Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Mitchell, Nelson, Payne and Marcelli early season points favorites at the Acres

Mitchell, Nelson, Payne and Marcelli early season points favorites at the Acres

By Matthew J. Sullivan

The 2011 season at Redwood Acres Raceway has got off to a fast start. After the initial season opener was rained out on April 16th, racing was able to resume on April 30th Pepsi Night and May 7th for the Mother’s Day weekend races. Coincidentally, it appeared as though Mother Nature was going to intervene in the middle of the scheduled action for the Mother’s Day races. A heavy mist fell over the track during the real stock heat race slowing and eventually delaying the on-track action. Thankfully the skies lifted and with the cars and drivers in the real stock and roadrunner divisions circling the speedway, the track dried and racing was able to resume.

The winners in the real stock division last race included Ryan Robinson in the trophy dash, Doug Way in the heat race and Casey Mitchell in the main event, giving him both feature wins on the season. In the roadrunner division, Michael Lawrence prevailed in the trophy dash to win while Robbie Nelson doubled up winning the heat race and the main event. Randy Olson swept all three events in the Thunder Roadster division, overcoming oil and carburetor problems that have plagued his car since last season. Larry Pries won the sportsman trophy dash last race while Angelo Marcelli took the heat and main event victories.

With only two races in the books, the battle for the track championship in all four local divisions is still anyone’s race. Casey Mitchell holds a 17 point advantage over second place, Donnie Hyman in the real stocks 142-125. Robbie Nelson has a narrow lead in the roadrunner class, leading the duo of Nick Hansen and Brian Murrell, Jr. by only five points, 139-134. Defending Thunder Roadster track champion, Thomas Payne leads Chris Sarvinski by 13 markers, 134-121. In the sportsman division, Angelo Marcelli leads with 129 points while second place has a tie between Larry Pries and Brandon Barnwell at 124 points. Unfortunately for Barnwell, he hit the wall hard in the last main event and it will be interesting to see if the incident will knock him out of the running for the points championship.

Racing returns to Redwood Acres Raceway this Saturday night May 21st with all four local classes back in action.

Points Standings (After 2 Races)

Real Stocks
1. 69 Casey Mitchell 142
2. 58 Donnie Hyman 125
3. 1 Nick Green 123
4. 74 Doug Way 120
5. 47 Ryan Robinson 116
6. 48 Steve Kimberling 110
7. 55 Bob Lima/Donnie Brown 104
8. 57 Wyatt Roach 96
9. 44 Jim Redd 70
10. 12 Ryan Walters 58
11. 99 Chris Naughton 50
12. 33 Dax Kinsey 46
13. 3 Mark Williams 10

Roadrunners
1. 24 Robbie Nelson 139
2. 33 Nick Hansen/Brian Murrell, Jr. 134
3. 48 Josh Hanson 131
4. 47 Michael Lawrence 129
5. 10 Kolby Jackson 117
6. 43 Rob Mattox 116
7. 13 Heath Roach 109
8. 69 Tim Abeyta 108
9. 7 Ken Barrett 103
10. 11 Brett Murrell 97
11. 6 Jennifer Barrett 92
12. 14 Jarrett Mayo 39
13. 01 Dylan Cook 23

Thunder Roadsters
1. 66 Thomas Payne 134
2. 23 Chris Sarvinski 121
3. 82 Robert Miller 119
4. 21 Fergy Ferguson 119
5. 5 Bruce Ziemer 116
6. 50 Dan Browne 102
7. 16 Allen Olson 101
8. 95 Belinda Ward 101
9. 11 Randy Olson 91
10. 15 Paul Peeples,Jr. 73
11. 73 Bernard Burns 46
12. 99 Jim Rich 45
13. 18 Rob Nelson 43

Sportsman
1. 25 Angelo Marcelli 129
2. 19 Dennis DelBiaggio 124
3. 56 Brandon Barnwell 124
4. 01 Larry Pries 123
5. 84 Ken Hallis 119
6. 40 Al Acuna 113
7. 8 Kenny Demello 106