Redwood Acres Raceway Track Champions 1965-2019

Redwood Acres Raceway Track Champions 1965-2018

1965
Super Stock: Jack Prangley

1966
Super Stock: Red Christainsen

1967
Super Stock: Denny Myers

1968
Super Stock: Rudy Zeck

1969
Super Stock: Bob Britt

1970
Super Stock: Jim Walker

1971
Super Stock: Jim Walker

1972
Super Stock: Jim Walker
Hobby: Mitch Gilbert

1973
Super Stock: Ray Luzzi
Hobby: Don Bailey

1974
Super Stock: Larry Pries
Street Stock: Don Caldwell

1975
Super Stock: Rudy Zeck
Street Stock: Joe Wilson

1976
Super Stock: Tom Wyatt
Street Stock: Joe Wilson

1977
Super Stock: Larry Pries
Street Stock: Casey Dungan

1978
Super Stock: Don Price
Street Stock: Bob Woody
Jalopy: Mike Rodriguez

1979
Super Stock: Larry Pries
Street Stock: Anthony Nunes
Jalopy: Dennis Myers

1980

1981
Super Stock: Ken Wallan
Ltd. Sportsman: Fergy Ferguson
Jalopy: Pat Walsh
Ltd. Modified Wally Martins, Jr.

1982
Super Stock: Hank Hilton
Ltd. Sportsman: Mike Bradbury
Jalopy: Jerry Toledo
Ltd. Modified: Roger Carter

1983
Super Stock: Vic Blanc
Ltd. Sportsman: Geoff Neely
Ltd. Modified: Tim Marsh
Bomber: Skip Richter
Jalopy: Jerry Toledo

1984
Super Stock: Verta Hennell
Ltd. Sportsman: Casey Dungan
Bomber: Jim Porter, Jr.
Open Wheel: Tim Marsh

1985
Super Stock: Bill Hall
Ltd. Sportsman: Matt Kunkler
Hobby Stock: Jim Porter, Jr.
Open Wheel Lonnie Tamboury, Jr.

1986
Super Stock: Ron Peters
Hobby Stock: Jim Porter, Jr.
Open Wheel: Brent Dothage

1987
Super Stock: Mark Baldwin

1988
Super Stock: Jim Walker
Street Stock: Tim Standifer

1989
Super Stock: Jim Walker
Street Stock: Rusty Olson
Mini Stock: Doug Pulver

1990
Super Stock: Randy Olson
Street Stock: Glenn Shewry
Mini Stock: Doug Pulver

1991
Sportsman: Randy Olson
Mini Stock: Jerry McCurtain/Matt Kunkler

1992
Sportsman: Randy Olson
Mini Stock: Tony Pulver

1993
Sportsman: Steve Moulton
Mini Stock: Ron Borges

1994
Sportsman: Rusty Olson
Mini Stock: Bert Guthridge

1995
Sportsman: Glenn Shewry
Pure Stock: Ray Rapp
Mini Stock: Mic Moulton

1996
Sportsman: Glenn Shewry
Pure Stock: Ray Rapp
Mini Stock: Bernard Burns

1997
Sportsman: Tim McCracken
Pure Stock: Otis Stabler
Mini Stock: Bernard Burns

1998
Sportsman: Larry Pries
Pure Stock: Craig Johnson
Mini Stock: Bernard Burns

1999
Sportsman: Otis Stabler
Pure Stock: Craig Johnson
Mini Stock: Phil Wood

2000
Sportsman: Angelo Marcelli
Pure Stock: Jeff Broderson
Real Stock: Rusty Turner
Mini Stock: Jason Shaha

2001
Sportsman: Shawn Andrews
Pure Stock: Craig Johnson
Real Stock: Shawn Craig
Mini Stock: Phil Wood

2002
Sportsman: Angelo Marcelli
Real Stock: Rick Fox
Mini Stock: Phil Wood

2003
Sportsman: Roger Sanderson
Ltd. Street: Duane Mayo
Real Stock: Aaron Byers
Mini Stock: Jaison Chand

2004
Sportsman: Angleo Marcelli
Ltd. Street: Ron Brown
Real Stock: Cecil Arispe
Mini Stock: Jerry Peterson

2005
Sportsman: Geoff Brandon
Ltd. Street: Lee Branstetter
Real Stock: Aaron Byers
Mini Stock: Jaison Chand

2006
Sportsman: Marty Walsh
Ltd. Street: Adrien Betournay
Real Stock: Bill Bradbury
Mini Stock: Chad Grammer
Thunder Roadster: David Henderson

2007
Sportsman: Brandon Barnwell
Ltd. Street: Scott Lyons
Real Stock: Bill Middleton
Mini Stock: Byron McIntosh
Thunder Roadster: Paul Peeples, Jr.

2008
Sportsman: Brandon Barnwell
Ltd. Street: Fergy Ferguson
Real Stock: Jim Redd
Mini Stock: Craig Baker
Thunder Roadster: Paul Peeples, Jr.

2009
Sportsman: Dennis DelBiaggio
Real Stock: Ryan Walters
Mini Stock: Craig Baker
Thunder Roadster: David Henderson
Roadrunner: Charlie Anderson

2010
Sportsman: Mic Moulton
Real Stock: Casey Mitchell
Thunder Roadster: Thomas Payne
Roadrunner: Raleigh Willoughby

2011
Sportsman: Larry Pries
Real Stock: Ryan Robinson
Thunder Roadster: Thomas Payne
Roadrunner: Dax Kinsey/Brian Murrell, Jr./Nick Hansen

2012
Sportsman: Brandon Barnwell
Real Stock: Donnie Hyman
Thunder Roadster: Paul Peeples, Jr.
Roadrunner: Michael Lawrence

2013
Sportsman: Angelo Marcelli
Thunder Roadster: David Henderson
Real Stock: Michael Lawrence
Roadrunners: Jarrett Mayo

2014
Late Model: Mic Moulton
Mini Stock: Brian Murrell, Jr.
Thunder Roadster: Paul Peeples, Jr.
Bombers: Leonard Ward III
Roadrunner: Gary Klinetobe

2015
Late Model: Ryun Leazer
Mini Stock: Chris Champagne
Thunder Roadster: Paul Peeples, Jr.
Bombers: Dustin Walters
Roadrunner: Dylan Ford

2016
Late Model: Mic Moulton
Mini Stock: Gary Klinetobe
Thunder Roadster: Thomas Payne
Legends: Robert Miller
Bombers: James Moore
Roadrunner: Tyler Peach

2017
Late Model: Mic Moulton
Mini Stock: Brett Murrell
Thunder Roadster: Ronnie O'Neill
Legends: Tyler Peach
Bombers: John Lally
Roadrunner: Daniel Buell

2018
Late Model: Mic Moulton
Mini Stock: Brian Murrell, Sr.
Legends: Chris Lawrence
Bombers: Jim Redd
Roadrunner: Nick Ford
Bandoleros: Lane Anderson

2019

Late Model: David Henderson

Mini Stock: Gary Klinetobe

Legends: Leonard Ward III

Bombers: Raquel Krupa

Roadrunner: JR Brandt

Bandoleros: Maleesa Miles

Houston, we have a winner

By Matthew J. Sullivan

Racing returned to Redwood Acres Raceway this past Saturday night after a two week layoff. Joining the four local divisions of real stocks, roadrunners, thunder roadsters and sportsman cars was the Airport Auto Brokers Late Model series for their second and final points visit to the 3/8-mile paved oval. After rear end issues in practice prevented him from qualifying, Randy Houston came from the rear of the field to handily win the 75-lap AABLM feature. Other main event victors on the night included Larry Pries in the sportsman division, Paul Peeples, Jr. in the thunder roadsters, Ryan Ahrens in the roadrunners and Donnie Hyman in the real stocks.

The real stock trophy dash went to Hyman over Ryan Robinson. Hyman then took the victory in the heat race beating out Wyatt Roach, Robinson, Bob Lima and Doug Way. Roach took the lead in the early going of the main event before falling victim to Hyman and Dustin Walters who was making his first start of the season driving the car normally piloted by his brother, Ryan. Walters looked as if he would be a serious contender to Hyman but misfortune struck. Coming off the fourth turn, it appeared as though something broke as Walters’ car went into the wall hard. Roach was collected in the process taking both drivers out of action. Hyman was able to take the win without serious threat over Robinson, Lima, Chris Naughton and Dax Kinsey.

The roadrunner division had its biggest turnout of cars ever with 16 total. Brett Murrell took his first ever victory in the trophy dash over Ryan Ahrens who was making his first start of the season after racing in the mini stock class last year. Dylan Cook won the faster heat race while Ken Barrett won the slower heat. The main event proved to be an example of 25 laps of controlled chaos. Rick Crawley held the lead early before giving way to Kolby Jackson. Jackson’s time didn’t last long as Dylan Cook took the top position. After a lap 13 caution, racing resumed with Cook still in the lead however going into the first turn he and the other three cars behind him got loose all at the same time. Several cars spun resulting in a yellow flag. Ahrens inherited the lead and was able to take the victory followed by Brian Murrell, Jr., Greg Mattox, Barrett and Cook.

Bruce Ziemer held off Paul Peeples, Jr. to win the thunder roadster trophy dash. Peeples beat Rob Nelson to the line by inches in the main event followed by Thomas Payne, Allen Olson and Chris Sarvinski. Nelson led the early laps of the feature from pole position before Ray Elliott took over the top spot. It didn’t take long for the fast cars of Peeples, Ziemer and Olson to move up to second, third and fourth behind Elliott. The only major incident of the race occurred when Sarvinski spun off the fourth turn collecting Payne. Fortunately both drivers were able to continue without damage. After the restart, Elliott did all he could to hold off Peeples, but eventually Peeples was able to get by for the lead. Elliott’s good night went bad when his engine soured, forcing him out of the race. Peeples cruised to the victory over Payne, Ziemer, Olson and Nelson.

The trophy dash in the sportsman division went to Brandon Barnwell followed by Larry Pries. Barnwell then took the heat race win followed by Kenny Demello, Angelo Marcelli, Dennis DelBiaggio and Pries. Demello led from pole early but was overtaken by Pries and DelBiaggio for position. After a spin on lap 12 by Joe Bonomini, the field tightened up and racing resumed. DelBiaggio did all he could to find a way by Pries for the lead but Pries was able to withstand DelBiaggio’s challenges to win. Marcelli took third with Demello fourth and Barnwell fifth.

Junior Roddy won the six-lap trophy dash for the AABLM series beating Northern California racing legend, Jim Walker who was racing for the first time in a year. The first 20 or so laps of the 75-lap main event proved to be late model short track racing at its best. With a full field invert, Allen Gibney started from pole and used it to his advantage as he led from the start. However, outside pole sitter, Mike Neilson kept fighting and was able to take the lead. Neilson built his lead to nearly a straightaway as Gibney did all he could to hold off the rest of the pack in second.

The eyes of the partisan crowd were firmly fixed on the blue 48 of Walker and he proved to still have some of the same magic that’s made him a fan favorite all along the west coast. After starting from seventh, Walker methodically picked his way through the field. Walker used the high line and was able to pick off Donahoo for third and then Gibney for second. Following in Walker’s tracks was Howard Ford who had set fast time earlier in the day.

The lone caution flag of the race on lap 15 took away Neilson’s large lead and gave Walker a chance to really get the local crowd on their feet. Neilson and Walker fought a hard but clean battle side-by-side until Neilson was able to take control. Walker’s car slowed dramatically and he fell back through the pack and eventually pulled into the pits for the rest of the night. At the same time, Randy Houston began to make his move for the lead. He quickly passed Ford on the high side, then did the same to Neilson off turn two. From that point on, Houston was absolutely dominant as he built up a substantial lead and was able to more or less cruise to the victory. Ford took second while AABLM points leader, Trevor Cristiani took third, the last car on the lead lap. Mike Doss and Neilson rounded out the top five finishers.

Racing returns to Redwood Acres Raceway this week with Fan Appreciation night. Fans who’ve saved ticket stubs from any five races this season can enter the event free. Those who haven’t will only have to pay $5 to get in. Prior to the races, drivers in all divisions will pull their cars onto the front stretch and fans will be allowed on the track for a meet and greet.

AABLM Race Results
Fast Time: Howard Ford 15.724, 87.811 MPH
Trophy Dash: Junior Roddy, Jim Walker, Mike Doss, Corey James, Trevor Cristiani, Howard Ford
Main Event: Randy Houston, Ford, Cristiani, Doss, Mike Neilson, Jeremy Donahoo, Allen Gibney, Roddy, Jim Stillman, Jr., Walker, James.

Airport Auto Brokers Late Models set to visit the Acres

Airport Auto Brokers Late Models set to visit the Acres

By Matthew J. Sullivan

It should be an exciting night of racing this Saturday, June 25th at Redwood Acres Raceway. The Airport Auto Brokers Late Model tour cars make their first of two scheduled appearances at the 3/8-mile paved oval. The AABLM cars will be joining the Acres four weekly racing divisions of real stocks, roadrunners, thunder roadsters and sportsman cars. Adding to the excitement and thrill of this weekend’s races will be the 2011 Redwood Acres Fair.

Ryan Robinson currently leads the points standings in the Real Stock division. Robinson’s margin over second place Donnie Hyman is only ten points. Robinson has used consistency to gain the points lead as he has yet to win a main event this season. Casey Mitchell notched the first two main event victories this season while Jim Redd and Bob Lima are the other two winners in the division this season.

The points margin in the roadrunner division is even closer. Robbie Nelson leads surprising rookie driver, Josh Hansen by only seven points. Nelson has a main event victory this season while Hansen has come close but has yet to pull through. Nick Hansen, Ken Barrett and Dylan Cook are the other drivers who’ve scored main event victories in the division.

Defending thunder roadster track champion, Thomas Payne looks to be the main to beat again this season. Payne leads second place Chris Sarvinski by 22 points in the race for the championship. Payne scored a main event victory in the last race on June 11th. Paul Peeples, Jr. has two main event victories on the year while Randy Olson has one.

It’s a battle between two of Redwood Acres Raceway’s most popular and most experienced drivers in the sportsman division. Larry Pries has won the previous two main events and holds the points lead in the class. Pries leads Angelo Marcelli by 11 points. Marcelli has one main event victory while Brandon Barnwell won the first main event of the season.

Trevor Cristiani leads the points standings for the visiting AABLM tour cars. Though Cristiani hasn’t notched a victory yet in the series, he has a firm grip on the points championship as he leads second place Corey James by 127 markers. Cristiani will be making his first appearance ever at the Acres this weekend which could open the door for James and third place, Jim Stillman, Jr. to gain ground in the standings. Last season when the AABLM visited, David Miller won the first race while Kevin Ostern dominated the second. Based on Miller’s dominance in the season ending Fall Spectacular last season, he is definitely the favorite going into this weekend.

All of the racing action gets going at 6:30 this Saturday evening. Don’t miss out!

Redwood Acres Raceway Points Standings (After Four Races)

Real Stocks
1. 47 Ryan Robinson 247
2. 58 Donnie Hyman 237
3. 48 Steve Kimberling 228
4. 69 Casey Mitchell 213
5. 57 Wyatt Roach 209
6. 44 Matt Simon/Jim Redd 195
7. 1 Nick Green 176
8. 55 Bob Lima/Dan Browne 173
9. 12 Ryan Walters 123
10. 74 Doug Way 120
11. 99 Chris Naughton 99
12. 33 Dax Kinsey 98
13. 3 Mark Williams 10

Roadrunners
1. 24 Robbie Nelson 268
2. 48 Josh Hanson 261
3. 33 Nick Hansen/Brian Murrell, Jr./Sabrina Kinsey 259
4. 47 Michael Lawrence 236
5. 10 Kolby Jackson 229
6. 7 Ken Barrett 226
7. 11 Brett Murrell 193
8. 6 Jennifer Barrett 188
9. 13 Heath Roach 178
10. 43 Greg Mattox 166
11. 69 Tim Abeyta 119
12. 39 Gary Kilnetob 114
13. 77 Aaron Lair 106
14. 01 Dylan Cook 99
15. 14 Jarrett Mayo 82
16. 00 Ryan Leazer 43

Thunder Roadsters
1. 66 Thomas Payne 266
2. 23 Chris Sarvinski 248
3. 5 Bruce Ziemer 237
4. 21 Fergy Ferguson 222
5. 95 Belinda Ward 208
6. 82 Robert Miller 168
7. 16 Allen Olson 154
8. 15 Paul Peeples, Jr. 142
9. 11 Randy Olson 140
10. 50 Dan Browne 102
11. 18 Rob Nelson 101
12. 99 Mike Ward 66
13. 9 Lonnie Tamboury 60
14. 31 Ray Elliott 50
15. 73 Bernard Burns 46
16. 99 Jim Rich 45

Sportsman
1. 01 Larry Pries 266
2. 25 Angelo Marcelli 255
3. 56 Brandon Barnwell 241
4. 8 Kenny Demello 222
5. 19 Dennis DelBiaggio 195
6. 84 Ken Hallis 177
7. 40 Al Acuna 168
8. 21 Joe Bonomini 117
9. 81 Jeremy Yarberry 105

Racing returns to the Acres

Racing returns to the Acres

By Matthew J. Sullivan

The 2011 season opening event at Redwood Acres Raceway occurred this past Saturday night, April 30th. While rain plagued and eventually cancelled the original season opening date on April 16th, sun and blue skies fell over the 3/8-mile paved oval. There were a lot of old faces returning to the track as well as a lot of new ones. All in all, there was some great racing action had on the evening.

Defending real stock track champion, Casey Mitchell looked to be in top form winning the trophy dash over Donnie Hyman, Nick Green and Steve Kimberling. Hyman held off Ryan Robinson in the heat race to take the race win followed by Green, Mitchell and Kimberling. Wyatt Roach took the lead for the first two circuits of the 20-lap feature event before giving way to Doug Way. While battling for third alongside Hyman, Kimberling got loose between turns three and four forcing him to slow and lose several spots. Roach did his best to hold off faster cars for second but had to give way on lap five allowing Robinson to get under and by as well as Mitchell, Green and Hyman. Way appeared to have his hands full with Robinson and Mitchell filling his mirrors until the caution flew when Hyman spun on his own in turn one on lap seven.

Immediately after the restart, Robinson tried to go high and around Way for the lead. Mitchell chose the low line and was able to get by both for the lead when Way opened the door coming off turn four on lap 10. Robinson and Green continued to fight way or second while Hyman made his way back to the lead cars. Hyman was on a mission, moving past Green, then Robinson and setting his sights on Way. On lap 19 going into the first turn, Hyman’s right rear wheel flew off his car, sending him spinning. As Hyman came back down the track, he collected Robinson’s car. Fortunately, neither car was heavily damaged but both were finished for the race. Mitchell took the green/white restart and held on to the checkered flag over Way, Kimberling, Green and rookie driver Chris Naughton.

There were several new drivers in the roadrunner division. Among them were Jennifer Barrett, Heath Roach, Jared Mayo, Greg Mattox and Josh Hansen. Kolby Jackson won the trophy dash over Nick Hansen, Robbie Nelson and Dylan Cook. Jackson followed up with the heat race win over Roach, N. Hansen, Michael Lawrence and J. Hansen. Roach grabbed the lead early in the 20-lap main as the rest of the pack tried to sort themselves out. Mattox was the first to give Roach some trouble until Lawrence moved his way to third. Lawrence appeared to have second taken away before Roach slowed abruptly in front of him forcing Lawrence to jump on the brakes. Roach’s car came to a stop on the front straight necessitating a yellow flag on lap three.

Jackson used his experience to take the lead on the restart and appeared to be the car to beat. However, Lawrence, N. Hansen, Nelson and Brett Murrell were nipping at his heels. On lap 13, Jackson pushed high off turn four allowing Lawrence to maneuver past to the lead. A lap later, N. Hansen moved under to take second with Nelson following to third. The caution flew on lap 16 and bunched up the field for a shootout to the finish. N. Hansen used the restart to his advantage, finding the low lane under Lawrence for the lead. Nelson followed by into second. Nelson did all he could to mount a challenge on N. Hansen but didn’t have enough to take the lead away. At the checkered flag it was N. Hansen winning over Nelson, Lawrence, Mattox and Murrell.

Paul Peeples, Jr. held off Randy Olson, Fergy Ferguson and defending champion, Thomas Payne to win the thunder roadster trophy dash. The first heat was won by Robert Miller who was making his first start in the division in a year, former mini stock champion, Bernard Burns, Dan Browne, Bruce Ziemer and Jim Rich. The second heat saw misfortune strike both Randy and Allen Olson. Randy pulled his car into the pits with engine problems at the start of the heat while Allen Olson looked poised to win his first race ever but had to pull in due to an oil leak. Peeples was able to take the win over Payne, Chris Sarvinski and Ferguson.

Miller took the lead at the start of the 30-lap main event while a mad scramble played itself behind him. On lap three, Peeples made contact with Browne in turn one sending Browne spinning, bringing out a yellow flag and sending Peeples to the rear of the field. Miller took the restart ahead of Burns and Rich and looked to not have any rust after a year away from the Acres. Likewise, Burns looked to be very competitive in his first race back in many years. However, experience in the division began to show through in the form of Ziemer and Payne. On lap nine, Ziemer and Payne made a move to the inside of Burns at the same time. Ziemer and Payne touched briefly forcing Payne to get briefly get loose before he save his car. A lap later, Burns pulled his car to the pits. On lap 12, Ziemer moved under Miller and past to the lead with Payne following into second. The front two dueled nose-to-tail for the lead while Peeples began to make his presence known by passing Miller for third.

The closing laps featured a fantastic fight for the lead between Ziemer, Payne and Peeples. Payne tried the high line around Ziemer with three laps remaining opening the door for Peeples. With two to go, Ziemer pushed high allowing Peeples to get the room underneath to take the lead. At the checkered flag it was Peeples winning over Ziemer, Payne, Ferguson and Sarvinski.

Larry Pries won the sportsman trophy dash ahead of Dennis DelBiaggio, Brandon Barnwell and Angelo Marcelli. Barnwell took the heat win over Marcelli, Pries, DelBiaggio and Al Acuna. The 30-lap feature got off to a sloppy start when DelBiaggio and Ken Hallis made contact at the start forcing a caution flag. Acuna led Pries and Barnwell to the restart and fought hard to hold off the two faster cars. Barnwell was better able to use the high line to his advantage, working his way past Pries and then Acuna for the lead. Pries was able to move by on the outside several laps later. As the race went on, Pries appeared to be catching Barnwell for the lead until DelBiaggio spun on lap 21 bringing out the caution flag.

The restart appeared to be just what Pries needed to get by Barnwell. With two laps to go, Pries took a look inside of Barnwell going into turn one but got into the corner too hard costing him his momentum and the race win. At the checkered flag it was Barnwell winning ahead of Pries, Acuna, Hallis and DelBiaggio.

It’s a quick turnaround for everyone as the 2011 racing season resumes at Redwood Acres Raceway this Saturday May 7th for the Mother’s Day Race.

Redwood Acres Raceway set to open the 2011 season

Redwood Acres Raceway set to open the 2011 season

By Matthew J. Sullivan

It’s that time of year again when the roar of the engines fill the ears of eager fans and the sight of fast cars thrill young and old alike. The 2011 season at Redwood Acres Raceway is less than two weeks away. This past weekend, an open practice was held to whet everyone’s appetite while also giving drivers and crew members a chance to test out new cars and/or new setups going into the year.

Several cars representing all four local divisions were in attendance on what was a cold and windy day. Larry Pries, Angelo Marcelli, Dennis DelBiaggio and rookie, Jeremy Yarberry were on hand to test their sportsman cars. Bruce Ziemer, Paul Peeples Jr. and Randy Olson were out for the thunder roadster cars along with 2010 track champion, Thomas Payne and Chris Sarvinski sporting a new number and new colors. Several roadrunners were in attendance, Kolby Jackson chief among them along with Brett Murrell and Michael Lawrence. Real Stock rookie, Dax Kinsey was the lone driver in that division who took advantage of the practice.

The 2011 schedule for Redwood Acres Raceway spans 15 races in 14 weeks beginning April 16th and ending September 24th and 25th in the season finale, the Fall Spectacular. For the second straight year, the Airport Auto Brokers Late Model touring series will be joining the regular program. The AABLM will be racing at the Acres twice in 2011, first on June 25th during the Redwood Acres Fair and July 23rd. The Tri-Track Challenge Modified Series will be making it’s only stop on July 9th. This is the first time in several years that the I.M.C.A. Modifieds have raced at Redwood Acres Raceway. The popular Northern California Pro-4 Modified tour will be making three stops to the Acres, first on June 4th, later on August 27th along with the Fall Spectacular weekend in September. As usual, the feature event for the season ending Fall Spectacular will be the 100-lap late model open race. Many of the drivers from the AABLM series are expected to take part in the event, along with other drivers from the region.

Redwood Acres Raceway would like everyone to know of their new website www.redwoodacresraceway.info . You can direct any questions to track promoters Rich and Linda Olson by calling the track office 707-442-3232 and leaving a message. It promises to be another exciting year of racing at Redwood Acres Raceway. Don’t miss out!

2011 Redwood Acres Raceway Schedule
April 16th - Best Appearing Car Contest
April 30th - Pepsi Night
May 7th - Mother's Day Race
May 21st
June 4th - Northern California Pro-4 Modifieds
June 11th - Father's Day Race
June 25th - Fair Race - Airport Auto Brokers Late Models
July 9th - Tri-Track Challenge Modified Series
July 23rd - Airport Auto Brokers Late Models
July 30th - $5 Night
August 6th - California Truckers Association Appreciation Night
August 27th - Back-To-School Night - Northern California Pro-4 Modifieds
September 10th - Memorial Race
September 24th & 25th - Fall Spectacular Open Show Featuring Late Models and Northern California Pro-4 Modifieds

McDonald edges Peterson for sportsman victory

McDonald edges Peterson for sportsman victory

By Matthew J. Sullivan

Finally after almost a full month, racing returned to the pavement of the 3/8-mile Redwood Acres Raceway this past Saturday night. The long break was made longer by the fact that heavy mist had cancelled the scheduled race earlier in the month on June 5th. This race marked the return of the mini stock division as the class went on a brief hiatus the past several events.

Prior to the night’s events going into action, several drivers pulled their cars out onto the track to run memorial laps in honor of two folks who had sadly recently passed away. Diana Robertson was a long-time race fan at the Acres and was the daughter of former track flagman, Larry Robertson who passed away several years ago. The other loss suffered was that of former driver, Duane Mayo. Mayo began racing at Redwood Acres in the 80s when the track was still dirt. Mayo moved to the sportsman division in the early 90s then returned to racing the limited street stock division in recent years. Both will be greatly missed by the Redwood Acres Raceway community.

Scott Baker took the trophy dash win in the mini stock division ahead of Brian Murrell, Brian McIntosh and Brian Murrell, Jr. Baker then won the heat race over Murrell, Ken Barrett, Ryan Ahrens and Murrell, Jr. Murrell took the lead early in the mini stock main event but was unable to hold back Baker on this night as Baker went three-for-three sweeping the trophy dash, heat race and main event for the night. Murrell beat his son for second while Barrett and Ahrens finished the top five.

The real stock trophy dash was won by Casey Mitchell over Ryan Robinson, Ryan Walters and Nick Green. The heat race victory was taken by Green ahead of Dustin Walters, Mitchell, Ryan Walters and Robinson. Doug Way took the lead at the start of the feature event for the real stocks but couldn’t hold off Dustin Walters by the third turn of the first lap as Walters moved under to take the lead. Walters’ ability to take the lead so early in the event proved to be invaluable as he was able to pull out a good lead while the rest of the field battled amongst themselves. Way did a fantastic job of holding off the field cleanly for second but Robinson eventually got by to take the spot. Robinson wasn’t able to close in on Walters until the final lap. Going into the third turn, Robinson made a last-ditch effort but didn’t have enough to muscle by. At the checkered flag it was Dustin Walters winning in his first start of the season over Robinson, Mitchell, Ryan Walters and Green.

Raleigh Willoughby returned to form, winning the roadrunner trophy dash after an incident in the May 22nd main event took him to the hospital. Dax Kinsey, Jimmy Murray and Robbie Nelson rounded out the finishers. Dustin DelBiaggio took heat race honors ahead of Charlie Anderson, Nelson, Kinsey and Willoughby. The main event got off to a bad start for Nelson as contact sent him into the wall off the second turn and out of action. Tim Apeyta took the lead on the restart but after the first lap Anderson held the lead. Things got close on the second lap when DelBiaggio got loose in turn four while racing Apeyta for second and spun. Fortunately everyone was able to get by without contact. Willoughby moved by Abeyta into second just moments after DelBiaggio’s spin.

On lap eight, Willoughby moved to the outside of Anderson for the lead. Willoughby took the lead coming to the caution flag as Kinsey’s car lost power and stopped in turn one. After the restart, Willoughby and Anderson walked away from the pack while several drivers including Ken Barrett, Murray, DelBiaggio and Nick Hansen fought hard for position. At the checkered flag it was Willoughby winning his fourth main event of five this season ahead of Anderson. Meanwhile on the backstretch, DelBiaggio spun forcing Murray to slow to avoid hitting him. Behind them, Hansen spun to avoid getting involved. All the action gave Barrett third place and Abeyta fourth. Murray was able to get back to the line ahead of DelBiaggio for the fifth spot.

In the thunder roadster division, Paul Peeples, Jr. took the trophy dash win over Randy Olson, Brandon Barnwell and Tommy Payne. Rob Nelson won the heat race ahead of Fergy Ferguson, Olson, Peeples and Barnwell. Nelson took the lead from the start and held it early on over Mike Ward. It didn’t take long for Peeples to make his presence known as he was in third position passing Payne on lap four. A lap later, Nelson spun out of the lead off turn two handing it over to Ward. Olson moved his way into third on lap six bringing Barnwell with him past Payne. The next lap, Peeples moved under Ward to take the lead. On lap 10, Barnwell passed Olson for third. On lap 16, Payne got by Olson for fourth. The next lap, Barnwell moved by Ward for second. Nobody had anything for Peeples though as he was able to handily take the victory over Barnwell, Ward, Payne and Olson.

Mic Moulton took the trophy dash win in the sportsman division ahead of Joe McDonald, Jerry Peterson and Dennis DelBiaggio. McDonald won the head over Peterson, Angelo Marcelli, DelBiaggio and Moulton. Larry Pries utilized his outside front row starting position well by taking the lead at the start of the main event over Peterson and Moulton. Moulton looked to have the car to beat on the night. On lap five he passed Peterson for second. On lap 10, Moulton moved under Pries to take the lead bringing Peterson and McDonald with him into second and third. However, it appeared as though Moulton’s car wasn’t running right. Where before he was running away from Peterson, now Peterson was right on his tail. On lap 14 going into turn three, Moulton’s engine hand-grenaded. The drivers behind him did a masterful job of avoiding further catastrophe but it was another unfortunate night for Moulton in what has been a season of misfortune for him at the Acres.

Peterson inherited the lead after the restart and had his hands full with second place McDonald. McDonald stayed right in Peterson’s mirror waiting for a chance to pass. Peterson’s car began developing a push off the corners. Coming off turn four on lap 23, Peterson’s car nearly pushed into the wall. The moment Peterson took to back off the gas was all McDonald needed to get under and by for the lead. Peterson fought valiantly to get back on McDonald’s bumper but he didn’t have the horsepower or handling he needed to make a serious charge at the lead. At the checkered flag it was McDonald winning over Peterson, Pries, DelBiaggio and Marcelli.

The drivers and teams have a quick turnaround to do as racing returns to the Acres for fair night action this weekend on Friday and Saturday nights June 25th and 26th. Several more cars are expected to join in all the classes making these events must-see for race fans.

Marcelli, Henderson Pepsi night winners

Marcelli, Henderson Pepsi night winners

By Matthew J. Sullivan

Race two of the fourteen race schedule at Redwood Acres Raceway occurred this past Saturday evening on the 3/8-mile paved oval. Much like the first race the previous weekend, the on-track action in many of the night’s races delighted the numerous fans in attendance. For the drivers, winning the main event in any of the five local divisions on what was Pepsi Night at the Acres meant being presented with a beautiful six-foot-tall trophy.

In the mini stock division, Brian Murrell, Jr. took the trophy dash win over Craig Baker, Scott Baker and Rick Stone. Craig Baker narrowly beat brother Scott in the heat to claim the win followed by Murrell, Jr., Stone and Ken Barrett. The main event featured a side-by-side duel for the lead between Murrell, Jr. and Scott Baker. On the final lap, the two came together in the third turn with Baker spinning out and Murrell, Jr. crossing the line first. Due to a post-race exchange, official results for the mini stock division were not available at the time of this writing.

Shawn Craig was making his first start of the season in the real stock division and he was able to take the trophy dash victory ahead of Nick Green, Jim Redd and Ryan Robinson. Green won the heat race over Casey Mitchell, Robinson, Craig and Ray Middleton. Wyatt Roach and Redd battled for the lead early on in the main event before Robinson passed both drivers to take the lead. At the same time, Redd’s car began smoking heavily and he was forced to the pits for the race. After a caution period to check the track surface, Robinson pulled out to a gap of about eight car-lengths over second place Mitchell and was able to maintain it to the finish. Craig finished third with Roach fourth and Bill Middleton fifth in his first start of the season.

The roadrunner trophy dash win went to Raleigh Willoughby over Bill Snow, Nick Hansen and Jimmy Murray. Hansen won the hotly contested heat race over Dax Kinsey, Willoughby, Snow and Murray. Charlie Anderson held the lead early on in the feature before being overtaken on the second lap by Dylan Cook. While Anderson fought off the challenges of Snow and Willoughby, Cook was able to pull out to a comfortable lead. Unfortunately for Cook, his rear bumper cover came loose bringing out a yellow flag and forcing him to pit, effectively putting his chances for a win out the window.

The subsequent restart gave Willoughby the advantage he needed to maneuver by Anderson for the second position. After catching Cook for the lead, Willoughby tried several methods to try to move by for the spot, but was unsuccessful with each attempt. Meanwhile as the two leaders pulled away, Anderson had his hands full with Hansen and Kinsey. Hansen eventually made his way by while Kinsey continued to try to use the high line to get past Anderson. On lap 14, Willoughby tried once again to get by Cook. Willoughby moved under Cook going into the first turn but the two touched. Cook was able to save his car while Willoughby moved high and past Cook for the race lead. Cook tried his best to keep up with Willoughby but didn’t have the handling to do so. At the checkered flag it was Willoughby winning his second main event in a row over Cook, Hansen, Anderson and Kinsey.

Paul Peeples, Jr. took the thunder roadster trophy dash victory ahead of Brandon Barnwell, Tommy Payne and David Henderson. Barnwell held off Peeples and Henderson to win the heat race with Chris Sarvinski and Bruce Ziemer rounding out the five top finishers. Prior to the start of the main event, Peeples drove his car to the pits for adjustments. The move cost him some track position and may have been a deciding factor as to the outcome of the race. The intensity of the event kicked off right from the drop of the green flag as Sarvinski made it three-wide under Ziemer and Mike Ward going into the first turn. Coming off turn two, it was Sarvinski battling Ward for the lead. Ward held off Sarvinski for the spot while the field sorted out. On lap five, Sarvinski found the line he needed under Ward to take the race lead bringing Payne, Henderson, Barnwell and Peeples with him. Henderson wasted little time getting to the front as he passed Payne in turns three and four on lap seven, then proceeded by Sarvinski on the next lap to take the race lead.

After a caution flag brought out by Ward spinning in turn four, action resumed with Henderson pulling away while Payne fought hard for the second position with Peeples. Coming down the front stretch on lap 10, Peeples moved by Payne for the lead while Barnwell’s engine went sour at the same time. For the rest of the race, Peeples tried to close in on Henderson and appeared to do so but not by nearly enough. Henderson was able to cruise to the checkered flag over Peeples, Payne, Sarvinski and Ziemer.

After issues the past weekend, Mic Moulton returned to form winning the sportsman trophy dash over Joe McDonald, Larry Pries and Dennis DelBiaggio. The heat race victory went to Jerry Peterson ahead of McDonald, Angelo Marcelli, Pries and Moulton. Marcelli was able to use the pole-position to his advantage in the main event as he took the lead early while Peterson struggled on the high line eventually slotting into the fifth spot. Marcelli held a somewhat comfortable five car length gap over second place Pries but as the laps clicked off Pries and the rest of the field were able to close in on Marcelli. On lap 20, Pries closed dramatically on Marcelli forcing him to jump on the binders unexpectedly. Behind Pries, Moulton had to do the same and unfortunately spun coming off turn four and bringing out the caution flag.

After the restart, McDonald began to make his presence felt as he used the high line to his advantage. On lap 22, McDonald moved outside of DelBiaggio for the third position. McDonald made the pass and continued to try to use the outside for the remaining laps. Going into turn three on the final lap, McDonald drove his car as hard as he could in hopes of getting by both Pries and Marcelli, but he did not have the traction to do it. At the line it was Marcelli holding off Pries for the win while DelBiggio placed third, McDonald fourth and Peterson fifth.

Racing at the Acres resumes this Saturday night May 8 for the Mother’s Day races. It will the third straight weekend of racing until the teams get a week off.

Henderson returns to victory circle

Henderson returns to victory circle

By Matthew J. Sullivan

It was an unseasonably cool and cloudy day this past Saturday at Redwood Acres Raceway, however halfway through qualifying the sun poked out to warm things up and make for a nicer, but still cooler summer evening. It was Back-To-School Night at the Acres and during the down time between heat races and the main events, names of several youngsters were drawn to win backpacks. With only three races left after this night (two in a few of the divisions,) finishing well and earning points became even more crucial.

One unfortunate aspect for the night was that the car count in four of the six divisions was very low. The limited street stocks did not race again on the night because there were not enough cars. Prior to qualifying, Jim Redd’s car blew up and he was unable to race his real stock for the night. Nick Green beat Casey Mitchell, Ryan Walters and Pat Conway to win the trophy dash. There was some trouble getting the heat race going but once things got settled, Walters was able to win ahead of Mitchell, Green, Russell Robinson and Conway. Walters took the lead early in the main event and was able to take the win easily over Mitchell, Dustin Walters, Green and Conway.

With the mini stock points tied between brothers Craig and Scott Baker, it was a duel to see which brother would out-perform the other on this night. Craig Baker fired the first shot with the dash win ahead of Brian Murrell, Jr., Scott Baker and Jessie Chown. Craig Baker followed up with the heat race win over Scott Baker, Chown, Brian McIntosh and Steve Smith. Prior to the start of the main event, Murrell, Jr. suffered a leak and his car was relegated to the pits for the duration of the main event Scott Baker was able to take the lead away from McIntosh after a side-by-side duel in the early going. On lap 5 while racing for second, McIntosh pushed up in turn four into Craig Baker’s car sending the two drivers spinning. While neither had any damage, Craig Baker was forced into the pits causing him to miss the restart and costing him a lap. Scott Baker was able to withstand a surprising charge by the inexperienced Chown to take the win. McIntosh placed third while Craig Baker was fourth and Steve Smith was fifth.

It seems as though with every race the roadrunner class adds another one or two cars to the division and it was no different on the night. Wyatt Roach claimed the trophy dash victory over Dustin DelBiaggio, Jimmy Murray and Charlie Anderson. Nick Hansen was making his first start in the division and won his first race, taking the heat win ahead of DelBiaggio, Murray, Roach and Dylan Cook. Unfortunately for Hansen, his luck would turn in the main event. Aaron Sandifer took the lead in the early stages of the main event but on lap five Cook moved under and by for the top spot. Later that same lap, things got bunched up and Hansen’s car hit the turn four wall severely damaging his right front and ending his race.

After the restart, Cook and DelBiaggio battled for the lead briefly before the two came together off the second turn giving Sandifer the lead back. He wouldn’t hold it long though as Roach was able to take the lead a lap later. Roach was able to pull away and cruise to the victory over Anderson and Murray. Sandifer finished fourth while Cook was able to beat Raleigh Willoughby to the line to place fifth.

It was a bad night for the sportsman division. In qualifying, Brandon Barnwell hit the wall coming off turn four and was unable to make repairs to his car. Larry Pries won the trophy dash over Dennis DelBiaggio, Jerry Peterson and Angelo Marcelli. The heat race featured an unfortunate incident between Marcelli, Ken Hallis and Peterson. Coming off turn two, Marcelli made it three wide under Hallis and Peterson. Marcelli and Hallis came together in turn three with Hallis and Peterson spinning into the wall. Both drivers were finished for the evening. DelBiaggio took the heat victory over Pries, Marcelli and Kenny Demello. The main event was uneventful but featured a close duel for the lead between Pries and DelBiaggio. Pries went wire-to-wire and held off DelBiaggio to win while Marcelli and Demello rounded out the finishers.

David Henderson took the trophy dash win for the thunder roadster cars over Randy Olson, Robert Miller and Brandon Barnwell who was once again wheeling Donn Cole’s car. Dan Browne won the first heat race over Dave McMurray, Rob Nelson, Mike Ward and Jim Rich. Olson took the second heat ahead of Henderson, Barnwell, Tommy Payne and Miller. Browne took the lead from his pole position starting spot in the first laps of the main event. Barnwell had an unfortunate start though, somehow getting lose and driving through the infield safely back on the track but in the back of the pack. On lap four, McMurray showed his strength moving under Browne to take the lead and opening the door for Payne, Olson and Henderson to follow through. On lap 6, Payne made slight contact with McMurray between turns one and two sending McMurray spinning into the infield grass and bringing out the caution flag. Payne was sent to the rear of the field by track officials and the race resumed with Olson leading Henderson.

On lap 8, Henderson was able to power under Olson coming off the second turn to take the lead. Olson briefly closed in on Henderson and tried to fight back. With ten laps remaining, third place Miller got sideways off turn four. Miller held on while driving through the infield dirt, but it allowed Barnwell to move into third. As the laps wound down, Henderson was able to pull out to a comfortable gap between himself and Olson. At the finish it was Henderson winning over Olson, Barnwell, Miller while Payne was able to recover and finish fifth.

Prior to the evening, it was confirmed that there will be a 100-lap late model event for the final race of the season, the Fall Spectacular. Racing for the event will take place Friday September 25th and Saturday September 26th. There are still two races left before the season finale though. Fan Appreciation Night is this Saturday August 29th while the Judy Fox Memorial Race will be held September 12th. Tickets for this weekend’s races are free pending that you pick them up at any of the various businesses that have them. Questions regarding where you can pick up tickets for Fan Appreciation Night along with information regarding the Fall Spectacular should be directed to Redwood Acres Raceway by calling 707-442-3232.

DelBiaggio, Olson and Lewis victorious

DelBiaggio, Olson and Lewis victorious

By Matthew J. Sullivan

It was another glorious evening at Redwood Acres Raceway this past Saturday night. The beautiful summer sunshine bathed the 3/8-mile paved oval for the Acres’ 11th event of the season. Although the limited street stock class was again missing from the night’s scheduled events, the other five local divisions were joined by the Northern California Pro-4 Modifieds who were making their second and final visit to the raceway this season.

Scott Baker was the winner in the mini stock trophy dash over Craig Baker, Brian Murrell, Jr. and Brian McIntosh. Because the division only had five cars on the night, officials chose to skip running a heat race for the class. The 15-lap main event was shortened to 10 laps after Scott Baker, McIntosh and Steve Smith wrecked in turns one and two. Baker recovered and was able to continue but McIntosh and Smith were forced to the pits for the rest of the race. Murrell, Jr. had issues spinning in turn two and bringing a caution out after the first restart, and then again a few laps later. Unfortunately, Murrell’s car was unable to continue leaving the two Baker brothers to duel for the lead. On the last lap, Scott pushed his car a bit too hard and spun. This allowed Craig to cruise to the victory helping close the points gap that Scott had going into the race.

The real stock trophy dash was taken by Dustin Walters over his brother Ryan, while Pat Conway and Casey Mitchell finished the pack out. Ryan Robinson won the heat race ahead of Jim Redd, Ryan Walters, Mitchell and Donnie Hyman. Unlike the previous race on July 25th, the 15-lap real stock main event was clean, save for an unfortunate spin off turn two by Redd. Robinson was able to use his pole position start to full advantage as he was able to lead wire-to-wire taking the checkered flag over Mitchell, Ryan Walters, Conway and Dustin Walters.

The roadrunner division had its lowest car count in a number of weeks. Wyatt Roach took the trophy dash win over Charlie Anderson, Dustin DelBiaggio and Bill Snow. Anderson won the heat race ahead of Snow, Dylan Cook, DelBiaggio and Roach. Things got a bit too exciting in the 15-lap feature event when the track car driven by Evon Schumeier and Snow made contact coming out of turn two. Schumeier’s front bumper fell off in front of his front tires while Snow hit the turn-three wall likely due to a cut tire from the bumper. After the complete restart, DelBiaggio and Roach quickly moved to the first and second positions by the end of the first lap. On lap 2, Roach moved inside and past DelBiaggio for the race lead. The best battle for the rest of the race was for fifth between Erin Sandiferd and Raleigh Willoughby. Willoughby was able to take the lead late in the going. At the checkered flag, it was Roach taking the comfortable win over Cook, DelBiaggio, Anderson and Willoughby.

Johnny Barker took the trophy dash victory for the Northern California Pro-4 Modified cars over Curt Lewis, Greg Van Cleave and Jake Tillman. Barker followed that up with a heat race victory ahead of Van Cleave, Codi Barba, Tillman and Curt Lewis. Barker swiftly maneuvered his way to the front of the field from the rear in the 25-lap main event. Caution flew early on for Tillman who was leaking fluid onto the track. After the restart, Van Cleave moved into second behind Barker. The front two cars were the class of the field as Barker held a five to six car-length gap over Van Cleave in second. With only four laps remaining, Van Cleave spun in turn two. Unfortunately, Van Cleave was not able to get going again and was finished for the race. The restart allowed Barba to try to put up a fight for the lead but coming off turn four with two laps remaining Barba spun. At the same time, Barker’s car started to misfire. Coming to the white flag, Curt Lewis and Marty Lewis both got by Barker for first and second. It was a drag race to the line but Curt Lewis was able to beat Marty Lewis to the line for the win. Barker held on for third while Barba was fourth and Stan Bushman took fifth.

Thunder Roadster driver, Paul Peeples, Jr. returned to the Acres after a two race absence but had engine problems in practice and did not race on the evening. David Henderson fought off Randy Olson, Mike Ward and Tommy Payne in the trophy dash to win. After a long absence from the Acres, Ray Elliott returned to win the first heat race for the roadsters over Jay Bahner, Chris Sarvinski, Dave McMurray and Belinda Ward. Olson won the second heat beating Henderson, Robert Miller, Bruce Ziemer, Payne and Mike Ward. McMurray led the field to the green in the 30-lap feature event and put the pole position to good use, taking the lead from the start. The caution fell on lap two when Dan Browne and Payne made contact between turns three and four sending Payne spinning. Browne was sent to the rear of the field with Payne and the race resumed.

On the restart, Elliott tried to put pressure on the leader McMurray. Meanwhile, Sarvinski, Miller, Henderson and Olson were quickly moving to the front. Miller pushed high in turns one and two on lap four allowing Henderson and Olson to use the low line to get by. The next lap, Henderson moved under Sarvinski for third with Olson following in his path. On lap seven, Elliott spun off turn four while battling Henderson for the second position. McMurray had his hands full on the restart with both Henderson and Olson filling his mirrors. Henderson tried to use the high line to quickly get by McMurray for the lead but it left a spot for Olson to fall in on the bottom behind McMurray. Coming off turn four on lap 9, Olson was able to get under McMurray. Olson took the position the next lap with Miller following by past Henderson and McMurray.

Henderson quickly regrouped and moved by McMurray and then Miller on subsequent laps to get into second. Henderson rode in Olson’s mirror before lap 25 when he found a line under Olson coming off the fourth turn. The two raced wheel-to-wheel going into turn one, but Olson managed to shut the door on Henderson. The duo ran nose-to-tail until the final lap when Henderson moved under Olson coming off turn four. Olson was able to win the drag race to the line to take his second straight victory. Miller finished third with Mike Ward fourth and McMurray taking fifth.

Northern California racing legend, Jim Walker qualified his familiar blue 48 car for the sportsman division but did not take part in the racing action. Dennis DelBiaggio took the honors in the trophy dash winning ahead of Brandon Barnwell, Jerry Peterson and Larry Pries. Lissa Uselton fought off the pack to take the heat race win over Peterson, Angelo Marcelli, Barnwell and DelBiaggio. Uselton started on the pole position for the 30-lap main event and took the lead in the early going. Kavin Conn spun off the fourth turn on lap two. While Conn was coming back on the track, Uselton had to quickly slow down allowing to pass and take the lead. Pries, Barnwell and Peterson also took advantage of Uselton’s misfortune getting by her.

On lap 6, Pries moved outside and past Marcelli bringing DelBiaggio with him. A few laps later, DelBiaggio took the lead from Pries while Barnwell and Peterson moved by Marcelli at the same time. DelBiaggio was on rails and went unchallenged the rest of the race winning over Pries, Barnwell, Peterson and Marcelli.

Racing at the Acres returns in two weeks on August 22nd with Back-To-School Night. Only three races remain after that with Fan Appreciation Night on August 29th, the Judy Fox Memorial Race on September 12th and the Fall Spectacular on September 26th featuring late models and the I.M.C.A. Modifieds.

Championships favorites becoming clearer at Redwood Acres Raceway

Championships favorites becoming clearer at Redwood Acres Raceway

By Matthew J. Sullivan

The 2009 racing season at Redwood Acres Raceway is more than 1/3rd of the way through the year’s schedule. The points standings in the six local classes after six of the scheduled 15 events are tight in some of the divisions while in others, the margin is much larger and the points standings are more spread out.

The limited street stock division points are led by Fergy Ferguson with 215. He holds a two point lead over Kenny Demello in second and a 14 point lead over Stan Young in third. The closeness of the standings are unfortunately a reflection of the lack of cars in the division. Bill Middleton stands fourth with 66 points garnered.

It’s a battle of brothers in the mini stock class. Scott Baker leads brother Craig 393-382. Brian McIntosh is third with 372 points while rookie Steve Smith isn’t too far behind in fourth with 342. Brian Murrell, Jr. is fifth with 176. Nick Bundy has been the dominant force in the roadrunner divisions first season at Redwood Acres Raceway, winning five of the six main events on the year. Bundy has 390 points, 127 more than second place Oscar Koskinen at 263. Jimmy Murray is third with 261 followed by Carrie Cook with 241 and the Redwood Acres track car with 238.

Ryan Walters has been the man to beat in the real stock division winning four of the six main events. Walters has scored 410 points thus far. Casey Mitchell has been a consistent top three runner and stands in second place with 368 points. Jim Redd is third with a main event win and 366 points, while Pat Conway also has a main event victory and is one point behind Redd in fourth place. Roger Linn, Jr. is in fifth with 342 points.

In the thunder roadster division, David Henderson was able to stretch his points lead over Paul Peeples, Jr. in the June 6th race at Redwood Acres. Henderson swept the night winning the trophy dash, the heat race and the main event while Peeples struggled with his car after having to change his engine earlier in the day. Henderson has 414 points while Peeples in second has 390. While those two have been the dominant drivers in the division, Robert Miller has been the “best of the rest” and is third in points with 362. Fourth place is only five behind miller with 357 while Mike Ward is fifth with 330.

Out of all the divisions, the sportsman class has been the most competitive without question. Through the six races this year, there have been six different winners. Dennis Delbiaggio has a 10 point lead over Larry Pries, 381-371, both drivers having scored a main event win this year. Angelo Marcelli is third, three points behind Pries with 368 and a main event victory. Jerry Peterson is another five points behind Marcelli with 363 and a main event victory in the last race at the Acres on June 6th. Brandon Barnwell sits fifth with a main event and 251 points. The top four drivers are the only ones who have been in all six races this season.

Racing at Redwood Acres Raceway returns on Friday June 26th and Saturday 27th for the Redwood Acres Fair Classic. This event is the second biggest race of the season at the speedway next to the Fall Classic season finale in September. A number of cars are expected to show up for both nights in several of the divisions and its expected to be a pair of thrilling nights at the Acres.

Limited Street Stocks
Track Record: Trevor Miller 17.143
Fergy Ferguson 215, Kenny Demello 213, George Young 201, Bill Middleton 66

Mini Stocks
Craig Baker 18.597
Scott Baker 393, Craig Baker 382, Brian McIntosh 372, Steve Smith 342, Brian Murrell, Jr. 176, Len Bowman 161, Brian Murrell, Sr. 130, Nick Karanopoulos 117, Norm Carmichael 88, Denzil Barrett 59

Roadrunners
Nick Bundy 21.825
Nick Bundy 390, Oscar Koskinen III 263, Jimmy Murray 261, Carrie Cook 241, Track Car 238, Charlie Anderson 221, Dustin DelBiaggio 200, Bill Snow 120, Erik Mendes 111, Raleigh Willoughby 59

Real Stocks
Shawn Craig 18.763
Ryan Walters 410, Casey Mitchell 368, Jim Redd 366, Pat Conway 365, Roger Linn, Jr. 342, Dustin Walters 318, Ryan/Russ Robinson 227, Nick Green 210, Doug Way 101, Bob Lima 57, Jim Bailey 11

Thunder Roadsters
Paul Peeples, Jr. 16.839
Dave Henderson 414, Paul Peeples, Jr. 390, Robert Miller 362, Thomas Payne 357, Mike Ward 330, Chris Sarvinski 303, Rob Nelson 281, Mark Arroyo 281, Bruce Ziemer 257, Belinda Ward 245, Jim Rich 213, Dan Browne 187, Jay Bahner 148, Chris Banfill 141, Donn Cole 59, Dave McMurray 50, Doug Pulver 43

Sportsman
Shawn Andrews 15.794
Dennis DelBiaggio 387, Larry Pries 377, Angelo Marcelli 368, Jerry Peterson 363, Brandon Barnwell 251, Joe McDonald 197, Frank Billy, Jr. 126, Aaron Byers 124, Kavin Conn 116, Shawn Craig 107, Ken Hallis 56, Al Acuna 53, Lissa Uselton 11.

Henderson scores win number two on the season

Henderson scores win number two on the season

By Matthew J. Sullivan

Racing at Redwood Acres Raceway returned for the third time this season this past Saturday night. A large crowd turned out to watch all six local classes return to action once again at the 3/8-mile paved oval. As usual, there was much close racing but unfortunately there were a number of incidents that cut short the night of several racers.

The limited street stock class timed in only three cars and only ran the trophy dash. Fergy Ferguson took the dash win over Kenny Demello and George Young. The roadrunner division saw an influx of several cars on the night. Keri Cook won the dash in her first ever start beating Nick Bundy, Oscar Koskinen and Dustin Delbiaggio. Costinin won the heat race ahead of Bundy, Delbiaggio, Cook and Jimmy Murray. The first lap of the main event was led by Murray before Bundy took the top position on the second lap. Bundy would not look back from that point on. On the last lap of the race, Murray and Delbiaggio made contact and spun on the front stretch. Bundy crossed the line the winner while Delbiaggio and Koskinen finished second and third.

The real stock trophy dash winner was Casey Mitchell followed by Ryan Walters, Jim Redd and Roger Linn. Walters followed that win with another in the heat race over Pat Conway, Mitchell, Redd and Dustin Walters. The battle for the lead on lap one of the main event was between Ryan and Dustin Walters with Mitchell right in the mix. By lap two, Ryan took the lead away from Dustin and set sail while Mitchell was able to follow through into the second position. Redd was able to pass Walters for third on lap three. The best battle on the track was for second between Mitchell and Redd. Redd was able to successfully take the position on lap 10 after dueling side-by-side with Mitchell for several laps. On lap 19, Redd spun on his own in the second turn bringing out the yellow flag. The restart was merely a delay to victory lane for Walters as he was able to hold off Mitchell at the line to win his second main event on the year. Conway finished third with Dustin Walters fourth and Linn fifth.

The mini stock division has a few more cars show up to race for the evening. Scott Baker won the dash over Brian Murrell, Brian McIntosh and Denzil Barrett. Baker followed that up with the heat race win over McIntosh, Murrell, Barrett and Craig Baker. The main event proved to be a wild one. On lap three, Scott Baker, Barrett and Brian Murrell, Jr. came together along the front straightaway sending Barrett’s vehicle over the rear wheel of Murrell’s car. Murrell was finished for the night. On the restart it was his father leading Nick Karanopoulos, McIntosh and the Baker brothers, Scott and Craig. On lap five, Steve Smith spun in the fourth corner. While coming back to the flag, McIntosh and Scott Baker spun. Barrett had nowhere to go and slammed head on into Baker’s car. McIntosh was able to continue while Baker, Barrett and Smith were forced out for the rest of the event. After the restart, McIntosh broke and brought out another yellow. The race was shortened to 10 laps and Murrell was able to hold off Craig Baker and Karanopoulos for the victory. Afterwards, Murrell was disqualified for not going through post-race teardown so the win was awarded to Baker.

Defending sportsman division champion, Brandon Barnwell returned to the Acres for the first time this season winning the trophy dash followed by Larry Pries, Dennis Delbiaggio and Angelo Marcelli. The heat race featured an unfortunate incident in turn one. Pries spun and collected Frank Billy ending Billy’s evening. Barnwell took the dash win ahead of Jerry Peterson, Marcelli and Delbiaggio. The first few laps of the main were led by Delbiaggio. Coming off of turn four on the fifth lap, Delbiaggio got severely loose, nearly wrecking. This allowed Barnwell to take the lead away. Delbiaggio got loose and spun on lap 10 bringing out the caution flag. Barnwell was able to race comfortably after the restart and took the victory over Pries, Delbiaggio, Marcelli and Peterson.

David Henderson won the thunder roadster heat race over Paul Peeples, Jr., Mike Ward and Tommy Payne. Mark Arroyo won the first heat ahead of Bruce Ziemar, Rob Nelson, Jay Bahner and Belinda Ward. Peeples held off Henderson for the victory in the second heat race while Robert Miller, Payne and Mike Ward rounded out the top five. Chris Sarvinski took the lead early on in the main event and it looked as though it might be his night. However as both Henderson and Peeples knifed their way through traffic, it was obvious that once again the battle for the race win would be between them. After holding both Henderson and Peeples off for the first 15 laps, Sarvinski had to make way for the two, falling back to the third position. Henderson was clearly the fastest car on the track on the night as he was able to pull out and maintain a comfortable lead over Peeples. At the checkered flag it was Henderson over Peeples, Sarvinski, Arroyo and Payne.

Racing resumes this coming Saturday night at Redwood Acres Raceway. Along with the six local classes will be the Pro-4 Modifieds making a visit on what will be Pepsi Night at The Acres.

Henderson turns the tables on Peeples

Henderson turns the tables on Peeples

By Matthew J. Sullivan

For the second straight week and the second time in 2009, fans crowded the grandstands at Redwood Acres Raceway hoping to see what they have all come to expect; intense, close and exciting racing that the 3/8-mile paved oval has often provided over the years. They were not disappointed as there were several close finishes throughout the evening that brought the fans to their feet clapping their hands in approval.

Both the limited street stocks and the new roadrunner division had three cars racing on the evening. A fourth roadrunner driver, Dustin Delbiaggio was unable to start due to engine problems. Kenny Demello won the trophy dash over Stan Young and Rick Armstrong who was driving the car normally piloted by Fergy Ferguson. Demello went on to win the main event ahead of Armstrong and Young. Nick Bundy appears to be the main to beat thus far in the roadrunners as he swept both the dash and main event with Jimmy Murray and Jim McIntosh finishing second and third in both races. McIntosh was behind the wheel of the Redwood Acres Raceway owned car for the evening.

Jim Redd won the real stock trophy dash over Ryan Walters, Pat Conway and Roger Linn. Casey Mitchell held of Walters in the heat race for the win with Redd, Conway and Linn finishing out the top 5. Conway got a quick jump on Mitchell going into the first turn in the main event to take the race lead. By lap three, the two fast cars of Redd and Walters had maneuvered their way to third and fourth while Conway held a slight advantage over Mitchell. On lap nine, Redd went to high into turn one allowing Walters to move inside and past him. Going into turn three, Linn moved inside of Redd but the two tangled dropping debris on the track, specifically Redd’s bumper. Unfortunately for Redd, he was forced out for the rest of the race.

The restart allowed both Mitchell and Walters to figure out how to wrestle the race lead away from Conway. Mitchell tried the first few laps on the high line but was unable to find the handling he needed to stay with Conway and hold Walters off for the second spot. On lap 17, Walters made contact with Conway’s rear sending Conway sideways. Walters backed off allowing Conway to save his car and everyone continued on safely. Walters waited until the last two laps to make his move, going high. On the last lap it appeared as though Walters had the advantage on Conway but coming off the fourth turn both drivers got loose and turned sideways. Conway managed to get his car straight while Walters fought for control. At the line it was Conway the winner with Walters spinning sideways across for second. Mitchell took evasive action in the dirt to finish third while Dustin Walters ran a smooth race in fourth and Ryan Robinson in fifth.

The trophy dash winner for the mini stock division was Scott Baker over Brian Murrell, Brian McIntosh and Craig Baker. Baker would win once again in the heat race ahead of Murrell, Craig Baker, McIntosh and Brian Murrell, Jr. Leonard Bowman spun on the initial start of the main event and was unable to return to the field for the restart. Early on Murrell, Jr. set the pace for the field, but by lap three father passed son for the lead as Murrell took the top position away off turn four. A lap later, Scott Baker did the same thing to take second away. On lap seven, Baker moved by Murrell for the lead and what would be the race win. Late in the going, McIntosh’s engine began to sour and he fell off the pace at the end. The checkered flag dropped first on Scott Baker while Murrell finished second, Craig Baker third, Murrell, Jr. fourth and Steve Smith fifth.

Frank Billy won the sportsman trophy dash over Dennis Delbiaggio, Larry Pries and Kavin Conn. Angelo Marcelli won the heat race just ahead of Delbiaggio, Billy, Pries and Jerry Peterson. Only 6 cars started the main event on the night and it proved to be a fairly wild race. Marcelli led Peterson, Pries, Billy and Delbiaggio from the start. On lap 14, Conn spun in turn two bringing out the yellow flag. Things got crazy coming back to the green flag as Pries spun sideways in front of Billy, Delbiaggio and Conn. Billy, Delbiaggio and Conn all suffered front-end damage. Under caution while catching up to the end of the field, Conn cut down a tire and hit the turn three wall ending his evening.

The final five laps featured an exciting duel for the race lead as Peterson tried to use the high line to get by Marcelli. On the final lap, Peterson and Marcelli were door handle to door handle for the lead going down the back chute. Coming off the fourth turn, Peterson got loose allowing Marcelli to pull out the race win. It was a photo finish for second with Pries appearing to cross the line inches ahead of Peterson. Delbiaggio placed fourth with Billy fifth.

David Henderson made a last lap, last turn pass on Paul Peeples, Jr. to win the dash while Chris Banfill and Tommy Payne rounded out the starters. Chris Sarvinski won the first heat race ahead of Robert Miller, Shane Toole, Rob Nelson and Dan Brown. Peeples fended off Henderson for victory in the second heat while Mike Ward, Payne and Banfill finished the top five. Nelson took the lead on the start of the main event but Miller moved by on the second lap. Unfortunately on lap three Nelson spun off turn four collecting Banfill’s car. Banfill had irreparable damage ending his night prematurely while Nelson was fortunate enough to continue.

The restart proved to be Miller’s undoing. Where before he had a fair lead over the field he now had to deal with Sarvinski, Payne, Henderson and Peeples right on his bumper. On lap four, Sarvinski moved under Miller for the lead. The top five cars were under a blanket. While Miller and Sarvinski dueled for the lead, Peeples moved into third and Payne and Henderson dueled side-by-side for fourth. On lap seven, Peeples went three wide for the lead taking the spot with Henderson following in his path. Peeples and Henderson ran away, while the rest of the field jockeyed for positions on back. The majority of the race featured a familiar and exciting duel for the race lead between Peeples and Henderson. It appeared as though Henderson had the advantage on this night and it proved true on lap 27 as he was able to find a hole underneath Peeples to take the lead. Peeples was unable to mount a serious challenge on Henderson for the rest of the race and at the checkered flag it was Henderson victorious over Peeples, Sarvinski, Payne and Miller.

Racing at the Acres has a weekend off before returning Mother’s Day weekend.

Pries, Peeples among opening night winners

Pries, Peeples among opening night winners

By Matthew J. Sullivan

The 21st season of racing on the pavement began this past Saturday night at Redwood Acres Raceway. Though it was a relatively cool evening, a number of fans turned out to witness the five established classes of sportsman, Thunder Roadsters, real stocks, mini stocks and limited street stocks as well as the debut of roadrunner division.

Three cars took to the track for the roadrunners on this opening evening of racing. Dustin Delbiaggio took the honors of being the first driver to win a roadrunner event by winning the trophy dash. Nick Bundy displayed his strength in the main event winning ahead of Delbiaggio and Jimmy Murray. The car count in this class is expected to expand tremendously as the 2009 season progresses. Three cars also showed up for the limited street stock class. Defending class champion, Fergy Ferguson won the dash while George Young held on for the main event win ahead of Ferguson and Kenny Demello.

The mini stock trophy dash victory went to Scott Baker over Brian Murrell, Brian McIntosh and Brian Murrell, Jr. Baker was able to claim victory again in the heat race, passing Murrell on the final lap to win. McIntosh, Murrell, Jr. and Craig Baker rounded out the top 5 finishers. Driving an unfamiliar vehicle, Craig Baker held the lead in the early stages before giving way to McIntosh. Scott Baker maneuvered his way to the front quickly and battled McIntosh for the lead for several laps before taking the outside line by for the lead around halfway. While moving through slower traffic, Craig Baker and Murrell were able to move by McIntosh for second and third. At the checkered flag it was Scott winning over brother Craig followed by Murrell, McIntosh and Murrell, Jr.

Sporting a new paintjob in the real stock class was Casey Mitchell as he took the dash win over Ryan Walters, Jim Redd and Pat Conway. Redd made a last-lap pass on Mitchell in the heat race to win ahead of Conway, Bob Lima and Roger Linn. In the main event, Mitchell held on to the lead early before Walters was able to take the top spot away about halfway through. Redd moved by Mitchell a few laps later and managed to track down Walters. However, Redd was unsuccessful at being able to mount a serious charge on Walters, getting only as close as a half of a car length. In the end it was Walters victorious over Redd, Mitchell, Linn and Lima.

Defending Thunder Roadster track champion, Paul Peeples, Jr. fought off David Henderson for the dash win with Chris Sarvinski and Tommy Payne close behind. Mark Arroyo won the first heat race followed by Robert Miller, Jay Bahner, Rob Nelson and Belinda Ward. Sarvinski won the second head while Henderson beat Chris Banfill to the line for second. Peeples and Payne finished fourth and fifth. Arroyo lead in the early going of the main event, but by lap 10 both Peeples and Henderson had diced their way through the field and into first and second. The remainder of the main event featured what has not become a regular duel for the race win between Peeples and Henderson. Try as he might, Henderson just could not find what he needed to get by Peeples and in the end it was Peeples taking the win with Henderson close behind in second, Mike Ward in third, Payne fourth and Arroyo fifth.

Trophy dash honors for the sportsman division went to Dennis Delbiaggio over Angelo Marcelli, Larry Pries and Kavin Conn. The heat race saw an unfortunate incident on the last lap when Lissa Uselton got loose off the fourth corner and spun. Aaron Byers, who was making his first start at the Acres in almost two years was unable to slow down and ran into the back of Frank Billy’s car. Neither Uselton or Byers were able to race in the main event while Billy’s car was relatively undamaged. Jerry Peterson ended up the winner in the last lap melee.

Peterson started from the pole and led the rest of the field quite handily in the main event before a lap nine incident between Al Acuna and Conn. On the restart, Billy was able to get a good jump and maneuvered his way past Peterson for the lead. The field began to tighten close together as the laps wound down. With two laps remaining, Peterson moved inside of Billy down the backstretch. The two touched in the third turn sending Billy spinning. Delbiaggio and Marcelli also spun to avoid the incident, and thankfully none of the cars suffered any damage. Peterson was sent to the rear of the pack allowing Larry Pries to inherit the race lead. Pries was able to lead the last two laps without incident to take the victory ahead of Marcelli, Delbiaggio, Conn and Peterson.

Everyone has less than a week to wait for the next event as racing returns this Saturday night April 25th.

Heavy fog cancels another night of racing

Heavy fog cancels another night of racing

By Matthew J. Sullivan

For the second time out of three scheduled evenings, Redwood Acres Raceway officials were forced to cancel Saturday night’s racing action, this time due to heavy fog. The limited street stock cars were in the midst of their heat race before an incident between Kenny Demello and Duayne Mayo brought a yellow flag out. It was under the caution period that the drivers and track officials deemed the speedway unsafe.

The limited street cars pulled into the pit area for a short period hoping for the fog to lift. The fog lifted for a brief period and the limited streets came out again along with the mini stocks to try to get the track back in racing condition. But once again, the fog dropped and officials decided it best to cancel the rest of the night’s races.

The track was able to get qualifying, trophy dashes and the real stock heats in before the fog came. The dash winners were Ryan Peeples in the real stocks, Fergy Ferguson in the limited street stocks, Brian Murrell in the mini stocks, Paul Peeples, Jr. in the thunder roadsters and Larry Pries in the sportsman division. Bob Lima and Trevor Miller won the two real stock heat races. Qualifying for the real stocks was paced by Trevor Miller with a 18.937 time. Scott Lyons was fastest in the limited streets with a 17.941. Max Capps set the pace for the mini stocks with a 19.381. Paul Peeples, Jr.’s 17.009 was fastest in the thunder roadsters, while Dennis Delbiaggio set the standard in the sportsman division with a 16.456 qualifying lap.

The Best Appearing Car contest that was scheduled to be held on the first night of racing but was rained out was held on this night. Drivers from all divisions pulled their cars on the front straightaway, and the winner was determined by the amount of noise generated by the fans in the grandstands. The winners were Brian Murrell in the mini stocks, Robert Miller in the thunder roadsters, Ryan Peeples in the real stocks, Fergy Ferguson in the limited street stocks and Larry Pries in the sportsman.

Thankfully, racing returns this coming Saturday night May 17 with all five local classes returning to action once more.

Barnwell takes win number four, Peeples notches his fifth

Barnwell takes win number four, Peeples notches his fifth

By Matthew J. Sullivan

A packed house of excited race fans greeted Redwood Acres Raceway this past Saturday night. It was one of the biggest night’s of the 2007 racing season; Fan Appreciation Night. Fans were able to get into the race free of charge provided that they pick up tickets at any number of locations in the area thanks to Bear River Casino. Prior to the night’s racing, drivers in all of the divisions lined their cars on the front straightaway and fans were allowed to meet and greet with the drivers.

At the night’s end, several familiar faces returned to victory lane. Orion Mosher continued his winning ways in the limited street stock class winning yet another main event, number four for the season. After unfortunate circumstances sidelined him in the main the previous weekend, Steve Kimberling took the win in the real stock main after Bob Lima’s car failed tech inspection. Craig Baker held off Byron McIntosh to win the mini stock main event. Paul Peeples, Jr. fought off the hard charging David Henderson in the thunder roadster main to score his fifth win of the season. In the sportsman division, Brandon Barnwell returned to victory lane after a five race winless drought.

Orion Mosher set fast time for the limited street stocks with a 17.706. Robert Miller won the dash over Mosher, Kenny Demello and Scott Lyons. Mosher won the heat race ahead of Demello, Duane Mayo, Stan Young and Lyons. Miller and Young took the field to the green in the 15 lap main event. Miller took the lead off the start while Lyons slotted himself into the second position. On lap two, Young spun into the infield but continued on. The next lap, Romeo Venza spun in the fourth turn but was able to get going without bringing out the caution flag. Mosher challenged Lyons for second on lap five, but Lyons maintained the position. On lap seven, Lyons moved inside of Miller to take the lead bringing Mosher into second. On lap 11 while working slower traffic, Lyons was caught out allowing Mosher to move outside and by for the race lead. The next lap, Miller moved back by Lyons but by then Mosher held a comfortable lead. At the checkered flag it was Mosher winning over Miller, Lyons, Demello and Mayo.

Fast time honors for the mini stock class went to Craig Baker with a lap of 18.960. Baker won the dash over Byron McIntosh, Glenn Bernald and Max Capps. Baker followed that up with the heat race victory over Brian McIntosh, Brian Murrell, By. McIntosh and Capps. Br. McIntosh and Nick Karanopoulos took the eight car field to the green of the 15 lap main event. McIntosh took the lead from the start over Murrell and Karanopoulos. On lap four, Baker took third away from Karanopoulos. At the same time, Denzil Barrett spun in the second turn bringing out the yellow flag. On the restart, Baker moved by Murrell for second. On lap seven, Baker moved by Br. McIntosh for the lead. Meanwhile, By. McIntosh moved by Karanopoulos for fourth, then by Murrell for third. On lap nine, Byron moved by brother Brian for the second spot. Murrell pulled his car into the pits on lap 10 with something dragging under his car. By. McIntosh closed in on Baker but ran out of time at the end as Baker took the win over By. McIntosh, Br. McIntosh, Karanopoulos and Glenn Bernald.

Chuck Essex was the quick qualifier among the real stock cars with a 19.514 lap time. Jim Redd won the dash over Bill Middleton, Ryan Walters and Essex. Walters won the first head followed by Marvin Savage, Bob Lima, Nick Green and Barry Barnwell. Troy Wood won the second heat over Middleton, Steve Kimberling, Nick Mitchell and Doug Way. Mitchell and Savage led the field to the green in the 25 lap main event. Mitchell took the lead from the drop of the green while Savage was clotheslined back to the fifth spot. On lap seven, Redd moved to the fifth position. On lap eight, Lima moved inside and by Mitchell for the lead. On lap nine, Mitchell spun in the second turn collecting Redd and Doug Way. At this time Lima led Wood, Kimberling, Savage and Walters.

On the restart, Lima got an excellent jump and pulled out his lead. Walters also got a good start and was able to move by Savage for fourth. On lap 11, Kimberling moved outside of Wood for the second spot. While the two dueled for position, Lima pulled away. After several laps of close but clean racing, Kimberling was able to move by Wood on lap 15. On lap 16, Middleton moved into third by Wood with Walters following in his wake. While Kimberling, Middleton and Walters dueled for second, Lima stretched out to an insurmountable lead. At the checkered flag, Lima crossed the line first over Kimberling, Middleton, Walters and Barnwell, however Lima’s car failed post race tech giving the victory to Kimberling and moving Nick Green into the fifth position.

David Henderson set the pace for the thunder roadsters in qualifying with a 16.960 lap. Chris Sarvinski won the dash over Henderson, Troy Combs and Paul Peeples, Jr. Gerhy Foster won the first heat ahead of Chris Banfill, Bill Bradbury, Thomas Payne and Leroy Marsh, Jr. Unfortunately Rob Nelson had right front issues in the heat and was involved in an incident with Chris Lawrence. Fortunately, both were able to make it out for the main event. Ray Elliott won the second heat over Bruce Ziemer, Peeples, Combs and Mark Arroyo.

21 cars lined up for the 30 lap feature. Marsh and Banfill lead the field to the green flag with Marsh getting the early lead. On lap five, Elliott marched his way into the top spot, passing Marsh. On lap seven, Foster spun bringing out the yellow flag. On the restart, Elliott led Marsh, Banfill, Ziemer and Jay Bahner. Combs began to make his presence felt getting by Bahner and Ziemer on the restart. The yellow came out once again on lap 8. The green flew once more and the front four pulled away. On lap 12, Combs moved inside and by Banfill for third. Two laps later, Combs made his way by Marsh for the second position. On lap 15, Marsh got into the back of Combs in turn two sending Combs into a spin and bringing out the yellow flag.

Marsh dropped to the rear of the field for his involvement in the incident and the top five now consisted of Elliott, Banfill, Ziemer, Peeples and Bahner. With the race halfway over, Peeples began to make his way to the front. On the restart, he moved by Ziemer for third and began to challenge Banfill for second. On lap 18, Banfill turned sideways in the fourth turn but held off Peeples and continued on. At the same time, Payne spun in the fourth turn bringing out the yellow flag again. On the restart, Henderson moved inside of Bahner taking the fifth spot. On lap 20, Henderson took fourth away from Ziemer. On lap 24, Peeples moved inside and by Banfill for the second spot. On lap 28, Peeples moved inside of Elliott, while Bahner wrecked off the second turn bringing the yellow out for the final time. On the restart, Peeples moved outside of Elliott to take the lead bringing Henderson with him. Henderson mounted a charge to the inside of Peeples, but Peeples slammed the door. In the end, Peeples was able to hold off Henderson to win. Banfill moved by Elliott to take third while Mark Arroyo rounded out the top five.

Brandon Barnwell set quick time for the sportsman cars with a 16.349 time. Lissa Uselton won the dash ahead of Barnwell, Aaron Byers and Larry Pries. Barnwell won the first heat over Rick Fox, Ken Hallis, Uselton and Frank Billy. Jerry Peterson took the second over Angelo Marcelli, Byers, Pries and Marty Walsh. Hallis and Fox lead the field to the green in the 30 lap main event with Fox taking the lead from the start. On lap two, Barnwell moved outside of Uselton for fifth taking the spot on lap three. While Fox pulled away, Barnwell continued his march to the front getting by Pries for fourth on lap six. On lap seven, Byers moved by Hallis for second bringing Barnwell and Peterson with him. On lap eight, Barnwell moved by Byers for second. Peterson was able to get by Byers for third on lap 11 just as Billy spun in turn two bringing out the yellow flag.

On the restart it was Fox leading Barnwell, Peterson, Byers and Pries. On lap 14, Pries moved inside and by Byers for fourth. On lap 15, Walsh moved his way into fifth passing Byers for the position. On lap 17, Barnwell powered by Fox to take the lead. Peterson got loose on lap 18 allowing Pries to take third away from him. The field began to really spread out by lap 24 when Walsh took fourth away from Peterson. On lap 27, Pries moved inside and passed Fox for the second position. Pries was able to close in on Barnwell in the remaining three laps but ran out of time as Barnwell took the victory with Pries second, Fox third, Walsh fourth and Peterson fifth.

Racing returns to the Acres on August 28th with Back To School Night being the theme for the evening.

Three first-time winners highlight racing at the Acres

Three first-time winners highlight racing at the Acres

By Matthew J. Sullivan

In a season which has been dominated by a select few drivers, the July 7th evening of racing at Redwood Acres Raceway provided some very surprising first-time winners. After spending the first half of the 2007 season learning the ropes in the limited street stock class, Robert Miller took home his first ever main event victory. In his first time back at the Acres since a heat race incident on the first night wiped out his car, Denzil Barrett won his first main event victory ever in the mini stock division. Real stock veteran Bill Middleton claimed his third main event victory of the season. Ray Elliott held off his competitors to take a surprising win in the thunder roadster main event, while Acres veteran, Larry Pries won his first main event of the ‘07 season in the sportsman division.

Robert Miller set the fast time for the limited street stocks with a 17.808 lap time. Kenny Demello took the dash win ahead of Scott Lyons, Miller and Todd Freeman. Miller won the heat in front of Duane Mayo, Demello, Freeman and Stan Young. Miller was able to use the momentum of his heat race victory to propel him into victory circle in the main event beating out Demello, Lyons, Romeo Venza and Young. Lyons currently holds a five point advantage over second place Mayo in points. Young is third followed by the Miller brothers of Robert and Trevor. Orion Mosher, the driver with the most wins in the division for 2007 so far is fifth in points.

18.966 was the quick lap in the mini stock class set by Byron McIntosh. McIntosh followed up fast time with the dash win ahead of Jason Shaha, Brian Murrell and Max Capps. Scott Baker won the heat over Brian McIntosh, Nick Karanopoulos, Glenn Bernald and Denzil Barrett. The night would belong to Barrett in the main event, as he was able to hold off Shaha and McIntosh to win his first main event. Capps and Murrell rounded out the top five finishers. Murrell has a four point advantage over Byron McIntosh. Capps is third in point followed by Bernald and Shaha.

Ryan Peeples took fast time honors for the real stock division with a 19.323 time. Steve Kimberling won the dash head of Peeples, Barry Barnwell and Chuck Essex. Doug Way claimed the first heat race win over Kimberling, Ryan Walters, Troy Wood and Essex while Barnwell took the second followed by Jim Redd, Bill Middleton, Bob Lima and Donnie Hyman. When it came to the main event, Middleton proved to be the victor over Walters, Wood, Way and Barnwell. With Kimberling’s seventh place finish, Wood closed the points gap to four. Middleton is third followed by Barnwell and Marvin Savage.

Paul Peeples, Jr. set fast time for the thunder roadster cars with a 16.927 lap. Chris Banfill won the dash ahead of David Henderson, Mark Arroyo and Peeples. Ray Elliott won the first head followed by Chris Sarvinski, Peeples, Arroyo and Bill O’Neill while LeRoy Marsh, Jr. won the second over Bruce Ziemer, Troy Combs, Dave McMurray and Jay Bahner. At the end of the 30 lap main event, Elliott was the man out front. Combs took second over Peeples, Henderson and Marsh. Peeples holds a 21 point margin over Henderson in second. Marsh, Banfill and Mike Ward complete the top five in the points standings.

Brandon Barnwell earned fast time honors with a 16.595 lap. Barnwell won the dash over Larry Pries, Marty Walsh and Lissa Uselton. Walsh took the heat victory ahead of Aaron Byers, Uselton, Pries and Jerry Peterson. The main event win would go to Pries, his first of the season. Rick Fox finished second with Angelo Marcelli third, Byers fourth and Peterson fifth. With an unusally bad ninth place finish, Barnwell’s points lead over Fox has been cut to just four. Marcelli, Pries and Byers complete the top five.

Racing at the Acres take a break for a few weeks before getting going again July 28th. As always, it should be another exciting event on Eureka’s 3/8 mile paved oval.

Race Results
Limited Street Stocks
Fast Time: Robert Miller 17.808
Dash: Kenny Demello, Scott Lyons, Miller, Todd Freeman
Heat: Miller, Duane Mayo, Demello, Freeman, Stan Young, Lyons, Romeo Venza
Main: Miller, Demello, Lyons, Venza, Young, Mayo, Freeman

Mini Stocks
Fast Time: Byron McIntosh 18.966
Dash: By. McIntosh, Jason Shaha, Brian Murrell, Max Capps
Heat: Scott Baker, Brian McIntosh, Nick Karanopoulos, Glenn Bernald, Denzil Barrett, Shaha, By. McIntosh, Murrell, Capps
Main: Barrett, Shaha, By. McIntosh, Capps, Murrell, Br. McIntosh, Bernald, Karanopoulos, Baker

Real Stocks
Fast Time: Ryan Peeples 19.323
Dash: Steve Kimberling, Peeples, Barry Barnwell, Chuck Essex
Heat 1: Doug Way, Kimberling, Ryan Walters, Troy Wood, Essex, Marvin Savage, Nick Green, Ray Robinson
Heat 2: Barnwell, Jim Redd, Bill Middleton, Bob Lima, Donnie Hyman, Mark Mullan, Peeples
Main: Middleton, Walters, Wood, Way, Barnwell, Peeples, Kimberling, Essex, Green, Hyman, Savage, Robinson, Mullan, Rick Stone, Lima, Redd

Thunder Roadsters
Fast Time: Paul Peeples, Jr. 16.927
Dash: Chris Banfill, David Henderson, Mark Arroyo, Peeples
Heat 1: Ray Elliott, Chris Sarvinski, Arroyo, Bill O’Neill, Mark Baldwin, Henderson, Banfill, Mike Ward
Heat 2: Leroy Marsh, Jr., Bruce Ziemer, Troy Combs, Dave McMurray, Jay Bahner, Bill Bradbury, Butch Weese, Rob Nelson, Belinda Ward
Main: Elliott, Combs, Peeples, Henderson, Marsh, Sarvinski, Banfill, Arroyo, Baldwin, O’Neill, Bahner, McMurray, M. Ward, Ziemer, Bradbury, Nelson, Weese, B. Ward

Sportsman
Fast Time: Brandon Barnwell 16.595
Dash: Barnwell, Larry Pries, Marty Walsh, Lissa Uselton
Heat: Walsh, Aaron Byers, Uselton, Pries, Jerry Peterson, Angelo Marcelli, Barnwell, Donnie Brown, Jason Belt, Rick Fox
Main: Pries, Fox, Marcelli, Byers, Peterson, Uselton, Belt, Brown, Barnwell.

Rain cancels racing at the Acres

Rain cancels racing at the Acres

By Matthew J. Sullivan

For the second time in the 2007 season, rain prevailed over racing at Redwood Acres Raceway cancelling the events this past Saturday night. Fans were able to watch trophy dash races in the real stock, mini stock and limited street stock divisions before a heavy fog quickly rolled over the track just as the thunder roadsters took to the track. This was the first time in recent memory that the races were canceled during the actual running of the events.

Steve Kimberling set the quick time for the real stocks with a 19.532 lap time. Orion Mosher was fastest in the limited street stock class with a 17.571. Jason Shaha set the fast lap in mini stock qualifying at 18.900. David Henderson took his first fast time in qualifying with a 17.111, while Brandon Barnwell was the fastest sportsman driver timing in at 16.485. Marvin Savage won the real stock trophy dash ahead of Kimberling, Ryan Peeples and Barry Barnwell. Mosher won the limited street dash narrowly edging Kenny Demello, Stan Young and Scott Lyons. Brian Murrell won the mini stock dash over Shaha, Byron McIntosh and Max Capps. Of course because of the cancellation of the rest of the night’s events, these races were not scored as being official therefore making the results more or less meaningless.

Racing resumes at the Acres June 22nd and 23rd at the Acres for the Redwood Acres Fair Classic. All five local classes will run both nights with the North State Challenge Series late models joining the action on Saturday night for their 100 lap feature.

Qualifying Times
Limited Street Stocks: Orion Mosher 17.571, Kenny Demello 17.996, Scott Lyons 18.245, Stan Young 18.654, Duane Mayo 18.902, Romeo Venza 24.040

Mini Stocks: Jason Shaha 18.900, Brian Murrell 18.999, Byron McIntosh 19.022, Max Capps 19.100, Scott Baker 19.166, Glenn Bernald 19.678, Nick Karanopoulos 19.797, Brian McIntosh 20.703

Real Stocks: Steve Kimberling 19.532, Ryan Peeples 19.567, Barry Barnwell 19.713, Marvin Savage 19.717, Troy Wood 19.896, Chuck Essex 19.897, Jim Redd 19.949, Nick Mitchell 20.138, Mark Mullan 20.189

Thunder Roadsters: David Henderson 17.111, Mark Arroyo 17.130, Gerhy Foster 17.159, Ray Elliott 17.215, Dave McMurray 17.270, Leroy Marsh, Jr. 17.318, Chris Banfill 17.332, Thomas Payne 17.341, Jay Bahner 17.356, Bill O’Neill 17.426, Troy Combs 17.439, Donn Cole 17.462, Mike Ward 17.496, Bruce Ziemer 17.522, Rob Nelson 17.801, Ron Borges 17.857, Belinda Ward 17.951, Chris Sarvinski 18.048, Paul Peeples, Jr. no time

Sportsman: Brandon Barnwell 16.485, Larry Pries 16.753, Angelo Marcelli 16.809, Aaron Byers 16.881, Rick Fox 17.040, Lissa Uselton 17.092, Jerry Peterson 17.180.

Expect 2007 to be another exciting season at the Acres

Expect 2007 to be another exciting season at the Acres

By Matthew J. Sullivan

If the 2007 season at Redwood Acres Raceway in Eureka, CA is anything like the 2006 season was, race fans should be in for a real treat. The 2006 season proved to be one of the most memorable in the track’s 50 year history. Along with the regular schedule of sportsmans, mini stocks, real stocks and limited street stocks was the addition of the thunder roadsters. Throughout the season, all five divisions provided some great side-by-side racing, narrow finishes and unfortunately many incidents.

Although the limited street stock division struggled with its car count throughout 2006, there should be more drivers racing in 2007. The 2006 champion was young rookie Adrien Betournay, however Betournay won’t be back to defend his title. The two drivers who will be the ones to beat are division veteran Orion Mosher and youngster Trevor Miller. Both drivers raced against each other several times in 2006 with neither having a real clear speed advantage over the other.

The real stock class was the most wide open division at the Acres in 2006 and 2007 should be no different. On any given night, ten drivers could easily find themself leading the field to the checkered flag. Bill Bradbury was able to win the championship, but it will not be of any advantage to him in the coming season with the competition he has to face. The closest points battle at the Acres in 2006 occurred in the mini stock division between Chad Grammer and Brian Murrell. Grammer was able to take the title by a mere eight points over Murrell, but with Grammer moving on the 2007 championship is completely up for grabs.

The car count for the thunder roadster division at Redwood Acres Raceway is the highest in the nation. Throughout 2006, the division averaged 20 cars per race and 2007 shouldn’t be any different. David Henderson won the track championship over a number of great drivers by maintaining a top five consistency. The roadsters feature what is the most diverse lineup of drivers ranging from young to old, completely inexperienced to many years of experience.

Marty Walsh was the 2006 champion in the sportsman division, but will not be back to defend the title in 2007. That leaves the door open for a number of drivers such as veterans Larry Pries, Angelo Marcelli, and less experienced drivers like Brandon Barnwell and Rick Fox. It is definitely hard to say who will be the favorite in 2007.

Along with the regular schedule of cars, the North State Challenge Series and the BCRA Midgets will be visiting the 3/8-mile paved oval. The BCRA Midgets will make their annual stop at the Acres on May 19, while the North State Challenge Series late model tour cars will be making their stops April 28, June 23 and September 28. Among the special events this season are the Best Appearing Car Contest on opening night April 21, the Redwood Acres Fair Classic June 22 and 23, Fan Appreciation Night August 4, Back-To-School Night August 25 and the Fall Spectacular September 28 and 29. There will also be two Powderpuff races June 9 and August 25.