6/23/2019
Redwood Acres Raceway
Miller Continues Perfect Season, Sweeps Twin Fair Night Features
It was a fantastic night for racing Saturday night at Redwood Acres Raceway. Mother Nature brought the sunshine, the drivers brought the action and race fans were treated to thrilling action. The event had a bit more on the line than usual as the races coincided with the annual Redwood Acres Best Of Humboldt Fair.
Maleesa Miles set quick time for the Anderson Logging Bandoleros with a 21.374. Miles took the heat race victory then when on to take the win in the 10-lap feature event. Kadence Mace placed second with Aiden Kimberling finishing third.
Fast time for the Compass Community Credit Union roadrunners was Nick Ford with a lap of 20.864. Daniel Buell was the trophy dash winner while Ford took the heat race win. It didn’t take Tim Ratzlaff long to carve his way through the field and take the race lead. Ratzlaff was able to separate himself from the pack while the rest of the field battled it out from second on back. Ratzlaff’s margin of victory at the finish was over four seconds. Ford was able to place second followed by Jordan Paiment, Bryan Brandt and JR Brandt.
Qualifying for the Compass Community Credit Union mini stocks was led by Brett Murrell with a 19.087. Brian Murrell, Sr. won the trophy dash with the two heat races being claimed by Garrett Gilliam and Murrell, Sr. A major turning point in the season-long championship battle for the mini stocks occurred before the start of the 25-lap feature when points leader Jarrett Mayo was not able to take the green flag.
Mayo’s misfortune opened the door for his closest rivals, notably Brett Murrell who was able to race to the lead. Two top championship contenders in Rick Estes and Brian Murrell, Jr. were unable get to the finish. The race looked to be well in hand for Murrell but with two laps remaining his car slowed allowing Murrell, Sr. to take the lead with Gary Klinetobe right behind him. Klinetobe was able to get under Murrell, Sr. coming off turn two on the final lap. Going into the third turn, Klinetobe got the advantage with Murrell, Sr. slipping high through the corner. At the finish it was Klinetobe victorious followed by Murrell, Sr., Nick Ford, Gilliam and Eric O’Ferrall.
Cody Winchel’s qualifying time of 17.878 made him fastest in the North Coast Lighting And Electric Legends division. Winchel took the trophy dash win while Tyler Peach beat Winchel by only .085 seconds in the heat race to win. The 25-lap main event was a clean race from start to finish. Winchel was in a class of his own on the night. Once he got to the lead, he never looked back. Winchel was able to win in dominant fashion with second-place Peach finishing second, almost half of the track behind. Brent Mack placed third while Leonard Ward held off James Nichols for fifth.
The Mid-City Motor World late model division held twin 40-lap features for the night, the first time for Redwood Acres Raceway’s premiere division in over 20 years. The action got started before racing officially kicked off with Mic Moulton and Dustin Walters crashing during qualifying and taking both drivers out of action for the night. David Miller was quickest in qualifying with a 15.974. Luke Hall was able to win the heat race which gave him pole position for the first main event.
David Henderson snaked through to lead the early going of main one but by lap 11, it was Miller who was able to move to the lead. Miller was able to gap Henderson who was passed by Marty Walsh on lap 15. Things remained status quo between the top three positions until lap 30 when Henderson’s car appeared to have electrical issues. Henderson’s car came to a stop on the track which brought out the yellow flag and gave Walsh and the rest of the competition an opportunity at beating Miller. The veteran driver executed the restart to perfection and was able to withstand Walsh’s pressure to win. Keith Nelson recovered from lap one issues to finish third followed by Scott Baker and Luke Hall.
Race two’s lineup was determined by the finish order of the first main event. The lead lap finishers from the first main were inverted for position while cars that finished off the lead lap were placed behind. This gave Kenny Demello pole position for the second feature. Unfortunately for him, his time up front was brief as Luke Hall quickly worked his way to the lead. With Nelson, Walsh and Miller fighting their way to the front, Hall was able to pull to a comfortable margin over the field. On lap five, Hall suddenly pulled into the pits which surrendered the lead to Nelson. Hall quickly returned to the race but off the lead lap and out of the running for the victory.
Nelson led until lap nine with Miller gaining the lead. As in the first main, Miller was able to slowly pull away. His closest competition may have been Walsh in regards to speed but Walsh had his hands full moving through traffic. With 12 laps remaining, Walsh was able to pass Nelson for the second position but his only chance to catch Miller would be in the form of a caution flag. The race stayed clean and green and at the finish it was Miller winning his fourth straight main event of 2019 of the four races that have been run. Walsh placed second with Henderson getting by Nelson late for third. Dennis DelBiaggio rounded out the top five finishers.
Redwood Acres Raceway will have a break for a week until racing returns July 6. The Four Star Realty bombers will rejoin all the Acres’ local divisions. The late models will return for the big mid-season Firecracker 100. A fireworks display will finish out the event which will likely be a memorable night of racing. You can also find RAR on Facebook and on Twitter @RacingTheAcres.
Submitted By: Matthew Sullivan