Tyler breaks through with first Modified win on Darmstadt Overhead Door Night
By FRANK CATIZONE 5/23/15
ACCORD, NY – Danny Tyler snapped the five-week stranglehold recorded by the Ricci brothers last Friday as he captured his first victory of the season in the 30-lap United Pump & Tank Modified feature at the Accord Speedway on Darmstadt Overhead Door Night.
The Riccis, Mike and Rich Jr., have dominated Modified competition at the track in 2015 and were in the hunt to possibly extend that streak as the race approached its midway point. However, a confrontation between the two brothers after 14 laps were completed sent them to the pits for the evening.
Rich Ricci Jr., the reigning track champion, who paces the division with three wins this season, was racing among the top five with leader Tyler, Joe Judge, Jeff Heotzler Sr. and Scott Ferrier with 10 laps completed. Mike Ricci, who owns two victories on the campaign, was quickly appoaching the leaders and battling his brother for position.
The Ricci brothers drove under a blanket for the next few laps with Mike Ricci attempting an outside pass off the second turn each time. Rich Ricci Jr., however, blocked each attempt and assumed a slight advantage over his brother.
The brothers entered the first turn nearly even after completing their 14th lap and were attempting to get an advantage off the turn. But their cars made contact and that sent both into a spin – forcing Accord starter Steve Otten to display the caution flag.
Rich Ricci Jr. then drove his car into his brother’s racer in the third turn under caution and Mike retaliated moments later. Those actions forced Accord officials to blackflag both brothers and disqualify them for the evening – costing both valuable track points and money.
Tyler, meanwhile, who was enjoying a comfortable lead over his competition, regained control when racing resumed and never looked back as he finished more than two seconds ahead of Jeff Heotzler Sr. when the checkered flag flew.
Jerry Higbie Jr. utilized a charge during the second half of the race to finish in third place with Ferrier, Jackie Brown Jr., Jeff Heotzler Jr., Robbie Green, Judge, Richard Smith and Richie Eurich rounded out the top 10.
Ken Ferrier, after starting outside pole, picked up his first win this season in the Escape RV Sportsman 25-lap feature as he finished ahead of Jimmy Wells, Joe Bonetti, Greg McCloskey and Jesse Marks.
Ken Ferrier, however, had to withstand four early cautions en route to his victory. But he was able to hold off Phil Goetschius Jr. and Wells after each restart to keep his advantage.
Ed Dachenhausen finally broke the ice this season with his first victory in the Healey Brothers Spec Sportsman 20-lap feature event as he finished ahead of Winter Mead, Allison Ricci, Robbie Knipe and Nick Plumstead.
Dachenhausen wrestled the lead away from Mead following a fifth-lap restart and was in control the rest of the race.
Reigning track champion Al Christiana continued his recent hot streak as he captured his third straight win in the Ruge’s Performance Center Pro Stock 15-lap feature.
Christiana grabbed first place away from Jim Sykes on the eighth lap and then went on to finish ahead of Ron Rion, Ken Hartshorn, Chrissy Rider and Greg Sleight Jr.
Gary Ronk started on the pole and never looked back as he took the Arkel Motors Pure Stock 15-lap feature ahead of Bob Sleight Jr., John Woinoski, Chris Streeter and Joel Murns Jr.
Wyatt Clark, who ran into some hard luck earlier in the week, finally broke through with his first win this season as he won the Want Ad Digest All Star Slingshot 15-lap race ahead of Tommy Zwart and Ashley Rogosich.
Clark was stripped of a win in May 19’s Battle of the Bullring competition when the muffler fell off his car during the race.
Ryan McCartney earned his first win in 2015 in the WRWD Junior Slingshot 15-lap main event with Josh Marcus and Hunter Lapp following.