Ricci wins rough Accord feature in vintage car
by Brett Deyo
ACCORD, NY (Aug. 25, 2000) — Rich Ricci, Jr. of New Paltz, NY won the 30-lap 358 Modified feature Friday night at Accord Speedway. Ricci, starting eighth, worked through the field and took the lead shortly before the halfway point, then fought off the challenges of Rick Mill for the win, his third of the season.
Making the win even more impressive was the fact that Ricci was driving a 1987 Olsen that was rushed together to compete, as the team was saving their regular car for Lebanon Valley on Saturday night, where he was in a tight battle for the 358 Modified point lead with Kenny Tremont.
Henry Sherman brought the field to the green flag and led the first lap before Jeremy Markle slipped to the inside and took command on lap 2. As Markle began to open up his advantage, Rick Mill and Rich Ricci burst into the second and third positions, respectively. Mill and Ricci began to reel in Markle when the caution came out on lap 5 for Chris Moore and Mark Pullen on the backstretch.
Markle was able to move his Ford powered No. 79 back into the lead on the restart, but the yellow lights were on again on the sixth lap. After yet another restart, the 20-year old rookie Markle, running by far the best race of his 358 Modified career, again powered into the lead. Then, on lap 7, Rick Mill muscled his way to the inside of Markle in turn four and took over the lead, while Rich and Mike Ricci loomed at the end of the four car lead battle.
Markle reeled Mill back in by the tenth lap, and looked to the inside on lap 11, but couldn't muster up the power to reclaim the lead and fell back into line. Another bid for the lead the next lap cost Markle some time, allowing Mill to pull away, and the Ricci brothers to catch up to Markle's rear bumper.
On lap 13, the surprisingly quick Markle again began to close on Mill with Rich and Mike Ricci in tow, but couldn't make a move. Then, on the 14th lap, Rich Ricci got into Markle's rear bumper in turn three and spun him around, bringing out the caution, and ending Markle's fine run.
For the young Markle, who for the first time, was truly in contention for a 358 Modified victory, it was a heartbreaker. "This car was running so good tonight," he said. "We made some changes after the heat and it really ran good. Unfortunately, I just got taken out."
It was Mill and Rich Ricci up front for the double file restart, with Ricci powering around the outside in his Fall Fittings No. 55 to take the lead at the halfway point. One more caution flag on lap 16 put Mill back on Ricci's bumper, and he immediately drove to the inside on the restart.
Lap after lap, Mill looked to the inside in his CV Machine No. 77, but couldn't the run off the bottom groove to take the lead. With five laps to go, Mill mounted a final challenge, and pulled up alongside Ricci on the 28th circuit, but couldn't make a move, and Ricci held on for the win by a car length.
"This car is old, but it really ran good tonight," Ricci commented. "I ran really good on the outside with it. I could see Rick next to me on the inside for the last few laps, but I knew if I stayed up high I could hold him off."
Finishing in the runner up position for the second consecutive week was Mill. Mike Ricci rebounded from several tangles for a third place finish, ahead of Doug Tyler, whocharged back from a flat tire for fourth. Randy Dymond rounded out the top five.
Jimmy Johnson of Bloomingburg, NY won the 25-lap DIRT Sportsman feature. Johnson started sixth, and after a tangle with Jeff Hulseapple while battling for the lead, took command on the tenth lap and never looked back.
Hulseapple drove his No. 14H into the lead by the second lap, after starting fourth while Johnson began to march through traffic. After several early caution flags, Johnson moved into second place on lap 4 and immediately began to challenge Hulseapple. The two leaders were side by side on lap 7, but encountered lapped traffic two laps later, and Johnson had to fall back in line.
A lap 10 caution bunched up the field, and Johnson pulled up alongside Hulseapple. The leaders then tangled in turn four, with Johnson climbing over the hood of Hulseapple's car. While Hulseapple spun, collecting several other cars, Johnson was able to continue, and assumed the lead.
From then on it was all Johnson, who survived several more caution flags for his fifth victory of the season. Harry Baldwin was a strong second, followed by Jimmy Winchell, who survived several accidents for third. Hulseapple and Scott Ferrier rounded out the top five.
George Christiana of Accord, NY won his fourth 20-lap Street Stock feature of the season. Christiana, after starting fifth, charged to the lead by the second lap, then fought off a hard charging Ray See for the victory.
With two laps to go, See looked to the inside in turn two, but came up short. See then made a last ditch effort in turn four on the final laps, but it was Christiana at the line leading See, Noel Osborne, Rich Dymond, and Gene Temple.
George Miles of Lakeville, Conn. won the 10-lap Strictly Stock feature in convincing fashion. Miles took over the lead on the second lap and was never challenged, winning his fifth feature of the season. Bobby Brown, Scott Hornbeck, Scott Kilmer, and George Decker rounded out the top five.
Tim Toombs of Newburgh, NY won the 12-lap Vintage Modified feature, taking the lead from Ray DeMott at the halfway point and never looking back. DeMott was second, trailed by Walt Dingman, Ray Checke, and Art Parker.
The racing continues at the number one action track, Accord Speedway this Friday night at 7:30 p.m. with a 50-lap, $1500 to win 358 Modified feature, plus DIRT Sportsmans, Street Stocks, and Strictly Stocks.
358 MODIFIED
FEATURE: Rich Ricci, Jr., Rick Mill, Mike Ricci, Doug Tyler, Randy Dymond, Jeremy Markle, Chris Moore, Don Goodrich, Scott Kurtzner, Bob Geetanello, Joe Winne, Henry Sherman, Burt Irwin, Jr., Mark Pullen.
DIRT SPORTSMAN
FEATURE: Jimmy Johnson, Harry Baldwin, Jimmy Winchell, Jeff Hulseapple, Scott Ferrier, Mike Van Pelt, Glenn Daley, Chris Adams, Brian Cobb, Randy Banks, Mike Trautschold, Jim Fugel, Don Johnson, John Doty, Larry Ricci.
STREET STOCK
FEATURE: George Christiana, Ray See, Noel Osborne, Rich Dymond, Gene Temple, Mike Tiani, Butchie Irwin, Rudy Lopez, Tom Brandt, John Rood, Rob Hoar, Bill Liese, Steve Williams, Pedro Portalatin, Wayne Walker, Jack Brennan.
STRICTLY STOCK
FEATURE: George Miles, Bobby Brown, Scott Hornbeck, Scott Kilmer, George Decker, Charlie Rose, Donnie Mitchell, Lars Petri, Tom Sherwood, Bill Rion, Scott McAdams, Roger Buley, Jason Smalley.
VINTAGE MODIFIED
FEATURE: Tim Toombs, Paul DeMott, Walt Dingman, Ray Checke, Art Parker, Rob Andrews, Paul Chiesa, Tom Athanas.