Lindstroth dominant in modified victory

Lindstroth dominant in modified victory

By Matthew J. Sullivan

Redwood Acres Raceway celebrated Independence Day weekend in style this past Saturday night. Not only did the Acres serve as host to the five local divisions of roadrunners, bombers, mini stocks, Thunder Roadsters and late models, the North State Modified Series made their second stop of the season at Eureka, California’s 3/8-mile paved oval. In addition to the fantastic racing, the night was capped off by a spectacular fireworks show that thrilled the large crowd in attendance.

Gary Klinetobe set fast time in the Humboldt Hydroponics roadrunner division with a 20.328 qualifying lap. Klinetobe followed that up with a victory in the four lap trophy dash. The first heat race went to Michael Lawrence who returned to the division due to his bomber being severely damaged several races ago. Dylan Ford took the second heat in thrilling fashion on the final lap.

The 15-lap feature for the roadrunners was slowed several times early on. One incident involved Kayla Foster who was sent head on into the back stretch wall. Foster’s car was finished for the night but she was unharmed. The story for the division this season has been the battle between Klinetobe and Eugene Palmer. Klinetobe moved to the front early while Palmer had to scrap through the field and wasn’t able to get to the front until the final two laps. At the checkered flag it was Klinetobe taking the win ahead of Palmer, Steve Kimberling, Tim Abeyta and Ford.

The John’s Used Cars and Wreckers bombers saw an influx of cars for the night as drivers from the Redding and Lake County areas made the trek to the Acres. David Dillinger set fast time with an 18.512 lap. Brian Smith took the trophy dash victory then was victorious in the heat race. Don Hyman led the feature early on but the out-of-town drivers made their strength known throughout the feature. Hyman did all he could to hold off Dillinger at the halfway point of the 20-lap main event but was unable to do so. Dillinger would go on to take the victory beating Smith, Leonard Ward, Eddie Klein and Kevin Coburn.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts/Del Reka Distributing mini stock class also saw several new cars join the field for the night. Visitor, David Felch set the standard in qualifying, beating all the local drivers with a 19.164 qualifying lap. Felch’s time in qualifying proved to be a prelude to how he would race in the evening as he won the trophy dash, the heat race and the main event. Brian Murrell, Jr. finished second while Rick Estes, Chelsea Champagne and Jordan Paiment rounded out the top five.

Robbie Nelson set fast time with a 17.187 qualifying lap for the Bear River Hotel and Casino Thunder Roadster division. The trophy dash win was taken by Paul Peeples, Jr. while Chris Sarvinski held off Peeples in the heat race. The 20-lap main event was highlighted by a nose-to-tail duel for the race lead between Sarvinski and Peeples. Coming off turn four on the final lap, Peeples found the inside line under Sarvinski and the two drag-raced to the line in a photo finish. Track officials determined that Sarvinski beat Peeples by a mere eight-thousandths of a second or about a foot. Thomas Payne finished third, Robbie Nelson fourth and Belinda Ward placed fifth.

Luke Hall set fast time for the Mid City Motor World late model division with a 15.938 qualification lap. The trophy dash victory was taken by Jerry Peterson who followed that up with a win in the heat race. The 25-lap feature saw a heated battle for the race lead between Hall, Mic Moulton and Peterson. Hall and Moulton were battling side-by-side for the lead coming off turn two on lap 13 when Hall got sideways into Moulton sending him spinning into the infield. Peterson got by in the melee but Hall got into his bumper going into the third turn. All three drivers restarted at the back which gave Al Acuna the race lead.

Acuna held onto the lead until four laps to go when the handling appeared to severely fall off on his car. Hall took advantage and quickly took the lead while Moulton and Peterson had to work slightly harder to get by Acuna. Moulton made one last effort to try to challenge Hall but it wasn’t enough in the end as Hall took the victory followed by Moulton, Peterson, Acuna and Ryun Leazer.

Citrus Heights racer, Jay Lindstroth broke the existing track record for the North State Modified Series with a 16.100 qualifying time. The Scubba Bub’s Dash for Cash went to Petaluma’s Richie Potts while the Lucas Oil Dash for Cash was taken by Linstroth. Both winners were awarded a crisp 100 dollar bill for their efforts.

Kyle Tellstrom of Ukiah was the benefactor of the five-car invert for the 60-lap feature and used his pole position start to his advantage by taking the lead from the drop of the green flag. In second place was Cody Braund of Anderson who had his hands full with Lindstroth and Kelseyville’s Darrin Knight who won the North State Modified Series previous race at the Acres in May. The biggest accident of the race took place on lap 18 in the third turn.  Involved were Corey James of Cottonwood, Don Swartz of Grass Valley, Rich Cobb of Klamath Falls, Oregon and Orion Mosher of Eureka.

The restart proved to be the advantage that Linstroth needed as he powered by Tellstrom to the race lead. Knight moved into second in the closing stages and after a spin by Dustin DeRosier with 12 laps remaining, it looked to be a showdown between the front two cars. Linstroth got the advantage on the restart and was able to pull away from Knight. At the finish it was Linstroth winning over Knight, Tellstrom, Kyle Borden and Braund.

Racing at the Acres takes a break before returning Saturday July 19th. Grandstands open at 5:00 PM while racing begins at 6:30 PM. For more information involving Redwood Acres Raceway, please visit the track’s new and official website, www.racingtheacres.com . For more information concerning the North State Modified Series, visit www.northstatemodifieds.com.

North State mods return to the Acres

North State mods return to the Acres

By Matthew J. Sullivan

The 2014 racing season at Redwood Acres Raceway hits its halfway point this weekend, Saturday July 5^th for a special Fourth of July celebration at the 3/8-mile paved oval. Joining the local divisions of roadrunners, bombers, mini stocks, Thunder Roadsters and late models will be the return of the North State Modified Series which had raced at the Acres earlier this season during the May 25^th Memorial Day weekend races. Capping the night off will be a spectacular fireworks show, the first time Redwood Acres Raceway has held a fireworks event. It promises to be a memorable and spectacular night for fans.

The point leader in the Humboldt Hydroponics roadrunner division is Gary Klinetobe. Of the five feature races thus far this season, Klinetobe has been victorious in four of them. Eugene Palmer broke Klinetobe’s win streak in the most recent race on June 21^st, doing so by mere inches. Palmer lies 21 points behind Klinetobe in the standings. Tim Abeyta holds down third, 44 behind Klinetobe. Robbie Robinson is fourth, 52 points behind the leader and Kayla Foster is fifth, 76 points behind.

Leonard Ward has made the John’s Used Cars and Wreckers bomber division his personal playground this season. Like Klinetobe in the roadrunner class, Ward has dominated the field in the bombers winning four of the five races in 2014. Due to his success, Ward has a 20 point gap over second place, James Moore. A rookie at the Acres, Moore was victorious during the May 25^th event. 60 points behind the leader in third position is Tyler Avelar. Fourth in points is Michael Lawrence who is 69 points in arrears of Ward. Matt Simon is fifth, 71 points behind.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts/Del Reka Distributing mini stock division saw an influx of cars during the fair night races two weeks ago. Brett Murrell holds the points lead in the class ahead of his older brother, Brian Murrell, Jr. by 12. Nick Green is a rookie to the division but not to racing at Redwood Acres Raceway and is third and 47 points behind the leader.  The top three drivers all have at least one main event win thus far this season Brett Murrell with one, Brian Murrell, Jr. with two and Green with one. Chelsea Champagne is fourth 58 markers behind Murrell while Sam Brown is fifth, 60 behind.

Since crashing out on opening night on May 17^th, Paul Peeples, Jr. has dominated the Bear River Hotel and Casino Thunder Roadster division knocking off four straight main event victories and holding down the points lead. David Henderson won the opening night race and has finished second to Peeples in all four races that he’s won. The gap between the two is only nine points. Chris Sarvinski is third, 37 points behind Peeples. Thomas Payne is fourth, 41 behind and Robbie Nelson is fifth, 70 points behind.

The closest competition at the Acres in 2014 has come in the Mid City Motor World late model division. Mic Moulton leads second place, Luke Hall by only four points. Both drivers each have two main event wins so far this season. Kenny Demello holds down third and is 36 points behind Moulton. Division rookie, Ryun Leazer is fourth and 47 points behind while Jerry Peterson is fifth, 54 points behind. Peterson is the only other driver who has won this year, his victory having come on the May 17^th race.

The North State Modified Series will be making its second stop to the Acres in 2014 this weekend. It will be the fourth race of six for the new touring series this season. Jay Linstroth leads Cody Braund by 26 points in the standings. Kyle Borden is third, 34 points behind Linstroth while Dustin DeRosier and Rich Cobb are fourth and fifth, 38 and 46 behind the leader respectively.  Linstroth won the series opener at Shasta Speedway while the previous race at the Acres on May 25^th was won by Darrin Knight. Linstroth took the most recent victory on the tour at All-American Speedway on June 21^st.

There will be an open practice session for all cars on Friday July 4^th between noon to 6:00 PM. Grandstands open at 5:00 PM on Saturday while the racing begins at 6:30 PM. For more information regarding this weekend’s events or news in general for Redwood Acres Raceway, please visit the track’s new and official website, www.racingtheacres.com.

Knight takes the crown at the Acres

Knight takes the crown at the Acres

 By Matthew J. Sullivan

It was another thrilling night of racing this past Sunday evening at Eureka, California’s Redwood Acres Raceway. Joining the five local divisions of roadrunners, bombers, mini stocks, Thunder Roadsters and late models for Salute the Troops night presented by Renner Petroleum were the North State Modified Series which like the local Acres racers were also running their second race of 2014.

A fantastic crowd packed the stands on what proved to be a clear and comfortable night weather-wise. Gary Klinetobe was the dominant force in the Roadrunner division for the second straight weekend. Klinetobe took the victories in the trophy dash and heat races and ran away with the race in the main event, taking the lead on lap seven and never looking back. Steve Paiment finished second ahead of Rick Estes, Eugene Palmer and Tim Abeyta.

It looked as though Leonard Ward III was going to be the man to beat the second straight week in the bomber division as he was victorious in the trophy dash and heat races. Unfortunately, Ward suffered issues early in the feature which took him off the track and out of the race. Rookie driver, James Moore showed surprising speed in only his second ever race. Moore grabbed the race lead on the third lap and was never seriously challenged afterward as he crossed the line first. Matt Simon and Brian Murrell, Sr. were scored finishing second and third after Tyler Avelar and Donnie Hyman failed post-race technical inspection.

After suffering issues which prevented him from racing the previous weekend, Brian Murrell, Jr. returned to the mini stock division in style. Murrell took the trophy in the dash race, won the heat race and obliterated the field in the main event, winning handily over second place, Craig Baker. Brian McIntosh placed third while Brett Murrell was fourth but unable to finish after his vehicle broke in the early going of the main event.

Paul Peeples, Jr. was in top form in the Thunder Roadster class as he took wins in the dash and heat races. Peeples was in the lead by lap six of the 30 lap feature and was followed the majority of the way by David Henderson. The two raced nose-to-tail with Peeples maintaining just enough of a lead on Henderson to prevent him from making a serious challenge for the lead. At the checkered flag it was Peeples winning over Henderson, Chris Sarvinski, Robbie Nelson and Thomas Payne.

The late model trophy dash win was taken by Jerry Peterson while the heat race victory went to Luke Hall. Just like the first race of the year, the main event featured spectacular racing between Hall and Mic Moulton. Hall moved to the race lead by lap two of the 35 lap affair and held the lead until lap 25 when Moulton was able to utilize the low line to take the pass. Hall maintained a close gap on Moulton but was never able to make a run to the lead again as Moulton crossed the line first over Hall, Peterson, Al Acuna and Joe Bonomini.

The North State Modifed Series made their second start of the season at the Acres. Citrus Heights, California racer, Jay Linstroth set the pace in qualifying with at 16.234 effort. The Lucas Oil A Dash for Cash win was taken by Corey James of Laytonville, California. Longtime veteran, Richie Potts of Petaluma, California won the Scrubba Bub’s B Dash for Cash. Kelseyville, California’s Darrin Knight was the victor in the Road Safety C Dash for Cash. The winner of all three dashes was awarded a 100 dollar bill for winning. Knight donated his 100 dollar bill to two members of the armed forces who were in attendance.

The 15-car field was brought to the green of the 60-lap feature by Richard Knight and Michael Morrison, Jr. Things got crazy in a hurry when Morrison and Linstroth came together off the second turn on lap two which collected Kyle Borden in the process. Morrison fell out of the event, Linstroth was sent to the rear and Borden pitted and returned to the field. Richard Knight held the lead on the restart until lap eight when Darrin Knight took the low line coming off the fourth turn for the lead.

The top three cars raced closely up front while Linstroth and Borden tried to battle their way back into contention. Richard Knight was able to stick to Darrin Knight’s bumper for most of the race but Cody Braund began aggravating him for second allowing Darrin Knight to pull away. With nearly ¾ of the race finished, an odor began emitting from one of the cars on the track. Coming down the front stretch, Richard Knight’s rear end let go sending off a shower of sparks and dumping fluid on the track. Fortunately, there was no serious damage but Knight’s race was done from that point.

The final 15 laps featured a furious race by Linstroth to the front which delighted the packed grandstands. Up front, Darrin Knight was withstanding Braund’s challenges for the race lead. The action was slowed with five laps remaining when Kyle Borden and Riley Watson tangled off turn four. After the restart, Knight was able to put a gap on Braund while Linstroth did all he could to maneuver his way past cars. At the checkered flag it was Knight winning while Braund narrowly held off Linstroth for the second position. Dustin DeRosier placed fourth while Potts rounded out the top five finishers.

After two straight weeks to start the season, racing at the Acres takes a one week break before returning Saturday June 7^th. Grandstands open at 5:00 PM while racing begins at 6:30 PM. You can find more information on the 2014 season at the Acres by visiting the track’s new and official website, www.racingtheacres.com.

Redwood Acres Raceway would like to thank the following sponsors for their help in keeping racing going on the North Coast: Humboldt Hydroponics for the roadrunners, John’s Used Cars and Wreckers for the bombers, Renner Petroleum for the mini stocks, Bear River Casino for the Thunder Roadsters and Mid City Motor World for the late models. Also thank you to Renner Petroleum for sponsoring Support the Troops night and the North State Modified Series racing for the weekend.

Results

Roadrunners

Fast Time: Gary Klinetobe 20.356

Trophy Dash: Klinetobe, Eugene Palmer, Rick Estes, Steve Paiment

Heat Race: Klinetobe, Palmer, Estes, Paiment, Tim Abeyta, Robbie Robinson, Kayla Foster

Main Event: Klinetobe, Paiment, Estes, Palmer, Abeyta, Robinson, Foster

Bombers

Fast Time: Leonard Ward III 18.997

Trophy Dash: Ward III, Tyler Avelar, James Moore, Donnie Hyman

Heat Race: Ward III, Avelar, Moore, Hyman, Brian Murrell, Sr., Matt Simon

Main Event: Moore, Simon, Murrell, Sr., Ward III, Hyman (DQ), Avelar (DQ)

Mini Stocks

Fast Time: Craig Baker 19.742

Trophy Dash: Brian Murrell, Jr., Brett Murrell, Brian McIntosh, Craig Baker

Heat Race: Murrell, Jr., Baker, William Sand, McIntosh, Murrell

Main Event: Murrell, Jr., Baker, McIntosh, Murrell

Thunder Roadsters

Fast Time: Paul Peeples, Jr. 17.026

Trophy Dash: Peeples, Chris Sarvinski, David Henderson, Robbie Nelson

Heat Race: Peeples, Bruce Ziemer, Henderson, Thomas Payne, Sarvinski, Nelson, Belinda Ward, Mike Ward

Main Event: Peeples, Henderson, Sarvinski, Nelson, Payne, Ziemer, B. Ward, M. Ward

Late Models

Fast Time: Mic Moulton 15.936

Trophy Dash: Jerry Peterson, Al Acuna, Luke Hall, Moulton

Heat Race: Hall, Moulton, Peterson, Kenny Demello, Acuna, Ryun Leazer, Joe Bonomini

Main Event: Moulton, Hall, Peterson, Acuna, Bonomini, Leazer, Demello

North State Modified Series

Fast Time: Jay Linstroth 16.324

Lucas Oil A Dash For Cash: Corey James, Don Swartz, Ralph Borden, Brad Watson, Herman Pulyer

Scrubba Bub’s B Dash For Cash: Richie Potts, Cody Braund, Dustin DeRosier, Riley Watson, Rich Cobb

Road Safety C Dash For Cash: Darrin Knight, Jay Linstroth, Richard Knight, Kyle Borden, Michael Morrison

Main Event: D. Knight, Braund, Linstroth, DeRosier, Potts, K. Borden, Cobb, R. Watson, B. Watson, James, Swartz, Pulyer, R. Knight. R. Borden, Morrison.

Modifieds return to the Acres

Modifieds return to the Acres

By Matthew J. Sullivan

After an exciting season opening Pepsi night this past Saturday night at Redwood Acres Raceway, racing is set to return for a special Sunday evening Salute the Troops show at Eureka, California’s 3/8-mile paved oval. In addition to the local stars and cars in the late model, Thunder Roadster, mini stock, roadrunner and bomber divisions, RAR will also be hosting the North State Modified Series which is in its debut season.

The North State Modified Series was created to mirror the Lucas Oil Modified Series, a popular touring series which races in southern California. It features IMCA and NASCAR Grand American modifieds. The NSMS held its debut race at Anderson, California’s Shasta Speedway earlier this month on May 3^rd which was won by Jay Linstroth.

While Redwood Acres Raceway has never had the modifieds as a regular local division, the class does have a rich history at the track. The modifieds have been one of the staples of the annual Fall Spectacular event and RAR has long been popular with racers in the division due to the fact that the track is a great equalizer between the teams and drivers who race regularly at other facilities.

The Fall Spectaular modified event has seen some of the best racers in Northern California and Southern Oregon participate and win. Lucerne, California’s Bob Strauss was a popular racer who won the race numerous times. Oregon’s Willie Thompson is another driver who won at the Acres several times. 2013 NASCAR K&N West Series champion, Derek Thorn was victorious at Redwood Acres in the modified Fall Spectacular event. Current RAR promoter, Blair Aiken also won the race in 1995. The most recent modified race winner was, Darin Knight who won last September.

While the top three finishers of the first NSMS race, Linstroth, Kyle Borden and Jason Philpot all have prior experience racing at RAR they will be facing different track conditions than usual as the modifieds have not normally raced this early in the season. Sunday's event will feature three 6-lap Dashes for Cash sponsored by Lucas Oil, Scrubba Bub's, and Road Safety. The winner of each dash will be presented with a $100 bill. The 60 lap feature pays $1000 to the winner, $700 for second, $600 for third, $500 for fourth and $400 for fifth. All starters of the 24-car event are guaranteed to get $150.

Grandstand ticket booths open at 5:00 PM while racing begins at 6:30 PM. There is a special test and tune event Saturday the 24th for all divisions. For more information regarding the series visit NorthStateModifiedSeries.com or check out North State Modified Series on Facebook. For more information regarding Redwood Acres Raceway, please visit the track’s new and official website, www.racingtheacres.com.

Redwood Acres Raceway’s 2012 season nearing its conclusion

Redwood Acres Raceway’s 2012 season nearing its conclusion

By Matthew J. Sullivan

This weekend marks the end of the 2012 season for racing at Eureka, California’s Redwood Acres Raceway the 25th straight year of pavement race on the 3/8-mile oval.  In what has become a Northern California tradition, the year will conclude this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (September 21st-23rd) with the Fall Spectacular.  Along with the local classes of cars and drivers from the real stocks, roadrunner and thunder roadster divisions will be the Airport Auto Brokers Late Model touring series along with the return of the IMCA modified open race.

The battle for Redwood Acres Raceway’s sportsman division concluded on the September 15th Larry Pries Memorial event as Brandon Barnwell sealed his 2012 track championship with a main event victory.  Barnwell’s 2012 crown marks his third championship in the sportsman division, his previous titles coming back-to-back in 2007 and 2008.  The title in the thunder roadster division has been sealed as well by Paul Peeples, Jr.  Peeples championship mirrors Barnwell’s run as he too previously won titles in the roadster class in 2007 and 2008.  Donnie Hyman appears to have the real stock track title well within reach as he has a nearly insurmountable margin of 93 points over second place, Dax Kinsey.  Things are closer in the roadrunner class as Michael “Cheeseburger” Lawrence has a 34 point gap over second place driver, Ken Barrett.

As previously mentioned, the 2012 Fall Spectacular marks the return of the very popular IMCA modified open race after a five-year absence.  Thomas Wright won the most recent running of the event in 2007 over Jay Linstroth, Richie Potts and Charlie Kramm.  The 2006 running saw Oregon veteran, Willie Thompson come across the line first ahead of Jerry Dubach, Scott Winters, Eddie Laws and Gary Lowblad.  The 2005 race was won by Jay Linstroth beating out Ken Scales, Willie Thompson, Richie Potts and David Sullivan.  The modifieds visited the Acres earlier this year in June with Guy Young taking the victory.

The AABLM series will be staging its ninth race of 2012 this weekend, the series’ third visit to the Acres on the year.  Randy Houston won the season opening race in May while Forrest Kuecker won his first ever AABLM event in the race in late July.  Howard Ford won both ends of a double-header in the 2011 running of the Fall Spectacular.  Jeremy Doss has been the dominant force in the series, scoring five wins this year but the young driver has yet to taste success thus far at Redwood Acres Raceway.  He’ll face top competition including Houston, David Miller, Jim Walker and another youngster in his teammate, Brandon White who won the AABLM’s last race at Shasta Speedway on September 15th.

Redwood Acres Raceway will have open practice on Friday for all cars and drivers beginning at 2:00PM followed by a barbeque.  Racing will begin Saturday at 6:00PM while Sunday’s events will begin at 1:00PM.  Any questions regarding this weekend’s races should be directed to the raceway by calling 707-442-3232.

Past Late Model Fall Spectacular Winners
1990 – Randy Olson
1991 – Bob Strauss
1992 – Randy Olson
1993 – Jeff Rogers
1994 – Roger Gannon
1995 – Darrell Midgley
1996 – Randy Olson
1997 – Randy Olson
1998 – Darrell Midgley
1999 – Mike Sackett
2000 – Mike Sackett
2001 – Mike Sackett
2003 – Mike Sackett
2004 – David Miller
2005 – Josh Bews
2006 – Ryan Foster
2007 – Howard Ford
2009 – Noel McCormack, Jr.
2010 – David Miller
2011 – Howard Ford/Howard Ford

Wright masters the modifieds at the Acres, Middleton clinches real stock title

Wright masters the modifieds at the Acres, Middleton clinches real stock title

By Matthew J. Sullivan

The 2007 racing season came to a close this past Saturday night at the Redwood Acres Raceway with the annual Fall Spectacular. The I.M.C.A./Grand American modifieds joined the local runners in the thunder roadsters and the real stocks to make for an exciting finish to what has been a thrilling year of racing. Lakeport Speedway racer Thomas Wright led from start to finish in the 40-lap modified main event to earn the victory. David Henderson held off the challenges of 2007 RAR thunder roadster champion Paul Peeples, Jr. to win the 35 lap feature. The real stock division concluded it’s 2007 season in dramatic fashion with Shawn Craig winning the main event and Bill Middleton taking the season long title by a mere point.

Qualifying for the real stock division was paced by Shawn Craig with a 19.359. Ryan Peeples won the trophy dash over Bill Middleton, Craig and Ryan Robinson. Troy Wood won the first heat ahead of Nick Green, Bob Lima, Robinson and Mark Mullan. Charles Essex won the second heat followed by Middleton, Kimberling, Craig and Nick Mitchell. 16 cars started the 25 lap main event. The field was brought to the initial green by Mitchell and Wood, but Mitchell spun in turn two along with Robinson and the race was completely restarted.

With Mitchell being relegated to the tail end of the field, Jim Redd inherited the pole position and took full advantage of it off the start by taking the lead. Almost immediately after the drop of the green flag, Essex pulled his car into the pits ending his night. The field spread out with Redd leading Wood, Kimberling and Middleton. The front four ran this way all race. Craig was the driver on a mission. On lap seven he moved by Lima for fifth. The next lap he moved by Middleton for fourth, then outside of Kimberling for third, completing the past two laps later.

On lap 11, Craig made the pass for second getting by Wood. Lima spun in the fourth turn on lap 14, but got his car going again. Craig finally caught up to Redd on lap 17 and quickly made his way by to take the lead. In the final few laps, Craig was slowed by traffic at the tail end of the lead lap which allowed Redd to close back in. At the checkered flag though it wasn’t enough to prevent Craig from winning over Redd, Wood, Kimberling and Middleton. Thanks in part to his run in the trophy dash on this evening, Middleton was able to claim the 2007 real stock championship over Wood by one point. The title was particularly emotional for Middleton and his family as earlier this year, his nephew, Raymond, Jr. died in a car accident. Raymond was planning to race in the real stock division this year.

David Henderson set fast time for the thunder roadster cars with a 17.096. Randy Olson won the trophy dash over Henderson, Paul Peeples, Jr. and Donn Cole. While warming up for the first heat, Dave McMurray spun in the second turn collecting Jay Bahner. Fortunately both drivers were able to make it out for the main. Chris Sarvinski won the heat over Chris Banfill, Leroy Marsh, Jr. Mark Arroyo and Bill Bradbury. Mike Ward won the second heat over Thomas Payne, Gehry Foster, Olson and Peeples.

Chris Lawrence and Ward led the 18 car field to the green flag in the 35 lap feature. Payne spun in the fourth turn on the first lap. Cole stopped to avoid hitting Payne, but unfortunately Marsh couldn’t avoid hitting Cole with his right front tire, knocking it out of kilter and sending him behind the wall for the night. On the restart Ward got the jump to take the lead while the Bill O’Neill, Henderson, Payne and Olson shuffled by Lawrence. Henderson moved by O’Neill quickly to take second on lap two. On lap four, Henderson took the lead from Ward while Olson moved by O’Neill into third.

Meanwhile, Peeples was charging his way to the front. On lap six, he moved by Foster for fifth, then on lap nine he got by O’Neill for fourth. While Henderson slowly pulled away, Ward and Olson battled for the second position. On lap 14, Olson finally found the fast line and moved under and by Ward. Peeples used the same tactic on lap 16 to take third. On lap 19, Peeples moved inside of Olson for second. The two dueled side-by-side while Henderson continued to pull out his lead. Finally on lap 22 after great wheel-to-wheel action, Peeples moved by for second. On lap 24, Banfill moved by Foster for the fifth position. Payne spun on lap 27 bringing out the yellow and tightening the field.

After the restart, the yellow flew once again for a spin by Foster in the fourth turn. On the last restart, Henderson, Peeples and Olson pulled away from the dueling cars of Ward and Banfill. Peeples tried to find the faster route, but couldn’t manage to get by Henderson. The closest he would get would be a friendly tap in the rear coming off the fourth turn on the last lap. At the checkered flag it was Henderson, Peeples, Olson, Ward and Banfill the top five finishers.

All-American Speedway driver Jay Linstroth took quick time honors for the modifieds for the second year in a row. Linstroth’s lap was a 16.293. Eddie Laws won the dash over Linstroth, Charlie Kramm and Kelly Peacock. The first heat saw misfortune for Cody Barba who blew an engine. Defending race champion Willie Thompson took the heat win over Thomas Wright, Scott Field, Terry McIntire and Brent Barney. Ken Scales won the second heat over Richie Potts, Peacock, Linstroth and Jason Philpot.

Wright and Field led the 15 car modified field in the 40 lap feature event. The initial start was called off due to a sloppy lineup. In the confusion to slow the cars down, Scales cut a tire and had to pit. On the restart, Wright took the lead over Field. On lap four, Potts used the outside to get by Laws and Dan Knight to move into third. On lap six, Potts moved by Fields into second. Laws maneuvered his way by Knight for the fourth spot on lap seven. Philpot got by Knight for fifth on the eighth lap. The yellow flew on lap 11 when Field had problems in the first turn.

The front three of Wright, Potts and Laws pulled away on the restart. On lap 18, Linstroth began to make himself known as he moved inside Philpot for fourth, bring Kramm with him. With the field spread out, racing for positions became very difficult. On lap 27, Linstroth took third away from Laws. Two laps later, Kramm moved by Laws for fourth bringing Guy Young with him. On lap 32, Linstroth moved into second and it looked like he would be able to give Wright a serious charge for the lead. However, when Linstroth moved into second, it appeared that Wright began to pick up the pace as he put a six car gap on Linstroth and maintained it all the way to the checkered flag. At the line it was Wright, Linstroth and Potts while Redding racers Kramm and Young finished fourth and fifth.

Linstroth, Shewry and Miller big winners in Eureka

Linstroth, Shewry and Miller big winners in Eureka

By Matthew J. Sullivan

A beautiful weekend ushered in the final race weekend at Redwood Acres Raceway for the 2005 season and it couldn’t have been more beautiful for several drivers. Citrus Heights native, Jay Linstroth took advantage of an outside front row start to dominate the fifty lap feature in the first leg of the Western Modified Nationals, Fortuna resident Glen Shewry ran away from the field in the inaugural sportsman division open race. Jason Belt won the Saturday night feature for the local real stock division while Trevor Miller won Sunday’s main event sealing the division title for himself.

Going into the weekend’s final two points races, three drivers had a chance of winning the title, Miller the points leader, Bill Middleton and Jason Belt. Acres veteran Doug Way grabbed the trophy in Saturday night’s dash over Jim Bailey, Belt and Miller. Barry Barnwell won the first heat followed by Bob Lima, Middleton, Belt and Way while Miller won the second heat with Shane Toole, Ray Demello, Ryan Walters and Troy Wood close behind. Brian Belt and Bryan Murrell lead the twenty car field in the twenty five lap main event. Off the start, Murrell grabbed the lead but by lap two Wood took over the top spot. Points leader Miller spun on lap four relegating him to the back of the field. After the restart, Wood and Walters tussled for the lead while Brian Belt watched the two. On lap twelve, Brian Belt spun resulting in a yellow flag. At this time Wood lead Walters, Jason Belt, Toole and Middleton.

On the restart, the action resumed up front with excellent bumper-to-bumper racing between Wood, Walters and Jason Belt. On lap fifteen, Belt moved his way to the outside and moved by Walters. A lap later, Belt used the same technique to get by Wood for the lead. Walters nabbed second from wood on lap eighteen. The next lap, Wood lost power coming down the front straightaway causing a major jam up but no major incident. By lap twenty, Belt held a sizeable lead over Walters, Toole and Way. Middleton suffered problems in the final laps from fifth and fell back while Miller drove his way to fifth. When the checkered flag flew, it was Belt over Walters, Toole, Way and Miller.

Sunday’s action started off with a trophy dash win for Miller over Way, Bailey and Belt. Jim Redd won the first heat race followed by Miller, Bailey, Toole and Walters while Way won the second head over Belt, Lima, Barnwell and Steve Kimberling. Nineteen cars started the second twenty five lap main event of the weekend lead by Chuck Essex and Rick Stone driving the car normally piloted by Gary Adams. Wood drove his way to the lead early while the field jockeyed for position. On lap three, Fred Taylor and Demello spun resulting in a yellow flag. When the green flew, Wood led Lima, Cecil Arispe, Bailey and Essex.

On lap four, Miller moved into fifth. Meanwhile, Wood and Lima fought for first while Arispe and Bailey fought for third. On lap six, Lima and Arispe spun between turns three and four bringing out another yellow. Arispe drove his car to the pits with a flat tire under the caution. The green flew again with Wood leading Bailey, Miller, Middleton and Essex. Miller got a good start and moved outside and past Bailey on lap six and on lap seven he moved past Wood for the lead. On lap eleven, Middleton got by Bailey and Wood to take the second position while Jason Belt moved his way to the third position. As all this was happening, Miller moved out to a huge lead over Middleton. By lap twenty it was Miller, Middleton and Belt with Way fourth and Toole fifth. Coming down to the finish, Toole and Way battled for fourth with Way eventually getting by. At the race’s end Miller wrapped up the race and the championship over Middleton, Belt, Way and Toole.

The sportsman division held its first annual open race. Glen Shewry won the trophy dash with Phil Wood following while Fergy Ferguson and Larry Pries didn’t finish the four lap race. Shewry won the first heat race over Rick Fox, Marty Walsh, Roger Sanderson and Ferguson earning himself the pole for Sunday’s main event. Aaron Byers won the second heat over Jerry Peterson, Brandon Barnwell, Angelo Marcelli and Shasta Raceway Park late model track champion Jerry Nichols. Sixteen cars started the fifty lap main event. Shewry took the lead off the start over Fox, Walsh, Ferguson and Redding visitor Richie Crowell. On lap six, Sanderson moved his way under Crowell. Coming off turn two, Crowell spun resulting in the yellow flag. Under the yellow, Peterson had mechanical issues and was pushed behind the wall.

On the restart, Shewry and Fox ran away from the pack while Walsh tried to hold off the advances of Ferguson. On lap eleven, Donnie Brown spun for a yellow. When the green came back out, the race went back to where it was before with Shewry maintaining a large lead over Fox while Fox maintained a larger lead over Walsh, Ferguson and everyone else. Ferguson continuously applied pressure on Walsh, giving him several bumps not resulting in anything of consequence. On lap nineteen, Barnwell made a great save as he got loose between turns one and two. As the race wound down, Shewry worked his way through the field while Fox gained little ground. On lap thirty-five, Ferguson finally found a hole under Walsh taking the third spot. It was a freight train behind him as Sanderson, Byers, Barnwell and Wood all got past Walsh. On lap forty-one, Wood spun off turn two but no caution flew. Shewry was held up by slower traffic in the final five laps which allowed Fox to close up but it wasn’t enough as Shewry lead flag-to-flag over Fox, Ferguson, Sanderson and Byers.

Jay Linstroth had fast time honors for the first leg of the three race Western Modified Nationals with a 16.433 qualifying lap. Oregon driver Ken Scales won the trophy dash over Lakeport racer David Sullivan, Anderson racer Guy Young and Linstroth. The first modified heat was won by Lakeport track champion Gary Lowblad followed by Jeremy Ammon, Rick Lavallee, Rob Taguchi and Rick Anderson. Derek Thorn won the second heat and pole honors for Sunday’s race over Linstroth, Tom Berry, Ed Schanuth and Willie Thompson. The third heat was won by Sam Potter with Kelly Peacock, Corey James, Jerry Dubach and Mike Morrisey behind him. B main event honors went to Lowblad while Ammon grabbed the second transfer position.

Thorn and Linstroth lead the twenty-one car field into turn one of the fifty lap main event. Linstroth got the jump on Thorn, drove his car deep into turn one and took the lead. Through the early laps, Linstroth and Thorn ran away from the pack while Schanuth held off Berry and Scales. On lap fifteen, Scales moved outside of Berry and took fourth position. Just after Scales’ pass, Berry suffered problems and pulled his car behind the wall. By lap eighteen, Scales moved past Schanuth for third. On lap twenty, Stan Gunderson spun off turn four bringing out the yellow. The top five on lap twenty was Linstroth, Thorn, Scales, Schanuth and Thompson.

After the restart, Morrisey spun off turn four blocking the track and bringing out the red flag. Fortunately, nobody ran into Morrisey. When the green came back, Scales tried to find a way past Thorn while Linstroth pulled out to a good size margin over the two. Scales finally made his way past Thorn and set his sights on Linstroth for the race lead. As this happened, Sullivan was making a real race out of it for fifth position trying to make the high line work. By lap thirty-five it was Linstroth, Scales, Thorn, Thompson and Richie Potts. On lap forty-two, Thorn’s right front suspension broke forcing him to stop on the track bringing out the yellow flag. This closed up Linstroth and Scales but it wouldn’t be enough. After the final restart, Linstroth pulled away from Scales while Scales pulled away from Thompson, Potts and Sullivan and that was how the race would finish. The second race of the Western Modified Nationals will be held October 7, 8 and 9 at Shasta Raceway Park in Anderson, California.