Track champions crowned at Redwood Acres Raceway

By Matthew J. Sullivan

The final points race of the 2016 season at Redwood Acres Raceway took place this past Saturday night. In addition to champions being decided, the Acres played host to the second boat race of 2016. All in all, it was another exciting and fantastic night at the Acres thanks in part to Maxwell’s Custom Automobiles who sponsored this weekend’s action.

Bethany Rapp paced the California State and Federal Employees Credit Union roadrunner qualifying field with a 20.590 lap. Dominic Vogelsang continued his late season surge in the trophy dash by taking the win. Jennifer Murrell won the first heat race while Vogelsang took the second. The 20-lap feature saw the lead change hands in each of the first three laps as Bob Ratzloff, Patrick Sproul and James Nichols traded the top position.

Nichols dominated the event, even when the field was turned around at halfway to go around the track in the opposite direction. With just five laps remaining, Vogelsang began his assault on the lead. On lap 16, Vogelsang maneuvered past Nichols to take the lead. Vogelsang would go on to lead the rest of the way, taking the victory. Nichols held on to second over Rapp, Troy Taylor and Sproul.

The 2016 roadrunner champion was Tyler Peach. Peach spent much of the night staying out of traffic in hopes of avoiding major catastrophe in order to claim the title. In the end he was able to do it driving Daniel Buell’s car.

The track championship in the Fortuna Wheel and Brake bomber division was already decided before the night started. James Moore had enough of a cushion over second place that he didn’t need to start the season finale. In fact, Moore was unable to compete on the night due to a back injury. Driving his car in his stead was Acres veteran, Ryan Walters.

Walters was fastest in qualifying with a 18.139. Kolby Jackson took the trophy dash win as well as the victory in the heat race. Shane Toole led the opening lap of the 25-lap main event. Jimmy Sorrels led the next three laps before Toole regained the lead. On lap six, Walters moved his way into the lead and never looked back. At the finish it was Walters taking the victory by nearly four seconds over second place, Corey James. Sorrels placed third while Toole and Ryan Ahrens rounded out the top five finishers.

The Humboldt Hydroponics mini stock division title was up in the air with Gary Klinetobe, Jarrett Mayo and Eugene Palmer vying for their first championship in the division. In qualifying, Brett Murrell was fastest with an 18.700 driving his father, Brian Murrell, Sr’s car. Murrell was the trophy dash winner while heat race victors were Nick Ford and Palmer.

The opening two laps of the 25-lap main were led by Palmer. On lap three, Mayo took the lead. Murrell was clearly the fastest car on the track and on lap six, he moved by Mayo for the top spot. Murrell ran away from the pack as the three title contenders of Mayo, Klinetobe and Palmer fought it out for second. At the finish it was Murrell taking the win over Mayo, Klinetobe, Palmer and Sam Brown. Klinetobe was declared the champion, having beat Palmer by only seven points. After the event, Klinetobe announced his retirement from racing at the Acres.

In the Thunder Roadster division, two men were fighting for the track championship in Tommy Payne and Ronnie O’Neil. In qualifying O’Neil set fast time with a 17.142. Aaron Byers took the wins in both the trophy dash and the heat races but had an unfortunate accident at the start of the 30-lap main which also collected Dax Kinsey. O’Neil moved to the race lead on lap six and dominated the feature event while Payne had his hands full racing Donnie Brown. At the finish it was O’Neil taking the win over Payne, Brown, Jett Taylor and Byers. Payne was crowned track champion in the division by only four points over O’Neil. Following the race, both drivers shook hands and congratulated each other on what was a thrilling season of racing in the Thunder Roadster division.

Brad Curtice set fast time in the Legends division with a 18.083. Robert Miller went into the night with a comfortable lead and only needed to start the feature to complete his championship run. He helped his effort with a win in the trophy dash while Curtice took the heat win. Curtice dominated the 25-lap main event as he led from the drop of the green flag to the drop of the checkered. Miller secured his title with a second place effort. M’Kinzy Uselton finished third while Anissa Curtice was fourth.

The night finished off with another captivating boat race with Maxwell’s Custom Automobiles putting up the purse for the event. For the second time in 2016, fans were thrilled as over ten boat racers took to the track in a night of nautical destruction. In the end, the winner was determined by the loudness of the crowd. Acres fans declared Chris Garth the winner with second place being awarded to Tim Roscoe.

2016 at the Acres concludes October 7th, 8th, and 9th with the return of the Fall Spectacular. Late models and modifieds highlight the event while roadrunners, bombers, mini stocks, Legends and Thunder Roadsters will also be in action. Saturday gates open at 4:00 PM while racing begins at 6:00 PM. On Sunday, gates open at 11:00 AM and racing begins at noon. For more information about the Fall Spectacular including entry forms and purse payout please visit Redwood Acres Raceway’s official website, www.racingtheacres.com

Henderson clinches title for Moulton in substitute role

By Matthew J. Sullivan

It was a fine evening for racing this past Saturday night at Redwood Acres Raceway. It was Mid City Motor World Night at the Races and all six local divisions were in action including the late model division which was running its final point paying event of 2016.

Prior to the racing action starting, Redwood Acres Raceway and its fans paid tribute to the late Nyle Henderson. Henderson was a former racer at Redwood Acres Raceway and was a fixture at the Acres for more than 30 years. Nyle Henderson is the father of the late, Steve Henderson who was also a driver at Redwood Acres Raceway in the 80s on the dirt and the 90s on the pavement. Henderson is also the grandfather of current RAR driver, David Henderson.

James Nichols was fast time in the California State and Federal Employee Credit Union roadrunner division with a 20.763. Dominic Vogelsang won the trophy dash while heat race victors were Ken Barrett and Nichols. The 20-lap feature started off with the cars running in the opposite direction. The race was slowed early when Gage Ethridge hit the wall in turn three. Ken Barrett led the opening two laps before Vogelsang took over. Even after the cars were turned around to run the proper direction around the track, Vogelsang was dominant. At the finish it was Vogelsang taking his first main event win. Nick Ford placed second followed by Nichols, Barrett and Tyler Peach.

Qualifying for the Humboldt Hydroponics mini stocks was paced by Brian Murrell, Sr. with a 19.045. Gary Klinetobe took trophy dash honors while heat races were won by Brian Murrell, Jr. and Rick Estes. The 25-lap feature was led early on by Brian Murrell, Jr. On lap six, Rick Estes took over and never looked back. The best battle for the rest of the race was for third between Jarrett Mayo, Klinetobe, Palmer and Murrell, Jr. At the front, Estes was able to hold on and withstand a late charge by Murrell, Sr. to take the win. Mayo took third, Klinetobe fourth and Palmer rounded out the top five.

Brad Curtice set quick time for the Legends class with a 18.001 qualifying time. Robert Miller took the trophy dash win while Curtice took the heat race victory. Curtice and Miller resumed their season-long battle in the 25-lap main event. In spite of Curtice leading from start-to-finish, it was a tight race between the two. At the finish it was Curtice taking the win over Miller, Anissa Curtice and M’Kinzy Uselton.

Kolby Jackson was fast time for the Fortuna Wheel and Brake bomber division with a 18.276. The trophy dash saw an unfortunate accident between John Lally, Ray Taylor, Sr. and Jordon Paiment which sent Paiment hard into the wall. While Paiment was okay, he was finished for the night. Jackson won the dash. The heat race was taken by Taylor, Sr. Steven Taylor led the opening lap of the 25-lap main before Jackson took over the lead. Jackson would never fall out of the top position. The event was cut short of its scheduled distance when Lally spun in turn three. James Moore had nowhere to go and slammed into Lally’s rear-end. Thankfully both drivers were okay. Officials declared the race official with Jackson being the winner. Ray Taylor, Sr. was second while Moore was credited with third. Shane Toole finished fourth while Steven Taylor placed fifth.

The fastest driver in Thunder Roadster qualifying was Ronnie O’Neil with a 17.339. Aaron Byers won the trophy dash while Tommy Payne took the heat race. Jett Taylor led the first lap of the 30 lap main but on lap two it was Byers in the lead. The highlight of the race was for third between Donnie Brown, O’Neil and Payne. On lap 19, Payne finally prevailed to move into third. Nobody had anything for Byers on the night as he took the win in dominating fashion. Taylor placed second followed by Payne, O’Neil and Brown.

13 Mid City Motor World late models took time with David Henderson setting fast time with a 15.828. Henderson was racing as a substitute for Mic Moulton who was injured in the most recent race on August 20th. Henderson’s role as Moulton’s sub took an even bigger role on the night as the points champion in the division was on the line and Moulton was the points leader over Marty Walsh.

Walsh took the trophy dash win while heat race victories went to Kenny Demello and Henderson. Demello led the opening lap of the 50-lap feature before giving way to Corey James. James’ time up front was short as Henderson moved to the lead on lap six. Meanwhile, Walsh was having to play catch up having been involved in an opening lap tangle which put him at the rear of the field.

Racing came to a halt on lap 30 and several cautions slowed the race. The most notable incident involved Dustin Walters and Walsh with both going to the rear. Henderson looked to have the dominant car but began suffering issues. On lap 38, James maneuvered back to the lead. Two laps later a major incident in turn four brought out the yellow. Officials deemed the race official with James taking the win and Henderson helping Moulton claim the championship. Walsh recovered to finish third while Robbie Nelson and Ken Hallis rounded out the top 10.

Racing at Redwood Acres Raceway returns Saturday September 24th for the final points race of the season presented by Maxwell’s Custom Automobiles. The late models will be off but the other five local classes will be in action to determine who will win the track championships in each division. Concluding the event will be the second boat race of 2016.

2016 at the Acres concludes October 7th, 8th, and 9th with the return of the Fall Spectacular. Late models and modifieds highlight the event while roadrunners, bombers, mini stocks, Legends and Thunder Roadsters will also be in action. For more information about the Fall Spectacular including entry forms and purse payout please visit Redwood Acres Raceway’s official website, www.racingtheacres.com