5/9/2022
Redwood Acres Raceway
Second Race Of 2022 On Tap Saturday
The 2022 season at Redwood Acres Raceway kicked off on April 30 with the spectacular Rhododendron 100. This weekend, the season will begin its stride as drivers will look to either continue to build on the success they had in the first race or quickly recover from early season woes. Cook’s BBQ will be presenting this Saturday’s race which will feature all local classes, the late models, Legends, bombers, mini stocks and roadrunners.
Dane Nissen claimed the $5,000 winner’s share of the purse in the Rhododendron 100 on the 30th while local favorite David Henderson started off the year strong with a second-place finish. The 2020 champion, Dustin Walters had tire issues that knocked him out of the 100-lap race early and he will be eager to make up ground in the standings after a 13th place effort.
Jeremy Doss dominated the Legends races in the season opener but his lead in the division standings will end after Saturday as his focus returns to his SRL late model program. It’s hard to pick a title favorite right now. Tyler Avelar and Tyler Krupa appear to be good candidates as well as Jordon Paiment. Chris Sarvinski looked to have a strong effort going on the night but fell out of the main event prematurely.
If the season opener is any indication for the bomber division, then the race for the championship will be wide-open. Tyler Krupa won the feature race but Sam Brown dominated it until the late stages. Ryan Walters is always fast in the division while former champ Raquel Krupa set fast time enroute to a top five finish. Brett Murrell is a rookie in the bombers but he looked confident and capable in his first go around in the heavier cars.
Gannon Cyphers has to be considered the early season favorite in the mini stock class. Cyphers won the heat race and main event and looked to have the same pace he did for the majority of the 2021 season. Drivers like Jarrett Mayo, Brian Murrell, Jr. and Gary Klinetobe won’t make it easy on him though and will be wanting to take their first wins of 2022 this Saturday.
Sophomore racer Tanisha Ratzlaff proved a lot in the first race of the year as she set fast time, won the heat race and won the main event, the first of her career. She will be looking to show that her success in the first race was anything but a fluke this weekend. Jeremiah Martin was the only driver who was able to keep pace with Ratzlaff on April 30 and he will be looking to finish one spot better than he did in that race.
Tickets for this Saturday’s races presented by Cook’s BBQ can be purchased for $10 online at RacinTheAcres.com. You can also purchase them in-person at Automasters and Don’s Rent-All in Eureka, McKinleyville Barbershop or JC Auto in Fortuna. Tickets will also be at the gate on race day. The race will be livestreamed on RacinTheAcres.tv and SpeedSport.TV for $15. Grandstands open at 4:00 PM with racing starting at 5:30 PM.
Submitted By: Matthew Sullivan