Eureka, CA (September 25, 2017) – The 2017 season at Redwood Acres Raceway is coming to a close this weekend. Championships in all six divisions are on the line for what will be the 25th running of the Acres’ season-closing weekend tradition which will now be dedicated yearly to the recently passed Dennis Wendt. Mid-City Motor World will be presenting the annual two-day event.
The California State And Federal Employee’s Credit Union roadrunners will be running three 20-lap main events this weekend, two on Saturday night and one on Sunday afternoon. Daniel Buell extended his point lead in the most recent race on September 2nd. His lead over Nick Ford is 18 points. In third is Tim Ratzlaff who has a mathematical chance at the track championship but likely won’t be able to advance his position in the standings. There is only a one point difference between the fourth and fifth place drivers, Jennifer Murrell and Bob Ratzlaff.
Tyler Peach has a nearly insurmountable lead for the Nor-Cal Automotive Legends. Peach has a 37 point lead over MKinzy Uselton. Going into the September 2nd event, Uselton was within five points of Peach but a heat race incident in the most recent race has more or less extinguished her hopes for the championship. The top five in the standings are Brad Curtice, Dominic Vogelsang and Brett Mack. None of those drivers are in the running for the track title in the division.
The second Fortuna Wheel & Brake bomber bash will be a featured attraction for the Fall Spectacular. Duel 50-lap main events are set for the Sunday show. John Lally’s 52 point lead over Kolby Jackson might look like a sizable advantage but with two main events, anything can change. Bethany Rapp is third, one point behind Jackson. Although he is 89 points behind Lally, Jim Redd still has a chance at the championship although his chances are long. Fifth place features a tie between father and daughter, Jimmy Sorrels and Kimberly Sorrels.
After playing catch-up all season long, Brett Murrell has the points lead in the Humboldt Hydroponics mini stock division. He still has his hands full as his father Brian Murrell, Jr. is one point behind in second. Eugene Palmer is third and is right in the thick of the running only six points behind Murrell. The top five is rounded out by two drivers who have had very impressive rookie seasons. Scott Taylor is 23 points behind the leader and still has a chance at the mini stock title. Trevor Eacret is fifth but is 41 points behind Taylor.
The Lone Star Junction Thunder Roadsters is the only division that will be running a full slate of trophy dashes, heat races and main events on both Saturday and Sunday. Nine points is the margin between first and second Ronnie O’Neil and Tommy Payne. Chris Lawrence is third and will likely finish the season in that position barring major issues for O’Neil and Payne. Mac Collado is a veteran racer at the Acres but is a roadster rookie. He sits fourth in the standings. Paul Peeples, Jr. completes the top five.
Mic Moulton holds the points lead for the Mid-City Motor World late models. 13 points behind in second is Eric Gannon. Marty Walsh is three points behind Gannon in third. Brandon White in fourth is 26 points behind Moulton while fifth place David Henderson is another point behind White. They are the only drivers in the division who have a chance at the track championship.
While this weekend’s 100-lap late model event will crown the track champion for the division at Redwood Acres Raceway, it will also be the first race of the two-race playoff for the overall champion of the Super 6 Late Model Challenge Series. The championship deciding race will be held at Ukiah Speedway on October 21st and 22nd. To qualify a driver had to attempt to start all six previous races in 2017, had to win a race, or had to qualify through earning the most points of non-winners. Moulton, Gannon, White and Henderson were able to solidify their positions with wins while Marty Walsh and Ryun Leazer earned their chance through points.
Mid-City Motor World Championship Weekend will get started Friday with practice from 2:00-7:00 PM. Saturday, gates open at 5:00 PM with racing getting started at 6:00 PM. On Sunday, gates open at 11:00 AM while the season-ending races will begin at noon. For more information on this weekend’s Fall Spectacular/Dennis Wendt Memorial, please visit Redwood Acres Raceway’s official website, www.RedwoodAcresRacing.com
