WATSONVILLE — Salinas driver Caleb Debem earned Rookie of the Year honors at Ocean Speedway last season and on Friday night he raced to his first sprint car victory on the quarter-mile track.
Joining him in victory lane were Jason Ryan Jr. in IMCA Sport Mods, Shawn Jones in South Bay Dwarf Cars, Kenny Stragalinos in Four Bangers and Bryant Bell in the visiting Western Midget Racing feature.
“It feels great to get our first win here tonight at Ocean Speedway,” Debem said. “It was a lot of fun racing with Kurt Nelson and Brad Dillard in the main event. I want to thank everybody who supports our team. I couldn’t do it without all of them.”
Oakdale native Bradley Dillard hopped out to the early lead by way of the pole in the 25-lap Ocean Sprints feature. Dillard’s Uncle, Kurt Nelson, began to hound his rear tail tank however and made it an entertaining battle up front.
On lap six, Nelson nipped him at the line, but Dillard fought back to reclaim the lead shortly after. The 2022 Ocean Sprints champ stayed with it though and made the pass again to take over the point on lap nine. Debem then started to show his muscle and maneuvered into the runner-up spot just before the halfway mark.
Debem charged after Nelson for the lead, as the pair raced closely together for several laps. On lap 18 the duo battled back and forth, before Debem took over the top spot and held it for the remainder of the race.
Nelson had a run coming to the white flag, but hopped the cushion in one and two, which let Debem escape for the Ed Entz checkered flag. Debem won over Dillard, Nelson, Jason Chisum and Adriana Demartini.
IMCA Sport Modifieds
The 20-lap IMCA Sport Modifieds finale saw reigning Ocean Speedway champ Chuck Golden jump out to the lead and set the pace over the initial seven circuits. The always tough Jason Ryan Jr. though snagged the lead on lap eight and led the remainder for victory. Matthew Hagio had a strong charge for second, followed by Emali VanHoff, Danny Wagner and David Crocker.
South Bay Dwarf Cars
San Jose veteran Shawn Jones started fourth in the South Bay Dwarf Car feature but had the lead by the time he completed the opening lap. After that it was smooth sailing, as he held a half track lead at times. Jones grabbed the win over Mark Biscardi, Pete Piantanida, Justin Bingman and Eddy Claessen.
Four Bangers
Boulder Creek driver Stragalinos picked up a big win in the Four Banger division on Friday. Thomas Cumming led the first couple laps, until getting out of shape, and Stragalinos rocketed into the top spot. Cumming kept him honest over the remainder, but Stragalinos crossed the finish line under the checkered ahead of Cumming, Peter Vannerus, Kate Beardsley and Ryder Greene.
Western Midget Racing
2023 Western Midget Racing champion Bryant Bell of Oakley steered Tony Boscacci’s No. 09 Spike Chassis to victory lane for the fourth time in his career. The victory moves Bell back within six points of Logan Mitchell of Santa Cruz in the championship hunt as the series heads to Petaluma Speedway on Saturday night.
Bell experienced difficulties in his heat race but his team recovered for the feature. San Jose’s Anthony Bruno, Bell’s teammate, and Mitchell scored the heat race wins at their home track.
Las Vegas’ Kyle Hawse placed the Sunland Wood Products No. 20 Triple-X Chassis on the pole for the feature after a six-car invert. Bell used the bottom to advance quickly into the lead by lap four.
Bell accumulated a sizeable advantage over the pack in the nonstop feature. By the time Mitchell seized second place, the advantage was roughly two seconds. Mitchell marched towards Bell but time ran out. Bell earned his second win of the season. Mitchell settled for second followed by Lodi’s Nate Wait, Bruno, and Santa Clarita’s Adam Weisberg.
IF YOU GO
Ocean Speedway
When: Friday, 6 p.m.
Events: Ocean Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Police In Pursuit
Where: Ocean Speedway, Watsonville
Tickets: OceanSpeedway.com