8/1/2021
Redwood Acres Raceway
White Wins Again, Walters Victorious Following Last Lap Late Model Controversy
A packed house was in attendance Saturday night at Redwood Acres Raceway for Fan Appreciation Night presented by DelReka Distributing, Mid City Motor World and Anderson Logging. While there was plenty of exciting door-to-door and nose-to-tail action in all the divisions, there were also plenty of accidents as well. Roadrunners, mini stocks, bombers and Legends were in action along with the General Tire Super Late Model Series presented by Hoosier Tire West.
Before the event, a moment of silence was held in honor of Craig Perrone. Perrone was the owner of DelReka Distributing and a longtime supporter of Redwood Acres Raceway and several drivers over the years including Randy Olson, Tim McCracken, Angelo Marcelli, Larry Pries, Mic Moulton, David Henderson and Dustin Walters among others.
Bob Ratzlaff was quick time for the roadrunner division with a 20.390 lap in qualifying. Jeremiah Martin took the victory in the first heat while the second heat was won by Ratzlaff. Riley Honzik started off the 20-lap feature strong, leading the first six laps before giving way to Ratzlaff and Martin on lap seven. The front duo pulled away from the pack and continued to click off laps. With two laps remaining, Ratzlaff got loose between turns three and four allowing Martin to take the lead. Martin was able to reach the finish unchallenged to take the main event win. Tanisha Ratzlaff made a strong late run to place second followed by Dylan Ford, Bob Ratzlaff and Shawn Wildman.
Fast time in mini stock qualifying was claimed by Gannon Cyphers with an 18.868. Sam Brown and Cyphers were the heat race winners. Brown took the lead at the green flag of the 20-lap main and held it until lap six when Cyphers took over. Eric O’Ferrall moved to second on lap 10 and looked to have something to compete with Cyphers. As the finish drew near, O’Ferrall’s handling appeared to falter allowing Cyphers to pull away while Jarrett Mayo closed in on second. With two laps left, Mayo took second from O’Ferrall but he was too far behind to challenge Cyphers for the lead. At the checkered flag it was Cyphers winning over Mayo, O’Ferrall, Brian Murrell, Sr. and Brown.
Bomber qualifying was paced by Brandon Katri with a 18.527 time. Steve Kimberling took the heat race victory. Jordan Krupa jumped to the top spot from the drop of the green in the 25-lap main event. Jordan Krupa had his hands full with Tyler Krupa until a spin by Katri on lap 12 brought the caution out and allowed the field to pack back up. After the restart, Raquel Krupa began to make her presence known as he moved to second and began to challenge Jordan for the lead. While racing for the lead on lap 19, Raquel lost control of her car in turn one collecting Ed Rasmussen. Fortunately, neither driver suffered severe damage and both were able to continue.
The race resumed with Jordan and Tyler Krupa dueling for the lead once more. Kimberling began to close and looked to take advantage of any mistakes that might be made in the final handful of laps. Jordan Krupa was able to withstand the pressure to take his first main event victory over Tyler Krupa and Kimberling. Rasmussen recovered to finish fourth with Chris Naughton taking fifth.
Local late model action was off for the event but the General Tire Super Late Model Series presented by Hoosier Tire West featured many locals participating on the night. Luke Hall was fast time with a 15.893. Dane Nissen was the heat race winner. After a false start necessitated a complete restart, Hall was able to jump to the race lead at the start of the 50-lap feature. Miller moved by Nissen on lap two and the race long storyline began in regards to whether or not Miller could catch Hall.
Miller began to make a serious charge for the lead at the halfway point of the race. Just as Hall lapped Nick Ford on lap 32, Miller appeared to have issues with his brakes. While Miller had to sort out his issues, Hall was able to pull away. Hall looked to have the race well in hand until a spin by Scott Baker with six laps remaining changed things. The caution not only allowed Miller to restart next to Hall but also gave him time to cool his brakes and make a final charge for the win. Miller waited for the perfect opportunity and coming to the white flag, it appeared he had his chance as he found a line under Hall off the fourth turn. The two were door-to-door in turns one before Hall spun off the second turn. Miller came back across the line first but officials deemed him at fault for Hall’s incident. This gave Dustin Walters the victory. Nissen was credited with second while Hall was placed third, Miller fourth and Ford fifth.
The Legends division had a fantastic turnout with 23 cars taking time in qualifying. Brandon White proved to be quickest with a 17.859. Rick Estes won the first heat race while Scott Taylor and Cody Winchel also won their heats. The large field necessitated a B main event. David Dunlap took the B main win to transfer to the feature while Justin Johnson, Estes and Dylan Hagman also transferred to the main event. The 35-lap feature started off with fantastic side-by-side action between Andy Thornton and Scott Taylor which Tayler was able to get the best of on lap two. The first caution fell on lap five when Dunlap got loose and stopped in the grass between turns three and four.
Carlee Austin moved to the lead on the restart but got loose off the second turn resulting in Taylor and Brett Murrell coming together. Officials put Austin to the rear giving Krupa the lead. His time up front was short lived as Jordon Paiment moved to the lead. Paiment faced a challenge for the lead on lap 10 as Chris Lawrence and Winchel began to apply pressure. While going into the third turn on lap 11, Winchel appeared to get into the back of Paiment’s car. Paiment locked up the brakes and hit the third turn wall hard, sending his car on its top. In spite of the savage hit, Paiment was able to quickly extract himself from his car without harm.
Before the restart, Winchel pulled into the pits and dropped out of the event. Lawrence moved to the lead but another caution slowed the event as Johnson and Estes got locked together in turns three and four. The next restart, Lawrence did his best to fight off White for the lead but was unable to as White took the lead. Two more cautions slowed the event which forced officials to cut the race to 25-laps. White was able to take the win. Cameron Austin beat Lawrence for second while Murrell and Dane Nissen were fourth and fifth.
Racing returns to Redwood Acres Raceway Saturday August 14. All five local divisions of roadrunners, mini stocks, bombers, Legends and late models will be in action. For more, visit www.RacinTheAcres.com or follow RAR on Facebook or Twitter @RacinTheAcres.
Submitted By: Matthew Sullivan