Young Guns Shine at Watsonville Speedway with Impressive Win

Text
A 14-year-old driver from Sacramento achieved a milestone in motorsports after winning his first Gold Star GMC 360 Sprint Car race at Watsonville Speedway, according to a report from a Google Alert. Landon Henry, competing in the event on June 13, 2026, became the youngest driver to claim victory in the category, according to race officials.

Text
Henry, who hails from Sacramento, completed the 30-lap race ahead of competitors including Martinez’s Nick Decarlo in the IMCA Modifieds class and Yreka’s Bo Crebs in the Santa Cruz Apparel IMCA Sport Mods division. The victory marked Henry’s first career win in the Gold Star GMC 360 Sprint Car series, a category known for its high-speed competition and technical demands.

Text
Watsonville Speedway, located in Santa Cruz County, hosted the event as part of its regular racing schedule. The track, which opened in 1959, has become a key venue for regional motorsports, drawing drivers from across Northern California. Race officials confirmed that Henry’s win was verified through timing and scoring data collected during the event.

Text
Other notable performances included Porterville’s Colby Quinton in the R&J Landscaping Hobby Stocks and San Jose’s Mel Dunn in the Police N Pursuit class. While details about the outcomes of these races were not immediately available, the focus remained on Henry’s achievement, which has generated attention from local motorsports communities.

Text
Henry’s age and the significance of his win have sparked discussions about youth participation in motorsports. At 14, he is below the typical age range for competitors in the Gold Star GMC 360 Sprint Car category, which usually attracts drivers in their late teens or older. A spokesperson for the Sacramento Motor Racing Association noted that Henry’s success highlights the growing presence of young talent in the sport.

Text
The Gold Star GMC 360 Sprint Car series, part of the broader National Sprint Car Racing Association, features modified vehicles with 360 cubic-inch engines. The class is known for its competitive nature, with races often decided by fractions of a second. Henry’s victory, which came after a close battle with several veteran drivers, was confirmed by race officials using telemetry data.

Text
Local media outlets in Sacramento have begun covering Henry’s achievement, with some outlets highlighting his potential as a rising star in the sport. A report from the Sacramento Daily Journal noted that Henry has been competing in local karting events since age 10 and transitioned to sprint cars in 2024.

Text
While no official statements from Henry or his team were immediately available, the win has already drawn praise from motorsports enthusiasts. “It’s impressive to see a driver of his age compete at this level,” said Gary Thomas, a motorsports analyst based in San Jose. “This could be the start of a promising career.”

Text
The race at Watsonville Speedway was part of a larger weekend of events, including classes for modifieds, sport mods, and hobby stocks. Organizers reported strong attendance, with fans traveling from across the region to watch the competition.

Text
As of June 13, 2026, no further details about Henry’s future races or sponsorships have been released. However, his victory has already secured his place in the annals of local motorsports history, with many anticipating his next steps in the sport.