Moulton, Hall, Peeples fair night winners at the Acres
By Matthew J. Sullivan
For the first time in several years, fair night races
returned to Redwood Acres Raceway this past Friday and Saturday night. There
was plenty of close and exciting racing in all five local divisions which
thrilled the crowd both evenings. In addition to the races, there were also
special post-race events on both nights. Friday night featured the quad wars
while Saturday night was concluded with a destruction derby.
Heat races were eliminated in all five divisions on Friday
while laps were added to each classes feature event. Eugene Palmer took the
trophy dash victory in the Humboldt Hydroponics roadrunner division. The 30-lap
feature was highlighted by a battle for the win between Palmer and division
point leader, Gary Klinetobe. In the end, Klinetobe was able to take the
victory over Palmer, Tim Abeyta, Grey Ethridge and Rob Robinson.
Leonard Ward won Friday’s trophy dash for the John’s Used
Cars and Wreckers bomber division. The main event saw misfortune for two
drivers. Matt Simon broke a rear end part which caused his right rear wheel to
leave his car, ending his night prematurely. Later on, Michael Lawrence and
Tyler Avelar got together going into the third turn. After the ensuing restart,
Avelar took Lawrence into the turn one wall ending up with Lawrence’s car out
for the rest of the weekend and Avelar disqualified from the event. At the
checkered flag it was Ward over James Moore, Donnie Hyman, Lawrence and Simon.
Rick Estes stepped up from the roadrunners to the Humboldt
Motorsports and Humboldt Bay Coffee Company mini stock division, taking the
trophy dash win on Friday night. The main event was featured a fantastic duel
for the win between Nick Green and Brian Murrell, Jr. The two swapped the lead
in the late stages and just as Green began to close back up to Murrell to
challenge for the top spot, he spun off the fourth turn. Murrell went on to
take the win ahead of Green, Estes, Chelsea Champagne and Sam Brown.
The Bear River Hotel and Casino Thunder Roadster trophy dash
victory was taken by Paul Peeples, Jr. The 40-lap main event was a repeat of
what has been seen in the division all season long as well as in recent years;
a duel for the victory between Peeples and Henderson. At the finish it was
Peeples beating Henderson, Chris Sarvinski, Thomas Payne and Robbie Nelson.
Luke Hall won the Mid City Motor World late model trophy
dash. The 45-lap feature started off bad for several drivers. On the initial
start, Ryan Peeples got loose and spun coming to the green along with Kenny
Demello. The next start saw Demello come together with Kevin Estep resulting in
Estep receiving damage that ended the rest of his weekend. Hall was the early
leader but lost the lead when Demello’s car developed issues and slowed in
front of him. Mic Moulton was able to take advantage of Hall’s misfortune and
take the win. Hall placed second, Ryun Leazer third, Jed Ambrosini fourth and
Demello fifth.
The post-race quad wars event was a new attraction at the
Acres. A special short oval was created in the infield for the quads to run in.
Aiden Kimberling was the winner in the junior event over MKinzy Uselton while
the team of Anthony Rosa and Nick Hanson were victorious in the adult event.
Saturday’s Humboldt Hydroponics roadrunner trophy dash went
to Gary Klinetobe while the heat races were won by Rob Robinson and Eugene
Palmer. The main event was slowed several times but produced a thrilling finish
between Klinetobe and Palmer. The two came off the final corner side-by-side
with Palmer just edging Klinetobe for the win. Former real stock driver, Steve
Kimberling placed third while Tim Abeyta and Dillon Ford rounded out the top
five finishers.
James Moore won the John’s Used Cars and Wreckers bomber
dash while Leonard Ward took the heat race victory. Early in the main event, it
appeared as though Donnie Hyman might be able to hold off Ward who has been the
dominant force in the division this season. Ward was able to overpower Hyman
eventually and cruised easily to the win. Moore took second, Tyler Avelar
third, Hyman fourth and Matt Simon fifth.
The Humboldt Hydroponics mini stock trophy dash win was
taken by Nick Green. He was able to follow that victory up with another in the
heat race. Rookie, Rick Estes gave Green all he could handle for the win but
Green’s previous experience in the real stock class paid off as he swept the
night beating Estes, Chelsea Champagne, Sam Brown and Brett Murrell.
The Bear River Hotel and Casino Thunder Roadster division
was dominated once again by Paul Peeples, Jr. who won the trophy dash. Peeples
took the heat race win which saw an accident that involved Thomas Payne and
Mike Ward. Payne and Chris Sarvinski spun off the fourth turn. While coming to
the yellow flag, Ward hit Payne’s car knocking off the right front suspension
and ending his night. Just like the night before, the main event saw a duel
between Peeples and David Henderson. Once again it was Peeples winning ahead of
Henderson, Robbie Nelson, Thomas Payne and Sarvinski.
Mic Moulton won the Mid City Motor World late model trophy
dash Saturday night. He was able to follow that win up with another in the heat
race. The main event saw close nip and tuck racing between Luke Hall and
Moulton for the race lead. On the final lap, Moulton got inside of Hall going
down the back stretch. The two raced side-by-side coming off turn four with
Hall narrowly defeating Moulton for the win. Kenny Demello finished third, Ryan
Peeples fourth and Jed Ambrosini fifth.
Following the racing on the oval, Redwood Acres Raceway held
its first demolition derby in many years in the track’s in field. Doug Emery
made the long tow from Butte City to participate in the event and was able to
take the derby win.
Racing returns to Redwood Acres Raceway for a special
fireworks show on Saturday July 5th. Joining the five local
divisions will be the return of the North State Modified Series which raced at
the Acres earlier this season on May 25th. Grandstands open at 5:00
PM while racing begins at 6:00 PM. For further information, visit Redwood Acres
Raceway’s new and official website, www.racingtheacres.com.