By Matthew J. Sullivan
The battle for the track championships in Redwood Acres Raceway’s six divisions is still up in the air. With the season nearly a quarter of the way done there are a lot of things that can change between this weekend’s upcoming race on June 11th and the final point races in September.
Redwood Acres Raceway’s newest division, the Legends are picking up cars as the season progresses. Current point leader, Brent Mack has managed to be the only driver to be able to start each of the four feature events this season and holds a commanding 28 point lead. Former Thunder Roadster racer, Robert Miller has used his experience to move into second. Brad Curtice is a point behind Miller in third while his daughter, Anissa Curtice is fourth only three markers behind. Denny Hadler, Jr. finished second in the most recent main event on May 29th and rounds out the top five in the standings.
Experience is paying off for Steve Paiment who leads the standings for the California State & Federal Employees Credit Union roadrunner division. Tyler Peach holds down second in the point standings and is 14 points behind Paiment. Bethany Rapp lies third and is an additional 13 points behind second place, Peach. Fourth position features a tie between Jennifer Murrell and Patrick Sproul.
Only two points separate first and second in the Fortuna Wheel & Brake bomber division. Tyler Avelar has been a force in the division in 2016 and leads the standings but James Moore is right on his heels in second. Ryan Ahrens is third but 39 points behind Avelar. John Lally is fourth in the standings, seven points behind Ahrens while Kim Sorrels is fifth.
With two main event victories in 2016, Jarrett Mayo leads the chase for the championship in the Humboldt Hydroponics mini stock class. Mayo’s advantage is 10 points over second place, Gary Klinetobe. Eugene Palmer is third and 11 points behind Mayo while Daniel Buell is farther back in fourth, 22 points behind Mayo. Brian Murrell, Sr. is fifth in points and 35 markers behind the leaders.
Another Acres veteran who has put his experience to good use in 2016 is Tommy Payne. The former Thunder Roadster champion is looking to add another to his resume and leads second place Ronnie O’Neil by nine points. Aaron Byers is third in the standings and still within sight of Payne as he’s 12 points behind. Fourth is Donnie Brown who is a single point behind third. LeRoy Marsh, Jr. rounds out the top five, 28 points behind Payne.
The Mid City Motor World late models have been off for nearly a month and it should be interesting this Saturday to see how the break has affected the drivers and teams in the division. Only fifteen points separate first to fifth in the standings with Mic Moulton leading second place, Marty Walsh by two points. Racing legend, Jim Walker is third and four points behind Moulton. Jedd Ambrosini is fourth while Kenny Demello rounds out the top five.
Racing at Redwood Acres Raceway returns this Saturday June 11th for Humboldt Motorsports Night at the Races. As noted, the Mid-City Motor World late models will return to the track to join the other five local classes of cars. Grandstands will open at 5:00 PM while racing begins at 6:30 PM. For more information on everything going on at Redwood Acres Raceway, please visit the track’s official website www.racingtheacres.com