WATSONVILLE, Calif. – Bud Kaeding drove back to victory lane for the first time in 2022, taking Friday’s Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo feature at Ocean Speedway.
Kaeding topped 17-year-old Joey Ancona on the dirt track at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.
“You guys have no idea. We’ve been working – it’s been a year since we’ve won here. Won period,” Kaeding said. “My guys work as hard as any guys in the pits. I’ve worked less hard against 108 cars and won. This kid in the 88 (Ancona) is definitely up and coming. To win tonight in front of you fans that support this track is great. Winning is why we do this.”
Andy Forsberg visited the dirt track by the ocean and won the dash race for the pole position. Forsberg led the field into turn one for the 30-lap affair. Travis Coelho spun in turn two for a caution on lap four.
Ancona worked his way to the outside of Forsberg on the restart, driving past to lead lap six. Jake Hodges, Don Hart, and Cameron Suoja came together in turn two for the next caution. Hodges was unable to rejoin the action.
Coelho then brought the race to a red flag stoppage on lap four when he flipped on the backstretch and was tagged by Suoja in the aftermath.
Bud Kaeding started to make progress on the bottom side of the track, working past Forsberg for the second position on lap 13 in turn four. Kaeding showed his nose inside Ancona for the lead in turn one on lap 20, and they raced side-by-side down the front stretch on lap 21. Ancona attempted to shut the door and Kaeding soared to the outside. Kaeding drove past Ancona in the decisive maneuver for the win. Ancona finished second followed by Forsberg, Rickey Sanders, and Kurt Nelson.
Orion Messina won his first career IMCA Sport Modified event, leading the final 17 laps for the victory in the 20-lap contest.
Kenny Stragalinos charged from 12th on the grid to win the 15-lap Four Banger feature.
Delta Dwarf regular Danny Wagner won the 20-lap South Bay Dwarf Car feature.
Roy Iller of San Benito Sheriffs won the Police-in-Pursuit 15-lap feature.
The Finish:
Feature (30 Laps):
1. 69-Bud Kaeding[3]; 2. 88A-Joey Ancona[1]; 3. 92-Andy Forsberg[2]; 4. 17-Rickey Sanders[5]; 5. 72W-Kurt Nelson[4]; 6. 37-Steven Kent[7]; 7. 50-Bryce Eames[6]; 8. 25Z-Jason Chisum[9]; 9. 72S-Bradley Dillard[10]; 10. 21X-Gauge Garcia[11]; 11. 33H-Eric Humphries[12]; 12. 4-Jake Hodges[13]; 13. 56Z-Don Hart[15]; 14. 6C-Travis Coelho[8]; 15. 28K-Kameron Suoja[14]
Keyword: Ocean Sprints Belongs To Kaeding