By Matthew J. Sullivan
Less than a handful of races are left on the 2016 schedule for Redwood Acres Raceway. In fact, only three point paying events remain on the schedule, two for the late model division. As the season winds down, the battle for the track championship in all six local divisions promises to heat up.
The California State and Federal Employees Credit Union roadrunner division has a tie atop the division’s standings. Steve Paiment and Tyler Peach are the two drivers racing neck-and-neck for the division crown. Third place, Bethany Rapp will need both drivers to suffer serious issues to find her way back into the fight as she’s 38 points in arrears to the two leaders. Patrick Sproul is only a point behind Rapp in fourth while Dominic Vogelsang is fifth, two points behind Sproul.
James Moore has a huge advantage in the Fortuna Wheel and Brake bomber division. Moore has a 74 point lead over John Lally and appears to be a lock for the division track championship barring major unforeseen circumstances. Tyler Avelar is third in points, 93 behind Moore while Ryan Ahrens is a point behind Avelar in fourth. Rookie driver, Kimberly Sorrels is fifth in the standings, 109 behind Moore.
It’s a three man race for the title in the Humboldt Hydroponics mini stock class. Gary Klinetobe leads Eugene Palmer by only five points. Jarrett Mayo led the standings for the majority of the season but has suffered two straight races of bad luck which have dropped him to third and 12 points behind Klinetobe. Daniel Buell has been impressive in his rookie season in the division and is fourth in points, 54 behind Klinetobe. Division veteran, Rick Estes is fifth in points, 60 behind the leader.
Only four points separate first and second in the Thunder Roadster division. Veteran Tommy Payne leads rookie Ronnie O’Neil. It’s likely that the championship in the division will go down to the wire between the two drivers as they have finished near each other in nearly every race this season. Donnie Brown and Aaron Byers are 25 and 28 points behind Payne and though they are still in the point fight, it will take issues by both leaders for them to regain ground. LeRoy Marsh, Jr. rounds out the top five, 75 points behind Payne.
Robert Miller has a firm hold on the Legends division points lead. His gap over second place Anissa Curtice is 30 markers. Anissa’s father, Brad Curtice is third in points, 12 behind his daughter. Brent Mack is fourth, 60 behind Miller and rookie racer, M’Kinzy Usselton lies fifth in the point standings.
With only two races left in the Mid City Motor World late model division, the fight for position in each race is going to matter even more. Mic Moulton has a 16 point lead over Jedd Ambrosini. Marty Walsh and Richard Knight are tied for third, 21 markers behind Moulton. Kenny Demello is fifth, 35 out of the point lead.
Racing at the Acres returns this weekend August 20th for Driver Appreciation/Fastenal Night at the Races Presented by Lenox and Irwin Tools. Fans can get complimentary tickets from their favorite driver. In addition to the six local classes, the second annual Murrell 500 race will be held. Track officials also announced the return of the Fall Spectacular on October 8th and 9th. More details will be provided on the season-ending event soon. Also, the final outlaw kart race of 2016 will take place August 27th. It’s certain to be an exciting event as youngsters will take to the .110-dirt oval for the final time this season. For more information on everything going on at Redwood Acres Raceway, please visit the track’s official website www.racingtheacres.com