Ocean Speedway Wright One 360 Sprint Car Series, Round Nine Friday
night August 29, 2008. The 48th running of the Johnny Key Classic
Round nine of the potent Wright One 360 Sprint Car Series featured the 48th running of the Johhny Key Classic. This event has been a prestigious event in the San Jose area for many years and with the rebirth of the sprint cars at Watsonville's Ocean Speedway it looks as though it will be here to stay for a while. Friday night action had 14 cars pre-qualified for the event and an additional 12 spots available for the taking via the B main event. Tyler Walker and Ronnie Day were pre qualifiers that did not show up; therefore (2) additional transfer positions were available.
B Main event action saw Salinas driver Keith Day take the checkers over Justin Sanders, Cory Eliason, Matt Sargent, Wayne Katen and Jason Newton. The final transfer positions went to Jerry Bonnema, Steve Osborne, former Key winner Eric Rossi, Mike Stallings and Ken Fredenburg. Anthony Simone who had a B feature mishap was the recipient of a transfer spot when Stephen Allard and the David Key trucking team were forced to scratch from the event with mechanical woes.
The pre qualified cars were locked into trophy dashes that determined the starting spots for the A feature. The first dash determined the top seven spots, and at the checkers it was Scotts Valley driver Evan Suggs earning the pole spot for the 48th running of the Key. Craig Stidham chased Suggs to the line followed by Tommy Tarlton and Brent Kaeding. Dash number two saw Ricky Wright Jr. out duel former Key race winner "Cowboy" Craig Smith for the win. Wright and Smith were followed to the line by Kurt Nelson and Andy Ferris.
The A feature was off to a slow start with two immediate red flags for Wayne Katen and Brad Furr. The second red flag was lengthy as young Cory Eliason had taken a hard inpact into the turn two barrier that required a trip to the hospital. Thankfully Eliason is slated for a full recovery. The 3rd attempt at a start proved worthy as the next 25 laps would go nonstop. At the halfway point it was Fresno racer Tommy Tarlton and his Tarlton and Sons #21 heading the field with Evan Suggs hot on his tail. As the second segment heated up, the fog was coming on and so was point leader Brent Kaeding. BK was racing his way through the fog and onto the back bumber of leader Tarlton. As Tarlton encountered lapped traffic BK made a move underneath the leader and the lapper and never looked back. This was BK's second career Johnny Key Classic victory. Behind BK and Tarlton is was Jason Statler, Bud Kaeding and Ricky Wright Jr. This was definitely a race of attrition as many cars fell out in late race altercations or with mechanical issues. None the less the race was exciting, and the Ocean staff did a great job getting the fans involved. Prior to the start of the race the cars were lined up on the front straightaway and all of the participants were introduced. This was reminiscent of the "old days". I know everyone involved is eagerly awaiting the 2009 Key Classic and everyone should expect it to be bigger and better.
Results
Dash #1 Evan Suggs, Craig Stidham, Tommy Tarlton, Brent Kaeding, Jason Statler, Brad Furr and Bud Kaeding
Dash #2 Ricky Wright Jr., Craig Smith, Kurt Nelson, Andy Ferris
B Main Keith Day, Justin Sanders, Cory Eliason, Matt Sargent, Wayne Katen, Jason Newton, Jerry Bonnema, Steve Osborne, Eric Rossi, Mike Stallings, Burt Foland Jr. , Ken Fredenburg
Main Event
Brent Kaeding, Tommy Tarlton, Jason Statler, Bud Kaeding, Ricky Wright Jr., Kurt Nelson, Andy Ferris, Craig Smith, Ken Fredenburg, Steve Osborne, Eric Rossi, Anthony Simone, Jerry Bonnema, Burt Foland Jr., Matt Sargent, Justin Sanders, Jason Newton, Mike Stallings, Evan Suggs, Craig Stidham, Brad Furr, Cory Eliason, Keith Day, Wayne Katen
Was an Honor to Cover The 48th Johnny Key Classic. A Special Thanks to The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds and Board, John Prentice, Rick Wright, Jason Newton Steve Jones, all The Drivers and Crew, Fans, Preferred Management Contributing to The Dash, Yak Graphics, Sun Electric, Sunnyvale Welding all contributing to The Dash and Events, Budweiser, Ocean Honda and all Associate Sponsers. Key Clips up Soon.
