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 .