WATSONVILLE >> Aromas’ Justin Sanders continued his winning ways Saturday night, getting his sixth NARC King of the West sprint car victory of the season, but it was probably one of the most special of his career as it came at the 15th annual Howard Kaeding Classic at Ocean Speedway.

Sanders contended with traffic, which included a determined Shane Golobic, to pick up his third career win in the event, but this year’s event carried much more emotional weight as it was the first Howard Kaeding Classic without the man the race honors, as the racing legend died on Feb. 6 at the age of 92.

“Glad to get the first two HK’s while HK was here, so that’s pretty special and that’s something I’ll remember for a long time down the road,” said Sanders, addressing his first HK win without the late patriarch of the Kaeding family in attendance.

Sanders started the pole for the 30-lap feature and led all but one lap, but it was not easy for last year’s NARC champion. Sanders was challenged early by Washington state visitor Jesse Schlotfeldt, who briefly passed him only for Sanders get back by on the same lap and continue in the top spot when Schlotfeldt got into the loose clay at the top of Turn 4.

Schlotfeldt surrendered second place when he left the track during the next caution, due his muffler coming off the car.

Sanders continued to lead, but soon traffic became a factor and Golobic, the 2023 Kaeding Classic winner, went after Sanders’ lead. With 20 laps down, Golobic threw a slider in Turns 3 and 4 and made it stick, taking the lead and leading Lap 21, but Sanders returned the favor on other end of the track to regain the lead on the 22nd lap.

As the track began to take rubber, Sanders again had to contend with slower cars and Golobic closed back in. Golobic was unable to take advantage as Sanders made late key passes around a couple of slower cars to maintain his lead. He took the checkered flag aboard the Yuba Sutter Aviation-sponsored Mittry Motorsports No. 2x Fisher-powered KPC.

The win paid a Howard Kaeding Classic record $10,000. Sanders also earned $5,000 for his win in Friday’s NARC race at Ocean Speedway.

Sanders won the Trophy Dash to secure the pole position for the main event, with Parker starting to his outside. Heat races earlier in the evening were won by Carrick, Tim Kaeding, Golobic and Schlotfeldt. D.J. Netto won the Last Chance Qualifier, taking Dylan Bloomfield, Ancona and Jake Andreotti with him to the feature.

Nick Parker was the fastest in qualifying. He paced the 29-car field in split qualifying with a time of 10.879 seconds to best the second flight.

Western Midget

Lincoln’s Tanner Carrick scored a big win in the Western Midget Racing-BCRA California Midget Super Series on a prestigious night, claiming Saturday’s 20-lap feature at the 15th annual Howard Kaeding Classic. Carrick kicked off the night by leading time trials over a 20-car field, worth $200. Carrick then earned the big $2,000 prize in victory lane of the feature.

Dane Culver started on the pole for the main event but Jake Andreotti of Castro Valley drove around the outside of him to lead lap one. Ben Covich flipped in turn three from the fifth position to require a red flag on lap two.

A serious crash on the backstretch on lap four brought a halt to the action for an extended delay. Jerry Kobza of Folsom and Moorpark’s Todd Hawse flipped violently and required an extensive clean up.

Carrick nabbed second from Culver on the restart before Culver slowed to a stop and out of the event in a tough break for the driver second in the standings.

Randi Pankratz of Atascadero spun battling with Santa Cruz’ Logan Mitchell for the sixth spot, bringing out the event’s final caution flag with just five laps to go.

Tanner Carrick took advantage on the following restart, driving to the outside of Andreotti to take the lead. Carrick paced the final three laps for the $2,000 Howard Kaeding Classic prize with Andreotti settling for second. Points leader Caden Sarale of Stockton finished third while Logan Mitchell charged from 13th to fourth to win the Hard Charger worth a free right rear tire. Tenth starting Matt Streeter of Galt rounded out the top five.

Dane Culver, Ben Covich, and Jake Andreotti won the heat races.

IMCA Modifieds

Salinas’ Bobby Hogge claimed the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature. Hall of Famer Jim Pettit II of Prunedale finished second while Bakersfield visitor Robby Sawyer finished third. Salinas’ Cody Burke and Prunedale’s Jonathan Hagio rounded out the top five.

Hobby Stocks

2024 Hobby Stock champion Joe Gallaher of Manassas, Virginia, earned his second win of the season in the 20-lap feature. Points leader Ryan Hart of Dos Palos continued a strong season with a runner-up finish. San Jose’s Bobby Gallaher, Matt Kile, and Rob Gallaher in the four-seater X4 car rounded out the top five.