6/21/2026
Redwood Acres Raceway
Barnwell Takes Big Win In Jim Walker Fair Classic
Eureka, CA (June 21, 2026) – The grandstands were packed Saturday night as Redwood Acres Raceway hosted the first running of the Jim Walker Fair Classic. The Mid-City Motor World Late Models ran a two-segment feature, each 48 laps in length in honor of the Ferndale racing legend. The Upstate Bomber Series, Legends, mini stocks and Jr. Legends were also in action. Saturday’s event was presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts as well as Chalk Mountain Ranch and North Coast Lighting And Electric.
Before the races began, Redwood Acres Raceway honored its 2026 Hall Of Fame inductees Bob Britt, Bill Schmitt, Mark Baldwin, Rick Harper and Tim Marsh, Jr. Fan in attendance also had the special opportunity to honor Jim Walker as he and his family were on hand in front of a very appreciative audience.
Joe Bonomini nearly broke the track record for the Mid-City Motor World Late Models in qualifying with a fast time of 15.595. Brandon Barnwell won the special eight-lap trophy dash sponsored by Hard Logging And Construction earning $500 for his victory. Jerry Peterson received $250 for second while Dennis DelBiaggio and Melanie Schmitt earned $150 and $100.
Luke Hall and Schmitt led the field to the green in the first 48-lap stage but it took a while for the feature to get going. A lap-one bunch up going into turn three saw Chad Grammer and Christian Sanchez tangle bringing out a caution. Two more cautions followed including a dust-up in turn one involving Schmitt, DelBiaggio and Allen Gibney.
The race went green with Hall leading Barnwell until lap 12 when Gibney’s car slowed down the front stretch necessitating a yellow flag. Under the caution period, several front-runners quickly made their way into the pits to resolve overheating issues including Barnwell, Landen Green, DelBiaggio and Bonomini. Hall elected to stay on track but stopped on the backstretch to get his grille cleaned. Due to the work done on his car, race officials forced Hall to restart at the rear. Hall disagreed with the decision and pulled his car into the pits. The end result saw Jerry Peterson move to the lead.
Peterson jumped to the front on the restart as he tried to gap the faster cars who had to drive their way back to the front. Barnwell was the first to break through as he, DelBiaggio and Bonomini slowly closed in on the leader. Barnwell was able to close in on Peterson and on lap 30 he made a move to the outside of Peterson that proved not to work as DelBiaggio and Bonomini were able to move to second and third. A spin by Bonomini off of turn two allowed the field to close up for a final 10-lap run to the finish.
Peterson regained his lead on the restart while Barnwell moved back to second and Green moved by DelBiaggio to third. Barnwell worked Peterson hard until lap 44 when a caution flew after Grammer spin off of turn two.
The final four lap dash saw fantastic racing between Peterson and Barnwell with Barnwell getting an edge on the restart. Peterson was able to fire back by Barnwell and was able to withstand the pressure to win the first segment earning $2,000. Barnwell was second while DelBiaggio was third, Green fourth and Schmitt fifth.
The pill draw for the second 48-lap segment was a four giving Green pole position with DelBiaggio starting alongside. DelBiaggio took the lead from the start but Green moved inside going into turn three. The two tangled bringing out a caution. Racing briefly resumed until another yellow flew when Peterson got into Grammer going into turn three.
Green and DelBiaggio had a hard-fought battle for the lead that Green was eventually able to get the better of. Barnwell was able to move into second and Peterson into third. Green and Barnwell appeared to have evenly-matched cars until a lap 18 caution flew.
Barnwell’s experience shined through on the restart as he was able to take the lead away from Green. The two leaders continued to be evenly matched on lap times but it wasn’t until the final handful of laps until Green seemed to really gain an advantage. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough time as Barnwell was able to take the $2,000 victory. Green’s second place brought him $1,500 while Peterson earned an additional $1,000 for third. DelBiaggio’s fourth place was worth $700 and Schmitt’s fifth earned her a $600 payout.
Several drivers earned special bonuses for the night as well. Green earned $500 from the Walker Family for the most cars passed in both segments. Green also received $125 from Danielson Construction for finishing fourth in the first segment while Scott Baker also received $125 for his ninth-place effort in the second segment. In addition, Green received the $200 Hard Charger bonus from Kavin Conn. Barnwell received a $150 certificate from Bob Oliver and Competition Carburation for setting the fastest lap of the second segment.
Upstate Bomber Series qualifying was paced by Raymond Taylor, Jr. with a 17.933 time. Taylor won the first heat while Jimmy Sorrels recorded the victory in the second heat. Taylor looked to have the 40-lap feature well in hand until lap 14 when he suddenly slowed and pulled into the pits. Bob Mook took the lead but Anthony Fomasi was able to move his way by for what proved to be the victory. Mook placed second followed by Stephen Ghilarducci, T.J. Sorrels and Jimmy Sorrels. Ryan David was the recipient of the $150 certificate from Bob Oliver and Competition Carburation for the fastest lap of the feature race.
Brandon White was a dominant force in the Legends for the evening. He was fastest in qualifying with a 17.478 and was the winner of the heat race and main event. Ryan Molina finished second followed by Chris Lawrence, Scott Taylor and Chris Sarvinski.
The night belonged to Jarrett Mayo in the mini stocks as he set a new track record in qualifying with an 18.095. Mayo was able to follow that up with wins in the heat race and main event followed by Cole Peterson, T.J. Rollins and Garrett Wheeler. Phoenix Venza took the win the Jr. Legends.
Racing action continued on Sunday on the infield dirt circuit. Christian Sanchez won the Dirt 4 Banger heat race while Gene O’Dell took the main event win. Ryan David was the winner of the Hillbilly Down & Dirty Boat race.
The 2026 season continues at Redwood Acres Raceway Saturday July 25. The Nor Cal Legends Series will be joined by the Upstate Modified Series, Bombers, mini stocks the BCRA Vintage Midgets, vintage super modifieds and the Dirt 4 Bangers. Race results, current points standings and more are available at RacinTheAcres.com. You can also find Redwood Acres Raceway on Facebook and Instagram.
Submitted By: Matthew Sullivan
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