Submitted photos – Brandon Barnwell celebrates his victory at the Redwood Acres Raceway on Saturday night.

The 2026 season at the Redwood Acres Raceway kicked off on Saturday night much to the delight of North Coast race fans. 

Nor-Cal Automotive presented a full slate of action featuring the Mid-City Motor World Late Models, bombers, Legends, mini stocks and the Dirt 4 Bangers.

Prior to the start of the main events, a memorial lap was ran in honor of former track champions Doug Way and Bob Ratzlaff as well as NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, who passed away earlier in the week.

When the racing got under way, it was a good start to the new season for defending Late Models champion Brandon Barnwell.

Barnwell set the pace in qualifying with a 15.566 and would follow that by taking the checkered flag in the main event.

But he had to overcome a strong start by Jerry Paterson, who led for the opening few laps of the 65-lap feature before giving way to Barnwell. 

A spin by Chad Grammer in turn four briefly bunched the field and Barnwell was able to take the lead on the subsequent restart and build what looked to be an insurmountable lead.

But Barnwell’s route to victory had a monkey wrench thrown in when Luke Hall had mechanical issues driving Christian Sanchez’s car in turn four with 10 laps remaining. 

The restart saw a fantastic door-to-door duel between Barnwell and Peterson. 

Barnwell was able to eventually prevail while Peterson fell back to third as Landen Green took the runner-up position. 

At the finish it was Barnwell winning followed by Green, Peterson, Dennis DelBiaggio and Grammer.

Raymond Taylor, Jr., right, winner of the bomber main event

Jarrett Mayo celebrates his mini stock main event victory on Saturday

DelBiaggio was the winner of the heat race. 

In the bomber division, meanwhile, the night belonged to Raymond Taylor, Jr. 

The Laytonville driver paced qualifying with a 18.243, was victorious in the heat race and dominated the 30-lap feature, winning by a lap over second-placed Jimmy Sorrels. 

Jeff French placed third, followed by T.J. Sorrels and Nathaniel Foley, with the latter enjoying a  highly impressive effort in his first-ever race.

In Legends action, Ryan Skidmore from Benicia set the fastest lap in qualifying with a 17.831, while Chris Lawrence took the victory in the heat race winner.

The 30-lap main event featured a thrilling battle between Scott Taylor, Skidmore and Lawrence. 

Taylor led the opening 10 circuits before Skidmore moved by to take the lead. 

Lawrence moved to second by the halfway mark and was able to power by Skidmore off of turn two to take the lead after Skidmore got tight coming out of the turn. 

Skidmore was able to regain his composure and closed in on Lawrence in the final handful of laps, but Lawrence was able to hold off Skidmore’s last lap charge to take the win. 

Taylor placed third, followed by Fort Bragg’s Kassidy Fraser and Redwood Valley’s Matt Page.

Christian Sanchez, winner of the Dirt 4 Banger main event.

In the season-opening mini stock races, Jarrett Mayo dominated for much of the night.

Mayo set quick time with a 18.679, and he followed that with wins in the heat race and main event. 

Cole Peterson finished second in the 20-lap main, followed in turn by Alyssa Sorrels, T.J. Rollins and Tim Ratzlaff.

The Dirt 4 Bangers delighted the fans in attendance with some slam-bang dirt racing in the infield. 

Christian Sanchez led early and went unchallenged in the 25-lap race to cruise to the win. 

Matt Merrill took second, followed by Mateo Gutierrez, T.J. Applewhite and Truman Elmore.

Racing returns to Redwood Acres Raceway for a two-day special during the annual Redwood Acres Fair on June 20 and 21.

The first of the two nights will feature the Jim Walker Tribute Twin 48 races, including two 48-lap feature events for the Late Models. 

The Upstate Bomber Series, Legends and mini stocks will also be racing. 

The following night will feature the Redwood Sports Car Club on display as well as the Dirt 4 Bangers and the fan favorite Hillbilly Boat Races.

For more information regarding the 2026 season, including the full season schedule and points, visit RacinTheAcres.com.

Chris Lawrence won Saturday’s Legends main event