Forum: Northern California Sprint Car (go)
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Ocean Speedway Is the Place to Be This Friday; Drivers Ready For GLR Finale

By Gary Costa

Watsonville, CA – October 15, 2009…This is it; the talking is over, as this Friday night, the war between Tommy Tarlton and Brent Kaeding will continue and the two will duke it out for the 2009 GLR Investments Series Championship. Tarlton and Kaeding have been battling tooth-and-nail all season long, not giving an inch of racing room to one another.

Ocean Speedway currently ranks atop the list as having one of the strongest groups of Sprint Car drivers found anywhere in the country. You never know who's going to drop in - that was never more evident than during last Friday's show, as World of Outlaws traveler Tim Kaeding waged war on the ¼-mile clay oval winning from his tenth starting spot.

Passing hasn't been an issue with Ocean Speedway this season, and the facility has been given rave reviews by drivers and fans throughout California. Promoter John Prentice has worked tirelessly on making Ocean Speedway one of the premier facilities in the country, and his goal is fast becoming a reality.

Ocean Speedway and the GLR Investments 360 Sprint Car Series have kept the fans on their feet all season long, and look for more of the same during this Friday's finale. The battle is far from over, and look for things to continue to be shaken up throughout the course of the stress - filled evening.

It was evident that at the start of the season the drivers in the series would battle it out over the course of the 13-race series, as drivers, as well as the fans, have been treated to two and three groove high-speed Winged Sprint Car action during each and every race.

The series has quickly grown in stature and drivers know that when they pull through the Ocean Speedway pit gate that they can't just rely on a good setup to get them to the front; they better be prepared to get their elbows up high, as a driver can't afford to make a mistake in this series, or you will end up getting passed.

It has been a great year for the series, and this Friday's finale will without a doubt keep you on the edge of your seat. This is a true "fight to the finish," a can't miss event!

In addition to the fight for the championship, it will also be a sad night for the racing community, as we will be bidding goodbye to one of the nicest guys in all of Sprint Car racing, Jason Newton. Newton has been a huge supporter of racing at Ocean Speedway over the years. He was one of the guys that worked behind the scenes in reviving the Johnny Key Classic. Be sure to stop by his hauler after the races, and give him your well wishes. Newton currently sits tenth in the standings and will be hard on the gas, getting everything out of the Newton Motorsports No. 31.

"I'm proud to have been a part of the series. It does suck that I'm hanging it up, but it comes with my head held high, and knowing that I had the opportunity to live out a childhood dream," said the 2007 Ocean Speedway Rookie of the Year. "I will still be a part of sprint car racing one way or another in the future!"

Top-10 in GLR Investments Sprint Car Points

1. Tommy Tarlton 618
2. Brent Kaeding 613
3. Evan Suggs 583
4. Brad Furr 564
5. Ronnie Day 552
6. Justin Sanders 548
7. Ricky Wright, Jr. 501
8. Kurt Nelson 434
9. Keith Day 427
10. Jason Newton 425

2009 GLR Investments Season Recap

April 3 – 1. Brent Kaeding 2. Jason Statler 3. Bud Kaeding
April 17 – 1. Jason Statler 2. Bud Kaeding 3. Brent Kaeding
May 8 – 1. Justin Sanders 2. Evan Suggs 3. Bud Kaeding
May 15 – 1. Tommy Tarlton 2. Evan Suggs 3. Craig Smith
June 5 – 1. Ricky Wright, Jr. 2. Brent Kaeding 3. Ronnie Day
June 26 – 1. Tommy Tarlton 2. Justin Sanders 3. Brad Furr
July 17 – 1. Kyle Larson 2. Tommy Tarlton 3. Brent Kaeding
July 31 – 1. Jason Statler 2. Brent Kaeding 3. Tommy Tarlton
August 14 – 1. Tommy Tarlton 2. Brent Kaeding 3. Ronnie Day
August 29 - 1. Tommy Tarlton 2. Bud Kaeding 3. Kyle Larson
September 25 – 1. Mike Henry 2. Evan Suggs 3. Ronnie Day
October 9 – 1.Tim Kaeding 2. Brad Furr 3. Brent Kaeding
October 16 - ?

Pit gate opens at 1:00 with the front gate opening at 4:00. Racing starts at 6. Adults are $15, kids 6-12 $9, all kids under 5 free. Family $40 (2 Adults and 2 Children), Senior $12 with I.D. (65 yrs+). For more information please log onto www.oceanspeedway.com or call the speedway at (831) 476-9466

The speedway is located at 2601 East Lake Ave in Watsonville, CA

Lake Ocean Speedway

Picture taken this morning after pumping out 800,000 gallons of water the last 25hrs.

Great article! John Prentice and his staff at Ocean never cease to amaze the way they get things done. John sent me an email this morning with the good news that the race was on along with pictures taken of the track before and after ALL THE HARD WORK to get the track and pits ready for Friday night. We had over 8 inches of rain in Scotts Valley and I'm sure Watsonville had as much and to be able to get the track ready in such a short time is incredible. A big thank you to everyone.

Like you said, the race between BK and Tommy will be something else to watch and be part of for 1st. & 2nd. Good luck to both. Good luck to Evan in holding on to 3rd. as well, I hope the new motor runs flawlessly.

How come Prentice can't tell the group why the cars stopping on lap 14 got their spots back? And will there be any rule changes in the middle of the program we should know about?

John is there every race, i suggest you bring it up with him.. Most of us on here are just fans so we can't answer your question..

I would not say there the best 360 group of drivers in in the country but in the west there equal to if not better than any local series in my opinion.. TK when he is there, BK, Furr and Statler i believe have a few outlaw wins to there credit? Then you have Bud who was USAC Silver Crown Champion plus some high profile topless USAC sprint car wins, throw in Tarlton, Suggs, Ronnie Day, Murphy and others that looks like a pretty darn good group of drivers to me.. Have to give kudos to Prentice who is doing one hell'va job at that track..

gotta love the effort that the ocean speedway staff made this wek in order to make this battle a battle,great job, and we should all be thankfull that we are able to watch BK, AND TOMMY BATTLE IT OUT, as always i enjoy the races on friday, now i am hoping for a good night from my boy STATLER,,

if you are refering to the article above, it said;

"Ocean Speedway currently ranks atop the list as having one of the strongest group of Sprint Car drivers found anywhere in the country."

you named off the stronger and better known names, but most of the guys that race regularly at ocean could be a threat at any area track at the least, and could hold their own just about anywhere. we have the bennefit of running with some of the best drivers in the nation on a weekly basis, and they have helped to raise the level of ability for everyone.

to indy and beyond!!

Given the weather events of the week the track and the pits were great. John and his crew are to be congratulated for the week-long effort to make the seasons last GLR race happen. Thanks folks, you did an awesome job.

Mr. Linda L.