Ricci Jr. returns winning form at Accord
ACCORD, N.Y. (May 10, 2002) - Six-time track champion Rich Ricci, Jr. returned to winning form Friday night, picking up his first victory of the season in the 30-lap DIRT 358 Modified feature at Accord Speedway.
Ricci, of New Paltz, N.Y. started from eighth position and methodically moved forward, taking over the lead for good on the thirteenth circuit.
“The car was running good on the bottom tonight,” the popular 36-year old driver analyzed. “My car always works the best on a smooth and slick surface, so I knew we had a chance tonight. Everything just went right.”
Scott Ferrier got the jump on the start of the Trailer King feature event and led the 23-car field much of the race's early portion while Andy Bachetti and Tom Hindley marched to the front. With six laps in the books, Bachetti muscled the Downes Racing No. 40 Troyer into the runner up spot, while Hindley powered into third.
The strong running duo quickly closed in on Ferrier and it became a three car battle for the lead by the tenth circuit.
Ferrier, who began to lose the handling on his No. 20 Teo-Pro car, bobbled in the second turn on the twelfth go round Hindley and Bachetti swept by on both sides to take over the first two positions.
One lap later, Ferrier lost the handle on his car in the first turn, bringing out the caution. The restart saw Hindley and Bachetti on the front row, with Rich Ricci, Jr. in third.
As quickly as the green flag flew, Hindley got turned around in the first turn, taking Bachetti along with him. That put Rich Ricci, Jr. into the lead.
From that point on, Ricci checked out on the field aboard his Fall Fittings No. 55 Olsen mount, pulling out to a comfortable lead for the remainder of the distance.
“I saw the 17H (Hindley) spin going into one so I just shot to the bottom and got by him. I guess it was just our night,” Ricci, who picked up $1,200 for the victory, concluded.
Winning out in a bump and grind scramble for second was South Canaan, Pa. talent Ed Strada, Jr. aboard the Ron’s Route 590 Diner No. 42 Bicknell.
“I bent something in the rear when the 17H spun around and the car wasn’t right after I just touched him going by," he commented. It was another decent run for us though."
Defending champion Rick Mill came home third in his No. 77 after the late race war for second with Strada. For the unlucky Mill, it was his best finish of the early season.
Barry Davis was a solid fourth and J.R. Heffner completed the front five.
Bachetti rebounded to sixth after the altercation for his best finish of the season.
Due to a medical emergency in the spectator area, the ambulance had to leave the track to transport a patient before the 358 Modified feature.
As a result, there was a delay in the program waiting for another to arrive, and the DIRT Sportsman division had their feature postponed until this Friday, May 17th due to the curfew.
Winning the 8-lap heat races for the season high 30 DIRT Sportsman in attendance were Ladd Yeommans, Steve Williams and Henry Sherman. Mike Trautschold topped the consolation.
In the 20-lap Pro Stock feature, second generation driver Scott Liese of Port Ewen, N.Y. picked up his first victory of the season. Liese, who started sixth, took over the lead on lap 6 and powered to a dominant victory in the Ruge’s Part Center No. 28.
“I’m glad to get this one,” Liese commented. “We got off to a bad start this year so it feels good to have some good luck.”
Noel Osborne crossed the stripe second for his best ever run, ahead of defending champ Mike Dutka, John Roese and Don Williams.
Peter Sindt of Stone Ridge, N.Y. took over the lead on the fifth lap and dominated from that point on in the 15-lap Mini Sprint feature.
It was his second consecutive victory at the Ulster County quarter mile.
John Lieto was second in the Lynt’s Welding No. 77L, ahead of Steven Lapine, opening night winner Rob Scaccio and rookie Jeremy Quick.
Dave Gerard of Ardonia, N.Y. took the $1,000 to win Pure Stock challenge. Gerard and Joe Narok put on a thrilling battle for the lead in the final laps, making contact several times.
Gerard put his No. 77 into the lead for good on the 47th lap and held off a last lap charge from Narok for his second win of the season.
Narok had to settle for second, ahead of George Decker, Mike Deyo and Joe Distefano.
In the 15-lap Pure Stock nightcap, Gerard again raced to victory lane, this time ahead of Jay Smalley, Bobby Brown, Scott Hornbeck and George Decker.
Racing continues at the Action Track this Friday, May 17th with a full regular show of DIRT 358 Modifieds, DIRT Sportsman, Pro Stocks, Mini Sprints and Pure Stocks. Joining the card will be the heldover Sportsman main and the Atlantic Coast Old Timers.
Gates open at 4 p.m. with hot laps at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.
For more info, contact the track office at (845) 626-3478.
RESULTS
DIRT 358 Modified Feature: Rich Ricci, Jr., Ed Strada, Rick Mill, Barry Davis, J.R. Heffner, Andy Bachetti, Mike Ricci, Keith Shoemaker, Ed Haenelt, Rob Green, Jackie Brown, Jr., Donnie Elliott, Donnie Wilson, Jeremy Matthies, Mike Murphy, Rich Salisbury, B.K. Rizzo, Mark Pullen, Joe Winne, Jr., Ken Baker, Scott Ferrier, Tom Hindley, Jeremy Markle.
Pro Stock Feature: Scott Liese, Noel Osborne, Mike Dutka, John Roese, Don Williams, Gene Temple, Jackie Brown, Sr., Mike Menetta, Don Palmateer, Larry Temple, Jr., George Christiana, Butch Winnie, Hank Morin, Rich Suitter, Buddy Hencke, Jim Clark, Norbert Bracklow, John Odendahl, John Rood, Joey Granieri, Henry Van Houten, Rob Hoar, Chris Bottge, Charlie Swartz, Elwood Hewitt.
Pure Stock Feature: Dave Gerard, Jay Smalley, Bobby Brown, Scott Hornbeck, George Decker, William Landrum, Mike Deyo, Daryl DeBetta, Mike DuBois, Dan Bertholf, Sharon Byrne, Peter Warren, Don Johnson, Kevin Krusewski, Greg Meola, Lars Petri, Morgan Bernas, Matt Curry, Joe Narok, Joe DiStefano, Peter Gallant, Larry Pregent, Jr., Paul Jordan.
Mini Sprint Feature: Peter Sindt, John Lieto, Steven Lapine, Jeremy Quick, Bob Lynt, Bill Dinchenso, Rich Sennett, Jesse Baum, Dave Tonic, Mark Rogers, Joe Pravia, John Ianitelli, Ed Burgess, Keith Still, Joe Sanfilippo. DNS: John Parete, John Matrafailo.