1/26/2020
Redwood Acres Raceway
New Partnership Group Formed To Promote Redwood Acres Raceway In 2020 And Beyond
Redwood Acres Raceway held its annual banquet to celebrate the 2019 champions and all the competitors this past Friday evening at the Blue Lake Casino. In addition to the crowning of track champions in each of the raceway’s six local divisions, news was announced regarding whom would be promoting the track in 2020 and hopefully well into the future.
Former track champion in the real stock division and RAR’s current announcer Aaron Byers served as master of ceremonies for the evening. The top three drivers in the Bandoleros, roadrunners, bombers, mini stocks, Legends and late models were all recognized for their efforts in 2019. Champions in each division were Maleesa Miles in the Bandoleros, J.R. Brandt in the roadrunners, Raquel Krupa in the bombers, Gary Klinetobe in the mini stocks, Leonard Ward III in the Legends and David Henderson in the late models.
With their first championships at the Acres, Miles and Krupa became the first female drivers to win a track title on the pavement and the first female since Verta Hennell was track champion on the dirt in the super stock division in 1984. Brandt’s championship came in his first season of racing. Klinetobe’s mini stock title was his second in the division and his third at RAR overall. Ward earned his second championship after winning the 2014 bomber crown. Henderson claimed his first late model title adding to three track championships in the Thunder Roadster class.
Following the presentation of awards, multi-time track champion Jim Redd made the announcement that he along with other partners including Joe Bonomini and Bill White had formed Redwood Acres Raceway LLC which would take over promotional duties for the raceway starting in 2020. Some immediate plans the group has are to improve and upgrade the facility including installing a new scoreboard as well as additional caution lights around the 3/8-mile speedway. The price of admission will also be cut significantly with prices being $10 for adults and $5 for children, seniors and veterans.
A tentative schedule for the 2020 season was released and while the current rules package in each division will remain the same as in 2019, officials plan on working toward having RAR’s rules in line with other facilities in the region to allow drivers to race back and forth between tracks. Additional news and announcements will be made as soon as possible.
TENTATIVE 2020 SCHEDULE FOR REDWOOD ACRES RACEWAY (NOT FINALIZED)
Bandoleros, roadrunners, bombers, mini stocks and Legends are scheduled for all events unless noted otherwise
May 2 – New Promoter Night – Featuring Late Models
May 16 – Featuring Upstate Bombers
June 6 – Featuring Late Models And North State Modified Series (NO BOMBERS)
June 20 – Featuring Upstate Bombers
July 11 – Firecracker 100 – Featuring Late Models
August 1 – Fan Appreciation Night – Featuring Late Models
August 15 – Featuring Upstate Bombers
August 29 – Back To School Night – Featuring Late Models And INEX Open For Bandoleros And Legends
September 12 – Featuring Gun Slinger Sprint Cars
September 26 & 27 – Fall Spectacular – Featuring Late Models
The following is a press release from Redwood Acres Raceway LLC:
A team of dedicated racers has come together to form Redwood Acres Raceway LLC a partnership which will promote the 3/8-mile paved oval beginning in the upcoming 2020 season. The ownership group for RAR LLC is comprised of Jim Redd, Joe Bonomini and Bill White. These gentlemen have come together to ensure that racing will not only continue for the 2020 season but will work together to hopefully grow motor racing in the area.
Each of the three partners has a long history at Redwood Acres Raceway as well as beyond at other speedways in the west coast region.
Jim Redd is well respected both inside and outside of the local racing community. Redd has raced at RAR for nearly 20 seasons and has won championships in the real stock and bomber divisions. Last year, Redd helped form the Upstate Bomber Series which held events at RAR as well as Ukiah Speedway and Shasta Speedway.
Joe Bonomini has also been behind the wheel of various racing classes at Redwood Acres Raceway over a similar period of time. Bonomini has most notably raced in mini stocks, Thunder Roadsters and late models. More recently, Bonomini has served as the area’s parts supplier and dealer for INEX sanctioned divisions which includes Bandoleros and Legends.
Bill White has participated in racing both on the local level as well as the regional level. White has been a sponsor for the local late model division for the past several years. In addition, White has been a car owner for his son Brandon who participated full-time in the Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series between 2013 to 2016 in over 30 events as well as in the Pacific Challenge Series and the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series.
Many positive changes are planned for this season to enhance the programs at the track as the trio is ready to go to work. Stay tuned as more information will be available in the coming weeks.
As always, thank you for your support of local short track racing and we hope to see you at the Acres!
Submitted By: Matthew Sullivan