Cole Croft cashes in for first career SCCT win at Adobe Cup 15
Recently turned 15-year-old Cole Croft made a mid-race move to get by Luke Hayes and held command over the remaining distance to snag his first career Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour win on Saturday.
Croft’s triumph came during the $5,000-to-win, 15th running of the Adobe Cup at Petaluma Speedway. His father Willie is a former two-time SCCT winner at the track, while Uncle Kyle Hirst has also been victorious at Petaluma with the tour.
The 30-lap Shop Kyle Larson feature began with Luke Hayes jumping into the lead from his pole position. The Dunnigan driver looked solid in the early stages as he fended off a very fast Croft, who stalked him while running second.
The only red flag of the race occurred on lap eight when fourth running Max Mittry got upside down. Third place driver Jake Haulot was also part of the incident in turn two, with both drivers being done for the night.
Seven-time Adobe Cup winner Andy Forsberg moved into third following slowdown and after going back green, methodically closed in on the two youngsters. Things began to get exciting as it became a three-car battle for the lead.
Hayes, Croft and Forsberg ran nose to tail as they entered lap traffic.
Croft then made his move on lap 16 to grab the lead, before Hayes spun a 360 shortly after in turn four on lap 18. He was able to keep going, but it forced Forsberg to check up just enough, resulting in the lapped car of Jeremy Wilson getting over his right rear and coming to a stop by the wall.
Forsberg also suffered a flat right rear tire and was forced to the work area for some fresh rubber. The final 12 laps saw Croft motor away with ease and grab the checkered flag aboard his Berco Building Materials No. 29 machine. It marked Croft’s fifth overall win during his rookie Sprint Car campaign.
John Clark had done a solid job to run second over the closing laps but unfortunately had issues on the final corner that left him parked just prior to the end.
Marysville’s Dawson Hammes, who started from position 12 had also run a strong race and moved into second as they crossed the line. It was a career best Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour finish for the driver that sits second in the standings with two races remaining.
Former Adobe Cup winner Sean Becker completed the podium, with Marysville’s Carson Hammes and 14th starting Bryant Bell earning their best career SCCT finishes in fourth and fifth respectively. Carson Hammes earned the Pit Stop USA Hard Charger Award with his drive from 16th to fourth.
Rounding out the top 10 were Jake Morgan, point leader Justyn Cox, Andy Forsberg, Brad Bumgarner and Dustin Freitas.
Max Mittry began the evening by claiming the Sierra Foothills Wine Services Fast Time Award by clocking a 12.728 around Petaluma 3/8 mile.
The Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour returns to action for championship weekend at Merced Speedway and the Stockton Dirt Track on November 6th and 7th.
Friday’s opener is the rescheduled event from a rainout at Merced in April, while Saturday’s finale in Stockton is the 43rd annual Tribute to Gary Patterson.
Results
Sprint Car Challenge Tour
15th annual Adobe Cup
Petaluma Speedway October 17th, 2026
A Feature 30 Laps
1. 29-Cole Croft[2]; 2. 55D-Dawson Hammes[12]; 3. 35-Sean Becker[7]; 4. 56C-Carson Hammes[16]; 5. 28K-Bryant Bell[14]; 6. 51-Jake Morgan[11]; 7. 42X-Justyn Cox[10]; 8. 92-Andy Forsberg[8]; 9. 88-Brad Bumgarner[13]; 10. 9-Dustin Freitas[9]; 11. 43-Bradley Terrell[6]; 12. 12J-John Clark[4]; 13. 2D-Luke Hayes[1]; 14. 46-Jeremy Wilson[15]; 15. 7H-Jake Haulot[3]; 16. 2XM-Max Mittry[5]
Heat 1 8 Laps
1. 2D-Luke Hayes[2]; 2. 2XM-Max Mittry[4]; 3. 12J-John Clark[1]; 4. 35-Sean Becker[6]; 5. 9-Dustin Freitas[3]; 6. 51-Jake Morgan[7]; 7. 88-Brad Bumgarner[5]; 8. 46-Jeremy Wilson[8]
Heat 2 8 Laps
1. 43-Bradley Terrell[2]; 2. 29-Cole Croft[1]; 3. 7H-Jake Haulot[4]; 4. 92-Andy Forsberg[3]; 5. 42X-Justyn Cox[5]; 6. 55D-Dawson Hammes[8]; 7. 28K-Bryant Bell[6]; 8. 56C-Carson Hammes[7]
Qualifying
1. 2XM-Max Mittry, 12.728[3]; 2. 7H-Jake Haulot, 12.765[6]; 3. 12J-John Clark, 12.832[7]; 4. 29-Cole Croft, 12.835[4]; 5. 2D-Luke Hayes, 13.025[14]; 6. 43-Bradley Terrell, 13.041[10]; 7. 9-Dustin Freitas, 13.059[1]; 8. 92-Andy Forsberg, 13.079[15]; 9. 88-Brad Bumgarner, 13.097[13]; 10. 42X-Justyn Cox, 13.104[8]; 11. 35-Sean Becker, 13.135[11]; 12. 28K-Bryant Bell, 13.298[12]; 13. 51-Jake Morgan, 13.421[5]; 14. 56C-Carson Hammes, 13.490[9]; 15. 46-Jeremy Wilson, 13.707[16]; 16. 55D-Dawson Hammes, 14.082[2]
Photos courtesy of Action Captured Images
Comments