WALSH, TURNER HOLD ONTO TOP SPOTS IN POINT STANDINGS

Source: Jamie Maynard/Times Standard
Date: 07/15/2002

Eureka, Calif. -- Saturday night's racing action at Redwood Acres Raceway proved quite costly for championship contenders in the Sportsman division. Pat Walsh and Scotty Turner both made premature exits from the main event after a bout with bad luck.

Both fell victim to a multi-car incident early in the main event. Both drivers posted DNF's for the night, but managed to hang onto their respective positions in the point standings. Walsh leads, just one point ahead of Turner.

During post-race inspection, David Henderson, Jim Norris and Joe McDonald were all found to be in violation of the rule book. They were disqualified and stripped of their points for the night. As a result, Henderson and Norris lost one position in the point standings. Henderson now sits fourth, behind Angelo Marcelli.

The big winner on the night was Al Acuna. Not only did he legitimately take home the main event win, he advanced his position in the championship standings from seventh to fifth.

Norris now sits sixth.

Phil Wood is well on his way to defending the Mini Stock championship. Even though he had mechanical problems with his primary car, and was relegated to driving the car of a fellow competitor, Wood held onto the top spot.

Jay Rhodes sits 39 points outside of first while Dan Brown is in third.

With a highly anticipated win in the Mini Stock main event on Saturday, Jaison Chand moved up two positions in the standings. Chand has now taken over fourth place.

The fourth place driver going into Saturday night, Chad Grammer - loaned his car to Phil Wood which resulted his fall in from fourth to sixth in the standings. Thus the saying, "Nice guys finish last."

Brian Murrell, who blew a motor in his primary car, raced on Saturday night in a car borrowed from Joe and Alicia McDonald. Their thoughtfulness allowed Murrell to maintain fifth position in the point standings.

Rick Fox went into Saturday night 39 points behind Shawn Craig in the Real Stock division point standings, but was able to close up the gap with a main event win and Craig's DNF. Fox is now just five points outside of first place.

Donnie Hyman lost one spot in points and now sits fourth behind the No. 14 car co-driven by Marty Walsh and Brad Fite. Aaron Byers rounds out the top five.

Racing action will resume at the Acres on July 27th. The Sportsman, Mini Stock, and Real Stock divisions will be joined by the Late Model Tour cars. The night will be full of racing excitement.

A silent auction will be held under the grandstands to benefit Project Share Life. All proceeds from the auction will go directly to the National Marrow Donor Program. Some of the items to be auctioned include autographed racing memorabilia, diecast cars, and various gift baskets.

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