Darrin Sullivan Survives To Win NSMS Feature

#21 Darrin Sullivan took the NSMS win

Eureka, CA (May 29, 2017) – For the first time in the 2017 season, the North State Modified Series visited Redwood Acres Raceway. It was O’Reilly Auto Parts Night at the Races as the popular touring series joined the Acres’ local divisions of roadrunners, Legends, bombers, mini stocks and Thunder Roadsters.

Track officials decided to make an adjustment to the California State and Federal Employees Credit Union roadrunner division. The class ran two 20-lap feature events, one clockwise and the other counter-clockwise. Nick Ford set fast time for the class with a 20.442. Natya Dawn dominated the first half of the first feature as she led the opening 12 laps. On lap 13, Tim Ratzlaff entered the lead but not for long. Two laps later, Daniel Buell took the lead. Buell held on the rest of the way to take the victory over Ratzlaff, Dawn, Ford and Jake Keeling.

Ford quickly raced to the lead of the second feature event. Buell showed strength and looked like a contender for another win but fell out on lap 15. Ford was able to lead flag-to-flag to take the victory. Keeling placed second over Ratzlaff, Jordon Paiment and Jennifer Murrell.

Cody Winchel set fast time for the Nor-Cal Automotive Legends division with a 17.801. Brian Kamisky was the winner of the first heat race while Derek Copeland won the second. MKinzy Uselton led lap one in the 25-lap main but Brent Mack was able to take over on lap two. Rookie driver, Daniel Whitley showed strength and passed Mack for the race lead on lap six. Copeland moved to the lead on lap 15 and had a fantastic duel for the lead with Winchel. On lap 17, Winchel gained the advantage and the race lead. Things remained tight between the top two until the last lap. In turns three and four, Copeland bumped Winchel. The two raced back to the finish line side-by-side with Copeland taking first by 0.031 over Winchel. Whitley placed third followed by Brad Curtice and Robert Miller.

Fast time for the Fortuna Wheel & Brake bomber division was set by R.J. Randall with an 18.190. Randall took the trophy dash victory while Mike Sullivan was the heat race winner. Kolby Jackson used his pole position to his advantage as he shot out to the lead in the 25-lap main event. Jackson led the first 11 laps until Sullivan briefly took the lead. Jackson regained the lead on lap 16 but spun in turns one and two. Sullivan regained the lead and withstood Randall’s late charge. At the finish it was Sullivan taking the victory over Randall, Dave Jones, John Lally and Jim Redd.

In the Humboldt Hydroponics mini stock division, Brian Murrell was the fastest in qualifying with a 18.963. Brett Murrell took the victory in the trophy dash while the heat race was won by Troy Lee. Rick Estes briefly held the lead at the start of the 30-lap main event but gave way to Eugene Palmer. Back in his familiar ride, Palmer was dominant as he pulled away from the field and prevailed unchallenged. At the finish it was Palmer winning by two seconds over Brett Murrell. Gary Klinetobe placed third followed by Trevor Eacret and Troy Lee.

Qualifying for the Lone Star Junction Thunder Roadsters was paced by Paul Peeples, Jr. with a 17.290. Tommy Payne took the trophy dash win while the heat race went to Peeples. Chris Lawrence grabbed the race lead at the start of the 30-lap main event. Payne got to the lead on lap 10 but on lap 11, Peeples maneuvered by to take the race lead. Peeples pulled out to a lead as Payne had his hands full racing with Ronnie O’Neil. At the finish it was Peeples taking his first main event win in 2017. Payne held off O’Neil for second while Chris Sarvinski and Lawrence rounded out the top five finishers.

Darrin Knight set fast time in the North State Modified Series with a 16.130. Dustin DeRosier was the winner of the six-lap Lucas Oil Dash for Cash. Bryan Denton took the lead from pole position in the 60-lap feature event. On lap 10, Herman Pulyear got high in turns one and two and hit the water barrels at the pit road entrance. Pulyear was alright but the race was halted due to the water on the track. Denton led another four laps before Charlie Collins took over followed by Knight. The top two raced nose-to-tail. On lap 29, the leaders entered slower traffic. A lap later, Knight moved to the inside to try to take the lead. Things got tight in turn three as the two tried to pass Simi Tour. Contact was made between Collins and Knight with Knight's right-rear spring being knocked out of his car. Collins regained the lead but had to pit under caution because Knight’s spring had lodged itself in Collins’ chassis.

Denton regained the lead and had his hands full as Cody Braund challenged for the lead. On lap 46, Braund suffered damage to his right front suspension knocking him out of the race. Sullivan used the restart to his advantage as he moved to the lead. Denton ended up falling back to fifth as Richie Potts, Sierra Furia and Collins moved past. Furia briefly got to second in the final 10 laps but Collins powered by to take the second spot. Sullivan was able to hold off a furious late charge by Collins to take the victory. Furia took third while Potts and Denton rounded out the top five.

Racing at the Acres takes a break for a week before returning Saturday June 10th for Harper Motors Night at the Races. Late models will join the other local divisions for the third race of the Super 6 Late Model Challenge series. On Friday June 9th, the outlaw karts will be in action. For more information on everything going on at Redwood Acres Raceway, visit the track’s official website www.RacingTheAcres.com

Moulton, Peeples Among Early Season Points Leaders

Eureka, CA (May 22, 2017) - Race number three of the 2017 season at Redwood Acres Raceway is set to take place this Sunday June 28th for what is expected to be another thrilling night of action. Joining the roadrunners, bombers, mini stocks, Legends and Thunder Roadsters will be the North State Modified Series for the first of two visits to the Acres.

Daniel Buell leads the California State and Federal Employees Credit Union roadrunner division point standings. Buell’s lead over second place Nick Ford is only five points. Tim Ratzlaff is third in the standings, 14 points behind Buell. Jake Keeling is fourth, two points behind Ratzlaff while Bob Ratzlaff in fifth is two markers behind Keeling.

In the Fortuna Wheel & Brake bomber division, Jim Redd currently holds down the top spot in points. Second place in the standings is John Lally who won the most recent main event on May 13th. Bethany Rapp is third, 12 points in arrears to Redd while fourth and fifth are Kolby Jackson and Raymond Taylor.
Brian Murrell, Sr.’s lead in the Humboldt Hydroponics mini stock class is large in comparison to other divisions. Murrell leads second place Eugene Palmer by 13 points. Rookie driver, Scott Taylor has been impressive thus far in 2017 and is third in points, 17 behind Murrell, Sr. Troy Lee is 21 points behind the leader in fourth while rookie Trevor Eacert is fifth, three points behind Lee.

The Nor-Cal Automotive Legends division is currently being led by Brett Mack. His lead over second place driver, rookie MKinzy Uselton is 12 points. Another rookie driver is third in points, Dominic Vogelsang. He is 11 points behind Uselton. The most recent main event winner, Cody Winchel is fourth in points while Brad Curtice lies in fifth.

Veteran Paul Peeples, Jr. holds down the lead in the Lone Star Junction Thunder Roadster class thanks to two second place finishes. Ronnie O’Neil is second in points, five behind Peeples and was the winner of the May 13th feature. Tommy Payne is third, eight points behind Peeples and was the winner of the April 29th main event. Chris Sarvinski’s 70 points put him fourth in the standings, 11 behind Peeples. Fifth is Corey Toole, a rookie driver who is 23 points behind the leader.

The Mid-City Motor World late model class had held two of its five points races at the Acres and will have the night off this Memorial Day weekend. The five events at RAR and another at Ukiah Speedway on July 15th comprise the Super Six Late Model Challenge series. Mic Moulton is the leader of the standings by six points over Brandon White. The two Eureka drivers each have one win. Redding’s Eric Gannon is third and only only nine points behind Moulton. Kenny Demello has been steady in the two races and is fourth in the standings while Marty Walsh is fifth in spite of a major accident in the previous race.

The North State Modified Series will be stopping by the Acres for the first of two times this Sunday. Darrin Knight of Kelseyville is the current leader in the standings and is the odds-on favorite for this weekend’s event. Knight has won four of the series’ six races at RAR and was the winner of the first two races for the NSMS in 2017 at All-American Speedway and Lakeport Speedway.

Darin Snider of Lakeport is 18 points behind Knight in second. Third place features a tie between Charlie Collins from Upper Lake and Eric Johnson of Kelseyville. Both drivers are 20 points behind Knight. Santa Rosa’s Cameron Austin sits fifth in points, 32 behind Knight. Other top contenders who are likely to show up are Bryan Denton from Kelseyville, Jason Philpot from Sacramento, Petaluma’s Richie Potts and Sierra Furia from Lakeport.

O’Reilly Auto Parts sponsors this Sunday’s Memorial Day weekend races in honor of the men and women who serve in our country’s military. Grandstands open at 5:00 while racing begins at 6:00. General admission is $16, senior $13 and children 12 and under $3. Kids five and under get in free and any military member will also get in free with ID. There is an open practice on Saturday, May 27th from 1:00 to 6:00. For more information on everything going on at Redwood Acres Raceway, please visit the track’s official website www.RacingTheAcres.com

Outlaw Kart Season Begins At The Acres

Ukiah's T.J. Sorrels found victory lane in the beginner box stocks

Eureka, CA (May 14, 2017) – For the first time in 2017, outlaw karts returned to Redwood Acres Raceway on the 1/10-mile dirt oval this past Saturday evening. The season opening race had originally been scheduled for May 12th but rain prevented the race from happening.

T.J. Sorrels of Ukiah set the pace in qualifying for the beginner box stocks with a time of 12.266. Sorrels took the trophy dash win while the two heat races were won by Jacob Boldway of Eureka and Sorrels. Emma Hudman of Hayfork and Corbin Green of McKinleyville led the field to the green in the 20-lap feature event. Sorrels quickly maneuvered to the lead as the field exited off turn two. Kai McCrady-Hirsch and Hudman got together on lap three for a caution. Several other cautions followed but each time Sorrels was able to pull away from the field on the restart. At the finish it was Sorrels winning by nearly half of a second over Charles French of Laytonville. Zakunda Fansler placed third followed by Boldway and McCrady-Hirsch.

The UAS speedway karts made their debut on the night. Steve Rambo of Medford won the trophy dash while Jeremy Brown also of Medford claimed the heat race. Medford’s Larry Fuller and Rambo led the field to the green flag. On lap three, Brown spun to bring out the yellow. Fuller moved to the lead, but suffered issues that put him out of action. This allowed Rambo to inherit the lead and the win.

The Williamson Financial box stock division had over 10 karts show up. In qualifying, Dryver Dothage of Kelseyville set the fast time mark with an 11.104 time. Dothage took the honors in the trophy dash while Kadence Mace of Fortuna and Dothage were the heat race victors. Bradley Henderson of Fortuna and Grant Williamson of Eureka led the field to the green in the 20-lap main event. Henderson got the initial lead but spun in turn two collecting several others. Sophia Bauer of Brookings took the lead briefly before Derek Kessler took over.

After a spin by Eureka’s Jayden Molloy brought out a yellow on lap four, Dothage shot out to the lead on the restart. A spin by Kessler slowed the field on lap 15 but even with the field bunched for the restart, nobody had anything for Dothage. At the finish it was Dotage winning over Bauer. Taylor Fuller of Medford placed third while fourth and fifth went to Kessler and Dylan Combest of Hopland.

In 250 karting action, it was Landen Green’s night. The McKinleyville driver set fast time with a 10.788. Green would go on to sweep the night with wins in the trophy dash, heat race and main event. Eureka’s MKinzy Uselton placed second in her first-ever race on the dirt.

The old fart kart division made its debut on the night with Wayne Fisher of Eureka setting the pace with a 12.205. Fisher followed up quick time with wins in the trophy dash and the heat race. Eureka’s Troy Lee and Brionna Fuller of Medford led the field to the green of the 20-lap main. Sean Fuller of Medford jumped to the lead and looked to have the race well in control until a spin on lap 16 took him out of the lead. This allowed Fisher to take the lead and ultimately the win. Sean Fuller placed second followed by Casey Fisher of McKinleyville, Brionna Fuller and Lori Fuller of Medford.

Dax Williamson of Eureka was quick time in the 500/open karts with a 10.415. Tony Miles of Fortuna was the trophy dash and heat race winner. The 30-lap feature was led to the green flag by Steve Kimberling of Eureka and Brett Elliott of Rio Dell. Off the start Miles’ kart had issues which took him out of the race. Kimberling led the majority of the race but a late caution allowed Elliott to catch up. On the restart, Elliott passed Kimberling for the lead. At the finish it was Elliott winning over Kimberling.

Racing at Redwood Acres Raceway returns to the pavement this Sunday May 28th for a special Memorial Day weekend event. Joining the regular field of roadrunners, Legends, mini stocks, Thunder Roadsters and bombers will be the North State Modified Series. Gates open at 5:00 while racing begins at 6:00 The next outlaw kart race will take place Friday June 9th. For more information on everything going on at Redwood Acres Raceway, please visit the track’s official website. www.RacingTheAcres.com

Moulton survives to take Super 6 race win

#10 Mic Moulton took the late model win Saturday night

EUREKA, CA (May 13, 2017) – The second race of the 2017 season at Redwood Acres Raceway took place this past Saturday night. It was the annual Pepsi Night at the races and another packed house witnessed another memorable night that featured exciting racing and some scary incidents.

In the Nor-Cal Automotive Legends division, Cody Winchel set quick time with a 17.888. Winchel followed up his fast time with a win in the trophy dash. M’Kinzy Uselton won her first ever race in the first heat while Winchel took the second. Two rookies in Uselton and Dominic Vogelsang led the field to the green in the 25-lap feature. Uselton took the initial lead but lost it on lap three to Brad Curtice. Spins by Robert Miller in turn two and Vogelsang didn’t result in caution flags. Curtice had a firm hold on the lead until lap 10 when Uselton spun out.

After another caution, Winchel was able to take the lead on the restart and pulled to a commanding lead. Brent Mack suffered a massive engine failure on lap 19 which brought out the red flag. When racing resumed, Winchel reasserted himself as the top competitor and was able to take the win. Brad Curtice placed second while Miller, Anissa Curtice and Mack rounded out the top five.

Donnie Brown was subbing for Jim Redd in the Fortuna Wheel & Brake bomber class and he set fast time for the night with a 18.400. Brown took the win in the trophy dash while Raymond Taylor won a spirited heat race. Ray Rapp was driving his daughter Bethany’s car for the night. He along with James Moore led the field to the green flag. The race was slowed on lap four when Jimmy Sorrels car stopped in the infield. Brown took the race lead on the restart but on lap seven, Moore maneuvered into first.

While moving through slower traffic, Moore tried to pass Chris Naughton on the outside of turn four. Unfortunately the two got together and hit the wall forcing both drivers out of the race. Brown resumed as race leader but spun in turns three and four on lap 20 giving Rapp the lead. With two laps remaining, Lally was able to get by Rapp for what proved to be the race win. At the checkered it was Lally winning over Rapp, Brown, Taylor and Moore.

Qualifying for the Humboldt Hydroponics mini stock division was paced by Brian Murrell, Sr. with a 18.855. Brett Murrell was the trophy dash winner while heat race winners were Trevor Eacert and Brett Murrell. Cole Peterson and Troy Lee led the field to the green in the 25-lap main event. After two early cautions, Murrell, Sr. took the lead from Lee as Murrell followed into second.

The middle stages of the main featured a spectacular duel between the father and son duo of Brian and Brett Murrell. On lap nine, Brett moved to the lead. A lap later, the lead exchanged yet again with Brian getting the upper-hand. On lap 12, Brett made what proved to be the winning move for the lead. A late caution due to a spin by Lee in turn four bunched the field but Murrell was able to hold off all challengers. At the finish it was Brett Murrell winning followed by Brian Murrell, Sr., Jarrett Mayo, Eugene Palmer and Trevor Eacert.

Paul Peeples, Jr. set fast time for the Lone Star Junction Thunder Roadster division with a 17.188. Ronnie O’Neill took the trophy dash win while the heat race went to Peeples. Jason Mitchell and Chris Sarvinski paced the field to the green in the 30-lap feature. The race proved to be caution-free as Sarvinski took the lead from the start over O’Neill. On lap four, O’Neill moved under and by Sarvinski and pulled out to a substantial lead. As the race progressed however, Peeples was able to close the gap. With five laps remaining, the margin between first and second was barely a car length. O’Neill was able to withstand the pressure from Peeples and took the feature win. Payne placed third over Sarvinski and Corey Toole.

Fast time for the California State and Federal Employee’s Credit Union roadrunners was set by Daniel Buell with a lap of 20.518. Buell followed his fast time up with wins in the trophy dash and heat race. Natya Hanson and Jennifer Murrell led the field for the 20-lap feature. The first 10 laps were raced in reverse fashion and immediately Buell took the lead and ran away from the field.

Even after reversing the course and going in the normal direction, Buell was dominant. Nick Ford made up ground in the final few laps and by the last lap, the two were less than a car length between each other. Coming off turn four, Ford made a last ditch effort for the win. Buell and Ford raced side-by-side to the checkered flag with Buell edging Ford. Jake Keeling took third while Jordon Paiment placed fourth and Tim Ratzlaff fifth.

The second race of the Super 6 Late Model Challenge Series presented by Danielson Construction, Mid-City Motor World and North Coast Lighting & Electric took place on the night. Brandon White set the pace for the field of 17 cars with a time of 15.759. The heat races determined the starting lineup for the 75-lap feature. Heat race one was won by Northern California racing legend, Jim Walker while the second heat was won by Riley Watson.

Mic Moulton used the outside pole position to his advantage as he shot out to the lead at the drop of the green flag. On lap nine, third place starter and winner of the first Super 6 race, White took the lead. White looked to have the dominant car yet again as he led the majority of the first half of the event. Fan favorite Walker lasted only 20 laps before he pulled into the pits for the night. By lap 25, Brandon Ash had moved his way to second and began slowly gaining ground on White. On lap 40, Ash maneuvered by White for the race lead. A few laps later, White pulled into the pits with problems. Ash looked to have the race in hand until a caution flew on lap 68 due to fluid on the track. It was determined that the fluid was coming from Ash’s car and the Oregon driver was forced out of the race.

Watson inherited the lead and had a duel with Moulton and Marty Walsh. Coming off turn four on lap 69, Walsh and Watson got together. Walsh slide into the infield and back onto the track in turn one collecting Watson. Both drivers hit the turn one and two wall hard but thankfully neither was injured. Moulton took the lead and held off David Henderson’s charge in the final handful of laps to take the victory. Eric Gannon placed third while Kenny Demello had another stellar run in fourth and Richard Knight took fifth.

Racing at the Acres takes a break and will return for a special Sunday afternoon race on Memorial Day weekend May 28th. Legends, bombers, Thunder Roadsters, mini stocks and roadrunners will be in action along with the North State Modified Series. For those who are looking for a racing fix during the break, RAR will host the first outlaw kart action of the season Saturday May 20th. The season opener was originally scheduled for May 12th but was cancelled due to rain. For more information of everything going on at Redwood Acres Raceway, please visit the track’s official website, www.RacingTheAcres.com