Ricci tops ‘rough and tumble’ Accord 358-mod feature
by Brett Deyo
ACCORD, N.Y. (May 18, 2001) - Mike Ricci was a determined man this past Friday night at Accord Speedway. Despite a rough track surface, the veteran Ricci, of Rosendale, NY, charged through the field to take the victory in the 20-lap DIRT 358 Modified feature. It was his third consecutive victory at the tight quarter mile oval, and seventh overall win this season.
Promoter Gary Palmer put an abundance of new clay on the track during the week, and, unfortunately, the new surface, along with damp, wet weather conditions led to the track tearing up in during the features. The drivers had a special meeting, and it was decided to shorten the 358 Modified feature by ten circuits to a 20-lap distance in order to save the equipment and the track surface itself.
It was Henry Sherman leading the field to the green flag, but he could only hold on up front until turn three, when Chris Moore muscled to the inside in the Downes Racing No. 40 to take command. As Moore began to pull out in front of the field, the hard charging Jackie Brown Jr. powered into the runner up spot with his No. 16X.
Debris on the racing surface brought out the caution on lap 3, and bunched the field up for a restart. Moore, though, just pulled away again, while the second place battle began to heat up between Brown, Rich Ricci Jr., and Mike Ricci. After some contact, Mike Ricci made the move around his brother on lap 9, then began to work on Brown.
The elder Ricci, after starting eleventh, burst into the runner up position on the eleventh circuit, but Moore already had a full straightaway lead on the rest of the field. He wasted little time, however, and when Moore had to check up for the lapped car of Brian Cobb on lap 14, it became a two car fight at the front of the field.
Moore slipped just a little too high in turn one with four laps remaining, and that one bobble was all Ricci needed to overtake the lead. From that point on, the ultra quick chauffeur just drove away in his Ricci's Barber Shop No. 76 Teo Pro Car and he remains the only 358 Modified winner at Accord this season.
"What a race," he exclaimed afterwards. "It was awesome...after I found the line to run in I just started picking them off. Chris was running strong...but he hit the hole in turn one and went high. That's how I got him."
Moore, of Pound Ridge, NY, put forth his best effort this season, but had to settle for a second place run. Rich Ricci Jr. had his first top five finish of 2001 in the Fall Fittings No. 55, ahead of the strong running Brown. Veteran Robbie Green made a consistent move through the field, finishing fifth in the Gross Graphics No. 69.
In the 25-lap DIRT Sportsman feature, Rich Oxford of Ulster Park, NY picked up his first career feature win in a thrilling race. Oxford grabbed the lead early, then fought tooth and nail with Jay Haviland in the final laps to come home the popular victor in his Checkerberry's Furniture No. 99.
Neil Van Buren, the 21-year old rookie campaigner, led the first seven laps to the surprise of those in attendance with his No. 12, until he relinquished his spot at the front of the field to fourth starter Oxford as the leaders came around to complete lap eight.
Following Oxford to the front were Greg Sleight, Jay Haviland and Bill Papula, setting up a wild four car battle by the tenth lap. Sleight powered to the outside on the twelfth circuit, but contact set him sliding up the track, while Haviland and Papula each moved up a notch into second and third, respectively.
Haviland squeezed to the inside of Oxford for the lead on lap 19, but he could only hold on for one circuit before a bobble in turn two gave the position right back to Oxford for the completion of the twentieth go round.
Newcomer Ken Baker spun on lap 21, bringing out the caution. Haviland drove his No. 78 hard into the first turn on the restart, making heavy contact with Oxford, but both drivers held on. Haviland, though, was given the black flag for rough riding, and his chance for the win was over. After another caution on lap 22, Rich Roosa displayed the yellow and checkered together, ending the event three laps early so that work could be done to the track.
It was Oxford holding on for the popular win over new point leader Bill Papula in the Peerless Cast Iron Boilers No. 1. The impressive Van Buren held on for a fine third place finish, ahead of Peter Booth and fifteenth starting Randy Banks Jr.
Al Christiana of Accord, NY topped the 20-lap Street Stock main event. Starting from tenth position, Christiana inherited the lead on a lap 15 restart when Tom Byrne slowed with a flat tire, then held on for his first win in a number of years in his No. 8 Nova.
George Christiana came home second, ahead of the rapidly improving Chrissy Rider in the No. 33. Ray See Jr. advanced from sixteenth starting position to fourth, and the ageless Eugene Palmer filled out the top five.
Due to the track conditions, the Strictly Stock feature was postponed and will take place this Friday, May 25th, before the evening's regular program. The Palmers would like to thank everyone for their cooperation, and will make a genuine effort this week to make sure that the rough surface will be fixed for Friday's racing.
On the card will be DIRT 358 Modifieds, DIRT Sportsmans, Street Stocks, Strictly Stocks and Vintage Modifieds. Gates open at 4 p.m. with warm ups at 6:15 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m. For more information, contact the speedway at (845) 626-DIRT or check out www.accordspeedway.com.
RESULTS
358-Modified
Feature: Mike Ricci, Chris Moore, Rich Ricci Jr., Jackie Brown Jr., Robbie Green, Jeremy Markle, Barry Davis, Rick Mill, Brian Cobb, Jeremy Matthies, Mark Pullen, Henry Sherman, Burt Irwin Jr.
DIRT Sportsman
Feature: Rich Oxford, Bill Papula, Neil Van Buren, Pete Booth, Randy Banks Jr., Greg Sleight, Chuck Thomaschek, Herb Gannon, Mike Van Pelt, Jay Haviland, Ken Baker, Jim Winchell, Harry Baldwin, Jimmy Johnson, K.C. McCoy, Rich Hansen.
Street Stock
Feature: Al Christiana, George Christiana, Chrissy Rider, Ray See Jr., Gene Palmer, Gene Temple, Larry Temple Jr., Steve Williams, Scott Liese, John Rood, Tom Byrne, Bob Hoar, Clarence Palmer, Mike Dutka, Hank Morin, T.J. Pasko, Don Williams. DNS: Bob Hasbrouck.