5/3/2025
Santa Maria Speedway
Montgomery Triumphant at Home Town Track
SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Avanti Windows and Door USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series made their first of two stops of the 2025 season at Santa Maria Speedway and filled the night with thrilling action. Joining them on the card was Coastal Creations Financial Mini Stocks.
Eighteen USAC/CRA Sprint Cars checked in and kicked the night off with Woodland Auto Display and WC Friend Company Access Solutions Qualifying, seeing a new track record set by Laveen, Arizona's R.J. Johnson at a blistering pace of 13.206. The previous track record stood for nearly 17 years, set on June 14, 2008 by Blake Miller with a 13.230. Qualifying set the tone for the remainder of the night with fast paces and plentiful action.
The eighteen car field was split into three heat races with Goleta's David Gasper, "The Big Game Hunter" Austin Williams and brother Logan Williams all scoring victories.
Tommy "Thunder" Malcolm, who is a previous USAC/CRA and Super Late Model feature event winner at Santa Maria Speedway, led the field to the green flag for thirty laps aside Blake Bower. Malcolm quickly jumped to the lead setting a rapid pace. He led for twenty seven circuits before Templeton's "Human Highlight Reel" Kaleb Montgomery took advantage in lapped traffic and overtook the lead. He crossed the line ahead of Malcolm and San Diego's AJ Bender. Montgomery's victory at his home track netted him $3,500 and his first victory with USAC/CRA.
Coastal Creations Financial Mini Stocks drew in thirteen cars for the second round of competition at the third-mile clay oval. Their night started with two heat races with veteran driver Gary Rayburn Jr. and last week's feature event winner Justin Jackson picking up wins.
Bob Dias and Justin Dye led the field to the green flag for twenty laps of action. Dias took the lead at the drop of the green before losing position to Gary Rayburn Jr. working lapped traffic. It was not long before Jackson found his way to the front and made a move for the lead on lap twelve, leading the final eight laps to secure back-to-back victories. Dias battled back to a second place finish ahead of Rayburn Jr., Levi Burgett and Arron Calvert.
For full Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA results, visit www.USACracing.com
For full Coastal Creations Financial Mini Stock Results, visit https://www.santamariaspeedway.net/schedules/event/583695
The third-mile clay oval will return to action on Saturday, May 17th for a highly anticipated night of open wheel action featuring USCS Sprint Cars, USAC Western States Midgets, SoCal Dwarf Cars and American Stocks. It will be the first appearance for all divisions in the 2025 season. Front gates will open at 4:00 PM with racing at 6:00 PM. For full information and pre-sale tickets visit www.SantaMariaSpeedway.net
Image Credit: Lance Jennings / SCRAfan.com
Article Credit: Stephanie Odom