7/27/2025
Redwood Acres Raceway
Barnwell Continues 2025 Perfect Streak
The 2025 season at Redwood Acres Raceway continued this past Saturday night as Harper Motors presented an action-packed evening of racing. The Mid-City Motor World Late Models were joined by the Upstate Bomber Series, Legends, Jr. Legends and mini stocks. In addition, the BCRA Vintage Midgets were on display while the Eel River Transportation & Salvage Dirt 4 Bangers made their highly anticipated debut.
Brandon Barnwell’s 15.600 qualifying time for the Mid-City Motor World Late Models was just a few thousandths off from breaking Luke Hall’s track record which was set earlier this season. Ryun Leazer was the winner of the heat race.
The 65-lap feature saw three early incidents which slowed the race. Romeo Venza lost control on the initial start from his outside front row position but avoided damage. Spins by Louie Shaha and Christian Sanchez in turns three and four also necessitated caution flags.
Leazer used pole position to his advantage in the early stages as he pulled away from the field while Barnwell maneuvered through the field past Jerry Peterson into second. A long green flag run allowed Barnwell to close on Leazer’s lead and by lap 40 Barnwell looked poised to make a serious challenge to Leazer.
Even though his lead evaporated, it appeared as though Leazer found a second wind as he was able to maintain at least a car length advantage over Barnwell for several laps. That all changed on lap 49 when Leazer got loose off turn two sending him into the infield and Barnwell into the lead.
Barnwell and Peterson led the field on the subsequent restart but contact between Leazer and Shaha sent Shaha into the wall in turn three bringing out the caution. The next restart saw an incident between Peterson and Joe Bonomini in turn two which sent Bonomini into the infield and Peterson to the rear of the field for his involvement.
With the race coming to an end, it appeared as though Barnwell had his fifth-straight feature win sewn up but Bonomini made a strong charge on the final lap which brought him within a car length of Barnwell’s bumper in turns three and four. Barnwell was able to hold on to take the win over Bonomini, Peterson, Leazer and Venza.
Chris Sarvinski paced qualifying for the Upstate Bomber Seris with an 18.283 time. Bob Mook and T.J. Sorrels were the heat race victors. Sam Brown took the lead from pole position in the 30-lap main but had his mirrors filled with Sarvinski and Sorrels. A spin by Ryan David past the halfway mark brought the yellow flag and allowed Sorrels to take second from Sarvinski on the restart. Sorrels did all he could to get by Brown but did not have enough as Brown was able to take the victory. Sorrels placed second followed by Raquel Krupa, Mook and Sarvinski.
The Eel River Transportation & Salvage Dirt 4 Bangers had a solid 12 car turnout. Matt Merrill was the winner of the first heat while Sam Brown was the winner of the second. The driver simply known as “Thunder Hawk” was the winner of the 20-lap main event over Brown, Jack Towers, Gene O’Dell and Christian Sanchez.
Fast time for the Legends was Scott Taylor with a 17.858. Chris Lawrence was the heat race winner and ended up in victory lane in the 20-lap feature beating Taylor, Kassidy Fraser and Mac Collado. Jr. Legends saw Phoenix Venza set a time of 20.282 in qualifying while he took the heat race and main event wins.
Jarrett Mayo also swept the night in the mini stock class. Mayo set quick time with an 18.941, won the heat race and the main event over Cole Peterson, Sorhna Li and Hailey Glass. The BCRA Vintage Midget heat race was taken by Rich Scenttrini while Mike Cossey was victorious in the feature over David Ansted, Scettrini and Steve Cossey.
Only three races remain on the 2025 schedule for Redwood Acres Raceway. The next race takes place Saturday August 16. Leon’s Car Care Center will present another packed night of racing with the Mid-City Motor World Late Models, Legends, Jr. Legends, bombers, limited modifieds, mini stocks and the Eel River Transportation & Salvage Dirt 4 Bangers all racing for the night.
Full race results and updated points standings are available on RacinTheAcres.com while Redwood Acres Raceway can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.
Submitted By: Matthew Sullivan