Winton's Paul Stone earns IMCA Stock Cars victory

Stone leads every lap to claim $2,500 grand prize at Watsonville Speedway

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:53pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dynamic, colorful painting featuring bold brushstrokes and neon hues that convey the intense energy and motion of a stock car race, conceptually representing the excitement of the American Giuliani Construction and Restoration Classic event.An expressionist painting captures the raw power and speed of stock car racing at Watsonville Speedway's American Giuliani Construction and Restoration Classic.Winton Today

Veteran driver Paul Stone of Winton, California claimed the $2,500 grand prize in the inaugural running of the American Giuliani Construction and Restoration Classic IMCA Stock Cars race at Watsonville Speedway on Friday night. Stone led every lap of the 30-lap feature, holding off a relentless challenge from Tyler Bannister of Bakersfield.

Why it matters

The American Giuliani Construction and Restoration Classic marked a major event for the IMCA Stock Car division, drawing a large field of 103 cars to the Watsonville Speedway. Stone's victory was an impressive display of skill and consistency, fending off multiple challenges to secure the big payday.

The details

Stone began the evening by qualifying second overall in the 26-car field and shot to the lead by way of the pole position in the feature. He ended up leading every lap, but it was far from easy for him. A relentless Tyler Bannister of Bakersfield ran the high scary side of the quarter mile and gave it everything he had to try and get by for the lead. Stone was smooth as glass on the bottom though and never gave Bannister an opportunity to pounce.

  • On Friday night, April 18, 2026, the inaugural American Giuliani Construction and Restoration Classic was held at Watsonville Speedway.
  • The 30-lap IMCA Stock Cars feature race took place on this night.

The players

Paul Stone

A veteran driver from Winton, California who claimed the $2,500 grand prize in the IMCA Stock Cars feature race at the American Giuliani Construction and Restoration Classic.

Tyler Bannister

A driver from Bakersfield, California who ran the high groove and relentlessly challenged Stone for the lead throughout the IMCA Stock Cars feature race.

Watsonville Speedway

The quarter-mile racetrack in Watsonville, California that hosted the inaugural American Giuliani Construction and Restoration Classic event.

American Giuliani Construction and Restoration Classic

The inaugural running of this major IMCA Stock Cars event that drew a large field of 103 cars to Watsonville Speedway.

IMCA

The International Motor Contest Association, the sanctioning body for the IMCA Stock Cars division that was featured in the event.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It was far from easy for him.”

— Gary Thomas, Author

What’s next

The next major IMCA Stock Cars event at Watsonville Speedway will be the Little League Night at the Races on Friday, April 25, 2026.

The takeaway

Paul Stone's dominant victory in the inaugural American Giuliani Construction and Restoration Classic IMCA Stock Cars race showcased his skill and experience, as he fended off a relentless challenge from Tyler Bannister to claim the $2,500 grand prize. This event marked a significant moment for the IMCA Stock Car division, drawing a large field of 103 cars to the Watsonville Speedway.