WATSONVILLE — Two-time Johnny Key Classic winner Dominic Scelzi of Fresno made the tow over to Watsonville Speedway pay off by winning opening night for the Gold Star GMC 360 Sprint Cars on Friday.
It was the first event held under the new management group of SRE Promotions with Rob Gallaher and family, along Samantha Harper. A solid and passionate crowd filled into the grandstands for what was an evening of positive vibes at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds bullring.
Dominic Scelzi celebrates his win in the Gold Star GMC 360 Sprint Cars main event at Watsonville Speedway on Friday. (Top Dawg Photos)
Fellow winners on opening night included Diego Nava in the Heat Wave Visual Four Bangers, Mike Santana in Police N Pursuit and Cody Gray in Western Midget Racing.
In the 25-lap Gold Star GMC Sprint Car feature it was Scelzi outdueling young Landon Henry on the start to grab the lead. Once out front, the two-time NARC champion put some distance between himself and the rest of the field.
Henry, just 14-years-old and making his second ever Sprint Car start, did a very nice job maintaining second until Dylan Bloomfield slipped past on lap nine. The “Oakley Outlaw” then closed in on the leader and certainly kept him honest throughout the remainder of the race.
Scelzi, however, was mistake-free while showing his veteran prowess, and went on to cross under the Ed Entz checkered flag for victory. The 28-year-old driver in fact, tallied his first career Sprint Car triumph at the track in 2012.
“It was great to see an awesome crowd here tonight and it feels amazing to be standing in victory lane,” said Scelzi, on the front stretch. “I have never won a race in my first start of the season, so that is pretty cool. I have to thank my family, crew chief Brent Ventura and everyone that supports us. Rob Gallaher and his staff gave us a beautiful track tonight and are really putting in the effort here.”
Bloomfield crossed the stripe in second followed youngster Jett Barnes in his debut with Jason Meyers Racing. The Visalia pilot earned the Keith Day Company Fast Time Award to begin the night. Auburn’s Andy Forsberg and Henry completed the top five. Bud Kaeding scored the Taco Bravo Hard Charger Award going from 14th to eighth.
Four Bangers
Making his first ever Watsonville Speedway start So-Cal racer Diego Nava picked up victory with the Heat Wave Visual Four Bangers on Friday. Kenny Stragalinos jumped out to the early lead and held command until Nava got by for the point from his fifth starting spot.
Nava went on to record the win over Stragalinos, Tony Gulo, Jonathan Welborn and Shelbie Freeman.
Police N Pursuit
The Police N Pursuit opener saw San Jose’s Mike Santana earn the win over Ben Standen and Kyle Wowak. The division will once again bring awareness and raise money for the Special Olympics in 2026.
Western Midget Racing
Western Midget Racing opened its season at the newly re-named Watsonville Speedway with a new winner with Auburn’s Cody Gray prevailing in the 20-lap feature.
Gray won the first six-lap heat race. Rookie pilot Nicholas Leonard of San Jose drove the Boscacci Racing No. 09 to victory in his inaugural heat race in the second run.
Delano’s Terry Nichols and defending champion Logan Mitchell of Santa Cruz shared the front row for the feature. Mitchell immediately darted out to the lead before slowing with mechanical issues on lap eight that eventually dropped him out of the event.
Gray inherited the lead then maintained it over several short cautions to win the feature. Nichols opened his season in second followed by Isaac Johnson, Leonard, and Cole Frerichs of Wheatland.
IF YOU GO
Friday Night Lights
When: Friday, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Watsonville Speedway
Events: 360 Sprint Cars, IMCA Sport Mods, IMCA Stock Car, Hobby Stocks, Four Bangers