San Jose’s Bobby Gallaher earns first Hobby Stock win

OCEAN SPEEDWAY

San Jose’s Bobby Gallaher poses in victory lane after taking first in the Hobby Stock division at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville on Friday night. TOP DAWG PHOTOS

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By Gary Thomas

Special to the Sentinel

WATSONVILLE >> San Jose’s Bobby Gallaher earned his first triumph in the Hobby Stock division at Ocean Speedway at Santa Cruz Fairgrounds on Friday night.

Also reaching victory lane were Salinas’ Robert Marsh in IMCA Modifieds, Oakley’s Jason Ryan Jr. in IMCA Sport Mods and San Jose’s Thomas Cumming in Four Bangers.

“It feels amazing to be standing up here in victory lane at Ocean Speedway,” said a very jubilant Gallaher. “I really focused on hitting my marks because I knew that Adriane (Frost) was right there. I want to thank my entire family and everybody that supports us.”

The 20-lap Hobby Stock main event showcased some of the best action of the night, as a hooked up and sticky surface lent itself well to the division. Gallaher battled DJ Keldsen on the opening lap before assuming the top spot.

Adriane Frost quickly made her presence be felt as she battled Keldsen for second. With Gallaher up front, Frost took over second around lap five and hounded the leader. The final 15 laps were a classic tussle between the two, with Frost able to nip him at the line to lead a pair of circuits.

Each time, Gallaher raced back around the outside, but Frost was ultra strong on the bottom of the quarter mile. Gallaher hung tough and took the checkered for flag for his first win ahead of Frost, Keldsen, Joe Gallaher and Norm Ayers.

IMCA Modifieds

Robert Marsh executed a clean sweep of the program in IMCA Modifieds. He began opened with the fast time in qualifying, won his heat race, and main event.

Marsh led every step of the way but had a fast-moving Jonathan Hagio come after him in the later stages. The Prunedale driver started seventh on the grid and earned a hard-fought runner-up finish. Austin Burke, Cody Burke and Tyler Browne completed the top five.

IMCA Sport Modifieds

Jason Ryan Jr. dominated the IMCA Sport Mod 20-lap finale to grab his second victory of the season. Point leader Emali VanHoff crossed the stripe in second, followed by Chuck Golden, Jeff Mead and Steven Allee.

Four Banger

The Four Banger feature saw multiple leaders during the 15-lap contest. Amaya Flower set the pace early, but encountered issues on lap four and slowed to a stop.

Point leader Peter Vannerus raced tooth and nail with Joshua Silva before Silva took command shortly after. Silva set the pace up front until an issue caused him to slow momentarily, which allowed Thomas Cumming to rocket into the lead.

Cumming had made several great passes up to that point and ended up leading the remainder of the race for his third victory of the season. Silva, Vannerus, Nicole Beardsley and Ken Keegan rounded out the top five.