Two in a row for Mill at Accord

by Brett Deyo

ACCORD, N.Y. (June 22, 2001) - For the second consecutive week, Rick Mill of New Windsor, NY took home top honors in the DIRT 358 Modified division at Accord Speedway. Mill grabbed the lead late in Friday night's 30-lap main event, then fought off all challenges to secure the win, his second of the 2001 season.

Joe Winne, Jr. grabbed the initial lead in his No. 55 and immediately began to put some distance on the rest of the field. Once again, Winne put forth a spectacular performance, leading the first eleven laps before Mike Ricci grabbed the top spot in his No. 76.

Ricci's time at the front of the field was short lived, though, as on lap 16, he slowed and went off to the pit area with mechanical problems, once again putting Winne at the point. This time, though, the veteran Mill closed in with his CV Auto Machine No. 77, and, finally, with 23 laps complete, he was able to wrestle the lead away.

Mill wasn't able to pull away from the determined Winne, and despite a tangle coming towards the checkered flag, he geld on for the victory, worth $1,000.

Winne was the runner up for the second consecutive week, ahead of Robbie Green, who put together a fine third place performance in the Reclamation, Inc. No. 69. Chris Moore was fourth, and newcomer Ed Strada rounded out the top five.

In the heldover DIRT Sportsman feature, Jimmy Johnson grabbed the lead on the fifth lap of the 25-lap affair and drove away from the field in his D&J; Auto Parts No. 77 for his second victory of the 2001 season.

Rich Oxford was second, ahead of Bill Papula, who finished a strong third in the Peerless Cast Iron Boilers No. 1. Jay Haviland and Mike Van Pelt were fourth and fifth, respectively.

In the regular, 20-lap feature for the DIRT Sportsman division, defending champion Jim Winchell of Stone Ridge, NY picked up his first win of the year.

After taking over the lead on lap 6, Winchell went unchallenged for the remainder of the event, which he dedicated to the memory of his best friend, the late Joe Winne, Sr.

Bill Deckelman turned in his best performance in several years with a second place finish. Jay Haviland was third, followed by Jeff Hulseapple and Bill Papula.

Scott Liese of Port Ewen, NY won the 20-lap Street Stock victory for his first career trip to victory lane at the quarter mile oval. Liese led from green to checkered in his No. 28. Tom Byrne was second, ahead of Don Williams, Larry Temple, Jr. and Ray See.

In IMCA Modified action, seasoned veteran Jim Fugel of Olive Bridge, NY took home top honors in the 15-lap feature. Fugel grabbed the lead on the fifth lap aboard his No. 2 and never looked back, opening a full straightaway advantage on the field. George Catanzano, Lou Gancarz, Mike Brown and Travis Stevens rounded out the top five.

Ron Irvin of Hyde Park, NY won both the heldover and regularly scheduled 15-lap Strictly Stock mains. In the rain postponed event, he bested Dave Gerard, Jay Smalley, George Decker and Charlie Rose, Jr.

Then, in the evening nightcap, it was again Irvin, this time taking the checkered ahead of Gerard, Rose, Bobby Brown and Decker.

Accord Speedway will roar back to life this Friday, June 29th with a regular show of DIRT 358 Modifieds, DIRT Sportsman, Street Stocks, Strictly Stocks and sanctioned IMCA Modifieds. The evening will be brought to a conclusion with a gigantic fireworks display. Hot laps begin at 6:15 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m.

Then, on Wednesday, July 4th, for the first time in many years, the speedway will host a special midweek event, with the Len and Jo's Restaurant Holiday Spectacular. On the card will be DIRT 358 Modifieds, DIRT Sportsman, Street Stocks, Strictly Stocks and sanctioned IMCA Modifieds. For more information, contact the track at (845) 626-DIRT or check out the speedway's website: www.accordspeedway.com.

RESULTS

DIRT 358 MODIFIED

Feature: Rick Mill, Joe Winne, Jr., Robbie Green, Chris Moore, Ed Strada, Doug Tyler, Jr., Jeremy Matthies, Jeremy Markle, Barry Davis, Rich Ricci, Jr., Hank Goranson, Bryan Malcom, Donnie Wilson, Henry Sherman, Don Goodrich III, Brian Cobb, Burt Irwin, Jr., Mike Ricci, Scott Kurtzner, Mike Murphy, Mark Pullen, Scott Dickie.

DIRT SPORTSMAN

Feature: Jim Winchell, Bill Deckelman, Jay Haviland, Jeff Hulseapple, Bill Papula, Jimmy Johnson, Scott Ferrier, Pete Booth, Mike Trautschold, Alan Houghtaling, KC McCoy, George MacDonald, Harry Baldwin, Randy Banks, Jr., Don Johnson, Neil Van Buren, Chuck Thomaschek, Duane Koskey, Rich Oxford, Steve Krum. DNS: Jim Fugel, Mike Van Pelt.

Heldover Feature: Jimmy Johnson, Rich Oxford, Bill Papula. Jay Haviland, Mike Van Pelt, Alan Houghtaling, Bill Deckelman, Neil Van Buren, George MacDonald, Jim Fugel, Chuck Thomaschek, KC McCoy, Pete Booth, Randy Banks, Jr., Scott Ferrier.

STREET STOCK

Feature: Scott Liese, Tom Byrne, Don Williams, Larry Temple, Jr., Ray See, Mike Dutka, T.J. Pasko, Butch Winnie, Hank Morin, George Christiana, Chrissy Ryder, Bob Hoar, Steve Williams, Joe Rohacevich, Bryan McElheny.

I.M.C.A. MODIFIED

Feature: Jim Fugel, George Catanzano, Lou Gancarz, Mike Brown, Travis Stevens, Bob Banks, Car No. Z8, Walter Cook.

STRICTLY STOCK

Feature: Ron Irvin, Dave Gerard, Charlie Rose, Jr., Bobby Brown, George Decker, Jay Smalley, Scott Hornbeck, Joe Narok, Larry Pregent, Jr., Sharon Byrne, David Breed, Dave Pomerantz, Kim Markle, Ray Tarantino, Kevin Schlossareck.

Heldover Feature: Ron Irvin, Dave Gerardm Jay Smalley, George Decker, Charlie Rose, Jr., Ray Tarantino, Bobby Brown, Joe Narok, Scott Hornbeck, Sharon Byrne, Larry Pregent, Jr., Kevin Schlossareck, Donald Chase.