Two in a row for Mike Ricci at Accord

by Brett Deyo

ACCORD, N.Y. (July 6, 2001) - For the second consecutive week, Mike Ricci of Rosendale, NY took home top honors in the 25-lap DIRT 358 Modified feature at Accord Speedway. Starting from fifth position, Ricci grabbed the lead early on, then fought off the challenges of Robbie Green to secure his fifth win of the season at the quarter mile oval..

Hank Goranson had the pole and jumped out into the early lead with his No. 27 before the caution lights flickered on for the first time on lap 2. On the restart, Goranson again grabbed the top spot, this time with Ricci hot on his heels. After looking high and low for several laps, Ricci pulled off a dramatic slingshot move to snatch away the lead with six circuits complete, while Rich Ricci, Jr. and Robbie Green followed him to the front.

The three leaders began to open up a bit of an advantage on the field when Michael Murphy got turned sideways in the first turn, bringing out the caution on lap 13. As Mike Ricci resumed command at the front of the field, Robbie Green made a bold move to the inside on the backstretch past Rich Ricci, Jr. for the runner up spot.

Two laps later, Jeremy Markle took a wild ride on the backstretch, climbing the wall with his No. 79 and starter Rich Roosa was once again forced to display the yellow flag.

Green, looking for his first win of the season, really began to pressure Ricci over the remaining laps. On the 23rd go round, Green tried to get to the inside of Ricci and the two cars hooked bumpers momentarily. Somehow, they were both able to continue without losing any ground, and Ricci cruised in front with his Gen Plus No. 76 Teo Pro Car, collecting his eleventh overall victory of 2001.

"The car was running great tonight," commented the happy veteran afterwards. "I knew that Robbie was back there and I felt us get hooked, but somehow I just shook him loose and I got going again. It was a good race."

Green, of Newburgh, NY, after starting back in tenth position, ended up a close second after running his best race of the season. Barry Davis finished third once again in his No. 9D and Tom Hindley charged from fourteenth to fourth in the Feder's Auto Group No. 17H. Doug Tyler, Jr. filled out the first five.

In DIRT Sportsman action, Mike Van Pelt of Pine Bush, NY picked up his second consecutive victory in the 20-lap main. Using an up front starting spot to his advantage, Van Pelt grabbed an early lead, then pulled away from the field.

Several caution flags slowed the event early on, but Van Pelt held the top spot in his Gateway Motorsports No. 112. Finally, after a restart on lap 8, the race went green the rest of the way and Van Pelt just cruised out in front, negotiating lapped traffic flawlessly for the popular victory, his third of the season.

Jimmy Johnson finished a strong second in his D&J; Auto Parts No. 77, ahead of the strong running Bill Deckelman. Bill Papula charged from tenth spot to fourth at races' end and Scott Ferrier rounded out the top five.

For the second time this season, Ray See, Jr. of Patterson, NY visited Street Stock victory lane. After starting in fifth position, See made a bold move for the lead with two laps remaining in the 20-lap main, then hung on for his second win of the season. Don Williams had his best finish of the season in second ahead of eighteenth starter Mike Dutka. Tommy Vigh and Tom Dembek, two Orange County Fair Speedway regulars, finished fourth and fifth.

Lou Gancarz of North Adams, Mass. picked up the win in the 15-lap IMCA Modified feature. Gancarz inherited the lead when leaders Jim Fugel and George Catanzano tangled at the halfway point, then fought off the challenges of Mike Brown for his first win of the year. Brown was second, ahead of Fugel, Bob Banks and Keith Ackerknecht.

John Lieto of Mt. Kisco, NY took an impressive victory in the 20-lap 1200cc Mini Sprint feature. Using a smaller 750cc engine, Lieto powered to the lead early on, then remained comfortably out in front for the remainder of the distance. Peter Sindt was second, trailed by Mike Bosco, Daryl Quackenbush and John Parate.

In the heldover 15-lap Strictly Stock feature, Dave Gerard picked up an exciting win over Scott Hornbeck, Joe Narok, Kevin Schlossareck and Charlie Rose, Jr. Then, in the nightcap 15-lapper, it was again Gerard, of Modena, NY, this time winning over Hornbeck, Guy Hughes, Bobby Brown and George Decker.

Racing will resume at the number one action track this Friday night, July 13th with a regular show of DIRT 358 Modifieds, DIRT Sportsman, Street Stocks, Strictly Stocks and IMCA Modifieds. Also on the card will be heldover feature for the IMCA Mods, a heldover Central New York Mini Sprint feature, and the Atlantic Coast Old Timers. Gates open at 4:30 p.m., with hot laps at 6:15 p.m. and 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: Mike Ricci, Robbie Green, Barry Davis, Tom Hindley, Doug Tyler, Jr., Rich Ricci, Jr., Chris Moore, Rick Mill, Jeremy Matthies, Jackie Brown, Jr., Mark Pullen, Mike Murphy, Burt Irwin, Jr., Don Goodrich, Sr., Henry Sherman, Ed Haenelt, Joe Winne, Jr., Brian Cobb, Keith Wicks, Jeremy Markle, Hank Goranson.

DIRT Sportsman

Feature: Mike Van Pelt, Jimmy Johnson, Bill Deckelman, Bill Papula, Scott Ferrier, Jeff Hulseapple, Harry Baldwin, Rich Oxford, Pete Booth, Neil Van Buren, Kevin Duryea, Jeff Carr, Chuck Thomaschek, Kenny Moulton, Jay Haviland, KC McCoy, Glenn Daley, Randy Banks, Jr., Alan Houghtaling, Skip Travis, Tom DeMarmels, Mike Trautschold, Jim Winchell.

Street Stock

Feature: Ray See, Jr., Don Williams, Mike Dutka, Tommy Vigh, Tom Dembek, Al Christiana, George Christiana, Tommy Kuck, Butch Winnie, Larry Temple, Jr., Tom Byrne, Hank Morin, Gene Temple, Bob Hoar, Chrissy Rider, Henry Van Houten, Joe Rohacevich, Bryan McElheny, John Rood, Steve Williams, Jim Cronk, TJ Pasko, Ron Jablonka, Scott Liese.

IMCA Modified

Feature: Lou Gancarz, Mike Brown, Jim Fugel, Bob Banks, Keith Ackerknect, Travis Stevens, George Catanzano, Jeff Warren, Walter Cook, Bud Hernberg, Bob Sherwood.

Mini Sprint

Feature: John Lieto, Peter Sindt, Mike Bosco, Daryl Quackenbush, John Parate, Gregg Godek, Tony Montesi, Pat Kuerner, Wally Kurns, Billy White, Steven Lapine, Chet Hinkle, Tom Richard. DNS: Brian Burns, Glenn, Grossjung.

Strictly Stock

Heldover Feature: Dave Gerard, Scott Hornbeck, Joe Narok, Kevin Schlossareck, Charlie Rose, Jr., Jay Smalley, Larry Pregent, Jr., Bobby Brown, Sharon Byrne, George Decker, Lars Petri.

Feature: Dave Gerard, Scott Hornbeck, Guy Hughes, Bobby Brown, George Decker, Kevin Schlossareck, Bill Hughes, Charlie Rose, Jr., Joe Narok, Jeff Hager, Sharon Byrne, Mike Deyo, Jay Smalley, Kenny Hopper, Larry Pregent, Jr., Donald Chase, Joel Murns: DNS: Mike Sardo, Lars Petri.