Pettit, Golden take IMCA checkers at Ocean

Modified, Northern SportMod, Results

Hall of Famer Jim Pettit II was the Friday Friesen Performance IMCA Modified winner at Ocean Speedway. (Photo by Top Dawg Photos)

By Steven Blakesley 

Blakesley Sports Media

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (June 14, 2024) – Grassroots stock car racing action hit the dirt track at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville on Friday night, highlighted by victory in the 25-lap IMCA Modified feature for the Hall of Famer Jim Pettit II.

Raymond Kjeldsen, Jr. drove around the outside of polesitter Kyle Bryant at the start of the Modified nightcap, swooping into the lead on lap one. Robert Marsh and Pettit used the outside line to drive into second and third, respectively.

Pettit hounded Marsh but was unable to pass him for second, until Marsh spun in turn four. Marsh continued but surrendered several positions.

Keldsen had a nearly 2.5 second advantage on Pettit at that stage on lap 10, but Pettit went to work reeling him in. By lap 16, Pettit drove underneath him in turn four to take the lead position. The caution flew a lap later for Bryan spinning out of the top five in turn four.

Pettit fended off a nose to tail line of Cody and Austin Burke over the final six laps of competition. Pettit, Cody Burke, Austin Burke, Keldsen and Jonathan Hagio were the top five finishers.

2023 track champion Chuck Golden won the 20-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod feature on Friday night.

Golden took the lead from the outside pole position at the drop of the green flag. Bo Crebs made a slide job attempt for the lead on lap 10 to no avail. David Crocker’s second spin of the night set up a four-lap run to the finish. Incoming points leader Email VanHoff tried to challenge Golden for the lead. Crebs spun for another caution with three to go.

Coming to the checkered flag, VanHoff made a big maneuver in turn four to challenge Golden but fell short. Golden got the win followed by Steven Allee, TJ Etchison, Alexander Mead in his first start in over six years, and VanHoff.

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