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Justin Sanders (Joe Shivak photo)

Sanders Keeps Rocking Out West

WATSONVILLE, Calif. — Justin Sanders won the 30-lap Taco Bravo 360 Sprint Car Series feature at Ocean Speedway on Friday night.

He led all 30 laps after starting on the pole, having swept the night setting fast time, winning his heat race and also the dash.

Joey Ancona took the runner-up spot, posting his best finish of the season while J.J. Ringo rounded out the podium also with his best season’s finish.

The feature had two red flag stoppages. The first was on lap three when Jason Chisum caught a wheel in the third turn and did a series of flips. He was able to walk away however his race night was over.

Austin McCarl was the second driver to flip in the main. While running in the fourth spot, McCarl got hooked from behind coming off the second turn sending him over slowly on his side. Once up righted, McCarl was able to continue but was forced to restart from the tail of the field.

Once the track slicked off it became tricky to run fast and still stay on track.  Second place running Bud Kaeding became a victim on lap 16 when he brought out a caution after going over the cushion in the second turn. Kaeding, who was Sander’s only threat up to that point, had to restart from the rear of the field.

Sanders himself jumped the cushion while leading. He misjudged the fourth turn on lap 22 but had a large enough lead that once he recovered, he still remained out front.

It was his 12th victory of the season.

Dennis Simunovich won the SportMod feature.

The finish:

Justin Sanders, Joey Ancona, J.J. Ringo, Kyler Shaw, Koen Shaw, Bud Kaeding, Travis Labat, Austin McCarl. Keith Day Jr., Jeremy Chisum, Jerry Bonnema, Ryon Nelson, Chris Nelson, Josh Chisum, Jimmy Christenen, Andy Forsberg, Nick Ringo, Kurt Nelson, Eric Humphrises, Tristan Guardino, Jason Chisum