ROBBIE GREEN COLLECTS JOE WINNE MEMORIAL $2,000 AT ACCORD
by Brett Deyo
ACCORD, NY-When there is big money on the line at Accord Speedway, it is a good bet that Robbie Green will find his way to the front.
For the second time this season, the Newburgh, N.Y. driver triumphed in an extra distance event at the quarter mile oval, topping the 55-lap Joe Winne Memorial Friday night. Starting from seventh position, the 40-year old talent quickly worked his way to the front of the field, then negotiated lapped traffic to perfection for his fifth win of the year, worth $2,000.
"I'm beginning to like these long races," commented Green, who also won the track's Bobby Green Memorial in July. "Our car just seems strong on the longer runs and I've been fortunate enough to have some good luck in these races."
Several early cautions slowed the event, and the veteran Green took advantage of every restart in his ascent through the field. By the sixth circuit, he had moved his Gross Graphics No. 69 to the runner up position. Immediately, Green set his sights on early race leader Joe Winne, Jr. He used an eleventh lap, double file restart to power his Olsen-Pro mount to the number one spot which he would never relinquish.
"I was able to make some moves early," the happy victor noted. "The cautions actually helped us there, because each time it worked to my advantage. It was kind of tough to pass Joe, I know he wanted to win tonight. He ran hard, but he gave me the room up high."
Once Green took over the position, his biggest challenge in the mid portion of the event was lapped traffic. By the 19th go round, he encountered the back of the field and allowed a strong running Mike Ricci to close in.
While the Rosendale, N.Y. talent was able to erase much of Green's advantage, he never got close enough to seriously challenge for the victory.
"I didn't think anyone really got close when I was in lapped traffic, but it was tough getting through because those guys were racing for position, too," Green bottom-lined. "On a small track, getting through the slower cars is always a challenge, and it was no different tonight."
With the event's final caution flying on the 28th lap, Green was able to pull away in the second half of the extra distance grind for the popular triumph.
"I have to thank my crew for putting a good car under me tonight," Green said. "It was really hooked up tonight."
Mike Ricci clinched the track championship off the strength of a second place finish in the Gen-Plus/Apple Green's Golf Course No. 76.
"They put the lapped cars between Rob and I on that restart (lap 28) and that killed us. I never could get back up to him after that," Ricci commented. "It's been a good year for us though, so I can't complain. I'm happy to clinch the title."
Andy Bachetti of Sheffield, Mass. put together a strong run for third in the Downes Racing Troyer after starting eighth while Scott Ferrier had an impressive run for fourth in Jim Baum's Teo-Pro car. Orange County (N.Y.) Fair Speedway regular Tommy Meier charged from fifteenth to the final top five slot in his No. 33 1/3 Bicknell.
John Finley was sixth, ahead of J.R. Heffner, Jackie Brown, Jr., Joe Winne, Jr. and Kirk Horton.
24 cars entered the event with heat victories going to Scott Ferrier, Joe Winne, Jr. and Jeremy Matthies. Rich Ricci, Jr. topped the consolation.
The track's 11:30 p.m. curfew arrived before the 25-lap DIRT Sportsman feature could be completed, and the remainder of the event will be run at the beginning of this Friday's program.
With nine laps in the books, Kevin Duryea led Jeff Hulseapple, Mike Van Pelt, Pete Gardner and Poover Daley.
DIRT Sportsman heat victories went to Mike Van Pelt, Ladd Yeommans and Jeff Hulseapple. Harry Baldwin won the consolation. 25 cars entered the program.
John Roese made his second trip to victory lane in the 20-lap Pro Stock feature. Starting from tenth position, Roese methodically worked through traffic, taking the top spot from John Odendahl on the 14th circuit. He then pulled away in the final laps for the win.
Tommy Kuck finished a strong second after starting twelfth, while Odendahl hung on for a career best third. Elwood Hewitt and Ray See, Jr. rounded out the top five.
Steven Lapine made a bold late race move in lapped traffic to take the lead, then went on to win the 15-lap Mini Sprint feature. The Mahopac, N.Y. teenager made it four wide amongst the slower machines on the 12th lap to take over the top spot from John Parete, then distanced himself from the rest of the field for his third victory of the season.
His second consecutive triumph brought him within 12 points of the lead with two events remaining.
Parete held on for second, ahead of Richard Sennett, point leader Pete Sindt and John Matrafailo.
Dave Gerard of Ardonia, N.Y. took his seventh victory of the season in the 15-lap Pure Stock feature. Gerard, who started tenth, took over the top spot from Jay Smalley with two laps remaining for the win. Smalley held on for second, ahead of George Decker, 18th starter Mike Deyo and Scott Hornbeck.
The evening was dedicated to the memory of 1999 track champion Joe Winne, who lost his life to a heart attack at just 45 years of age two years ago while racing at Orange County Fair Speedway during Eastern States Weekend. The Winne family once again did an excellent job keeping his memory alive on an emotional evening.
Racing resumes at the Number One Action Track this Friday night, August 30th with a busy program of DIRT 358 Modifieds, DIRT Sportsman, Pro Stocks, Pure Stocks and Mini Sprints sponsored by Reclamation, Inc. Also, the remaining 16 laps of the DIRT Sportsman main and the heldover Mini Sprint feature from August 2nd will be on the card. It is also the final night of regular season points.
Gates open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m. For more information, contact the track office at (845) 626-DIRT or check out the website: www.accordspeedway.com.
DIRT 358 Modified Feature Finish: Robbie Green, Mike Ricci, Andy Bachetti, Scott Ferrier, Tommy Meier, John Finley, J.R. Heffner, Jackie Brown, Jr., Joe Winne, Jr., Kirk Horton, Rick Mill, Barry Davis, Jeremy Matthies, Mark Pullen, Kenny Baker, Fred Newkirk, Mike Murphy, Keith Shoemaker, Jeremy Markle, Donnie Wilson, Rich Ricci, Jr., Ed Haenelt.
Did Not Qualify: Burt Irwin, Jr., Rich Hansen.
DIRT Sportsman Running Order After 9 Laps: Kevin Duryea, Jeff Hulseapple, Mike Van Pelt, Pete Gardner, Poover Daley, Ladd Yeommans, Tommy Perrego, Kenny Moulton, Jr., Rich Oxford, Steve Williams, Harry Baldwin, Joe Worner, Jim Winchell, Lem Atkins, Ryan Hawkins, K.C. McCoy, Glenn Daley, Billy Deckelman, Tony Kawalchuk, Billy Martin.
Did Not Qualify: Howard Jarvis, Eddie Drake, Frank Doty, Henry Sherman, Jim Barrett.
Pro Stock Feature Finish: John Roese, Tom Kuck, John Odendahl, Elwood Hewitt, Ray See, Jr., Jerry Craig, Scott Liese, Don Palmateer, George Christiana, Henry Van Houten, George Van Arsdall, Rich Suitter, Ron Jablonka, Gene Temple, Larry Tenple, Jr., Steve Murray, Lenny Brice, Mike Manetta, Jim Langenback, Noel Osborne.
Did Not Qualify: Jim Clark, Clarence Palmer, Rob Hoar, Larry Ball, Bryan McElheny, Josh Henke, John Rood, Jim Potter, Hank Morin, Pedro Portalatin.
Mini Sprint Feature Finish: Steven Lapine, John Parete, Rich Sennett, Peter Sindt, John Matrafailo, Jeremy Quick, John Wullum, P.J. Peworchik, Rob Scaccio, Bobby Lynt, Dave Tonic, Tony Montesi, Ed Burgess, Riki Likowski, Mark Rogers, Jesse Baum, Joe Pravia, Mike Bosco, Gary Reyer, Rodney White, Paul Corazzo, Jr.
Did Not Start: Joe Sanfilippo, Gary Phillips.
Pure Stock Feature Finish: Dave Gerard, Jay Smalley, George Decker, Mike Deyo, Scott Hornbeck, Sharon Byrne, William Landrum, Joe Judge, Lee Gallant, Chris Meola, Peter Warren, Matt Curry, Greg Meola, Joel Murns, Jr., Bert Long, Lars Petri, Andy Briggs, Mike DuBois, Joe Narok, Pat Zimmer, James Hobson, Kevin Krusewski, Charlie Rose, George Baxter.