Pettit leads cast of veterans at Ocean

WATSONVILLE — Once again, veteran racers led the way around Ocean Speedway at Watsonville on Friday evening.

Prunedale’s Jim Pettit II won the second round in IMCA-sanctioned modified racing on the well-prepped quarter-mile clay oval.

Pettit Led 18 of 25 laps in the main event. He closed a perfect night of racing by winning the second heat race.

Early race leader Jerry Movrich tried to hold Pettit to second place, but the two-time NASCAR Southwest Tour and 2011 SRL tour champion made an outside pass on the eighth round for the eventual win.

Seventh-place starter Nick DeCarlo of Martinez tried to battle with Pettit on the restarts, but it didn’t work; he settled for second place.

Salinas’ Bobby Hogge IV, winner of the first round in the modified’s division, finished third after starting ninth. He outmaneuvered Morgan Hill’s Jeff Decker on the final lap to take the spot by a half of a car length. Salinas’ Robert Marsh finished fifth.

Aptos’ Nick Silva earned the hard charger title in the race. Driving with a brand new Dana Stahl chassis, the 2011 American Stock champion started last and improved eight positions to finish ninth.

For the complete article see the 04-10-2012 issue.

Click here to purchase an electronic version of the 04-10-2012 paper.

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