Jeremy Alves Continues Strong Santa Maria Run with Runner-Up Finish
SANTA MARIA, CA — Jeremy Alves and the Alves Motorsports team returned to Santa Maria Speedway on June 13 for another round of California Sprint Series competition, looking to continue the success they've enjoyed at one of Jeremy's favorite tracks.
A strong field of 14 California Sprint Series drivers checked into the pits, and Jeremy drew pill number 36, sending him out 6th for qualifying.
The evening, however, didn't get off to a typical start.
Racing was originally scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m., but unexpected track complications delayed the program. The track crew worked tirelessly throughout the afternoon to prepare the racing surface, allowing the night's event to move forward despite the setbacks.
When Jeremy finally rolled onto the speedway, he immediately noticed the surface was much different than what teams typically experience at Santa Maria Speedway. The Alves Motorsports crew made several adjustments throughout qualifying while Jeremy experimented with different racing lines, but finding speed proved difficult for nearly every competitor.
Despite the changing conditions, Jeremy put together another solid qualifying effort, recording the 5th-fastest time of the evening. That performance placed him on the outside of the front row alongside veteran driver George Tristao Jr. for his heat race.
The heat race quickly became a battle against the racetrack itself.
With the surface becoming extremely bottom dominant, the field spread out after the initial start as drivers searched for every bit of available grip. After navigating a race filled with slipping and sliding, Jeremy brought the No. 81a home with a strong 2nd-place finish.
Following the heat race and the night's invert, Jeremy earned the pole position for the Quick Change Liquid Energy main event.
Before climbing back into the car, Jeremy took part in Santa Maria Speedway's Fan Fest, one of his favorite traditions each race weekend.
Jeremy spent time signing autographs, taking photos, and visiting with fans of all ages before returning to the pits to prepare for the night's feature.
"The fans at Santa Maria are incredible," said Alves. "Getting to spend time with everyone before the race is something I always look forward to. Their support means a lot to our entire team."
When the green flag waved for the main event, Jeremy quickly discovered the racing surface had become extremely slick, with nearly all of the speed concentrated along the very bottom of the racetrack.
Jeremy led the field through the opening laps, doing everything he could to protect the preferred groove. On lap 13, however, one small mistake exiting the corner opened the door for veteran driver Davey Pombo to slip underneath and take over the lead.
Rather than letting the moment unravel his race, Jeremy regrouped, settled back into his rhythm, and drove a smart, consistent race to the checkered flag, earning another impressive podium finish with a 2nd-place result.
The runner-up finish continued Jeremy's strong season at Santa Maria Speedway and added another podium to an already impressive 2026 campaign.
Jeremy and the Alves Motorsports team would also like to extend a sincere thank you to the Santa Maria Speedway track crew for their tireless work throughout the afternoon. Despite challenging conditions and significant delays, their dedication allowed the event to be completed and gave the drivers an opportunity to put on a show for the fans.
The team would also like to thank the incredible Santa Maria fans for their patience, enthusiasm, and continued support. Whether during Fan Fest or throughout the night's racing, the energy from the grandstands continues to make Santa Maria one of Jeremy's favorite places to compete.
Jeremy now turns his attention to June 27, when the California Sprint Series returns to Santa Maria Speedway for another exciting night of racing.
Jeremy Alves would like to thank his 2026 sponsors: Alves & Sons Diesel Repair, Hanford Auto Sales, Westscapes, VanEssen Motorsports, Pacific Towing, and series sponsor Quick Change Liquid Energy.
Fans can follow Jeremy on social media and visit JeremyAlves.com for the latest race updates, recaps, photos, and schedule information.
For sponsorship or media inquiries, contact Jeremy at jalves81a@gmail.com.