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Accord, NY- "The Chairman Of The Board" Rich Ricci Jr Doubles In Accord Speedway Modifieds



By: Steve Pados, Accord Speedway Media

The "Gem in the Catskills" Accord Speedway swung back into action on Friday evening as the 13th Friday evening program played to a nice crowd who came out to witness the racing action. Promoters Gary and Donna Palmer had the speedway grounds in pristine condition and the track work prep of Gary Palmer presented the drivers with a smooth as glass and race to the walls facility for the excellent racing card scheduled for the evening. When it was all said and done, eleven time Modified Champion at the speedway Rich Ricci Jr, was up to the task at hand as "The Chairman of the Board" kicked off the evening with a win in the held-over Modified feature and then closed the show with another excellent run
to double down in the Modifieds for the evening of racing and walking out of the speedway with a fistful of dollars. Also scoring wins during the evening were Ken Ferrier in the Escape RV Sportsman division, Nick Plumstead in the Healey Brothers Spec Sportsman, Greg Sleight in the Ruge's Performance Center Pro Stocks, Gary Ronk in the Arkle Motors Pure Stocks, Matt Shultz in the Want Ad Digest All Star Slingshots and Hunter Lapp in the WRWD Radio Junior Slingshots. The evening of speed was sponsored by Romeo Chevrolet. The Checkered Flag Bonus was posted by A&M Hardware located in Accord, New York

Brad Rothaupt and Richie Eurich brought the United Pump & Tank Modified field down for the start of the main event. Rothaupt, who has enjoyed a solid season thus far in 2015, utilized the top shelf of the speedway right away as he powered off of turn two with the lead with Eurich close behind. Rothaupt was in control and was flawless in hitting his marks and keeping his car out front even though Eurich kept tight pressure on him. Rich Ricci Jr became an an early player as he raced from eighth starting place to a quick third and then began to work on Eurich. "Iron" Mike Ricci found a seam he liked and followed his brother forward. Rich Ricci disposed of Eurich on lap-20 and quickly found good bite towards the baseline as he went to work on Rothaupt, who was glued to the top of the speedway. On Lap-23, Ricci moved alongside of Rothaupt off of turn four and won the drag race into turn one to take over the point and lead the remaining laps to garner his fourth win of the season. Mike Ricci hustled into second place with Rothaupt third, Eurich fourth and Jeff Heotzler Jr continuing his great work to complete the top five. Jackie Brown, Scott Ferrier, Tommy Johnson, Danny Tyler and Corey Lowitt rounded out the top ten.

The Escape RV Sportsman event was top shelf all of the way as Ken Ferrier enjoyed the hot hand right from the start as he jumped out front and led all of the way to capture his third win of the season. Greg McCloskey was the runner-up with Jimmy Wells, Dave Werber and Frank Smith III finishing up the top five. Kevin Ward, Jesse Marks, Rich Ricci III, newcomer Bobby Butler and Phil Goetchius rounded out the top ten.

Phil Johnson led the first lap of the Healey Brother's Group Spec Sportsman feature attraction but yielded to the high flying Joey Bruning on lap two. Bruning would quickly feel the pressure from seventh starting Nick Plumstead as he raced up through the field. Plumstead and Bruning wrestled for the lead for couple of laps until Plumstead surged ahead for keeps on lap six. Plumstead would go on to capture his first win of the season. Bruning was second with Joey Decker in third, Robbie Knipe in fourth and Phil Johnson completing the top five. Patrick Murphy, Kenny Hinsch, Dana Carey, Ed Dachenhausen and Winter Mead completed the top ten.

Dave Demorest led the first three laps of the Ruge's Performance Center Pro Stock encounter Greg Sleight, who had been suffering throughout the season with a myriad of problems, cast all of the problems to the side as he took over the lead on lap four and went on to capture his first win of the season. Demorest was second with the Ford powered machine of John Roese in third, Al Christiana in fourth followed by Ron Rion and Chrissie Rider.

Tanner Johnson was the early leader in the Arkel Motors Pure Stock main event but was quickly under siege by no less than five drivers all seeking to find the sweet spot to put them out front. Gary Ronk made his move on lap nine as he seized control of the lead and would lead the remaining laps to earn his fourth win of the season. Steve Williams finished second with Chris Streeter, Bob Sleight and Ray Tarantino finishing up the top five. Chris Kanuk, Harry Bachman, Jerry Craig Sr, Tanner Johnson and John Cole Jr completed the top ten.

A short field of Want Ad Digest All Star Slingshots took to the speedway for their feature event and Wyatt Clark out ran the field for the first nine laps until expiring a motor. Matt Shultz took over after that and led the remaining laps to collect his fourth win of the season. Ashley Rogosich and Tommy Zwart followed.

The WRWD Radio Junior Slingshots had a full field of hot rods and first year performer John Kendall charged out front and led the first four laps before yielding to the high flying Hunter Lapp. Lapp would leave the remainder of the field in his wake as he sped away and captured his fourth win of the season. Six-time winner, Josh Marcus spun early in the event but came charging back to finish second. Samantha Muller, Vinnie Visconti and John Kendall completed the top five. Jake Mason, Peyton Speedling, Justin Sleight, Ashton DeWitt and Ryan McCartney completed the top ten.

The regularly scheduled Modified main once again found Brad Rothaupt with an outside front row starting spot and he wasted no time in perching himself atop the raceway in his favorite racing channel to lead the first seven laps of the event. From sixth starting spot came Rich Ricci Jr and he methodically found the the quick way through the field and went to work on Rothaupt. Utilizing an "outside in again Finnegan move" Ricci shot off of the fourth turn with the lead. Once in front, it was purely academic as Ricci easily distanced himself from the remainder of the field to capture win number five in the 2015 racing season. Rothaupt held on for a runner-up finish in a great evening of racing for the "Rhinebeck Rocket." Scott Ferrier, Mike Ricci and Jackie Brown completed the the top five. Jeff Heotzler Sr recovered from an early spin to head up the second five with Mark Pullen, Joe Judge, Danny Tyler, and Tommy Johnson filling out the order of finish


GEMSTONES:

Romeo Chevrolet was the headline sponsor for the racing activity last night and came out to the speedway in full force with a trio of hot looking showpieces for the fans to ogle at. Sales consultant Johnny Casale was on hand to interview with announcer Steve Pados in regards to the many superior deals offered by Romeo and also take part in the victory lane celebrations at the Lucas Oil Products Victory Lane. For a great deal on a new or pre-owned car, contact Romeo Chevrolet at: www.romeocars.com

New drivers continue to make their way to Accord as the Butler Boys made their way up from the Garden State to test the Accord clay. "Iron" Mike Butler was eleventh in the Modified feature and "The Conductor" Bobby Butler was ninth in the Escape RV Sportsman clash. Former Slingshot competitor at the speedway Bobby DeLeon, made his big car debut at Accord but had some electrical problems that forced the team to scratch from the feature. Kevin Krom returned to the speedway for the first time in quite a while and also encountered some problems during the evening. Mike Murphy was another first time racer last evening and finished 12th in the main event.

Heat races were run off quickly and Sportsman heat wins went to Ken Ferrier and Greg McCloskey. Modified heats were claimed by Rich Ricci Jr, Richie Eurich and Tommy Johnson. Spec Sportsman heats found Joey Decker, Joey Bruning and Phil Johnson victorious. Pure Stock heats went to Ray Tarantino and Chris Streeter and the Pro Stock heat went to Greg Sleight. The lone All Star Slingshot heat was claimed by Wyatt Clark and the Junior Slingshot heats found Hunter Lapp and Ryan McCartney at the front of the field.

The eight feature card was completed at 10:45. Apple Pie a'la mode was the featured desert last night at Emma's Sweets and Treats and was a big hit as by the middle of intermission the supply was completely gone. New Jimmy Wells racing apparel was on display last evening.

RESULTS:

United Pump & Tank Modifieds: Rich Ricci Jr, Brad Rothaupt, Scott Ferrier, Mike Ricci, Jackie Brown, Jeff Heotzler Sr, Mark Pullen, Joe Judge, Danny Tyler, Tommy Johnson, Mike Butler, Lem Atkins, Richie Eurich, Corey Lowitt, Jeff Heotzler Jr

Escape RV Sportsman: Ken Ferrier, Greg McCloskey, Jimmy Wells, Dave Werber, Frank Smith III, Kevin Ward, Jesse Marks, Rich Ricci III, Bobby Butler, Phil Goetchius, Dave Coene, Kevin Krom, Ralph Ronk

Healey Brothers Group Spec Sportsman: Nick Plumstead, Joey Bruning, Joey Decker, Robbie Knipe, Phil Johnson, Patrick Murphy, Kenny Hinsch, Dana Carey, Ed Dachenhausen, Winter Mead, Nick Johnson, Michael Murphy, Allison Ricci, Dan Speedling, Jim Kraus, Brandon McGill (DNS), Bobby DeLeon (DNS)

Ruge's Performance Center Pro Stocks: Greg Sleight, Dave Demorest, John Roese, Al Christiana, Ron Rion, Chrissie Rider

Arkel Motors Pure Stocks: Gary Ronk, Steve Williams, Chris Streeter, Bob Sleight, Ray Tarantino, Chris Kanuk, Harry Bachman, Jerry Craig Sr, Tanner Johnson, John Cole Jr, Bob Palmer, Mike DuBois Jr, Matt Guadagno

Want Ad Digest All Star Slingshots: Matt Shultz, Ashley Rogosich, Tommy Zwart, Wyatt Clark

WRWD Radio Junior Slingshots: Hunter Lapp, Josh Marcus, Samantha Muller, Vinnie Visconti, John Kendall, Jake Mason, Peyton Speedling, Justin Sleight, Ashton DeWitt, Ryan Auchmoody

United Pump & Tank Modifieds: (Heldover) Rich Ricci Jr, Mike Ricci, Brad Rothaupt, Richie Eurich, Jeff Heotzler Jr, Jackie Brown, Scott Ferrier, Tommy Johnson, Danny Tyler, Corey Lowitt, Jeff Heotzler Sr, Lem Atkins, Mark Pullen, Joe Judge

Racing is on tap every Friday night at Accord Speedway from April through September. Pit Gates open at 4:30; Spectator Gates open at 5:00; Hot Laps are at 6:30 and the racing begins at 7 PM. Admission for Adults $14.00; Seniors (65+) $12.00; Children $3.00 (11+ under) Indoor Seating $20.00; Family four pack special: 2 Adults + 2 Children and $20.00 in Accord Bucks for $44.00 (a savings of $10.00) Special shows do have an increase in admission.

July 24th brings Ruge's GM Parts Center Night to the speedway for seven divisions of great racing excitement. Don't forget to mark on your racing calendar the Camera and Autograph Night coming to the speedway on July 31st and sponsored by United Pump & Tank.

For further updates and information regarding all of the news and additions to the Accord Speedway, log on to their well documented website at: http://accordspeedway.com or call the speedway hotline at: 845 626 3478. For photo and video work of the latest Accord Speedway racing action, contact Northeast Racing Videos at: 518 535 0020 or through their website at: http://northeastracingvideos.com