Mike Ricci goes from last to first in Accord opener
ACCORD, NY- Once again, Mike Ricci proved that he can never be counted out. The talented Rosendale, NY driver rebounded from a mid race tangle to take the win in a wild 30-lap DIRT 358 Modified feature last Friday night at Accord Speedway.
Ricci, who started the Hudson River Truck and Trailer season opener from the pole, led the first eight laps of the event before getting turned around in front of the field. He rejoined the race at the rear of the pack, and within ten laps had his Gen Plus No. 76 Teo Pro Car in the lead once again after a stirring drive through traffic.
“I’m really surprised,” the happy Ricci said. “After I spun, I thought my chance for a win was over. This was definitely an exciting one.”
He continued, “I had to regroup in my mind. Of course I was mad after getting spun out of the lead, but I put it out of my head and concentrated on going back to the front.”
Ricci got the early jump on the green flag with Ed Strada, Jr. in tow. The first five laps, however, were plagued with caution flags, eliminating Andy Bachetti, Donnie Wilson, Rick Mill and Eddie Haenelt, among others.
Once the race got under green flag conditions, it became a three car battle for the lead involving Mike Ricci, Strada and Rich Ricci, Jr. The strong running trio ran in tight formation at the front of the field until, on lap 8, contact between them ignited a huge crash in turn one that collected eleven cars.
Jackie Brown, Jr. then inherited the lead aboard his No. 6X, in search of his first trip to victory lane in several years, and he paced the field for the next seven laps. Then, it turned ugly.
Brown and an emerging Rich Ricci, Jr. first made contact off of turn four, then continued the wheel to wheel banging until both cars spun and headed for the pit gate in turn one.
That handed the lead back to Mike Ricci, who held off a late race charge by J.R. Heffner to pick up the victory, worth $1200.
“The car was strong tonight,” Ricci concluded. “It’s a good way to start the season.”
Heffner, of Averill Park, N.Y. rebounded from three early race incidents for second in a strong performance aboard the A Colarusso No. 74.
Robbie Green was a solid third, ahead of Barry Davis and Tom Hindley.
In DIRT Sportsman action, young gun Kevin Duryea of Wallkill, N.Y. powered to a dominant victory aboard his self owned No. 99K.
By virtue of his win in the first heat race, Duryea led the 22-car field to the green flag and quickly jumped into the lead with his K&M; Sealcoating Troyer Four Link. Several early yellows slowed the event, but the promising 22-year old pulled away on each restart.
As the laps clicked off, Duryea opened up a comfortable lead, while several cars battled for the runner up position behind him.
Late in the event, Duryea and second running Jeff Hulseapple encountered heavy lapped traffic, but the former Orange County Fair Speedway regular was able to work through the slower machines like a veteran, and picked up the $600 victory by nearly a straightaway.
Though he thoroughly dominated the event, Duryea feels he still can improve for next week. “The car was tight tonight,” he said. “I was working hard to keep it on the bottom, but I already have a few changes in my mind to make it better for next week.”
His main concern, however, was the lapped traffic. “It was tough to get through. Those guys were racing side by side so there was no place to go. It worked out, though.”
Jeff Hulseapple had his best run in several years for second in the No. 14H, while Mike Van Pelt raced to a third place effort. Jimmy Johnson and 19th starter Rich Oxford completed the front five. Johnson was stripped of all points and money for failing to report directly to the scales after the feature.
Returning veteran Elwood Hewitt of Saugerties, NY charged to the victory in the 20-lap Pro Stock main. Hewitt, who hasn’t been a speedway regular in several years, inherited the top spot on the eighth lap when leader Scott Liese spun in lapped traffic. From that point on, Hewitt cruised in front of the field for the popular win.
Norbert Bracklow turned in a fine ride, charging from 16th starting spot to second, ahead of Chris Adams, Don Williams and Noel Osborne. Adams lost all points and money, though, for failing to report to the scales directly after the feature.
Rob Scaccio of Suffern, NY picked up the win in the 15-lap 1200cc Mini Sprint feature. After spinning early on in the race, Scaccio worked back through traffic, then grabbed the lead on the eleventh lap when Peter Sindt spun. Steve Lapine, Sindt, Duby Woodruff and John Lieto trailed at the finish.
Mike Deyo of Cornwall, N.Y. won a thrilling 15-lap Pure Stock feature. Deyo, who started the event in fourth, made a bold three wide move on the race’s first circuit to grab the lead, then battled with Jay Smalley and Dave Gerard through heavy lapped traffic late to pick up his second career victory at the speedway.
Smalley, Gerard, George Decker and William Landrum completed the front five.
The event was run in memory of track founder Harry Osterhoudt and marked the 40th consecutive season of racing at the Ulster County, NY bullring. A sellout crowd with standing room only took in the event, with a packed pit area also on hand.
The action will continue next Friday night, April 26th, with a full regular show of DIRT 358 Modifieds, DIRT Sportsman, Pro Stocks, Pure Stocks and 1200cc Mini Sprints. Gates open at 4 p.m. with hot laps at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m. For more information, contact the track office at (845) 626-3478 or check out the website: www.accordspeedway.com.
358 Modified Feature Finish: Mike Ricci, J.R. Heffner, Robbie Green, Barry Davis, Tom Hindley, Jackie Brown, Jr., Rich Ricci, Jr., Don Goodrich, Jeremy Matthies, Ken Baker, Mark Pullen, Mike Murphy, Ed Strada, Jr., Scott Ferrier, Hank Goranson, Andy Bachetti, Ed Haenelt, Donnie Wilson, BK Rizzo, Rick Mill, Ken Maguire.
DIRT Sportsman Feature Finish: Kevin Duryea, Jeff Hulseapple, Mike Van Pelt, Jimmy Johnson, Rich Oxford, Jay Haviland, Bobby Knipe, Henry Sherman, Harry Baldwin, Pete Gardiner, Kenny Moulton, KC McCoy, Ladd Yeomanns, Jim Winchell, Pete Booth, Tony Kawalchuk, Tom Byrne, Lem Atkins, Mike Trautschold, Howard Jarvis, Jimmy Lord, Duane Koskey.
Did Not Qualify: Steve Williams, Eddie Redner, Tim Hindley, Bill Liese.
Pro Stock Feature Finish: Elwood Hewitt, Norbert Bracklow, Chris Adams, Don Williams, Noel Osborne, George Christiana, Mike Dutka, Hank Morin, Scott Liese, Bill Murray, John Rood, Chris Bottge, Larry Temple, Jr., John Odendahl, Gene Temple, Joe Scott, Bob Hoar, Jim Clark.
Mini Sprint Feature Finish: Rob Scaccio, Steve Lapine, Peter Sindt, Duby Woodruff, John Lieto, Joe Pravia, Rich Sennett, Marc Rogers, Bob Lynt, John Wullum, Wally Kurn, Jeremy Quick, Joe Sanfilippo.
Pure Stock Feature Finish: Mike Deyo, Jay Smalley, Dave Gerard, George Decker, William Landrum, Bobby Brown, Joe Narok, Scott Kilmer, Joe Distefano, Sharon Byrne, Lee Gallant, Mike Dubois, Doug Chase, Trevor Waterman, Chris Meola, Kevin Krusewski, Greg Meola, Charlie Rose, Jr., Larry Pregent, Jr.