When the green flew, Ronnie Day would get the jump and lead. BK would run him down, and used a beautiful move going into 3 to take the lead. Day’s front wing would break, losing down force on the front end, and he started falling back. We went red on lap 3, as Steve Osborne tumbled between 1-2. The likable red head would walk away. In the process of his flip, Kurt Nelson got part of it and sheared his wing off. “Yellow fever” would start to plague the event. Tarlton and Smith came together on the front stretch on lap 10, leaving a vulnerable Tarlton stopped, facing the wrong direction on the race track. Unfortunately, an impressive Justin Sanders tagged Tarlton, sending both to the work area.

We’re green again, 5 laps later however, Tarlton and Wright, Jr. hopped wheels heading into 3. Thankfully neither driver turned over, as it looked like it was headed to be a bad deal for both.

Bud was working on Statler for 2^nd, when the yellow came out yet again. Suggs was coming, but with more yellows flying, the event was called after 22 laps, declaring BK the Round 1 winner.

- You have better be ready when BK brings you down to the green!!!
photos courtesy of L&J Photography

Ricky Wright, Jr.: The kid has had some tough luck lately, but his time will come. I felt for him when he sat broke in 3. You’re on the gas, hang tough!

Evan Suggs: I admire his driving style. The personable Suggs is on the gas, runs you hard, but runs you clean. He gives no quarter on the race track, and is a threat to win anytime that he hits the track. He’s an extremely talented racecar driver.

Promoter John Prentice: Tommy Tarlton bluntly told me: “I love racing here. John hasn’t raced these things, but he works his ass off for us. He’s doing a fantastic job.” I’ve got to agree Tommy.

Crew Chief Eric Rossi: Under Steve Osborne’s red, I wanted to see how Wright, Jr. was handling the pressure out on the race track. I made my way to where he was stopped on the track. Rossi, who was a helluva show in his own right, was telling Wright, Jr. “to just relax, we have a long way to go. Well probably have more yellows, so get comfortable with the race car”. Rossi was instilling confidence in the young shoe. He was also telling him to do things on the track at certain times and circumstances.

Jason Newton: Has a deep passion for our sport. Good things happen to good people. Keep your chin up. Race fans, I encourage you to go down to his pit and say hi to him, you can’t go wrong.

Ronnie Day: Ronnie was aggressive and fast the whole night in Tim Werbach’s mount. Bad luck visited him in the main event, losing the front wing in the feature. But this team is going to be one that will constantly be giving fits to their fellow competitors….guaranteed.

Burt Foland, Jr.: Foland, Jr. was on the gas. He cracked the top-10 with an old motor and he did it the hard way, coming from the back. Brother Bill was proud and excited for his bro. “He has an old motor in that thing. He did a helluva job against these guys!” a proud BF explained to me.

Car owners Mike Sala/Brian Matherly: Bud Kaeding is the pilot for this powerful car owner duo. The car was assembled in just about a week. After working out some early gremlins after hot laps, the car was fast all night. This team has what it takes to be one of the toughest in California.

The fans: The fans are really into the races. You could hear and feel their excitement from across the track. I applaud them for being so vocal.

Jeff Delte: Jeff is one hard working son-of-a-gun. I would prefer to see him back behind the wheel of a Sprint Car, but if you aspire to help on a Sprint Car team, watch the hardworking Delte in action.

Brent Kaeding: I’m not a race car driver, but I love the way he starts a race. He has his visor up rolling down the backstretch, then slams it shut going into 3. He brings them down fast and I love it. No screwing around, lets get after it!

Ocean Speedway Officials: I saw a person “attempt” to yell at an official. Another official quickly quipped “Don’t yell at us, we won’t put up with it!” Good for you guys. You don’t deserve to be yelled at. I also love the “heads up” that you give to the people in the pits when Sprint Cars are being pushed off, and also reminding people not to speed in the pits.

The competition: Is stout. It’s not an easy series to win in. There is a great mix of drivers that compete in this series. Like BF said, “There are no gimmes in Sprint Car racing. These guys are tough!” If anyone would know, it would be him.

*All photos courtesy of L&J Photography