WATSONVILLE >> Ashton Torgerson of Glendale, Arizona, used lapped traffic to his advantage late and snagged his initial Ocean Sprints triumph at Ocean Speedway on Friday night.

Other event winners included Bobby Hogge (IMCA Modifieds), Rob Gallaher (IMCA Sport Mods), Ryan Hart (Hobby Stocks) and John Hohmann (Police N Pursuit).

Reigning Ocean Sprints champ and current point leader Caleb Debem of Salinas blasted out to the early lead in the 30-lap Taco Bravo-sponsored finale. The only caution of the race waved on lap four when Hermoso Beach’s Tyler Walker and Corbin Seay of Fallon, Nevada, both stopped with damage.

After that early caution things went green the rest of the way to the conclusion. Torgerson was back home on the West Coast for the weekend, as weather hampered his racing efforts back east. He moved into second on lap 11 and then reeled in the leader.

The duo raced closely together for several laps, which kept fans entertained. With 10 circuits remaining a lapped car played into things as Debem had trouble getting by. Torgerson decided to try his luck upstairs and made the winning pass on lap 23.

Torgerson went on to claim the win over Debem, Cole Schroeder of Bozeman, Montana, fast qualifier and dash winner Jake Haulot of Cotati, and Geyserville’s Jennifer Osborne.

IMCA Modifieds

The IMCA Modified feature showcased some wild moments throughout the 25-lap contest. Jonathan Hagio of Prunedale claimed the early lead and held command over much of the contest. The action behind him though remained hot and heavy.

Katelyn Robertson of Quincy, Nevada, and Jim Pettit II of Prunedale put on an excellent show while racing for the runner-up spot over several laps. On lap 17 however, Pettit exited with issues over turn one and Robertson had a fire develop under the hood of her machine, which took her out of contention.

Hogge then found himself in second and began to charge around the high side of the well-prepared bullring. After hounding Hagio, the Salinas legend was able to rocket by and take over the lead with five laps left. Hogge went on to claim his fourth win of the year over Hagio, Matt Kampfraat of Granite Bay, Aromas’ Raymond Keldsen Jr. and Watsonville’s Todd Hermosillo.

IMCA Sport Mods

The IMCA Sport Mods once again brought out the best car count of the night with 16 total racers on hand. A trio of different leaders were seen in another outstanding main event. Morgan Hill’s Jim DiGiovanni led the first couple circuits, before Prunedale’s Max Baggett made the move around him on lap three.

San Jose’s Rob Gallaher would not be denied on this night, though. The driver of the X mount blasted into the top spot on lap six and never looked back, even despite a green, white, checkered restart that was needed.

Bay Point’s Danny Wagner and Yreka’s Bo Crebs stayed close, but Gallaher scored the win at the Keith Trusso checkered flag. Wagner, Crebs, Brentwood’s Trevor Clymens and DiGiovanni completed the top five.

Hobby Stocks

The Hobby Stock feature was a battle of attrition that saw five drivers hold the lead. Several cautions and issues for drivers slowed things down, forcing the race to be reduced to 15 laps. Watsonville’s Lilly Mead, Joe Gallaher of Manassas, Virginia, San Jose’s Bobby Gallaher and Watsonville’s Cody Keldsen all spent time out front in the main event.

Point leader Ryan Hart started dead last and weaved through all the chaos to grab the lead on lap 10. The Dos Palos racer then pulled away to claim his third win of the season. Watsonville’s Adriane Frost and Wayne Reeder, Gallaher and Watsonville’s Sam Kennedy finished behind him.

Police N Pursuit

Scotts Valley Police Department’s John Hohmann looked to be on way to an easy victory in the Police N Pursuit division but had to fend off a very fast Ben Standin of Scotts Valley and AJ Waltrip of Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office over the closing stages. The top three cars bunched up over the final few circuits and kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Hohmann hung tough though and crossed under the checkered for the exciting triumph.