9/22/2024
Redwood Acres Raceway
Peterson’s Late Pass Earns Late Model Victory
The 2024 season at Redwood Acres Raceway concluded this past Saturday with the Steve Taylor Memorial Fall Spectacular. Leon’s Car Care Center and Shafer’s Ace Hardware presented a full night of action featuring late models, the Upstate Modified Series, the Upstate Bomber Series, Legends and mini stocks. The evening concluded with the Hook ‘Em And Sling Boat Race Of Destruction.
10 late models showed up to race Saturday but unfortunately three drivers had issues that prevented them from starting the 50-lap main event. Those drivers were Brandon Barnwell, Sierra Furia and Louie Shaha.
The early laps of the late model main featured a spirited side-by-side duel between Romeo Venza and Jerry Peterson that Peterson was able to eventually gain the upper hand on. It was not long before Dennis DelBiaggio began to show his strength and was able to get by Peterson using the low line off the fourth corner.
DelBiaggio appeared to be well on his way to victory until a solo spin by Jenn Belveal necessitated a caution flag. DelBiaggio bobbled off the second turn on the restart which allowed Peterson to retake the lead. The two nearly wrecked going into the third turn as the laps wound down but Peterson was able to withstand DelBiaggio’s challenge to take the victory. Venza ran a strong third place while Melanie Schmitt and Ken Hallis rounded out the top five finishers.
Saturday’s race was the final points event for the Upstate Bombers and the Upstate Modifieds. The Upstate Bombers championship going into the night was tight with only three points separating leader Jordan Krupa and Terry Pittman in second.
The 50-lap feature for the bombers was caution-free and featured a thrilling race long battle between the two championship contenders. Doug Way led the opening two circuits before Pittman used the high line to take the lead. Krupa followed into second and rode in Pittman’s mirror all race long.
Even as the front duo got through lapped traffic, Pittman was able to keep Krupa behind him. At the finish it was Pittman taking the victory and the 2024 Upstate Bomber Series championship. Krupa was second followed by Chris Sarvinski, Aaron Byers and Way.
Sierra Furia clinched the 2024 Upstate Modified Series championship by taking the feature win over Tom Elam and Trystan Mucci. Landen Green dominated the Legend feature taking the victory ahead of Chris Lawrence, Scott Taylor, Andy Thornton and Mac Collado. Jarrett Mayo took the mini stock main over Cole Peterson and Gary Klinetobe. Daniel Smith was the winner of the Hook ‘Em And Sling Boat Race Of Destruction.
Heat race winners were Barnwell and Codi Barba in the late models, Krupa and Sarvinski in the Upstate Bombers, Furia in the Upstate Modifieds, Green in the Legends and Mayo in the mini stocks. Fast times for the evening were Peterson in the late models with a 16.302. Pittman in the Upstate Bombers with a 18.072, Furia with a 17.053 for the Upstate Modifieds, Green with a 17.830 for the Legends and Mayo with an 18.883 for the mini stocks.
Race results from all the 2024 season events at Redwood Acres Raceway including the Steve Taylor Memorial Fall Spectacular are available at the track’s official website RacinTheAcres.com. You can also follow RAR on Facebook.
Submitted By: Matthew Sullivan