Redwood Acres Raceway
Eureka, CA
Track Information
Redwood Acres Raceway is a 3/8-mile paved oval located in Eureka, California. The facility opened in 1947. Redwood Acres Raceway has also been known as Redwood Speedway, Redwood Acres Speedway and Eureka Speedway. RAR is one of the oldest active speedways not only in the western region but in the United States. There has not been a season where racing hasn't been active at the track since it has opened.
RAR began as a 5/8-mile dirt oval but was reconfigured in 1956 and 1957 to accommodate the NASCAR Grand National (now Monster Energy) Series. The speedway went from its original dirt configuration to its current asphalt layout in the 1987/1988 offseason. RAR features 6 degrees of banking on the front stretch, 2 degrees of banking on the back and 12 degrees in the turns. The raceway is one of the biggest short tracks in California with only Kern County Raceway Park (1/2-mile) and Shasta Speedway (3/8-mile) being as large or larger.
Over the years, RAR has hosted numerous "big-time" events. Besides hosting NASCAR's Grand National Series, the track has featured events featuring the NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Series, later known as Winston West and currently known as the K&N Pro West Series. From 1988-1994 and in 1995, the NASCAR Southwest Tour Series visited the speedway once a year. In fact, RAR's events were under NASCAR's sanction from 1988 through 1995.
The season finale in late September of 1990 was the beginning of the annual Fall Spectacular which became the biggest race of each year. The 100-lap open competition late model race has seen the very best late model drivers in the region compete. RAR has played host to other top late model competitors over the years with races from the Nor-Cal Best In The West Series, the North State Challenge Series and more recently the Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series all taking place.
RAR is also very familiar with open-wheel action as the yearly IMCA/Grand American Modified portion of the Fall Spectacular was arguably the biggest race of the year for those drivers. The North State Modified Series has become a staple at the raceway the past several years with some of the best competition. Through the years, other open wheel series such as the Western Super Modified Racing Association, the BCRA Midgets and the USAC Western Sprint cars have pounded the Redwood Acres pavement.
As noted previously, many great names have raced at RAR. The 1956 NASCAR Grand National event was won by Herb Thomas who was not only one of the top drivers of the 1950s but has been inducted in numerous halls of fame. Another all-time great, Hershel McGriff is also a hall of fame racer who has not only raced but won at the raceway. NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Ron Hornaday, Jr. won twice at RAR in NASCAR's Southwest Tour Series. Of course, RAR has developed its own local legends over the years. Ferndale, California's Jim Walker is probably the most recognizable name. Walker is not only one of the most beloved drivers by fans all over the west coast, he's one of the most respected and admired by his racing peers.
Redwood Acres Raceway is a 3/8-mile paved oval located in Eureka, California. The facility opened in 1947 Redwood Acres Raceway has also been known as Redwood Speedway, Redwood Acres Speedway and Eureka Speedway. RAR is one of the oldest active speedways not only in the western region but in the United States. There has not been a season where racing hasn't been active at the track since it has opened.
RAR began as a 5/8-mile dirt oval but was reconfigured in 1956 and 1957 to accommodate the NASCAR Grand National (now Monster Energy) Series. The speedway went from its original dirt configuration to its current asphalt layout in the 1987/1988 offseason. RAR features 6 degrees of banking on the front stretch, 2 degrees of banking on the back and 12 degrees in the turns. The raceway is one of the biggest short tracks in California with only Kern County Raceway Park (1/2-mile) and Shasta Speedway (3/8-mile) being as large or larger.
Over the years, RAR has hosted numerous "big-time" events. Besides hosting NASCAR's Grand National Series, the track has featured events featuring the NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Series, later known as Winston West and currently known as the K&N Pro West Series. From 1988-1994 and in 1995, the NASCAR Southwest Tour Series visited the speedway once a year. In fact, RAR's events were under NASCAR's sanction from 1988 through 1995.
The season finale in late September of 1990 was the beginning of the annual Fall Spectacular which became the biggest race of each year. The 100-lap open competition late model race has seen the very best late model drivers in the region compete. RAR has played host to other top late model competitors over the years with races from the Nor-Cal Best In The West Series, the North State Challenge Series and more recently the Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series all taking place.
RAR is also very familiar with open-wheel action as the yearly IMCA/Grand American Modified portion of the Fall Spectacular was arguably the biggest race of the year for those drivers. The North State Modified Series has become a staple at the raceway the past several years with some of the best competition. Through the years, other open wheel series such as the Western Super Modified Racing Association, the BCRA Midgets and the USAC Western Sprint cars have pounded the Redwood Acres pavement.
As noted previously, many great names have raced at RAR. The 1956 NASCAR Grand National event was won by Herb Thomas who was not only one of the top drivers of the 1950s but has been inducted in numerous halls of fame. Another all-time great, Hershel McGriff is also a hall of fame racer who has not only raced but won at the raceway. NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Ron Hornaday, Jr. won twice at RAR in NASCAR's Southwest Tour Series. Of course, RAR has developed its own local legends over the years. Ferndale, California's Jim Walker is probably the most recognizable name. Walker is not only one of the most beloved drivers by fans all over the west coast, he's one of the most respected and admired by his racing peers.
Redwood Acres Raceway Track Champions
1965
Super Stock: Jack Prangley
1966
Super Stock: Red Christainsen
1967
Super Stock: Denny Myers
1968
Super Stock: Rudy Zeck
1969
Super Stock: Bob Britt
1970
Super Stock: Jim Walker
1971
Super Stock: Jim Walker
1972
Super Stock: Jim Walker
Hobby: Mitch Gilbert
1973
Super Stock: Ray Luzzi
Hobby: Don Bailey
1974
Super Stock: Larry Pries
Street Stock: Don Caldwell
1975
Super Stock: Rudy Zeck
Street Stock: Joe Wilson
1976
Super Stock: Tom Wyatt
Street Stock: Joe Wilson
1977
Super Stock: Larry Pries
Street Stock: Casey Dungan
1978
Super Stock: Don Price
Street Stock: Bob Woody
Jalopy: Mike Rodriguez
1979
Super Stock: Larry Pries
Street Stock: Anthony Nunes
Jalopy: Dennis Myers
1980
1981
Super Stock: Ken Wallan
Ltd. Sportsman: Fergy Ferguson
Jalopy: Pat Walsh
Ltd. Modified Wally Martins, Jr.
1982
Super Stock: Hank Hilton
Ltd. Sportsman: Mike Bradbury
Jalopy: Jerry Toledo
Ltd. Modified: Roger Carter
1983
Super Stock: Vic Blanc
Ltd. Sportsman: Geoff Neely
Ltd. Modified: Tim Marsh
Bomber: Skip Richter
Jalopy: Jerry Toledo
1984
Super Stock: Verta Hennell
Ltd. Sportsman: Casey Dungan
Bomber: Jim Porter, Jr.
Open Wheel: Tim Marsh
1985
Super Stock: Bill Hall
Ltd. Sportsman: Matt Kunkler
Hobby Stock: Jim Porter, Jr.
Open Wheel Lonnie Tamboury, Jr.
1986
Super Stock: Ron Peters
Hobby Stock: Jim Porter, Jr.
Open Wheel: Brent Dothage
1987
Super Stock: Mark Baldwin
1988
Super Stock: Jim Walker
Street Stock: Tim Standifer
1989
Super Stock: Jim Walker
Street Stock: Rusty Olson
Mini Stock: Doug Pulver
1990
Super Stock: Randy Olson
Street Stock: Glenn Shewry
Mini Stock: Doug Pulver
1991
Sportsman: Randy Olson
Mini Stock: Jerry McCurtain/Matt Kunkler
1992
Sportsman: Randy Olson
Mini Stock: Tony Pulver
1993
Sportsman: Steve Moulton
Mini Stock: Ron Borges
1994
Sportsman: Rusty Olson
Mini Stock: Bert Guthridge
1995
Sportsman: Glenn Shewry
Pure Stock: Ray Rapp
Mini Stock: Mic Moulton
1996
Sportsman: Glenn Shewry
Pure Stock: Ray Rapp
Mini Stock: Bernard Burns
1997
Sportsman: Tim McCracken
Pure Stock: Otis Stabler
Mini Stock: Bernard Burns
1998
Sportsman: Larry Pries
Pure Stock: Craig Johnson
Mini Stock: Bernard Burns
1999
Sportsman: Otis Stabler
Pure Stock: Craig Johnson
Mini Stock: Phil Wood
2000
Sportsman: Angelo Marcelli
Pure Stock: Jeff Broderson
Real Stock: Rusty Turner
Mini Stock: Jason Shaha
2001
Sportsman: Shawn Andrews
Pure Stock: Craig Johnson
Real Stock: Shawn Craig
Mini Stock: Phil Wood
2002
Sportsman: Angelo Marcelli
Real Stock: Rick Fox
Mini Stock: Phil Wood
2003
Sportsman: Roger Sanderson
Ltd. Street: Duane Mayo
Real Stock: Aaron Byers
Mini Stock: Jaison Chand
2004
Sportsman: Angleo Marcelli
Ltd. Street: Ron Brown
Real Stock: Cecil Arispe
Mini Stock: Jerry Peterson
2005
Sportsman: Geoff Brandon
Ltd. Street: Lee Branstetter
Real Stock: Aaron Byers
Mini Stock: Jaison Chand
2006
Sportsman: Marty Walsh
Ltd. Street: Adrien Betournay
Real Stock: Bill Bradbury
Mini Stock: Chad Grammer
Thunder Roadster: David Henderson
2007
Sportsman: Brandon Barnwell
Ltd. Street: Scott Lyons
Real Stock: Bill Middleton
Mini Stock: Byron McIntosh
Thunder Roadster: Paul Peeples, Jr.
2008
Sportsman: Brandon Barnwell
Ltd. Street: Fergy Ferguson
Real Stock: Jim Redd
Mini Stock: Craig Baker
Thunder Roadster: Paul Peeples, Jr.
2009
Sportsman: Dennis DelBiaggio
Real Stock: Ryan Walters
Mini Stock: Craig Baker
Thunder Roadster: David Henderson
Roadrunner: Charlie Anderson
2010
Sportsman: Mic Moulton
Real Stock: Casey Mitchell
Thunder Roadster: Thomas Payne
Roadrunner: Raleigh Willoughby
2011
Sportsman: Larry Pries
Real Stock: Ryan Robinson
Thunder Roadster: Thomas Payne
Roadrunner: Dax Kinsey/Brian Murrell, Jr./Nick Hansen
2012
Sportsman: Brandon Barnwell
Real Stock: Donnie Hyman
Thunder Roadster: Paul Peeples, Jr.
Roadrunner: Michael Lawrence
2013
Sportsman: Angelo Marcelli
Thunder Roadster: David Henderson
Real Stock: Michael Lawrence
Roadrunners: Jarrett Mayo
2014
Late Model: Mic Moulton
Mini Stock: Brian Murrell, Jr.
Thunder Roadster: Paul Peeples, Jr.
Bombers: Leonard Ward III
Roadrunner: Gary Klinetobe
2015
Late Model: Ryun Leazer
Mini Stock: Chris Champagne
Thunder Roadster: Paul Peeples, Jr.
Bombers: Dustin Walters
Roadrunner: Dylan Ford
2016
Late Model: Mic Moulton
Mini Stock: Gary Klinetobe
Thunder Roadster: Thomas Payne
Legends: Robert Miller
Bombers: James Moore
Roadrunner: Tyler Peach
2017
Late Model: Mic Moulton
Mini Stock: Brett Murrell
Thunder Roadster: Ronnie O'Neill
Legends: Tyler Peach
Bombers: John Lally
Roadrunner: Daniel Buell
2018
Late Model: Mic Moulton
Mini Stock: Brian Murrell, Sr.
Legends: Chris Lawrence
Bombers: Jim Redd
Roadrunner: Nick Ford
Bandoleros: Lane Anderson
2019
Late Model: David Henderson
Mini Stock: Gary Klinetobe
Legends: Leonard Ward III
Bombers: Raquel Krupa
Roadrunner: JR Brandt
Bandoleros: Maleesa Miles
2020
Late Model: Dustin Walters
Mini Stock: Gary Klinetobe
Legends: James Nichols
Bombers: Sam Brown
Roadrunner: Bryan Brandt
Fall Spectacular Winners
Late Models:
1990: Randy Olson
1991: Bob Strauss
1992: Randy Olson
1993: Jeff Rogers
1994: Roger Gannon
1995: Darrell Midgley
1996: Randy Olson
1997: Randy Olson
1998: Darrell Midgley
1999: Mike Sackett
2000: Mike Sackett
2001: Mike Sackett
2003: Mike Sackett
2004: David Miller
2005: Josh Bews
2006: Ryan Foster
2007: Howard Ford
2009: Noel McCormack, Jr.
2010: David Miller
2011: Howard Ford
2012: Jeremy Doss
2013: Eric Schmidt
2016: Jeremy Doss
2017: Brandon White
Modifieds:
1991: Robert Carrel
1992: Rick Rose
1993: Darrell Midgley
1994: Richie Potts
1995: Blair Aiken
1996: Bob Strauss
1997: Bob Strauss
1998: Bob Strauss
1999: Denny Cashada
2000: Kelly Peacock
2001: Clarence Reddick
2002: Bill Binns
2003: Derek Thorn
2004: Gary Lowblad
2005: Jay Linstroth
2006: Willie Thompson
2007: Thomas Wright
2012: Darrin Knight
2013: Darrin Knight
2014: Darrin Knight