Santos Cruises to Dave Steele 125 Win at Showtime Speedway

By Pavement Pounders | Dave Sink

February 20, 2026 – Pinellas Park, Florida – Bobby Santos III took the lead on lap 22

after a brief battle with Joe Liguori and never looked back on his way to a victory in the

Dave Steele 125 at Showtime Speedway. The win was worth $5,000 to Santos.

Kody Swanson was the nights fast qualifier (13.770) and drew the pole position on the

redraw. He took the lead at the drop of the green in his Sam Pirece Chevrolet BEAST

chassis, but his mount lost power in turn 4 on the second lap, bringing out the yellow

flag.

Liguori assumed the point on lap 2 with Santos in hot pursuit. Santos briefly led on lap

11 before surrendering the lead back to Liguori.as the duo battled hard. Santos

eventually took the lead for good on lap 21 and cruised to a 8.999 second difference

over runner-up Anthony Nocella.

Nocella put on a show in the closing laps of the race. He tested the top side and the car

worked perfectly. He used the outside line to pass Davey Hamilton Jr. and Joe Liguori in

the final laps of the race. Joe Liguori rounded out the top three with a valiant effort.

“The car was actually really good tonight, which was nice because I struggle at places

like this” explained Santos in victory lane.” It feels good to get a win early in the year.

Winning a race in Dave Steele’s honor makes it more special. Looking forward to

tomorrow” concluded Santos.

Showtime Speedway will return to racing tonight with the second night of the Dave

Steele World Sprint Car Championship. Winged sprint cars will be on tap with a pair of

twin 40-lap features.

THE FINISH:

1) 22-Bobby Santos III; 2) 92-Anthony Nocella; 3) 68-Joe Liguori; 4) 26-Colton

Bettis; 5) 14-Davey Hamilton Jr.; 6) 59x-John Inman; 7) 24-Dylan Reynolds; 8)

33-Robert Yoho; 9) 1-Ray Bragg II; 10) 72-LJ Grimm; 11) 7X-Billy Boyd Jr.; 12)

51-Michael Meunier; 13) 55-Tomy Nichols; 14) 26s-Kody Swanson

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