Tyler tops wild Accord DIRT 358-Modified feature
by Brett Deyo
ACCORD, N.Y. (June 8, 2001) - In the most exciting DIRT 358 Modified feature Accord Speedway has seen this season, Doug Tyler, Jr. of Cottekill, NY picked up his first win of 2001 this past Friday night. Starting from fifth position, Tyler took over the lead early on, then fought an all out battle with Mike Ricci in the final laps for the win.
Jeremy Matthies led the field to the green flag in the 25-lap main, and quickly made his way out into the lead on the start. As Matthies opened up a gap on the rest of the field, a wild scramble for second began to heat up behind him, with Rich Ricci, Chris Moore and Tyler all battling for the runner up spot. On the fourth lap, Moore got turned around on the frontstretch, bringing out the races' first caution flag.
Tyler powered around Matthies for the lead on the restart, and, after another caution flag on lap 6, Rich Ricci muscled to the inside of Matthies for second. Ricci closed in quickly on the strong running No. 97T of Tyler, setting up a two car battle for the top spot. Newcomer Scott Dickie spun on lap 10, and the yellow lights once again flickered on around the speedway.
With the drop of the green flag, Tyler, Rich Ricci and Mike Ricci began to dice for the lead in an exciting three car battle. Rich Ricci took his No. 55 to the high side of Tyler on lap 16, and simultaneously, Mike Ricci, trying to make it four straight feature wins, changed lanes to the inside. Heavy contact ensued between the two brothers in turn two, and Mike Ricci was able to make it through the mayhem first.
However, the caution flag quickly flew and he was penalized two spots for passing on the berm. The restarting order with nine laps remaining saw Tyler still in command over Rich Ricci, Barry Davis and Mike Ricci. On the restart, Rich Ricci and Tyler continued their battle for the top spot, while Mike Ricci made the move back to third.
With four laps to go, Mike Ricci again muscled to the inside of his brother and set his sights on Tyler. A caution on lap 23 for Bobby Zwart set up a green, white, checkered finish and immediately Ricci dove to the inside as the lead duo enter turn three. The two cars got together, but Tyler kept his car from spinning and held on with the white flag flying.
A small slip by Tyler in turn two allowed Ricci to wedge his No. 76 to the inside as the cars approached turn three for the final time. The two leaders made heavy contact down the backstretch, and Ricci drove hard into turn three. He then bounced off the side of Tyler's No. 97T and did a half spin in front of the field. Miraculously, Tyler was able to continue, and he became the first winner other than Mike Ricci at the quarter mile oval this season.
"I guess the streak is over," commented Tyler with a smile afterwards. "I had the inside line and he tried to get in there. I had to work for this one, that's for sure."
Rich Ricci had his best finish of the season in second, ahead of local favorite Barry Davis. Matthies, of Germantown, NY, had a great run to finish fourth in the VP Racing Fuels No. 99 Troyer Four Link and Rick Mill rounded out the top five despite suffering two flat tires.
In DIRT Sportsman action, Jimmy Johnson of Bloomingburg, NY topped the 20-lap main Johnson, who also campaigns at Orange County Fair Speedway on a regular basis, drove his D & J Auto Supply No. 77 into the lead early on, then held off the advances of Mike Van Pelt to take his first win this year.
A caution with five laps to go for Herb Gannon bunched up the field for one final time, and the seasoned veteran Johnson held the top spot over Van Pelt. Johnson bobbled on lap 18, allowing Van Pelt to make a run for the top spot, but there wasn't enough, forcing him to roll out of the throttle. That allowed Johnson to open up a slight lead and he took the checkered by about five car lengths.
Van Pelt, of Pine Bush, NY, had his best effort of the season, finishing second in the No. 112. Rich Oxford came home a strong third, ahead of Jay Haviland and Harry Baldwin.
Jim Fugel of Olive Bridge, NY topped the field in the 10-lap IMCA Modified feature. Staring fifth, the veteran Fugel maneuvered into the lead on the first lap, then drove away for the win in his No. 2. George Catanzano of Hudson, NY was second, ahead of Bud Hernberg, Mike Brown and Cory Fachini.
Mike Dutka of Gardiner, NY took home the win in the heldover 20-lap Street Stock feature. Dutka, who is, amazingly hearing impaired, led from green to checkered for the popular victory in his No. 29. During his victory lane interview, Dutka's mother used sign language to convey his responses to crowd. Al Christiana was second, ahead of Chrissy Bracklow, Tommy Byrne and Butch Winnie.
Another first time winner, Ray See. Jr. of Patterson, NY won the regular 20-lap Street Stock main. See, after starting eleventh, patiently marched through the field, and took over the lead for good with five laps remaining. Rob Rowe, in his first appearance of the season, finished a fine second. Al Christiana was third, followed by Chrissy Ryder and Larry Temple, Jr.
In Strictly Stock action, Ron Irvin of Hyde Park, NY earned his second win of the season in dominating fashion. Irvin grabbed the lead on the ninth circuit, then powered away from the field for the win. George Decker was second, ahead of Scott Hornbeck, Jason Smalley and Hasbrouck Heights, NJ driver Kevin Schlosserack.
Racing continues at Accord Speedway this Friday, June 15 with a 30-lap DIRT Sportsman Syracuse Qualifier and the heldover DIRT 358 Modified feature from June 1, along with the heldover Strictly Stock feature from June 1. A regular card of DIRT 358 Modifieds, DIRT Sportsman, Street Stocks, Strictly Stocks and sanctioned IMCA Modifieds will also take place. Warm ups begin promptly at 6:15 p.m. with green flag racing at 7 p.m. For more info, contact the track at (845) 626-DIRT or check out the website: www.accordspeedway.com.
RESULTS
DIRT 358-Modified
Feature: Doug Tyler, Jr., Rich Ricci, Jr., Barry Davis, Jeremy Matthies, Rick Mill, Chris Moore, Jeremy Markle, Rob Green, Don Goodrich, III, Mike Murphy, Don Goodrich, Mark Pullen, Mike Ricci, Burt Irwin, Jr., Bobby Zwart, Donnie Wilson, Scott Dickie, Jimmy Halpin, Henry Sherman. DNS: Brian Cobb, Jackie Brown, Jr., Joe Winne, Jr.
DIRT Sportsman
Feature: Jimmy Johnson, Mike Van Pelt, Rich Oxford, Jay Haviland, Harry Baldwin, Randy Banks, Jr., Scott Ferrier, George MacDonald, Alan Houghtaling, Chuck Thomaschek, Tom Athanas, Bill Papula, Bill Deckelman, Herb Gannon, Jim Fugel, KC MCCoy, Peter Booth, Neil Van Buren, Duane Koskey. DNS: Rich Hansen.
Street Stock
Heldover Feature: Mike Dutka, Al Christiana, Chrissy Ryder, Tom Byrne, Butch Winnie, Scott Liese, Larry Temple, Jr., Ray See, Jr., T.J. Pasko, Bob Hoar, Gene Temple, Al Christiana, John Rood, Hank Morin, Steve Willimas, Doan Williams, Bryan McElheny.
Regular Feature: Ray See, Jr., Rob Rowe, Al Christiana, Chrissy Ryder, Larry Temple, Jr., Gene Temple, Bob Hoar, Brad Curry, Tom Byrne, Butch Winnie, Bob Hasbrouck, John Rood, Don Williams, Mike Dutka, Scott Liese, Al Christiana, T.J. Pasko, Hank Morin, Ron Jablonka, Bryan McElheny.
Strictly Stock
Feature: Ron Irvin, George Decker, Scott Hornbeck, Jay Smalley, Kevin Schlosserack, Dave Gerard, Bobby Brown, Charlie Rose, Jr., Larry Pregent, Jr., Ray Tarantino, Sharon Byrne, Joseph Narok, Tim Southard.