Former ARCA Owner Mike Redfern Passes Away at 79

Mike Redfern, who fielded and maintained ARCA Menards Series cars for Bobby Jacks, earning four wins, seven pole qualifying awards, and six top-10 series point finishes from 1979-88, passed away on Oct. 26, 2021, in Kettering, near his native Dayton, Ohio, after a lengthy illness. He was 79.

Redfern brought together a group of dedicated volunteer crew members and coordinated the efforts of the team he established and called Combined Racing. Redfern’s cars were meticulously prepared, winning numerous ARCA awards for Best Appearing Car and Crew, fielding No. 71 Oldsmobiles with a unique red, white and blue color scheme.

Redfern’s ARCA Menards Series car owner victories came at Flat Rock Speedway in Michigan in 1982, the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield in 1984, and at Pocono Raceway and Kil Kare Speedway in Xenia, Ohio, in 1986, all with veteran driver Jacks of nearby Huber Heights at the wheel.

Jacks and Redfern earned 24 top-5 and 44 top-10 finishes and placed in the top 10 in series point standings consecutively from 1981-86, including the highest points finish of fourth in 1982.

Redfern, a retired CDL truck driver and service station owner, resided in Kettering, Ohio, at the time of his passing and is survived by niece and nephews Robbie and Melissa Combs, Gail Ann and Tom Bevington, Gary and Shari Combs, and brother Jim (Fran) Redfern.

Visitation and services are Thursday, Nov. 4 at Tobias Funeral Home in Dayton, Ohio.

— ARCA Racing —