Tom's Auto Repair Night Recap
By FRANK CATIZONE
ACCORD – Danny Tyler drove home with his first victory of the season last Friday evening in the United Pumps & Tank Modified 30-lap feature on Tom’s Repair Night at the Accord Speedway.
Tyler, who joined up with new car owner Jim Winchell late in the 2014 racing season, got the jump on leader Mike Ricci following an eighth-lap restart and was in command from that point on as he withstood three more caution periods and the presence of Rich Ricci Jr. to score the win.
Jerry Higbie, who owns a slim lead over Rich Ricci Jr. in the standings, moved ahead of Andy Bachetti for third place on the 18th circuit and started closing in on Tyler and RichRicci Jr. But he was unable to mount a challenge and settled for third place.
Bachetti and Mike Ricci raced among the top five the entire distance and followed in fourth and fifth place.
Reigning track champion Jackie Brown Jr. raced home in sixth with Tommy Meier, Jeff Heotzler Sr., Scott Ferrier and Jeff Heotzler Jr. rounding out the top 10. The younger Heotzler was driving the No. 14H mount based out of Delaware for car owner Ron Roberts.
Greg McCloskey, after struggling in August, bounced back to capture his fourth win of the season in the Escape RV Sportsman 25-lap feature.
McCloskey, who started outside pole, wrestled the lead away from Joe Giachinta following a third-lap restart and then held off Mike Barrett for the victory. Barrett followed in second place with Kevin Ward, Dave Werber and Rich Ricci III rounding out the top five.
Second-generation driver Brandon McGill started on the pole and led the whole race to register the first victory of his young racing career in the Healey Brothers Spec Sportsman 20-lap feature.
McGill, the 14-year-old son of former Modified driver John McGill, never wavered throughout the race as he was able to keep Robbie Knipe behind him to the finish. Knipe settled for second place with Ryan Stortini, Ken Boniface Jr. and Ed Dachenhausen following.
Ralph Ronk picked up his second win this season in the Ruge’s Performance Center Pro Stock 20-lap feature as he finished ahead of Jim Sykes, David Demorest, Al Christiana and John Rood.
Ronk started outside pole and led the whole race. Rood, who was challenging for his best finish of the season, chased Ronk for the first 17 laps before faltering late in the event.
The 15-lap Arkel Motors Pure Stock feature was checkered after 13 laps because of the 11:30 p.m. curfew with Ant Marguglio winning for the third time this season.
Marguglio grabbed first place following a second-lap restart and then survived several caution periods to remain ahead as Accord starter Steve Otten displayed the checkered flags two laps earlier than the scheduled finish because of time.
John Woinoski followed in second place with Nick Johnson, Bob Sleight Jr. and Gary Ronk rounding out the top five.
Wyatt Clark captured the Want Ad Digest All Star Slingshot 15-lap feature for the fourth time this season. He was followed across the finish line by Matthew Shultz.
Bobby Flood registered his third triumph of 2014 in the WRWD Junior Slingshot 15-lap main event with Damon Paul, Vinny Visconti, Samantha Muller and Ryan Macartney following.