Sunday, October 11, 2015

Top 100+ NASCAR Southwest Tour Drivers Of All-Time Full List

1. Ron Hornaday, Jr. - 1992 & 1993 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 130 starts, 18 wins, 74 top 5s, 92 top 10s, 8.3 average finish
2. Rick Carelli - 1991 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 92 starts, 21 wins, 51 top 5s, 58 top 10s, 9.4 average finish
3. Mike Chase - 1987 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 85 starts, 19 wins, 44 top 5s, 53 top 10s, 9.2 average finish
4. Roman Calczynski - 1988 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 72 starts, 9 wins, 39 top 5s, 49 top 10s, 9.2 average finish
5. Dan Press - 1989 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 65 starts, 14 wins, 29 top 5s, 37 top 10s, 10.0 average finish
6. M.K. Kanke - 215 starts, 22 wins, 88 top 5s, 123 top 10s, 11.0 average finish
7. Eric Holmes - 81 starts, 9 wins, 33 top 5s, 50 top 10s, 11.3 average finish
8. Auggie Vidovich - 2003 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 94 starts, 11 wins, 35 top 5s, 56 top 10s, 12.1 average finish
9. Lance Hooper - 1995 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 56 starts, 7 wins, 24 top 5s, 34 top 10s, 10.9 average finish
10. Chris Raudman - 1996 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 44 starts, 5 wins, 23 top 5s, 29 top 10s, 8.5 average finish

11. David Gilliland - 37 starts, 9 wins, 15 top 5s, 22 top 10s, 12.1 average finish
12. Craig Raudman - 2001 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 169 starts, 14 wins, 57 top 5s, 93 top 10s, 8.5 average finish
13. Troy Beebe - 86 starts, 6 wins 37 top 5s, 52 top 10s, 11.2 average finish
14. Doug George - 1990 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 93 starts, 9 wins, 28 top 5s, 56 top 10s, 9.8 average finish
15. Kurt Busch - 1999 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 40 starts, 7 wins, 15 top 5s, 22 top 10s, 10.9 average finish
NR. Ken Schrader - 31 starts, 6 wins, 15 top 5s, 18 top 10s, 11.8 average finish
16. Jim Pettit, II - 2004 & 2005 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 103 starts, 8 wins, 34 top 5s, 54 top 10s, 11.3 average finish
17. Jim Inglebright - 108 starts, 8 wins, 35 top 5s, 62 top 10s, 11.8 average finish
18. Bryan Germone - 1997 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 180 starts, 8 wins, 64 top 5s, 104 top 10s, 10.7 average finish
19. Eddy McKean - 2002 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 83 starts, 5 wins, 33 top 5s, 49 top 10s, 10.9 average finish
20. Ron Esau - 1986 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 62 starts, 6 wins, 23 top 5s, 33 top 10s, 12.9 average finish

21. Dale Williams - 38 starts, 6 wins, 12 top 5s, 19 top 10s, 11.3 average finish
22. Steve Portenga - 1994 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 88 starts, 6 wins, 26 top 5s, 46 top 10s, 11.6 average finish
23. Jon Paques - 81 starts, 6 wins, 27 top 5s, 42 top 10s, 15.0 average finish
24. Matt Crafton - 2000 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 79 starts, 5 wins, 22 top 5s, 35 top 10s, 12.1 average finish
25. Jim Thirkettle - 25 starts, 1 win, 10 top 5s, 15 top 10s, 10.1 average finish
26. Doug McCoun - 207 starts, 9 wins, 49 top 5s, 87 top 10s, 13.5 average finish
27. Burney Lamar - 75 starts, 4 wins, 19 top 5s, 36 top 10s, 13.1 average finish
28. Rip Michaels - 2006 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 36 starts, 1 win, 11 top 5s, 21 top 10s, 11.4 average finish
29. Ken Boyd - 80 starts, 2 wins, 24 top 5s, 40 top 10s, 11.5 average finish
30. Ken Pedersen - 52 starts, 3 wins, 14 top 5s, 24 top 10s, 13.4 average finish

31. Ray Hooper, Jr. - 90 starts, 3 wins, 20 top 5s, 48 top 10s, 12.6 average finish
32. Mark Reed - 102 starts, 4 wins, 28 top 5s, 43 top 10s, 14.1 average finish
33. Loran Kelley - 79 starts, 4 wins, 16 top 5s, 34 top 10s, 13.4 average finish
34. Roger Avants - 54 starts, 2 wins, 13 top 5s, 25 top 10s, 13.3 average finish
35. Kevin Harvick - 39 starts, 4 wins, 11 top 5s, 14 top 10s, 16.7 average finish
36. Sean Woodside - 34 starts, 2 wins, 8 top 5s, 14 top 10s, 14.1 average finish
37. Bruce Yackey - 29 starts, 1 win, 8 top 5s, 13 top 10s, 13.3 average finish
38. Steve Johnson - 33 starts, 1 win, 7 top 5s, 17 top 10s, 13.3 average finish
39. Mike Cofer - 17 starts, 1 win, 3 top 5s, 9 top 10s, 12.8 average finish
40. Brett Bell - 45 starts, 1 win, 11 top 5s, 20 top tens, 15.4 average finish

41. Sean Monroe - 55 starts, 2 wins, 12 top 5s, 20 top 10s, 14.7 average finish
42. Dennis Dyer - 143 starts, 1 win, 32 top 5s, 51 top 10s, 15.1 average finish
43. Jon Nelson - 30 starts, 2 wins, 6 top 5s, 11 top 10s, 14.7 average finish
44. Bob Lyon - 282 starts, 4 wins, 42 top 5s, 92 top 10s, 15.5 average finish
45. John Metcalf - 43 starts, 9 top 5s, 22 top 10s, 12.2 average finish, best finish 2nd (twice)
46. Michael Alsup - 71 starts, 1 win, 12 top 5s, 29 top 10s, 12.9 average finish
47. Ron Eaton - 21 starts, 1 win, 4 top 5s, 10 top 10s, 17.0 average finish
48. Dan Holtz - 50 starts, 1 win, 12 top 5s, 18 top 10s, 16.0 average finish
49. Bill Sedgwick - 21 starts, 3 top 5s, 13 top 10s, 9.8 average finish, best finish 3rd
50. Chris Trickle - 34 starts, 1 win, 8 top 5s, 12 top 10s, 13.3 average finish

51. Keith Spangler - 126 starts, 18 top 5s, 52 top 10s, 13.7 average finish, best finish 2nd
52. Chuck Pittenger - 30 starts, 4 top 5s, 17 top 10s, 11.6 average finish, best finish 2nd
53. Steve Belletto - 43 starts, 6 top 5s, 18 top 10s, 13.0 average finish, best finish 3rd
54. Randy Olson - 45 starts, 7 top 5s, 18 top 10s, 15.1 average finish, best finish 2nd
55. Greg Voigt - 52 starts, 6 top 5s, 23 top 10s, 14.6 average finish, best finish 2nd
56. Damon Lusk - 21 starts, 4 top 5s, 9 top 10s, 14.0 average finish, best finish 2nd (twice)
57. Roger Gannon - 29 starts, 4 top 5s, 13 top 10s, 13.5 average finish, best finish 2nd
58. Mike Hood - 34 starts, 1 win, 4 top 5s, 12 top 10s, 14.2 average finish
59. Danny Burson - 29 starts, 6 top 5s, 11 top 10s, 16.7 average finish, best finish 2nd
60. Danny Crafton - 102 starts, 9 top 5s, 38 top 10s, 14.1 average finish, best finish 2nd (twice)

61. Darrell LaMoure - 142 starts, 1 win, 10 top 5s, 45 top 10s, 16.4 average finish
62. Kenny Shepherd - 96 starts, 11 top 5s, 31 top 10s, 16.4 average finish, best finish 2nd
63. Tom Caturgeli - 19 starts, 2 top 5s, 9 top 10s, 12.9 average finish, best finish 2nd
64. David Mayhew - 14 starts, 2 top 5s, 6 top 10s, 13.7 average finish, best finish 5th
65. Randy Becker - 18 starts, 3 top 5s, 7 top 10s, 15.9 average finish, best finish 3rd
66. Frank Maronski, Jr. - 123 starts, 1 win, 9 top 5s, 32 top 10s, 16.4 average finish
67. Mark Meech - 50 starts, 2 wins, 5 top 5s, 11 top 10s, 17.8 average finish
68. Jason Fensler - 27 starts, 3 top 5s, 10 top 10s, 15.5 average finish, best finish 2nd
69. Tom Hubert - 23 starts, 3 top 5s, 9 top 10s, 18.6 average finish, best finish 4th (twice)
70. John Dillon - 23 starts, 3 top 5s, 9 top 10s, 19.5 average finish, best finish 2nd

71. Scott Lynch - 54 starts, 8 top 5s, 13 top 10s, 18.8 average finish, best finish 2nd
72. Dave Byrd - 31 starts, 2 top 5s, 13 top 10s, 15.9 average finish, best finish 4th
73. Kevin Riniker - 25 starts, 1 win, 2 top 5s, 8 top 10s, 15.5 average finish
74. Randy Laskowsky - 33 starts, 3 top 5s, 11 top 10s, 14.9 average finish, best finish 5th (three times)
75. Todd Souza - 64 starts, 5 top 5s, 17 top 10s, 16.0 average finish, best finish 2nd (three times)
76. Nick Joanides - 59 starts, 4 top 5s, 18 top 10s, 16.1 average finish, best finish 3rd
77. Zach Niessner - 21 starts, 4 top 5s, 5 top 10s, 19.9 average finish, best finish 2nd
78. Roy Testa - 99 starts, 6 top 5s, 23 top 10s, 16.3 average finish, best finish 2nd (twice)
79. Scott Brandt - 18 starts, 2 top 5s, 6 top 10s, 16.4 average finish, best finish 3rd
80. Frank Adamo - 20 starts, 3 top 5s, 5 top 10s, 19.7 average finish, best finish 2nd

81. Ben Walker - 38 starts, 3 top 5s, 8 top 10s, 17.1 average finish, best finish 2nd
82. Chris Shannon - 24 starts, 3 top 5s, 6 top 10s, 18.9 average finish, best finish 4th (twice)
83. Keith Van Houten - 42 starts, 1 top 5, 15 top 10s, 12.9 average finish, best finish 4th
84. Rocky Nash - 61 starts, 1 win, 3 top 5s, 14 top 10s, 18.3 average finish
85. Steve Smith - 20 starts, 2 top 5s, 6 top 10s, 17.0 average finish, best finish 5th (twice)
86. Will Harper - 45 starts, 1 top 5, 17 top 10s, 15.6 average finish, best finish 3rd
87. Terry Henry - 46 starts, 3 top 5s, 11 top 10s, 17.5 average finish, best finish 3rd
88. Bryan Brown - 62 starts, 21 top 10s, 14.3 average finish, best finish 6th (twice)
89. Glen Cummings - 46 starts, 3 top 5s, 9 top 10s, 16.9 average finish, best finish 2nd
90. Kevin Clark - 33 starts, 1 top 5, 12 top 10s, 17.6 average finish, best finish 4th

91. Tony Toste - 46 starts, 16 top 10s, 15.2 average finish, 6th (four times)
92. John Krebs - 16 starts, 1 top 5, 4 top 10s, 14.8 average finish, best finish 5th
93. Kevin Vernon - 32 starts, 1 win, 2 top 5s, 4 top 10s, 19.3 average finish
94. John Walsh - 38 starts, 2 top 5s, 9 top 10s, 17.4 average finish, best finish 2nd
95. Greg Scheidecker - 47 starts, 2 top 5s, 11 top 10s, 16.4 average finish, best finish 4th
96. Tom Price - 24 starts, 1 top 5, 6 top 10s, 13.6 average finish, best finish 5th
97. J.R. Patton - 18 starts, 1 top 5, 5 top 10s, 17.3 average finish, best finish 3rd
98. Blair Aiken - 14 starts, 5 top 10s, 13.8 average finish, best finish 6th
99. Brandon Whitt - 23 starts, 1 top 5, 6 top 10s, 16.0 average finish, best finish 5th
100. Joe Herold - 56 starts, 1 top 5, 13 top 10s, 16.0 average finish, best finish 2nd

#101: Scott Busby - 73 starts, 2 top 5s, 13 top 10s, 18.5 average finish, best finish 5th (two times)
#102: John Baker - 42 starts, 2 top 5s, 8 top 10s, 18.2 average finish, best finish 4th
#103: Thomas Martin - 54 starts, 3 top 5s, 7 top 10s, 19.0 average finish, best finish 4th
#104: Mark Perry - 86 starts, 2 top 5s, 13 top 10s, 17.3 average finish, best finish 3rd
#105: Dean Huss, Jr. - 13 starts, 4 top 10s, 14.6 average finish, best finish 6th
#106: Stephen Sadler - 22 starts, 1 top 5, 5 top 10s, 19.2 average finish, best finish 5th
#107: Gary Tamborelli - 29 starts, 1 top 5, 5 top 10s, 17.7 average finish, best finish 5th
#108: Bruce Bechtel - 22 starts, 1 top 5, 3 top 10s, 17.6 average finish, best finish 5th
#109: Doug Renno - 37 starts, 7 top 10s, 16.6 average finish, best finish 7th
#110: Ray Lawson, Jr. - 29 starts, 5 top 10s, 15.8 average finish, best finish 7th (three times)

#111: Roy Pruett - 18 starts, 3 top 10s, 15.0 average finish, best finish 8th
#112: Davy Lee Liniger - 20 starts, 1 top 5, 2 top 10s, 19.6 average finish, best finish 4th
#113: Mike Ledbetter - 53 starts, 8 top 10s, 18.9 average finish, best finish 6th
#114: Dan Bishop - 19 starts, 3 top 10s, 16.4 average finish, best finish 10th (twice)
#115: Mark Wilson - 20 starts, 1 top 5, 1 top 10, best finish 5th
#116: Harry Brady - 73 starts, 8 top 10s, 18.7 average finish, best finish 6th
#117: Greg Fowler - 49 starts, 5 top 10s, 18.5 average finish, best finish 8th (two times)
#118: Don Campbell - 20 starts, 3 top 10s, 19.2 average finish, best finish 8th
#119: Jeff Hill - 22 starts, 3 top 10s, 22.3 average finish, best finish 7th
#120: Ray Neveau - 48 starts, 4 top 10s, 20.0 average finish, best finish 7th

#121: Steve Petty - 29 starts, 3 top 10s, 22.3 average finish, best finish 6th
#122: Al Sadler - 48 starts, 1 top 10, 17.3 average finish, best finish 10th
#123: Darrel Krentz - 51 starts, 4 top 10s, 21.1 average finish, best finish 8th
#124: Dan O'Donnell - 24 starts, 2 top 10s, 19.6 average finish, best finish 10th (two times)
#125: Alan Brown - 22 starts, 1 top 10, 18.3 average finish, best finish 10th
#126: Steve Teets - 26 starts, 18.1 average finish, best finish 14th (three times)
#127: Richard Johnson - 30 starts, 1 top 10, 21.4 average finish, best finish 9th
#128: Eddie Bryans - 39 starts, 20.8 average finish, best finish 12th
#129: Scott Lee - 22 starts, 23.4 average finish, best finish 11th

A look back at the 2015 season at the Acres

Brandon White's frightening wreck in the Spears SRL Southwest Tour
race was one of the memorable events at Redwood Acres Raceway in 2015

By Matthew J. Sullivan

It was a thrilling season of racing at Redwood Acres Raceway in 2015. Eureka, California’s 3/8-mile paved oval provided many exciting and memorable nights of action between the five local divisions of roadrunners, bombers, mini stocks, Thunder Roadsters and late mdoels. The season was highlighted by visits from the Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series, the North State Modified Series and the running of the inaugural Tri-Holiday Classic featuring the late models.

Redwood Acres Raceway’s roadrunner division was presented by Humboldt Hydroponics throughout 2015. Dylan Ford took the track championship in the division thanks to winning seven of the 12 main events during the season. It was a dominant effort by Ford who placed outside of the top five only once in the entire year.

Dustin Walters was a force in the bomber division taking eight main event wins. The race for the track championship was very tight however with Walters taking it by a scant six point margin over James Moore who placed second.

The mini stock track championship was also a neck-and-neck race between Chris Champagne and Eugene Palmer. Just like the bombers, the gap between first and second was only six points with Champagne having the edge. Both drivers won four main events in what was also their first season of racing in the division.

Paul Peeples, Jr. was nearly unstoppable in the Bear River Hotel and Casino Thunder Roadster class. Peeples won nine of the 11 main events in the division and finished fifth and third in the two races he didn’t win.

The Mid City Motor World late model division’s track title came down to a battle between two second year drivers in Ryun Leazer and Jedd Ambrosini. Leazer pulled through to take the crown by sixteen markers. The 2015 season for the late models featured the Tri-Holiday Classic; three special events on the weekends of Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. Mic Moulton won the Memorial Day race while Brandon White took the Firecracker 100 and Marty Walsh won the Labor Day 100.

2015 also featured the likes of two touring series to the Acres. The North State Modified Series visited during the Memorial and Labor Day races. Rich Lindgren won the 60-lap race in the series’ first visit while Darrin Knight had a memorable drive to win the second race for the series at RAR.

Perhaps the biggest highlight of the year was the return of the Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series. Jim Pettit, II dominated the event and took his second SRL victory at the Acres. The 125-lap race will probably be best remembered for a scary incident that involved SRL star and local driver, Brandon White. Thankfully, White was uninjured in what was a frightening crash.

The 2015 season officially concludes November 1st with the awards banquet. Information regarding the event can be found on Redwood Acres Raceway’s official website, www.racingtheacres.com .

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Champions crowned as point season concludes at the Acres

Richard Knight took his first win in the late model division

By Matthew J. Sullivan

It was the final point event for the 2015 season at Redwood Acres Raceway this past Saturday night. The 3/8-mile paved oval hosted Mid City Motor World Championship Night at the Acres. Track champions in all five divisions were crowned after what proved to be a rough and tumble night of racing.

Dylan Ford already had the Humboldt Hydroponics roadrunner track championship locked up for 2015 so he went into the night worry-free. Tyler Peach took the victory in the trophy dash while heat race wins went to Ken Barrett and Dylan Hagman. The 20-lap roadrunner feature proved to be a caution plagued event. Ford held the lead early and was behind the wheel of Andrew Pimentel’s car for the evening. The first incident of the race involved R.C. Brown who hit the turn four wall to bring the yellow flag out.

Another caution followed just after the restart when Shawn Molloy and J.D. Wiley wrecked in turn three. Racing resumed again as Ford battled Jett Taylor and Daniel Buell for the lead. Another incident involving Barrett and Bethany Rapp slowed the field once more for what proved to be the final restart of the race. While coming to take the white flag, Hagman and Buell got together off turn four. Buell’s car lazily rolled over on the front stretch but fortunately the driver was okay. The race was called with Ford taking the victory.

Dustin Walters led James Moore by only two points going into the night in the bomber division. As he has been throughout the entire 2015 season, Walters was dominant on the night. Walters took the trophy dash win, then went on to take the heat race victory, then capped the night with the main event victory and the bomber division track championship. James Moore finished second followed by Michael Knight.

The battle for the mini stock championship was separated by only nine points between Chris Champagne and Eugene Palmer. Brian Murrell, Jr. took the trophy dash victory while Palmer won the heat race. The championship was decided at the start of the 25-lap feature as Champagne had enough points to win. Unfortunately Champagne’s night was cut short early in the feature when he got loose in turn four, made contact with Palmer and hit the wall head one. Champagne was finished for the night but uninjured. The recent strength Palmer showed in the past several weeks was again on display as he was able to pass Murrell, Jr. for the lead and took home the win. Murrell, Jr. finished second followed by Gary Klinetobe and Cole Peterson while Champagne was credited with fifth.

Paul Peeples, Jr. had already officially claimed the Bear River Hotel and Casino Thunder Roadster track championship after the September 6th Labor Day weekend race. Robbie Nelson won the trophy dash race while Donnie Brown and Peeples won the two heat races. Craig Baker took the lead from his outside front row starting position in the 30-lap main event as the faster qualifiers tried to maneuver their way through the field. Nelson was the first to do so and on lap six he got past Baker for the lead with Peeples following into second.

Nelson held on to the lead until lap 11 when Peeples moved under and past for the race lead. Nelson rode in Peeples’ tracks for a while but eventually the superior handling of Peeples’ car prevailed. Peeples was able to pull out to a 10-car length lead by the end of the race. At the checkered flag it was Peeples winning over Nelson, Thomas Payne, Chris Sarvinski and Aaron Byers.

The Mid City Motor World late model track title was a battle between two sophomore drivers, Ryun Leazer and Jedd Ambrosini. Leazer held a narrow nine point advantage going into the night. Ambrosini made an early statement by winning the trophy dash. Richard Knight took the first heat race win while Kenny Demello took the second. The 35-lap late model main event featured two incidents that took out some of the top competition. Marty Walsh made contact with Ambrosini while racing for third on lap seven. Behind them several cars got together, most notably Mic Moulton who suffered severe damage which knocked him out of the race. Richard Knight led the restart but the green flag period would be brief when it appeared Al Acuna made contact with Mark Williams in turn two. In the melee, Walsh made contact with Williams which took both drivers out of the race. At the same time, Ambrosini pulled into the pits and didn’t return to the track.

Racing resumed and a thrilling battle for the lead ensued between Knight and Leazer. Meanwhile, Robbie Nelson was putting on an impressive display by driving his way to third in only his second start in a late model car. Several times Leazer looked to the inside of Knight coming off turn four but he could not get his nose far enough to Knight’s inside to challenge for the lead. Nelson snuck up on the leaders, got past Leazer for second and tried to challenge Knight but to no avail. At the finish it was Knight winning his first late model feature followed by Nelson and division champion, Leazer. George Young and Demello rounded out the top five.

For more information regarding the final points rundown in all five divisions please visit Redwood Acres Raceway’s official website, www.racingtheacres.com .

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Champions to be decided this weekend at the Acres

Ryun Leazer will look to clinch the track championship in the late model division

By Matthew J. Sullivan

The final point race of the 2015 season at Redwood Acres Raceway is less than a week away as it will be Mid City Motor World Championship Night at the Acres. Champions in all five divisions will be officially crowned in what should be a thrilling conclusion to what has been a thoroughly exciting season on the 3/8-mile paved oval.

The track championship in the Humboldt Hydroponics roadrunner division has already been decided as Dylan Ford has enough of a margin on second place, Daniel Buell that he wouldn’t need to race this Saturday to claim his crown. Ford leads Buell by 46 points. Buell is a lock for the second position as his lead over third place, R.C. Brown is 69 points. Tied for fourth in the standings are rookie driver, Shawn Molloy and roadrunner veteran, Steve Paiment. Both are 19 points behind Brown.

Only two points separate the two contenders for the bomber division championship. Dustin Walters was able to recover over the Labor Day weekend races to reclaim the championship lead over James Moore by only two points. Walters has been stellar this season as he’s taken seven main event victories. Moore has avoided the big disasters that have plagued Walters during the season but only has 3 mains to his credit.

The mini stock track championship battle is just as intense as the bomber division. Chris Champagne holds a narrow nine point lead over Eugene Palmer in second place. Both drivers have been at or near the front of every race which makes it very likely that the championship in the division won’t be decided until the final lap of the main event Saturday night. Brian Murrell, Jr. has third locked down in the standings but is out of the running to repeat as mini stock champ. Rick Estes and Gary Klinetobe hold down fourth and fifth in the rundown and will hold those positions as well in the final standings.

Engine woes in the Labor Day race on Sunday cut Paul Peeples, Jr.’s point lead in the Bear River Hotel And Casino Thunder Roadster division. Peeples leads Robbie Nelson by 20 points. It will be difficult for Nelson to close the gap as Peeples’ has dominated the division in 2015, winning eight main events to Nelson’s one. Thomas Payne is third in the standings, 33 points behind Peeples with a very slim chance of winning the title. Chris Lawrence and Belinda Ward are fourth and fifth in the standings.

The Mid City Motor World late model track championship should be another title that will be decided on the final lap of the main event. Ryun Leazer has a nine point lead over Jedd Ambrosini in second place. Marty Walsh is third in the points, 24 behind Leazer but would require major issues by the two drivers ahead of him to win the championship. Richard Knight is technically still in the running for the championship but his 41 point gap to Leazer is more or less insurmountable. Kenny Demello rounds out the top five in the division’s standings.

Gates open at 5:00PM while racing begins at 6:30PM for Mid City Motor World Championship Night at the Acres this Saturday September 19th. In addition, it will also be Fan Appreciation Night. General admission for the event is $5 and $2 for children. The 2015 season concluded on October 3rd with the First Annual Roadrunner Big T Jackpot race and Bomber Bash. Concluding the 2015 season at the Acres will be the second boat race of the year. For more information on the final two events, please visit Redwood Acres Raceway’s official website, www.racingtheacres.com .

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Knight, Walsh big Labor Day weekend winners

Darrin Knight took the North State Modified Series win at Redwood Acres Raceway

By Matthew J. Sullivan

It was a big Labor Day weekend at Redwood Acres Raceway as the 3/8-mile paved oval hosted races on both Saturday and Sunday. The third and final leg of the Tri-Holiday Classic for the late model cars highlighted the action on Saturday. Sunday’s races featured the North State Modified Series. The local roadrunners, bombers, mini stocks and Thunder Roadsters helped fill out what proved to be two spectacular nights of racing.

Saturday’s Humboldt Hydroponics roadrunner division trophy dash was won by Daniel Buell. Ken Barrett won the first heat race for the division while Dylan Ford took the second heat. The 20-lap feature saw numerous lead changes between the likes of Chris Appleton, Ford, R.C. Brown, Buell and Dylan Hagman. Hagman moved past Ford to the lead on lap 17 and was able to claim his first main event victory in the division over Buell and Ford.

James Moore took the trophy dash victory for the bomber cars. Dustin Walters was the winner of the heat race. The 25-lap main event was dominated by Walters from start to finish as he led every lap en route to the win. Matt Simon and Rick Jelton rounded out the top three finishers.

Richard Klinetobe was behind the wheel of his brother, Gary’s car for the night and he took his first ever win in the mini stock trophy dash. Eugene Palmer took the heat race win. Chris Champagne led the first half of the 25-lap main event but his championship point rival, Palmer had the faster machine for the evening. Palmer took the lead from Champagne on lap 18 and went on to win his second main event of the season over Champagne and Klinetobe.

The Bear River Hotel And Casino Thunder Roadster division saw the familiar face of Paul Peeples, Jr. return to victory lane in the trophy dash and heat races. The 30-lap main event was no different for the veteran. Chris Sarvinski led the first 16 laps before giving way to Peeples. The veteran racer held on from there and at the finish it was Peeples winning over Sarvinski and Robbie Nelson.

Allen Cress set quick time for the late models with a 15.835 qualifying time. The 8-lap trophy dash was won by Marty Walsh which awarded him pole position for the 100-lap event. Walsh took the lead at the start of the feature and would never lose the top spot. Walsh’s closest competition came in the form of Cress who moved past Mic Moulton on lap nine for second. Cress moved in on Walsh’s rear bumper and seriously challenged Walsh before the first caution on lap 50.

After the caution period, the handling on Cress’ car appeared to go away as Walsh moved out to a several car length gap. Several cautions slowed the event which allowed Cress the opportunity to challenge Walsh for the lead but each time, Walsh was able to pull away. On lap 85, Cress’ engine blew up in turns three and four, ending his night. Walsh once again pulled away from the field and crossed the line first, taking the biggest win of his career. Moulton crossed the line second while Stateline Speedway racer, Rob Vining made his long tow count with an excellent third place effort.

Daniel Buell returned to victory lane on Sunday in the Humboldt Hydroponics roadrunner trophy dash. Ken Barrett was the winner of the first heat race while Dylan Ford was the winner of the second heat. The 20-lap main was dominated by Jordon Paiment but Daniel Buell showed his strength in the final few laps. With two laps remaining, Buell moved by Paiment for the lead and held on for the win. Paiment took second followed by Bethany Rapp in third with her best finish in her first season of racing.

Sunday’s bomber races were dominated by Dustin Walters. Walters took the wins in both the trophy dash and heat races. James Moore led the first four laps in the 25-lap main event but could not hold off Walters who moved to the lead and ended up taking the win. Moore placed second with Matt Simon third.

Eugene Palmer’s night in the mini stock division was no different than that of Dustin Walters. Palmer won the dash and heat and was strong in the 25-lap feature. As they had done the night before, Chris Champagne and Palmer dueled for the race lead and just like the night before, Palmer ended up with the upper hand. At the checkered flag it was Palmer winning his second straight main event over Champagne and Brian Murrell, Jr.

Robbie Nelson took the trophy dash victory for the Bear River Hotel And Casino Thunder Roadster division. Thomas Payne won the heat race and was dominant in the 30-lap main event. Craig Baker held the lead early in the feature before giving way to Nelson on lap three. Payne got by Nelson on lap six and led from that point on. At the finish it was Payne winning his first race of 2015, breaking Paul Peeples, Jr.’s seven-race winning streak. Chris Lawrence had his best finish of the year in second while Peeples placed third.

17 cars qualified for the North State Modified Series. Fast time was set by Darrin Knight with a 16.218 qualifying lap. The Lucas Oil Dash For Cash was won by Devin LaHorgue. For winning the dash, LaHorgue was awarded $100 while second place finisher, Guy Young took home $50. The 60-lap feature was a thrilling race from start to finish. Knight took the lead from his pole position starting spot and looked to have the car to beat as he ran away from the field. Charlie Collins moved by Michael Mitchell for second on lap on lap 15 just before the caution flag dropped.

On the restart, Collins and Knight touched wheels coming to the green. Collins hit the front stretch wall hard. Fortunately, Collins was okay but was finished for the night. Knight was sent to the rear of the field which put Mitchell to the lead. The race restarted and Knight began putting on a show as he tried to get back to the front. In addition, Tripp Gaylord had the attention of fans as he started at the rear of the field and was moving to the front as well. Gaylord’s car was unable to start the feature. Rick Anderson graciously allowed Gaylord to drive his car in the feature in order to keep Gaylord from falling out of the point race.

Knight was clearly the man to beat on the night. On lap 20, Knight was in sixth. On lap 28, Knight got by Gaylord for fifth. 10 laps later, Knight passed Guy Young for second and a lap later he returned to the race lead getting by Mitchell. The race was halted several times in the final 20 laps but every time Knight was able to return to the lead. At the finish it was Knight winning over Mitchell, Gaylord, Kyle Borden and Cody Braund.

The track championships for all five divisions will be decided at Redwood Acres Raceway in the next race on the schedule on September 19th. In addition to the event being championship night at the Acres, it will also be Fan Appreciation Night. General admission for the event is $5 for general admission and $2 for children. The 2015 season concluded on October 3rd with the First Annual Roadrunner Big T Jackpot race and Bomber Bash. Concluding the 2015 season at the Acres will be the second boat race of the year. For more information on the final two events, please visit Redwood Acres Raceway’s official website, www.racingtheacres.com .

Top 100+ NASCAR Southwest Tour Drivers Of All-Time (5-1)

5. Dan Press - 1989 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 65 starts, 14 wins, 29 top 5s, 37 top 10s, 10.0 average finish
Win #1: 1988 Spears Manufacturing 100 @ Stockton 99 Speedway
Win #2: 1989 Stroh's 100 @ Shasta Speedway
Win #3: 1989 Coors 100 @ Stockton 99 Speedway
Win #4: 1989 President's Cup @ Orange Show Speedway
Win #5: 1989 Miller 125 @ Saugus Speedway
Win #6: 1989 Budweiser 100 @ Madera Speedway
Win #7: 1989 Coors-Ormsby House 100 @ Silver State Raceway
Win #8: 1989 Miller 100 @ Saugus Speedway
Win #9: 1989 Rose City 100 @ All-American Speedway
Win #10: 1990 Budweiser 100 @ Cajon Speedway
Win #11: 1990 Miller Genuine Draft 100 @ Saugus Speedway
Win #12: 1990 Miller Genuine Draft 100 @ The Bullring At Las Vegas
Win #13: 1990 Coors 100 @ Cajon Speedway
Win #14: 1992 Featherlite Trialer 100 @ Saugus Speedway
Dan Press at All-American Speedway, 1989

4. Roman Calczynski - 1988 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 72 starts, 9 wins, 39 top 5s, 49 top 10s, 9.2 average finish
Win #1: 1986 NASCAR Southwest Tour @ Cajon Speedway
Win #2: 1987 7-Up 100 @ Sonoma Raceway
Win #3: 1987 Coors 100 @ Stockton 99 Speedway
Win #4: 1987 Placer County Fair 100 @ All-American Speedway
Win #5: 1987 Miller 100 @ Saugus Speedway (September)
Win #6: 1988 Miller 100 @ Saugus Speedway (March)
Win #7: 1988 Bakersfield 100 @ Mesa Marin Raceway (April)
Win #8: 1988 Placer County Fair 100 @ All-American Speedway
Win #9: 1989 Coors 100 @ Cajon Speedway
Fourth place finisher #48 Jim Walker parks next to third place finisher
#75 Roman Calczynski after the 1988 Olympia 100 at Redwood Acres Raceway
3. Mike Chase - 1987 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 85 starts, 19 wins, 44 top 5s, 53 top 10s, 9.2 average finish
Win #1: 1986 Pepsi Cola 100 @ Shasta Speedway
Win #2: 1986 Liberty 100 @ All-American Speedway
Win #3: 1986 NASCAR Southwest Tour @ Silver State Raceway
Win #4: 1987 President's Cup 100 @ Orange Show Speedway
Win #5: 1987 Stroh's 100 @ Shasta Speedway
Win #6: 1987 Coors Silver Bullet 100 @ Orange Show Speedway
Win #7: 1987 Bakersfield Californian 100 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #8: 1987 7-Up 100 @ Cajon Speedway (October)
Win #9: 1988 Redwood Acres Raceway 100 @ Redwood Acres Raceway
Win #10: 1988 Inland Empire 100 @ Orange Show Speedway
Win #11: 1989 Budweiser 100 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #12: 1989 Spears Manufacturing 100 @ Mesa Marin Raceway (July)
Win #13: 1989 Olympia 100 @ Redwood Acres Raceway
Win #14: 1989 October Classic 200 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #15: 1990 Coors 100 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #16: 1990 Spears Manufacturing 100 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #17: 1990 Spears Manufacturing 200 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #18: 1991 Coors 100 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #19: 1991 Goodwrench 200 @ Mesa Marin Raceway

2. Rick Carelli - 1991 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 92 starts, 21 wins, 51 top 5s, 58 top 10s, 9.4 average finish
Win #1: 1987 Miller 100 @ Saugus Speedway
Win #2: 1987 Spears Manufacturing 100 @ Stockton 99 Speedway
Win #3: 1987 Budweiser 100 @ Madera Speedway
Win #4: 1991 Budweiser 100 @ Cajon Speedway
Win #5: 1991 Miller 100 @ The Bullring In Las Vegas
Win #6: 1991 Coors 100 @ Orange Show Speedway
Win #7: 1991 Budweiser 100 @ The Bullring In Las Vegas
Win #8: 1992 Coors 100 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #9: 1992 Budweiser 100 @ Cajon Speedway
Win #10: 1992 Budweiser 100 @ The Bullring In Las Vegas
Win #11: 1992 Coors 100 @ Stockton 99 Speedway
Win #12: 1992 Olympia 100 @ Redwood Acres Raceway
Win #13: 1992 Colorado's Best Chevrolet Dealers 100 @ Colorado National Speedway
Win #14: 1992 Coors 100 @ Orange Show Speedway
Win #15: 1992 October Classic 200 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #16: 1994 Featherlite Trialers 100 @ Tucson Raceway Park
Win #17: 1994 GM Goodwrench 300 @ Phoenix International Raceway
Win #18: 1995 Colorado's Best Chevrolet/Geo Dealers 125 @ Colorado National Speedway
Win #19: 1996 Skoal Copper World Classic @ Phoenix International Raceway
Win #20: 1997 Skoal Copper World Classic @ Phoenix International Raceway
Win #21: 2000 Copper World Classic @ Phoenix International Raceway

1. Ron Hornaday, Jr. - 1992 & 1993 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 130 starts, 18 wins, 74 top 5s, 92 top 10s, 8.3 average finish
Win #1: 1988 Pepsi Cola 100 @ Shasta Speedway
Win #2: 1989 American National Bank 100 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #3: 1990 Coors Light/Ormsby House 100 @ Silver State Raceway
Win #4: 1991 California 200 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #5: 1991 Olympia 100 @ Redwood Acres Raceway
Win #6: 1991 Miller 100 @ Saugus Speedway
Win #7: 1991 Goodwrench 300 @ Phoenix International Raceway
Win #8: 1992 Miller Genuine Draft 100 @ Saugus Speedway
Win #9: 1992 Stockton 100 @ Stockton 99 Speedway
Win #10: 1992 Pat Clark Pontiac 100 @ The Bullring At Las Vegas
Win #11: 1993 Coors 100 @ Stockton 99 Speedway
Win #12: 1993 Budweiser 200 @ Sonoma Raceway
Win #13: 1993 Miller Genuine Draft 100 @ Saugus Speedway
Win #14: 1993 Olympia 100 @ Redwood Acres Raceway
Win #15: 1993 Plummer Pontiac 100 @ Stockton 99 Speedway
Win #16: 1994 Hoosier/Parnelli Jones 125 @ The Bullring In Las Vegas
Win #17: 1995 Skoal Bandit Copper World Classic @ Phoenix International Raceway
Win #18: 1995 Budweiser 200 @ Sonoma Raceway

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Top 100+ NASCAR Southwest Tour Drivers Of All-Time (10-6)

10. Chris Raudman - 1996 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 44 starts, 5 wins, 23 top 5s, 29 top 10s, 8.5 average finish
Win #1: 1996 Coors Light 100 @ Cajon Speedway
Win #2: 1996 Bakersfield Classic 300K @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #3: 1997 Nevada 200 @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Win #4: 1997 Coors Light 100 @ Cajon Speedway
Win #5: 1997 Colorado's Best Chevrolet Dealers 125 @ Colorado National Speedway
Chris Raudman at Redwood Acres Raceway for the 1995 Hamm's 100

9. Lance Hooper - 1995 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 56 starts, 7 wins, 24 top 5s, 34 top 10s, 10.9 average finish
#48 Sean Monroe leads #07 Lance Hooper and #34 Doug McCoun in the
1995 NASCAR Southwest Tour Winter Heat 200 at Tucson Raceway Park

8. Auggie Vidovich - 2003 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 94 starts, 11 wins, 35 top 5s, 56 top 10s, 12.1 average finish


7. Eric Holmes - 81 starts, 9 wins, 33 top 5s, 50 top 10s, 11.3 average finish
Win #1: 2001 Foods Co 125 @ Madera Speedway
Win #2: 2002 Altamont 150 @ Altamont Motorsports Park
Win #3: 2002 1-800-CLEANUP 150 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #4: 2003 Lucas Oil 125 @ Madera Speedway
Win #5: 2004 Budweiser 125 @ Stockton 99 Speedway
Win #6: 2004 JC Glass 100 @ Phoenix International Raceway
Win #7: 2006 Auto Trader 150 @ Colorado National Speedway
Win #8: 2006 United Power/Touchstone Energy 150 @ Colorado National Speedway
Win #9: 2006 Southwest Series 150 @ Altamont Motorsports Park (September)


6. M.K. Kanke - 215 starts, 22 wins, 88 top 5s, 123 top 10s, 11.0 average finish
Win #1: 1993 Budwesier 100 @ Cajon Speedway
Win #2: 1995 Star Nursery 125 @ The Bullring In Las Vegas
Win #3: 1995 Hamms 100 @ Redwood Acres Raceway
Win #4: 1996 Coors 100 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #5: 1996 Star Nursery/Miller Genuine Draft 125 @ The Bullring In Las Vegas
Win #6: 1997 NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Tour 150 @ Tucson Raceway Park
Win #7: 1997 Featherlite Manufacturing 100 @ Madera Speedway
Win #8: 1997 RE/MAX 125 @ Colorado National Speedway
Win #9: 1997 Port City Racing 200 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #10: 1998 Paul Everett's Featherlite 100 @ Stockton 99 Speedway
Win #11: 1998 Coors Memorial Day 100 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #12: 1998 Featherlite Trailers 125 @ Tucson Raceway Park
Win #13: 1998 Sam's Town 90 @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Win #14: 1999 NAPA 125 @ Colorado National Speedway
Win #15: 2001 Coors Light 125 @ Cajon Speedway
Win #16: 2001 Food 4 Less 150 @ Irwindale Speedway (April)
Win #17: 2001 Coors Light 125 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #18: 2001 Food 4 Less 150 @ Irwindale Speedway (June)
Win #19: 2002 Coors Light 125 @ Cajon Speedway
Win #20: 2005 Stock Building Supply 150 @ Irwindale Speedway
Win #21: 2006 Southwest Series 150 @ Altamont Motorsports Park (July)
Win #22: 2006 Southwest Series 100 @ Stockton 99 Speedway

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

North State Modifieds return to the Acres

Tripp Gaylord leads the North State Challenge Series standings going into the next race at the Acres

By Matthew J. Sullivan

The 2015 racing season at Redwood Acres Raceway is quickly coming to a close. Only four dates remain on the schedule two of which are set for the upcoming Labor Day weekend Saturday September 5th and Sunday September 6th. The local divisions of roadrunners, bombers, mini stocks and Thunder Roadsters will race both nights. Saturday night’s feature attraction will be the late model division which will hold the final Tri-Holiday Classic race of 2015. Highlighting Sunday’s event will be the return of the popular North State Modified Series for the second and final time this season.

This weekend will likely see the crowning of the 2015 roadrunner track champion for Redwood Acres Raceway. Dylan Ford has a 68 point lead over Daniel Buell in the standings Ford will have to have monumental bad fortune for Buell to even have a chance coming out of the weekend. Roadrunner veteran, Steve Paiment is third in the standings, 95 markers behind Ford. Rookie drivers R.C. Brown and Shawn Molloy round out the top five in the standings, both 100+ points in arrears to Ford.

Things got much more interesting in the bomber division title fight as a result of a heat race incident for former point leader, Dustin Walters in the August 22nd event. Not only did that wreck prevent him from starting the feature race and earning points, it also cost him the championship lead he once had. As a result, James Moore moved to the lead but only holds a nine point advantage over Walters.

Chris Champagne expanded his point lead slightly in the mini stock class on August 22nd but not enough to be comfortable in his effort for the track championship. Champagne leads Eugene Palmer by 17 points. Rick Estes still has an outside chance as he’s 29 points behind Champagne but both drivers ahead of him will need major issues in the final three events. 2014 mini stock champ, Brian Murrell, Jr. is mathematically alive in fourth but the odds of him going back-to-back are next to zero. Mini stock rookie, Tim Abeyta holds down the fifth position.

Paul Peeples, Jr. holds a 43 point lead over Robbie Nelson in the Thunder Roadster class. Given Peeples’ speed all season long and his penchant for winning races, Nelson’s opportunity to win this year’s title is virtually nil. Thomas Payne holds down third in the standings, Chris Lawrence fourth and Belinda Ward fifth.

The late model class will hold their third and final Tri-Holiday Classic race this weekend and the outcome of Saturday’s 100-lap race will likely be the deciding factor as to who will be this year’s champion in the division. Veteran, Mic Mouton was the winner of the first event on Memorial Day weekend while Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series star, Brandon White dominated the Independence Day weekend event. Ryun Leazer leads the late model standings by a mere four points over Jedd Ambrosini. Leazer will have to avoid the bad luck he faced on the July 4th event which saw him finish 16th to Ambrosini’s 9th place effort. Marty Walsh, Richard Knight and Kenny Demello finish out the top five in standings and a bad race for both Leazer and Ambrosini could bring those three drivers right back into the title fight.

The North State Modified Series returns to Redwood Acres Raceway for the second time in 2015. The first event on Memorial Day weekend was won by Rich Lindgren. Tripp Gaylord finished second in that race and leads Cody Braund by four points with only two races remaining including this weekend’s. Darrin Knight is third in the standings, only 6 behind Gaylord and on a hot streak. Knight won the most recent North State race at Shasta Speedway on August 22nd and was the big winner of the West Coast Modified Shootout at Douglas County Speedway this past weekend. Michael Mitchell is fourth in the standings, 40 points behind Gaylord while Jason Philpot is 70 points behind.

The grandstands open at 4:30PM while races will begin at 6:00PM both nights for this weekend’s Labor Day races. Only two more races are on the schedule following this weekend’s events. Saturday September 19th’s race will be Fan Appreciation Night as well as championship night for all five local classes. The final event of the season is on October 3rd will be the First Annual Big T Jackpot race for the roadrunners and the Bomber Bash. For more information regarding the rest of the 2015 schedule, please visit Redwood Acres Raceway’s official website www.racingtheacres.com .

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Top 100+ NASCAR Southwest Tour Drivers Of All-Time (15-11)

NR. Ken Schrader - 31 starts, 6 wins, 15 top 5s, 18 top 10s, 11.8 average finish
Win #1: 1992 GM Goodwrench/Delco Battery 300 @ Phoenix International Raceway
Win #2: 1994 Budweiser 200 @ Sonoma Raceway
Win #3: 1998 Skoal Bandit Racing Copper World Classic @ Phoenix International Raceway
Win #4: 2001 NAPA Auto Parts 100 @ Phoenix International Raceway
Win #5: 2002 Featherlite Southwest Series 100 @ Phoenix International Raceway
Win #6: 2005 Arizona Lottery 125 @ Phoenix International Raceway

15. Kurt Busch - 1999 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 40 starts, 7 wins, 15 top 5s, 22 top 10s, 10.9 average finish
Win #1: 1998 Star Nursery 100 @ The Bullring In Las Vegas
Win #2: 1999 Las Vegas 100 @ The Bullring In Las Vegas
Win #3: 1999 Snap-On 200 @ Sonoma Raceway
Win #4: 1999 Featherlite Trailers 125 @ Tucson Raceway Park
Win #5: 1999 Food 4 Less 100 @ Madera Raceway
Win #6: 1999 NAPA 100 @ Irwindale Speedway
Win #7: 1999 Community Recycling 200 @ Mesa Marin Raceway

14. Doug George - 1990 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 93 starts, 9 wins, 28 top 5s, 56 top 10s, 9.8 average finish
Win #1: 1990 Pepsi Southwest Tour 200 @ Sonoma Raceway
Win #2: 1990 Coors 100 @ Orange Show Speedway (June)
Win #3: 1990 Coors Light 100  @ All American Speedway
Win #4: 1992 California Republic Bank 200 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #5: 1992 Emporium Western/Wrangler Firecracker 100 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #6: 1993 Skoal Copper World Classic @ Phoenix International Raceway
Win #7: 1993 Coors 100 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #8: 1993 Wrangler Firecracker 100 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #9: 1993 Colorado Chevrolet/Geo 100 @ Colorado National Speedway
#33 M.K. Kanke leads #17 Randy Olson, #37 Doug George and
#01 Mark Perry in the 1990 Olympia 100 at Redwood Acres Raceway
13. Troy Beebe - 86 starts, 6 wins 37 top 5s, 52 top 10s, 11.2 average finish
Win #1: 1988 Budweiser 100 @ Cajon Speedway
Win #2: 1988 Budweiser 100 @ Madera Speedway
Win #3: 1988 7-Up 100 @ Cajon Speedway
Win #4: 1989 Spears Manufacturing 100 @ Stockton 99 Speedway (August)
Win #5: 1990 Coors 100 @ Stockton 99 Speedway (May)
Win #6: 1990 Olympia 100 @ Redwood Acres Raceway
Troy Beebe in the 1995 Skoal Copper World
Classic at Phoenix International Raceway
12. Craig Raudman - 2001 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion - 169 starts, 14 wins, 57 top 5s, 93 top 10s, 8.5 average finish
Win #1: 1995 Budweiser 100 @ Cajon Speedway
Win #2: 1995 Budweiser 125 @ The Bullring In Las Vegas
Win #3: 1996 St. Patrick's Day 100 @ Altamont Motorsports Park
Win #4: 1996 Plummer Pontiac 100 @ Stockton 99 Speedway
Win #5: 1996 Valliwide Bank 300 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #6: 1997 California AAA 200 @ Sonoma Raceway
Win #7: 1999 Coors Light 125 @ Madera Speedway
Win #8: 2000 Ford Los Angeles Street Race 200 @ Los Angeles Street Race Course
Win #9: 2001 StarNursery.com 250 @ The Bullring In Las Vegas
Win #10: 2001 Sunstate Equipment Company 100 @ Pikes Peak International Raceway
Win #11: 2001 Advantage Ford 150 @ Irwindale Speedway
Win #12: 2001 Nevada 100 @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Win #13: 2004 Star Nursery 150 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #14: 2004 Stockton 99 Speedway 125 @ Stockton 99 Speedway

11. David Gilliland - 37 starts, 9 wins, 15 top 5s, 22 top 10s, 12.1 average finish
Win #1: 2002 Irwindale 150 @ Irwindale Speedway
Win #2: 2003 King Taco 150 @ Irwindale Speedway
Win #3: 2003 HPS Mechanical/Victory Circle Chassis Firecracker 150 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #4: 2003 United Power/Touchstone Energy 150 @ Colorado National Speedway
Win #5: 2003 Advantage Ford 100 @ Irwindale Speedway
Win #6: 2003 Phoenix International Raceway 100 @ Phoenix International Raceway
Win #7: 2004 Snap-On Tools 200 @ Sonoma Raceway
Win #8: 2004 Ford Motorcraft 150 @ Mesa Marin Raceway
Win #9: 2005 Star Nursery 300 @ Mesa Marin Raceway

Friday, August 28, 2015

Championship Rundown For Redwood Acres Raceway Divisions

For clarity's sake, the most points that can be earned on one night in any of the divisions at Redwood Acres Raceway is 43 (3 points for winning the trophy dash, 10 points for winning a heat race, 30 points for winning the main event.)

Three point paying races remain for the roadrunners, bombers, mini stocks and Thunder Roadsters which means the maximum points that can be earned in the final three events is 129. Two point paying races remain for the late models which means the maximum points that can be earned in the final two events is 86.

The following is a run down of those who are still mathematically able to win the track championships in the five local divisions at Redwood Acres Raceway after the August 22nd race. Full point standings can be found on the track's official website RacingTheAcres.com which I urge you to visit.

Roadrunner Division

Dylan Ford
1. Dylan Ford - 348 points, 6 main event wins, 6 heat race wins, 1 trophy dash win, 9 top 5s, 1.7 average finish, 66 laps led (out of 172)
The roadrunner championship is virtually locked up in Dylan Ford's favor. His dominance in the division is highlighted by his streak of six main event wins in a row. Also worth noting is that Ford has been the only driver to start all nine main events in 2015. His speed has earned him a lot of points but he's also been keen to avoid accidents and his car has been reliable all year long.

Daniel Buell
2. Daniel Buell - 280 points (-68), 2 main event wins, 1 heat race win, 2 trophy dash wins, 7 top 5s, 3.0 average finish, 24 laps led
Daniel Buell has been a consistent front-runner all year long and his work has finally come to fruition in the latter part of the season as he broke Ford's win-streak and now has a two-race streak of his own. Buell wasn't able to start the June 20th main event which cost him some points.

Steve Paiment
3. Steve Paiment - 253 points (-95), 1 main event win, 4 heat race wins, 3 trophy dash wins, 5 top 5s, 5.6 average finish, 12 laps led
Steve Paiment is a veteran in the roadrunner division and his experience has shown through in 2015. Outside of Ford and Buell, Paiment is the only other driver to have a main event win this season, the victory coming in the first race of the season on April 25th. Paiment's victories in the trophy dasn and heat races have helped pull him to third in points in spite of not starting the May 9th feature.

R.C. Brown
4. R.C. Brown - 230 points (-118), 5 top 5s, 5.4 average finish, 12 laps led
R.C. Brown has been a pleasant surprise in the roadrunner division in 2015. He's been steady all throughout his rookie campaign and has shown some speed in recent events. Though he has gone winless so far this season, it would not be a surprise to see him gain multiple trophies in the final few events.

Shawn Molloy
5. Shawn Molloy - 222 points (-126), 1 heat race win, 2 top 5s, 7.4 average finish, 17 laps led
Shawn Molloy is another rookie in the roadrunners and it didn't take him long to make his presence known on the track. Molloy notched his first win of any kind at Redwood Acres Raceway on June 6th in a heat race and could very well take home more than that by the end of 2015.

Bomber Division

James Moore
1. James Moore - 310 ponts, 3 main event wins, 1 heat race win, 3 trophy dash wins, 8 top 5s, 2.0 average finish, 70 laps led (out of 210)
James Moore is a sophomore driver in the bomber division and has maintained a steady pace throughout 2015. Moore won the most recent main event on August 22nd while also regaining the points lead in the battle for the division's track championship.

Dustin Walters
2. Dustin Walters - 301 points (-9), 5 main event wins, 7 heat race wins, 2 trophy dash wins, 7 top 5s, 1.9 average finish, 88 laps led
Dustin Walters has been the man to beat every week in the bomber class but things took a big hit in his quest for a title in the division when he hit the wall in the heat race in August 22nd. He was unable to start the main event which ended up costing him the points lead to James Moore. In order to get back in the fight, Walters is going to have to return and show the same speed he's had all season long.

Mini Stock Division

Chris Champagne
1. Chris Champagne - 335 points, 4 main event wins, 3 heat race wins, 2 trophy dash wins, 7 top 5s, 3.6 average finish, 63 laps led (out of 225)
Chris Champagne is a rookie in the Redwood Acres Raceway mini stock division but is an experienced racer who has taken to the track nicely. Leonard Ward III won in the 17 car on opening night but Champagne has showed that he has the speed and savvy necessary to win the mini stock crown notching three main event wins on his own behalf.

Eugene Palmer
2. Eugene Palmer - 318 points (-17), 1 main event win, 1 trophy dash win, 7 top 5s, 3.6 average finish, 28 laps led
Eugene Palmer moved up from the roadrunner division to the mini stocks and has made a seamless transition to the faster, more agile cars (or truck in his case.) Palmer has proven to be just as fast as Champagne every week but unfortunately hasn't managed to get the wins in the heat races and trophy dashes. He's still within striking distance however and it's certain that the mini stock track championship will come down to the last lap of the last race.

Rick Estes
3. Rick Estes - 306 points (-29), 1 main event win, 3 trophy dash wins, 6 top 5s, 3.4 average finish, 16 laps led
Rick Estes was right in the thick of the points battle until a big wreck on the June 20th. In spite of that incident, Estes is still within reach of the championship but will require both Champagne and Palmer to face woes in the final three races.

Brian Murrell, Jr.
4. Brian Murrell, Jr. - 292 points (-43), 1 main event win, 3 heat race wins, 2 trophy dash wins, 5 top 5s, 5.4 average finish
Brian Murrell, Jr. is the defending track champion in the mini stock class and a veteran in the division. 2015 got off to a horrible start for him and though he's been able to regain the speed he showed in 2014, his hopes of repeating as champion are virtually over. Even so, don't expect him to go out quietly.

Thunder Roadster Division

Paul Peeples, Jr.
1. Paul Peeples, Jr. - 338 points, 7 main event wins, 7 heat race wins, 6 trophy dash wins, 8 top 5s, 1.5 average finish, 174 laps led (out of 245)
Paul Peeples, Jr. has dominated the Thunder Roadster division in 2015 to say the least. To put it in context, Peeples has won all but three races the division has had this year (1 main event, 1 heat race, 2 trophy dashes.)

Robbie Nelson
2. Robbie Nelson - 295 points (-43), 1 main event win, 1 heat race win, 7 top 5s, 2.8 average finish, 24 laps led
Robbie Nelson is the only other driver to win a main event victory this season and the only driver within reasonable striking distance to Peeples. Unfortunately, the "reasonable" margin is 43 markers which would require catastrophic issues for Peeples in the final three events.

Thomas Payne
3. Thomas Payne - 272 points (-66), 2 trophy dash wins, 7 top 5s, 3.9 average finish, 11 laps led
Thomas Payne is a former champion in the Thunder Roadster class but unfortunately for him, his chance at a title in 2015 is more or less extinguished. As he as done throughout his days as a driver, Payne has maintained a consistent pace while also being smart behind the wheel.

Chris Lawrence
4. Chris Lawrence - 251 points (-87), 4 top 5s, 5.3 average finish, 15 laps led
Chris Lawrence has been a competitor in the Thunder Roadster class since the division first started at Redwood Acres Raceway. However, 2015 is the first time that Lawrence has attempted to go for the track championship. Though he won't be able to accomplish that goal, Lawrence has been a pleasant surprise all year long.

Belinda Ward
5. Belinda Ward - 234 points (-104), 4 top 5s, 5.9 average finish, 2 laps led
Belinda Ward is a veteran in the Thunder Roadster division and a fan favorite at Redwood Acres Raceway. Her steadiness behind the wheel and aptitude to keep herself out of danger has allowed her to have a successful 2015 and a chance at her highest point finish in the division.

Late Model Division

Ryun Leazer
1. Ryun Leazer - 244 points, 1 main event win, 4 heat race wins, 2 trophy dash wins, 4 top 5s, 6.0 average finish, 31 laps led (out of 315)
Ryun Leazer made a huge statement in the most recent race on August 22nd by taking his first main event win in his second season in the late model division. Unfortunately for Leazer, his point lead is slim and he will have to avoid on September 5th what happened on the July 4th event when he finished 16th.

Jedd Ambrosini
2. Jedd Ambrosini - 240 points (-4), 1 trophy dash win, 6 top 5s, 5.3 average finish, 7 laps led
Jedd Ambrosini is also a sophomore driver in the late model division. Even though he's had better success statistically than the point leader, Ryun Leazer, Ambrosini hasn't had the trophy dash and heat race victories which have vaulted Leazer to the top of the standings. Thankfully, the four point margin isn't difficult to overcome and Ambrosini can do it if he continues to run as he has all year long.

Marty Walsh
3. Marty Walsh - 204 points (-40), 2 main event wins, 1 heat race win, 5 top 5s, 3.2 average finish, 33 laps led
Marty Walsh is a former sportsman division track champion at Redwood Acres Raceway. Walsh missed the first two races of the season but made up a lot of ground over the year points-wise until the August 22nd event when he finished 8th. It will be nearly impossible to make up 40 points to both Leazer and Ambrosini.

Richard Knight
4. Richard Knight - 201 points (-43), 1 heat race win, 3 top 5s, 9.0 average finish, 1 lap led
Richard Knight started off his rookie season strong with back-to-back second place finishes in the first two races. Unfortunately, his season began to tail off at the half-way mark. In spite of that, Knight looks to be a lock for the top five in the division point standings.

Kenny Demello
5. Kenny Demello - 187 points (-57), 1 heat race win, 2 top 5s, 7.3 average finish, 11 laps led
Kenny Demello has had an up and down 2015. His best finish of the year is third twice, including the last race on August 22nd. His chance at a championship is virtually zero but Demello still has an outside shot of getting as high as third in the standings.

David Henderson
6. David Henderson - 169 points (-75), 1 main event win, 1 heat race win, 3 top 5s, 4.8 average finish, 71 laps led
David Henderson looked to be the favorite for the late model track championship at the start of 2015. In spite of misfortune in the season opening race, Henderson showed amazing speed and ended up taking the win on May 9th. Unfortunately, Henderson proved to be a victim of dumb luck and incidents out of his control took him out of the running for this year's championship.

Tyler Avelar
Tied-7. Tyler Avelar - 162 points (-82), 1 top 5, 7.0 average finish, 6 laps led
Tyler Avelar took the step up from the bomber division to the late model division in 2015. Avelar started off 2015 well with a fourth place effort on April 25th but became a victim of bad luck as the season progressed.

George Young

Tied-7. George Young - 162 points (-82), 2 top 5s, 7.7 average finish, 0 laps led
George Young returned to the track after being away for several seasons.Young's rookie campaign in the late models started off with a fine third place run but it's been a season of struggles for the former real stock and limited street stock driver so Young will be looking forward to closing out the final two events with good finishes.