10/8/2021
Redwood Acres Raceway
2021 Redwood Acres Raceway Season Officially Concludes November 7 At Elks Lodge
Although racing at Redwood Acres Raceway ended on September 25, there is still one more thing that is left to do and that is to crown the local division champions and celebrate a successful 2021 season. That is exactly what will happen Sunday November 7 at 4:00 PM at the Elks Lodge in Eureka. In addition to celebrating the champions in each of the divisions, rookies in each division will also be celebrated as well as the champion and drivers in the Upstate Bomber Series.
David Henderson’s steady and smart driving allowed him to claim his second track championship in the late model division and his fifth overall at Redwood Acres Raceway. Nick Ford made the leap jumping from racing mini stocks and roadrunners to racing a late model mid-season. Ford displayed incredible ability in a short time which earned him rookie of the year honors for the late models this season.
Although Brandon White has been a regular fixture in victory circle at Redwood Acres Raceway, 2021 marked his first track championship winning effort in the Legends division. White earned the championship on the back of six wins and being a contender for victory in every race he started. After years of being a mini stock front runner, Brett Murrell moved to the Legends division this season and was an instant contender every week. Murrell finished third in the standings and rookie of the year for the division.
The bomber division champion and rookie of the year are one in the same. After a bit of a slow start to the season, Tyler Krupa made a strong charge in the second half of the year by winning three races enroute to the championship.
The Upstate Bomber Series raced twice at Redwood Acres Raceway in 2021 in addition to races at Lakeport Speedway and Ukiah Speedway. Trystan Mucci won both events at the Acres including the championship clinching event during the Fall Spectacular. His championship will also be celebrated on November 7.
Competition in the mini stocks this season was stiff and it may have come as a surprise that Eric O’Ferrall was able to clinch the 2021 championship. O’Ferrall didn’t back his way into the position as he won three times and was a regular top five finisher. Colton Kinsey was the clear-cut winner of the mini stock rookie of the year honor. The youngster’s only prior experience in racing was driving outlaw karts with the Humboldt Outlaw Karts. He made the huge leap to racing asphalt with the speedy mini stock class and was immediately up to speed from the first race of the season. Kinsey finished a very impressive third in the final standings.
The spotlight for the roadrunners during the championship banquet will be on the Ratzlaff family. Bob Ratzlaff took his first track championship in the division this season with steady, consistent and smart driving. Tanisha Ratzlaff will be honored with rookie of the year. Besides finishing fifth in points, Tanisha showed impressive instincts in her first season and could have won on several occasions had mechanical gremlins not plagued her car.
Redwood Acres Raceway’s championship banquet at the Elks Lodge will be a cook your own steak event. Tickets for the banquet can be purchased on RacinTheAcres.com for $40. Again, the banquet is set for Sunday November 7 at 4:00 PM. It will be a celebration not to be missed.
Submitted By: Matthew Sullivan