as drivers traded positions lap after lap around the quarter-mile oval. Marsh stayed smooth and steady to secure his second DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region victory of the season and first Watsonville Speedway triumph of 2026. Bobby Hogge Jr. finished second, followed by Markus Frazier, Logan Drake, and Fred Lind. Wagner Charges from Tenth for SportMod Victory The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods also delivered plenty of excitement despite several caution periods slowing the pace. Chris Smith led the opening stages before mechanical issues on lap 13 forced him to the pit area, handing the lead to reigning Watsonville Speedway champion Danny Wagner. The Bay Point driver, who [Read More]

Hogge Scores Exciting Watsonville Modified Victory

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]

Stone Scores Big in Stock Cars at Watsonville

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 [Read More]

Burke Dominates Watsonville’s First Modified Race of 2026

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]

King Holds Strong at Watsonville for First SportMod Triumph

By Gary Thomas WATSONVILLE, Calif. (Mar. 27, 2026) — The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods brought a fantastic 24-car field to Watsonville Speedway on Friday. Pismo Beach driver Landon King rocketed out to the early lead in the 20-lap finale. Bakersfield’s Nicholas Johnson was on the move right from the get-go and assumed the runner-up spot on lap eight. Johnson applied pressure to King and seemed to have the speed to win, but got into a spin seven circuits shy of the finish to draw a caution. King, who cut his teeth in Outlaw Karts, went on to tally his first Watsonville Speedway IMCA Northern SportMod triumph. Following King across the stripe were Ethan Johnson, Jason Bannister, Danny Wagner, and Buddy Kniss. The Watsonville Speedway debut of the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars saw the main event go right down to the wire. A solid field of 16 IMCA Stock Cars came out and provided some excellent action in their finale. Atwater racer Mike Villanueva ended up leading all 20 laps, but he certainly had to work [Read More]

Rob Gallaher: From Racer to Promoter and Building Watsonville Speedway’s Future

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 [Read More]