Bomber Bash Highlights Upcoming Race Weekend

Eureka, CA (July 31, 2017) – Only four weekends of racing remain on the 2017 docket at Redwood Acres Raceway. The homestretch to championship weekend begins this weekend for Renner Petroleum Night at the Races as the stars of the roadrunners, Legends, bombers, mini stocks and Thunder Roadsters take to the 3/8-mile paved oval.

The point battle between the top two drivers in the California State and Federal Employees’ Credit Union roadrunner division is tight and likely will come down to the final race of the season. Daniel Buell holds the lead by only four points over second place, Nick Ford. Tim Ratzlaff has an outside shot of catching the front two but will need major luck to gain ground. Bob Ratzlaff and Jennifer Murrell round out the top five and appear to be out of the running for the division track championship.

Young MKinzy Uselton currently leads the Nor-Cal Automovie Legends division points. Tyler Peach closed the gap slightly in the most recent race on July 22nd and is only 11 points behind Uselton. Brent Mack holds down third in the standings and is 19 points in arrears to the leader. The fourth position features a tie between Brad Curtice and Dominic Vogelsang.

It’s a big weekend for the Fortuna Wheel & Brake bombers as the weekend will feature the first of two Bomber Bashes of 2017. There will be two 50-lap features this weekend with the winner of each race receiving $1,000 dollars. An additional bonus of $5,000 has been posted if a driver can win all four Bomber Bash races, the two this week and the two on the final day of the season on October 1st. This late addition to the schedule would not have been possible without the support of Jim Redd Four Star Realty, Lally Motorsports and Renner Petroleum.

John Lally appears to have a comfortable lead in the points but this weekend’s event could shake things up if Lally runs into problems. Jim Redd is second in the standings just one point ahead of third place, Bethany Rapp. Kolby Jackson holds down fourth while Kim Sorrels is fifth.

The Humboldt Hydroponics mini stock class features a good race for the division track title as Brian Murrell, Sr. currently leads Eugene Palmer by 12 markers. Brett Murrell missed the first race of the season on April 29th but has progressively made up ground every race since then. Murrell is only 22 points behind his father. Rookie, Scott Taylor has been impressive and still has a chance at the championship as he’s 23 points behind the leader. Trevor Eacret is another rookie in the division and is fifth in points.

Veteran driver, Paul Peeples, Jr. has dominated the 2017 season in the Lone Star Junction Thunder Roadster division. Peeples’ closest rivals are Ronnie O’Neil and Tommy Payne who are 23 and 25 points behind. Jason Mitchell and Mac Collado round out the top five but are well out of the running for the title.

The Mid-City Motor World Super 6 Late Models Challenge Series will return on Driver Appreciation Night, August 26th presented by Anderson Logging. The series is additionally presented by Danielson Construction and North Coast Lighting and Electric. Mic Moulton currently leads the standings over Eric Gannon, Marty Walsh, Brandon White and David Henderson. This event will determine the final driver who will be locked into the two-race playoff for the series championship at the Acres and Ukiah Speedway on October 1st and October 22nd. Thus far, the drivers who are locked in for the championship battle are Moulton, Gannon, White and Henderson. The October 1st Fall Spectacular will see the crowning of the 2017 track champion at Redwood Acres Raceway.

For more information on this weekend’s Bomber Bash and points, please visit Redwood Acres Raceway’s official website, www.RacingTheAcres.com

Redwood Acres Raceway to host Bomber Bash

Eureka, CA (July 26, 2017) – A late addition to Redwood Acres Raceway’s 2017 schedule is set for the next race scheduled for Saturday August 5th. The 3/8-mile paved oval in Northern California will host a Bomber Bash presented by Four Star Realty, Lally Motorsports and Renner Petroleum.

As happened during the 2016 Fall Spectacular, there will be two 50-lap features, each paying $1,000 for first place. The payout for both events for second on back are $500 for second, $300 for third, $200 for fourth and $150 for fifth. Drivers who finish in positions sixth on back will get $100. There is no entry fee on the night for the bombers, only pit passes have to be purchased.

The two-race event could shake up the point standings in the local bomber division presented by Fortuna Wheel & Brake. Currently John Lally leads Jim Redd by 37 points followed by Bethany Rapp who is 38 points behind. Kolby Jackson holds down fourth, 49 points behind Lally while Kim Sorrels is 75 points in arrears to the leader. Should Lally face troubles, all four competitors could close the gap. Likewise, it could be an opportunity for Lally to extend his championship lead.

Last year’s Bomber Bash during the Fall Spectacular had a great turnout with 20 cars and drivers. Roseville racer, Erick Ray was the winner of the first feature while Lake County racer, Terry Pittman won the second main. Ryan Walters was the overall two-race champion. Other top stars in the division include R.J. Randall of Ukiah and Kelseyville’s Mike Sullivan. Both drivers have found their way to victory lane at the Acres in 2017. Another competitor who has won this year is Jeff French of Laytonville. French won the feature on July 1st. More of the top competition in Northern California is expected to enter the event as it nears.

Besides the bombers, roadrunners, mini stocks, Legends and Thunder Roadsters will also be in action for the night. Grandstands open at 5:00 PM while racing will begin promptly at 6:00 PM. For more information on the Bomber Bash and everything else going on at Redwood Acres Raceway, please visit the track’s official website www.RacingTheAcres.com

Houston Wins A North State Modified Series Thriller

Eureka, CA (July 23, 2017) – After a long three-week break, racing returned to Redwood Acres Raceway this past Saturday for Nor-Cal Automotive Night at the Races. It was a picture perfect day at the 3/8-mile paved oval as the North State Modified Series made their second of three visits to the Acres this season.

Nick Ford set fast time for the California State And Federal Employee’s Credit Union roadrunner division with a 20.461. Andy Savage led the opening lap of the first 20-lap main event which was run in normal fashion. On lap two, Ford moved to the lead, a position he would never relinquish. Jake Keeling and Tim Ratzlaff traded the second position until Daniel Buell took over the position. At the finish it was Ford taking the win over Buell, Keeling, Ratzlaff and Zito.

The second feature was run backward. Bob Ratzlaff led lap one but Tim Ratzlaff took over on lap two. The race was highlighted by a thrilling duel for the lead and the race win between Tim Ratzlaff and Buell. On the last lap, Buell made a charge for the lead going down the back stretch. In the final turn, Ratzlaff suffered tire issues and hit the wall. Buell was able to move past to take the lead and the win. Tim Ratzlaff held on for second followed by Ford, Ratzlaff and Keeling.

Fast time for the Nor-Cal Automotive Legends division was paced by Brad Curtice with a 18.121. Curtice took the trophy dash. He followed that up with a win in the heat which saw an unfortunate incident in turn four when Anissa Curtice hit the wall. Fortunately she was okay but done for the night. The opening five laps of the 25-lap main were led by Daniel Whitley. On lap six, Curtice took over and never looked back. Whitley did all he could to pressure Curtice but never could force a mistake. Curtice took the win followed by Whitley, Brent Mack, Tyler Peach and Mkinzy Uselton.

In the Fortuna Wheel & Brake bomber division, visiting driver, Ron Duke, Jr. set fast time with a 18.651. John Lally won the trophy dash while the heat race was taken by Kolby Jackson. The 25-lap main featured several spectacular incidents. The first occurred in turn three on lap 14, Jim Redd got together with Duke in turn three bringing out the yellow flag. On the restart, Bethany Rapp got into Jackson sending Rapp’s car over the hood of Jackson. Up front, Lally was dominant leading the final 21 laps. At the finish it was Lally winning over Jackson who made a thrilling run through the field in the final handful of laps. Jimmy Sorrels was third followed by Chris Naughton and Kimberly Sorrels.

Brett Murrell was quickest in the Humboldt Hydroponics mini stock division with a time of 18.848. Brian Murrell, Sr. won the dash while Brett Murrell claimed the heat race. The first three laps of the 25-lap feature were led by Scott Taylor. On lap four, Brett Murrell moved to the lead. A restart on lap eight allowed Murrell, Sr. to move to the lead. The father/son duo had a great duel for the win with Murrell, Sr. coming out on top. Brett Murrell took second while Eugene Palmer, Troy Lee and Taylor rounded out the top five finishers.

Qualifying for the Lone Star Junction Thunder Roadsters was led by Paul Peeples, Jr. with a 17.399. Peeples went on to win the trophy dash while Tommy Payne was the heat race winner. Ronnie O’Neil held the lead for the first three laps but the 30-lap feature was dominated by Peeples. He took the lead from O’Neil on lap four and was able to drive away from the field. At the checkered flag it was Peeples winning followed by Payne, O’Neil, Chris Lawrence and Mac Collado.

Charlie Collins was the fastest of the 19 North State Modified Series drivers with a time of 16.267. The winner of the Lucas Oil Dash for Cash was modified veteran, Richie Potts. The invert for the 60-lap feature was four which gave Randy Houston pole position. Darrin Knight briefly moved to the lead at the start from his outside front row position but Houston’s inside line prevailed. A cat-and-mouse game for the lead ensued between Houston and Knight. As the two moved through slower traffic, Houston was able to gain an advantage.

The lone caution flag flew on lap 48 when Orion Mosher spun off turn four. The restart gave Knight and the rest of the field another chance to challenge Houston. Nobody had anything for Houston on the night as he led wire-to-wire to score the victory. Knight held on for second over Collins, Kris Price and Darrin Sullivan.

Racing at the Acres takes a week break and returns Saturday August 5th. Joining the roadrunners, Legends, bombers, mini stock and Thunder Roadsters will be the West Coast Sportsman division which is in its inaugural season. For more information, please visit Redwood Acres Raceway’s official website, www.RacingTheAcres.com

2017 Season At Redwood Acres Raceway Past The Halfway Point

Eureka, CA (July 17, 2017) – After a long two-week break, racing returns to Redwood Acres Raceway this weekend for Nor-Cal Automotive Night at the Races. In addition to the local stars in the roadrunners, bombers, mini stocks, Thunder Roadsters and Legends will be the North State Modified Series. It will be the second visit of three to the 3/8-mile paved oval this season.

The California State & Federal Employees Credit Union roadrunner points are currently being led by Daniel Buell. The gap between first and second is a mere four points as Nick Ford fills that position. Tim Ratzlaff is 21 points behind Buell in third. Bob Ratzlaff is fourth and Jennifer Murrell is fifth but both drivers will need massive luck to catch the top three in the standings.

John Lally holds a somewhat comfortable lead in the Fortuna Whell & Brake bomber division. Lally leads rookie driver, Bethany Rapp by 23 markers. Jim Redd is third in points, only six behind Rapp. The top five is rounded out by Kolby Jackson and Kim Sorrels.

Brian Murrell, Sr.’s lead in the Humboldt Hydroponics mini stock division is a mere nine points. Eugene Palmer is the second place man and has been a thorn in Murrell’s side all year long. Scott Taylor has been impressive in his rookie season and is third in points. Brett Murrell has been on a tear since missing the first race of the season. He sits 25 points behind his father. Another rookie rounds out the top five as Trevor Eacret holds the position.

It’s been nearly a month and a half since the Nor-Cal Automotive Legends division has been on the track. The top two in the standings are youngsters as MKinzy Uselton leads division rookie, Dominic Vogelsang by 10 points. Tyler Peach is another rookie in the Legends division and he is third in the standings. Brent Mack is fourth and Cody Winchel is fifth.

Like the Legends cars, the Lone Star Junction Thunder Roadster class has been on hiatus for the same time. Veteran racer, Paul Peeples, Jr. has a grasp on the lead as his margin is 16 points ahead of Ronnie O’Neil. Third in the standings is division veteran, Tommy Payne who is only seven points behind O’Neil. Rookie, Jason Mitchell is fourth in the standings and Chris Sarvinski is fifth.

The Super 6 Late Model Challenge Series held its fifth of six races this past weekend in the series’ only visit to Ukiah Speedway. The series is presented by Danielson Construction, North Coast Lighting and Electric and Mid-City Motor World. Eric Gannon prevailed after last lap contact between Brandon White and Luke Hall. Gannon’s victory pulled him within six points of Mic Moulton. Marty Walsh is third only one point behind Gannon. The championship will likely be decided amongst the top three as White is fourth in the standings but 26 behind Moulton. David Henderson is a single point behind White in fifth. The next and final race for the Super 6 Late Models will be on August 26th.

As noted, the North State Modified Series will be making its second visit to the Acres this year. It’s a tight point race for the mods as Darrin Knight’s advantage over Charlie Collins is only seven points. Darrin Sullivan won the series’ first visit on May 28th and is third in points, 29 in arrears to Knight. Eric Johnson is three points behind Sullivan in fourth while Jason Philpot is fifth. Other top stars expected to race this weekend at the Acres include Sierra Furia, Cody Braund, Rich Cobb, Dustin DeRosier and Bryan Denton.

An open practice is scheduled for Friday. Saturday the grandstands open at 5:00 PM while racing begins at 6:00 PM. For more information on the 2017 season at Redwood Acres Raceway, please visit the track’s official website www.RacingTheAcres.com

Gannon Avoids Last Lap Tangle To Win

Ukiah, CA (July 16, 2017) – The Super 6 Late Model Challenge Series made its only visit to Ukiah Speedway this weekend. The series presented by Anderson Logging, Danielson Construction, Mid-City Motor World, North Coast Lighting and Electric ran its fifth of six races with its only stop in Ukiah. The Super 6 racers provided what proved to be a memorable night on the 1/3-mile paved oval.

Brandon White set the mark for the 14-car field in qualifying with a 12.709. As always, the heat race results determined who would start where in the 75-lap feature. Dustin Walters made his first start in the series for the year and won the first heat garnering him the ninth starting position. Marty Walsh earned pole position in the second heat race with a victory.

Walsh took the lead at the start of the feature and led the opening 14 laps. An early caution due to a spin by Ryan Walters bunched the field on the restart. White used the restart to his advantage as he quickly moved from third to first.

White dominated the event and looked to have the race well in hand. The huge turning point of the event came on lap 41 when White made contact with Myles Anderson sending Anderson spinning. Due to his initiating the contact, White was sent to the rear giving the lead to Luke Hall. The ensuing restart set the stage for a thrilling but controversial finish.

Lap 56 saw a spin by Ryun Leazer which brought out the caution. In the meantime, White had quickly knifed his way through the field into the third position. On the restart, White moved past Eric Gannon for second and slowly closed in on the leader Hall as the laps clicked off in a hurry. White closed the distance by lap 73 and on the final lap who would win was up in the air. Contact was made between the two cars sending Hall and White out of the top two positions. At the finish, Gannon took the win over Marty Walsh. David Henderson placed a strong third while Hall was able to recover with a fourth place effort. Dustin Walters rounded out the top 5 with an impressive run.

The Super 6 Late Model Challenge Series has its final race of the season at Redwood Acres Raceway. The championship race will likely be decided among three drivers, Mic Moulton, Eric Gannon and Marty Walsh. It will be a can’t-miss event at the Acres.

White Wins Third Firecracker 100 In A Row

#19 won his third straight Firecracker 100

Eureka, CA (July 2, 2017) – After a two week break in action, racing at Redwood Acres Raceway returned this past Saturday night for a very special Independence Day weekend event presented by North Coast Lighting And Electric. Roadrunners, bombers and mini stocks were in action along with the fourth race in the Super 6 Late Model Challenge Series, the third annual Don Graham Memorial Firecracker 100. Following the 100-lap feature event, RAR treated fans to a dazzling fireworks display.

Qualifying for the California State And Federal Employees’ Credit Union roadrunner division was paced by Daniel Buell with a 20.530. The first 20-lap main was run backwards and proved to be a Ratzlaff family affair. Bob Ratzlaff dominated from the pole, leading the opening 10 laps. On lap 11, Tim Ratzlaff took over and never looked back. Tim Ratzlaff took the win over Buell, Nick Ford, Jake Keeling and Lindsey Zito.

Natya Dawn led the first three laps in the second main which was run in normal fashion. Things got busy after that as Buell and Ford traded the lead several times. Buell finally got a firm hold on the lead on lap 12 and looked as though he had the win in the bag. Unfortunately for Buell, he broke out of the 21-second rule on lap 17 and was forced out of the lead. Ford took over and was able to hold off Tim Ratzlaff from there to take the win. Dawn narrowly beat Buell to the line for third while Jake Keeling finished fifth.

R.J. Randall was fast time in the Fortuna Wheel & Brake bombers with a time of 18.364. Jim Redd took the trophy dash win. Heat races in the bomber and mini stock divisions were not run on the night due to the 100-lap late model event and the post-race fireworks display. Kolby Jackson got the jump at the start of the 25-lap main event and dominated leading 17 laps. On lap 18, Randall was finally able to muscle by Jackson to take the lead. While coming to take the white flag, Randall’s car shut off. This allowed late arrival, Jeff French to take the lead. At the finish it was French winning by .810 over Kolby Jackson. Redd placed third while John Lally recovered from issues to finish fourth. Randall was credited with fifth.

Brian Murrell narrowly set the fastest time in the Humboldt Hydroponics mini stock division with a 19.025. Brett Murrell was the trophy dash victor. Trevor Eacret briefly held the lead in the 25-lap feature but by lap four, Brett Murrell had moved from the back to the front and past Eacret for the top spot. Murrell’s closest competition came in the form of Gary Klinetobe who was able to close in Murrell’s lead. Unfortunately for Klinetobe, he did not have the strength to provide a serious challenge to Murrell. At the finish it was Brett Murrell taking home the win by over a second over Klinetobe. Scott Taylor finished third followed by Eacret and Rick Estes.

19 cars showed up for the Super 6 Late Model Challenge Series Don Graham Memorial Firecracker 100 presented by Danielson Construction, Mid-City Motor World and North Coast Lighting And Electric. Unfortunately two of the drivers were unable to take time as Dane Nissen and George Young both had issues that prevented them from racing. Brandon White set a new standard in the late model division with fast time and the track record, a 15.685. Marty Walsh won the first qualifying heat which netted him the ninth starting position. West coast racing legend, Jim Walker earned pole for the 100-lap feature with a win in the second heat race.

Brandon White used the outside pole to his advantage as he shot out to the lead at the start of the Firecracker 100. Right from the start, it was apparent that the handling on Walker’s car was not right as he dropped back dramatically in the field. Walker made seven laps before taking his car to the pits for the night. The first 22 laps were run incident-free until a three-car pileup in turn two involving Dennis DelBiaggio, Richard Knight and Dustin Walters brought out the caution. The leaders were able to narrowly avoid the incident.

Caution fever began with the yellow flying four times between lap 23 and lap 32. First, Kenny Demello spun. Then debris from Walsh’s car brought out two more yellows. Then contact between Ryun Leazer and Steven Gannon sent Gannon into the front stretch wall and out of the race.

The event only had one caution thereafter as there was a long and exciting green-flag run. White pulled out to the lead with his closest competitors coming in the form of Brandon Ash, Luke Hall and David Miller. As the race wound down, it appeared as though Hall began to close on White. On lap 70, series point leader Mic Moulton pulled off the track and out of the event. Four laps later, Hall succumbed to problems and was forced into the pits.

On lap 83, Ash had closed right in on White’s bumper. On lap 84, Ash got under White going down the back stretch for the lead. Just as Ash got to the lead, the caution flew as Kenny Demello spun on the front straightaway. This proved to be the big decider in the race as the caution cost Ash the lead due to the field not racing back to the caution flag and scoring reverting to the previous lap. The caution allowed White to cool his tires and he was able to pull away on the restart as Ash fell back to third following a pass by Miller. At the finish it was White winning the Firecracker 100 for the third straight year over Miller and Ash. Walsh placed fourth, the last car on the lead lap while Leazer was fifth.

Racing at Redwood Acres Raceway goes on a two-week summer vacation. The season resumes Saturday July 22nd with the North State Modified Series returning to the 3/8-mile oval for the second time in 2017. Between then and now, the Super 6 Late Model Challenge Series will be making its one and only stop to the 1/3-mile oval at Ukiah Speedway on July 15th. For more information on everything going on at Redwood Acres Raceway, please visit the track’s official website www.RacingTheAcres.com