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.

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.

A ‘hooked up’ Potts takes the IMCA victory

A ‘hooked up’ Potts takes the IMCA victory

By Matthew J. Sullivan

Making one of two appearances at Redwood Acres Raceway this season, the IMCA Modifieds visited the 3/8 of a mile-paved oval for some hard-charging racing action. Setting a new track record at a 16.465, Petaluma’s Richie Potts started from the back to work his way to the front and to take the victory in the main event. Capitalizing on real stock points leader, Shawn Craig’s misfortunes, Rick Fox took the victory and closed in on the championship leader. After making a bold pass on the outside with a few laps to go, veteran Al Acuna took the sportsman main event victory. In the mini stock class, Jason Chand resolved the motor problems he had been having the past few races and took victory honors in that class.

The limited street stock class made their second appearance at the Acres this season. In the trophy dash, Craig Johnson took the victory over Orion Moshier. The two repeated the process in the main event as Johnson again took the win over Moshier. Due to the low car count, however, the class didn’t run a main event.

Defending mini stock track champion, Phil Wood won the trophy dash over Dan Brown. The heat race action was intense as Chad Grammer, Jaison Rhodes, Wood and Brown battled for the victory. Coming off of turn four on the last lap, Rhodes made an attempt to pass Grammer on the inside. The two touched sending Grammer into the infield and Rhodes to the checkered flag first. Officials ruled that since Rhodes caused the incident he would be placed at the tail end of the finishing order. This gave Wood the victory over Brown, Glenn Bernald and Brian Murrell.

Leading the field to the green in the main event were Murrell and Matt Wolfe. Going into turn one on the start of the race, the two made contact and spun. Both had to start at the rear of the field for initiating the incident. On the restart, Brown took the lead over Rhodes. On lap 7, Wood, who had car problems and was using Grammer’s car, got loose and lost a lot of track position to the leaders. Meanwhile, Brown, Rhodes and Jason Chand were tightly contesting for the lead position.

Wood got loose again in turn 3 and this time lost a few positions. With five laps to go, Rhodes got loose and lost second position to Chand. Chand made a bold attempt to pass Brown on the high side with two laps to go and made it stick as he took the lead and the victory. Second was Brown, third was Rhodes while fourth went to Glen Bernald.

In sportsman competition, long time Acres racer, Angelo took the trophy dash victory over another veteran Al Acuna. In the heat race, Acuna gave the crowd a hint of things to come in the main event as he made a strong pass on the outside of rookie Jim Norris on the last lap of the race to take the victory. Norris and another rookie, Joe McDonald, brought the main event to green. Going into turn 3 on the first lap, David Henderson made contact with Norris. Henderson spun and caused a chain reaction that collected Pat Walsh, Scotty Turner and Acuna. Walsh and Turner weren’t able to return to the race while Acuna suffered only minor damage.

On the restart, McDonald lead over Redding visitor, Kyle Cattanach. The battle for the lead was intense as Cattanach put the pressure on McDonald. Going into turn one halfway through the race, Cattanach made a mistake and got loose. This allowed Acuna, Henderson, and Marcelli to get by. With just a handful of laps to go, Acuna moved to the top groove and made his car stick as he drove past McDonald and began to pull away. Henderson passed McDonald as well did Marcelli but it was too late in the race as Acuna won over Henderson, McDonald and Marcelli. It was determined after the racing action that a few of the sportsman competitors were illegal. Acuna’s victory withheld with second really belonging Marcelli, third Cattanach and fourth Ed Peters.

The real stock division had another great car count. Rick Fox broke the track record setting a new time of 19.566. In the trophy dash, Travis Maytanes took the victory over Shawn Craig by just a bumper. Gary Adams won the first of the three heat races over Ryan Walters and Dana Porter. The second heat was won by Chad Gurney with second going to Hymie Yellon and third place being Steve Kimberling. In the fast heat, Marty Walsh won over Donnie Hyman and Doug Way.

Because of the high car count the division ran a B main event with the top two finishers transferring to the main. Filling those two spots were James Henry and Porter. The real stocks put on yet another awesome main event race. Craig Huffman and Kimberling brought the field to the green flag. On lap 2, Hyman made contact with the turn two wall forcing his night to a close. On the restart, Aaron Byers began to apply pressure on Huffman. Returning driver, Dan Maxwell made a daring attempt going into turn one making it three wide on lap 8. Everybody came out okay with Maxwell leading. On lap 9, Huffman spun coming off of turn two. At the same time, Lissa Uselton spun coming off of the corner. Both lost a lot of track position but didn’t lose a lap.

Fox, who had started at the back of the pack, began to make his presence known. On lap 10 he passed Byers for second. On lap 12, Fox took the lead away from Maxwell. Fox caught a break in the points on lap 13 when his title rival, Craig had an axle brake on the right rear of his car ending his night. On the restart, Maxwell and Walsh spun. Coming to the caution, Maxwell made contact with Kimberling spinning him out. All of the drivers continued on without any major damage. On the restart, Fox led Byers and Way. Fox stretched out his lead and ended up taking the winner’s trophy over Byers, Mike Peters, Way and Walsh.

Long time IMCA veteran Richie Potts showed off his fast car as he set a new track record at Redwood Acres Raceway. In the trophy dash, David Sullivan took the victory over Bill Vance. The first of the two heat races led to misfortune for one driver, Lester Agee who made severe contact with the wall ending all of his racing action for the night. Gary Crawford took the win over Lakeport racer, Bob Strauss and Charlie Krown. In the second heat, Kelly Peacock won over Sullivan, Potts and Vance.

The main event was clean and green from start to finish. Crawford and Lance Walker brought the field to the green flag. Peacock took the lead early. By lap 8 it was Peacock, Krown, Sullivan and Potts who had all ready passed six cars from his last starting position. Potts passed Sullivan and on lap 15 he passed Krown on the inside for second position. On lap 19, Potts took the high line and passed Peacock and stretched out to an insurmountable lead over the rest of the competition. The rest of the race was for second as Peacock tried to hold off Vance and Sullivan. Vance eventually got by Peacock but it was too late in the race as Potts took the victory over Vance, Peacock and Crawford.