By Steven Blakesley from Blakesley Sports Media
WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA (October 8, 2011) – Fremont’s Shane Golobic won his second straight Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo feature on Friday night, passing Bud Kaeding on lap 28 in lapped traffic and leading the final two laps for victory. Throughout 2011 Golobic has picked up at least one feature win per month and the victory is Golobic’s third in the Ocean Sprints.
Bud Kaeding started on pole for the feature alongside fast-time qualifier Justin Sanders of Prunedale. Sanders took the lead through turn one while St.Helena rookie Rico Abreu charged hard on the outside. Abreu jumped the cushion in turn three sending him for a wild spin to end his night.
A complete restart saw Kaeding reassume the lead and hold off Sanders to lead lap one. 2011 California Sprint Car Civil War Series champion Andy Forsberg moved to fourth from eighth starting by lap two.
After a brief caution on lap three for Orval Zane Burke stopped in turn one, Forsberg jumped past Golobic to take over third. Forsberg continued his impressive drive to the front by taking the lead from Kaeding on lap 10.
The red flag promptly came out in turn one on lap 10 when Sanders flipped and nearly collected Michael Twitchell. Sanders’ car suffered heavy damage and he was done for the night.
When the red flag was lifted, Forsberg had a flat tire and went immediately to the work area. Forsberg was unable to get a new right rear put on in time so his night was over.
Kaeding reassumed the lead under pressure from Golobic with Tommy Tarlton and Ronnie Day battling for third.The caution came out on lap 15 when Tommy Laliberte and Twitchell tangled in turn one.
An additional yellow on lap 21 for Koen Shaw stalling in turn one set the stage for the battle between Golobic and Kaeding. Kaeding set a furious pace and hit lapped traffic by lap 26. Coming up on a slower car on lap 28, Kaeding hit the brakes while Golobic swept by on the outside through three and four to lead lap 29.
Golobic led the final two laps to a nearly one second victory over Kaeding, Day, Tarlton, and “Cowboy” Craig Smith. Brent Kaeding made his first start since being injured in a serious accident qualifying for the Johnny Key Classic in August and finished sixth.
Justin Sanders took the Ray Scheidt’s Electric fast-time with an 11.550 second lap in the #17 North County Plastering mount.The DDNi Hard Charger went to Carter Train who started 19th and finished 10th.
In other action on the night, the Wingless Sprint Cars competed in the $2121 to win “Walt Branco Memorial” race with bonus money posted by car owner Joe Vonschriltz. Chico’s Taylor Simas was triumphant in his first ever start at Ocean Speedway, topping a 23 car field.
Ocean Speedway points leader Jim Christian drove through the field after an earlier accident to finish second with Mark Chaves, Jr., Ryan Bernal, and Scott Hall the top-five. Golobic failed to finish after a broken shock cost him a second place effort.
Ronnie Day leads Tommy Tarlton by 30 points in the Ocean Sprints standings with the championship all but locked up going into the final points race next Friday night October 14.
For more information on the Ocean Sprint Cars presented by Taco Bravo log onto: www.oceansprints.com and for more on the Ocean Speedway visit: www.oceanspeedway.com.
As always, our thanks to Steve LaMothe of Steve’s Racing Photos for the use of his photos.