By Matthew J. Sullivan
The penultimate outlaw kart race of the 2016 season at Redwood Acres Raceway took place this past Saturday night on what proved to be a beautiful afternoon. It was Scott Hammond State Farm Night at the Go-Kart Races and the drivers in the three divisions produced exciting and spectacular racing on the .110-dirt track.
It was T.J. Sorrels’ night in the beginner box stock division. In qualifying, Sorrels set fast time with a 10.857 time. When the racing started, Sorrels was just as quick scoring victories in the trophy dash, heat race and main event. Sorrels margin of victory in the 20-lap feature was 5.624 seconds over Malachi Johnson who placed second in all three races.
Spears SRL Southwest Tour driver, Brandon White was driving Brad Curtice’s kart in the 500 division for the night. White set fast time with a 8.983. He went on to take the victory in both the trophy dash and heat race. White looked primed to win the 30-lap feature but fell out on lap 12 while leading. Dax Williamson inherited the lead from that point and never looked back. Williamson went on to take the checkered flag over Tony Miles while White was credited with a third place finish.
Nine youngsters qualified for the box stock division on the night. Fastest among them was Driver Dothage with a 10.089. Kandace Mace took the trophy dash win while the heat race winners were Kimberly Sorrels and Dothage. Sorrels led the opening five laps of the 25-lap main before losing the lead to Malessa Miles. Jayden Molloy took the lead a lap later before getting passed by Dothage on lap 7.
Dothage looked untouchable up front but a late race caution changed everything. Dothage was determined to have jumped a lap 23 restart. Officials placed Miles in the lead and racing resumed. Dothage did everything he could to regain the top position but Miles had enough speed and savvy to hold him off. At the finish it was Miles winning her first box stock main event. Dothage placed second followed by Quentin Ikeya, Sorrels and Derek Kessler, Jr.
As mentioned, there is only one more chance to witness outlaw kart racing at Redwood Acres Raceway in 2016. The final event for the karts takes place on August 30th. The biggest event of the season on the 3/8-mile pavement at the Acres is set for this upcoming weekend, August 6th. The Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series visits RAR for the third time in the series’ history. Top super late model drivers include Derek Thorn, Jeremy Doss and Eureka’s own, Brandon White.
Gates open at 5:00 PM on Saturday with the SRL tour cars qualifying at 6:00 PM. In between the heat races and main events, fans will have the opportunity to meet the stars of the Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series on the front straightaway. Presale tickets for this weekend’s event are available at Fortuna Wheel & Brake. It promises to be a spectacular and memorable night of racing. For more information on this weekend’s SRL race and everything going on at Redwood Acres Raceway please visit the track’s official website, www.racingtheacres.com