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Mike Ricci grabs second Modified win on Fast Signs Night 6/20/2014



By FRANK CATIZONE

ACCORD, NY – Mike Ricci turned in a carbon copy of his 2014 season-opening performance at the Accord Speedway last Saturday evening as he waltzed to his second victory in the United Pump & Tank Modified 30-lap feature on Fast Signs Night.

Ricci, much like he did on April 18 this season, started on the outside pole and led the entire distance with his younger brother Rich Ricci Jr. lurking behind. Mike Ricci, however, widened his lead with each passing lap and took the checkered flag more than three seconds ahead of his brother.

Rich Ricci Jr., who started fifth in the 22-car field, was able to move into second place just before Willy Auchmoody forced a caution with five laps completed when his car stopped in the fourth turn. That put the Ricci brothers on the front row for the restart.

But Mike Ricci had no problem regaining control as the race went caution-free until the finish. The veteran driver was able to weave in and out of traffic as the race progressed and pretty much hid from his competition.

Rich Ricci Jr. was forced to settle for a second-place effort with Jerry Higbie, Jackie Brown Jr., Anthony Perrego, Jeff Heotzler Sr., Tom Hindley, Danny Creeden, Andy Bachetti and Danny Tyler rounding out the top 10.

Jesse Marks got the jump on Rich Ricci III and led the entire race as he picked up his first win of the season in the caution-free Escape RV Sportsman 25-lap main event.

After starting in the front row, Marks and Rich Ricci III ran first and second throughout the race. Mike Barrett followed in third place with Will Dietz and Davey Werber completing the top five.

Ken Boniface Jr. notched his first win this season as he captured the Healey Brothers Spec Sportsman 20-lap feature ahead of Corey Lowitt, Ryan Stortini, Robbie Knipe and Ed Dachenhausen.

Boniface, after starting fourth, was able to pass Lowitt while racing off the second turn right at the midway point and then went on the pull away as he grabbed the win nearly three seconds ahead of Lowitt.

The Ruge’s Performance Center Pro Stock drivers, who haven’t had a feature event since May 2, ran off a pair of 20-lap races with Dave Demorest and Al Christiana each picking up their first wins of the season.

Christiana was able to outrace John Roese to open the night’s program in a main event that has been held over since April 25. The track has endured five rain outs and another suspended program during that span.

Demorest prevented Christiana from recording a sweep of the Pro Stock action as he held on for a narrow win in the regularly scheduled 20-lapper. Tim McCarthey, Paul Aragon Jr. and Roese rounded out the top five.

In the Arkel Motors Pure Stock ranks, Bob Sleight Jr. grabbed his first career win at the track as he held off Dan Speedling in the 15-lap race.

Sleight, after starting outside pole, chased Nick Johnson for the first six laps before taking charge on the seventh circuit around the quarter-mile oval. Gary Ronk, Ray Tarantino and John Woinoski rounded out the top five.

Alexis Woinoski flipped her car on the backstretch during her Accord racing debut to force a caution with three laps completed in the feature. She wasn’t injured.

Wyatt Clark grabbed his second straight win in the Want Ad Digest All Star Slingshots 15-lap feature with Tommy Zwart and Don Boonstra following.

Hunter Lapp continued his dominance in the WRWD Junior Slingshot ranks as he won for the third straight time in the 15-lap feature. He was followed by Bobby Flood and Josh Marcus.