Green makes it two in a row at Accord
by Brett Deyo
ACCORD, N.Y. (Aug. 10, 2001) - After a bit of a slow start to the season, Robbie Green is suddenly on a roll. The veteran Green, from Newburgh, NY picked up a dramatic win Friday night at Accord Speedway in the 25-lap DIRT 358 Modified feature event, his second consecutive victory at the tight quarter mile oval.
Starting from eleventh position, Green made a steady charge to the front of the field in his Gross Graphics No. 69, snatching the lead away from Rick Mill with three laps remaining for the hard earned victory. "This car was working great tonight," said the popular Green in victory lane. "I could get off the bottom really well, and Rick (Mill) slipped up just enough at the end for me to get underneath him."
After winning the 55-lap Joe Winne Memorial Race from the pole two weeks earlier, Green was thrilled to get a win from deep in the field. "It means a lot to get one from back in the pack, it makes you feel like you really earned it."
Second generation driver Donnie Wilson moved his Wilson's Auto and Truck Repair No. 7 into the lead on the start and literally dominated the first half of the event. By the time the first caution flag flew with ten laps complete the likable rookie at the speedway had opened up nearly a half track advantage on the rest of the field.
Several ensuing jingles allowed point leader Rick Mill to advance into the runner up position by lap 13, and he immediately began to pressure Wilson for the lead. Lap after lap, Wilson ran the high groove with the ultra consistent Mill holding the inside line in a crowd pleasing battle. Finally, on the eighteenth go round, Wilson slid too high, handing Mill the lead and allowing Green to slip through into second.
A caution on lap 20 put Green on Mill's rear bumper, and it proved to be a crucial point in the event. Mill slipped just a little entering the first turn, and that gave Green enough room to make a bold move to the inside. The lead duo ran side by side for two laps before Green was finally able to clear Mill for sole possession of the lead.
With two laps to go, a tap from behind sent Wilson spinning in the third turn, ending his fine night, and bunching up the field once more for a restart. No one was able to catch the Green Machine though, and he made his second trip to victory lane in as many weeks.
Mill continued his stellar season with a runner up effort in the CV Machine No. 77, while Mike Ricci charged from fifteenth to third in his Ricci's Barber Shop No. 76 Teo Pro Car. Rookie Brian Cobb of Honesdale, Pa. posted his best career Accord finish in fourth with his No. 18X, and Doug Tyler, Jr. made his way from thirteenth starting spot to fifth.
In DIRT Sportsman action, Scott Ferrier of Middletown, NY earned his first career Accord win after a dominating performance in his Besmer's Furniture No. 20. Starting from eighth spot, Ferrier, a multi time feature winner at Orange County Fair Speedway, jumped into the lead on the seventh lap and never looked back.
"This car was hooked up tonight," Ferrier exclaimed after running impressively in the high groove all race long. "Once I got out in the lead, I just tried to get through traffic, because it was just awesome tonight. The set up was perfect."
Mike Van Pelt, a four time feature winner this season, led the early portions of the feature, but Ferrier blasted his way into the lead on the outside and wasn't challenged for the remainder of the 20-lap main.
Van Pelt ended up a solid second, ahead of Jimmy Johnson in the D&J; Used Auto Parts No. 77. Jim Winchell was fourth after starting twenty second, and a recently married Greg Sleight rounded out the top five after a solid performance.
Making a rare appearance at the speedway, Orange County Fair Speedway regular Tom Kuck of Mahopac, NY picked up the win in the 20-lap Street Stock feature. Kuck made a smooth ascent through the field after starting fourteenth in his Carquest No. 79. Once in front, Kuck never looked back, opening up a healthy margin on the competition. Chrissy Rider was an impressive second, ahead of Don Williams, Mike Dutka and Jim Cronk.
George Christiana of Accord, NY won the heldover 20-lap Street Stock feature from July 4th over Tommy Kuck, Chrissy Rider, Butch Winnie and Al Christiana.
Peter Sindt took the win in the 1200cc Mini Sprint feature, leading the entire distance. Young Steven Lapine was second after running very well, with Darrell Quackenbush, Brian Burns and Chris Haskel completing the top five.
George Catanzano continued his recent dominance of the IMCA Modified division, taking the win in the 15-lap main over steady front runner Jim Fugel. Rookie Travis Stevens was a solid third, ahead of Bob Banks and Lou Gancarz.
In a bump and bang, caution filled 12-lap Strictly Stock feature, Ron Irvin of Hyde Park, NY picked up the win over Dave Gerard, Gary O'Donnell, Bobby Brown and Mike Deyo.
The racing continues at the number one action track this Friday, with a regular show of DIRT 358 Modifieds, DIRT Sportsman, Street Stocks, 1200cc Mini Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, and Strictly Stocks, who will have double feature events on the night. Gates open at 4:30 p.m., with hot laps at 6:15 p.m. and racing at 7:15 p.m. For more info, check out the website: www.accordspeedway.com, or call the track office (845) 626-DIRT.
RESULTS
DIRT 358 Modified Feature: Robbie Green, Rick Mill, Mike Ricci, Brian Cobb, Doug Tyler, Jr., Jackie Brown, Jr., Chris Moore, Mark Pullen, Jeremy Matthies, Jeremy Markle, Donnie Wilson, Bobby Zwart, Don Goodrich, Burt Irwin, Jr., Barry Davis, Tommy Hindley, Joe Winne, Jr., BK Rizzo, Michael Murphy.
DIRT Sportsman Feature: Scott Ferrier, Mike Van Pelt, Jimmy Johnson, Jim Winchell, Greg Sleight, Mike Trautschold, Kevin Paffenroth, Harry Baldwin, Bill Papula, Rich Oxford, Jay Haviland, Chuck Thomaschek, Alan Houghtaling, KC McCoy, Randy Banks, Jr., Ken Baker, Pete Booth, Jeff Carr, Ken Moulton, George MacDonald, Tom DeMarmels, Jeff Hulseapple.
Street Stock Feature: Tom Kuck, Chrissy Rider, Don Williams, Mike Dutka, Jim Cronk, Al Christiana, TJ Pasko, Scott Liese, Butch Winnie, Gene Temple, Scott Mill, Larry Temple, Jr., Bob Hoar, Joe Platt, John Rood, George Christiana, Ron Jablonka. DNS: Henry Van Houten, Hank Morin.
Street Stock Heldover Feature: George Christiana, Tom Kuck, Chrissy Rider, Butch Winnie, Al Christiana, TJ Pasko, Mike Dutka, Gene Temple, Henry Van Houten, Scott Liese, Don Williams, Larry Temple, Jr., Hank Morin, Bob Hoar.
1200cc Mini Sprint Feature: Pete Sindt, Steve Lapine, Daryl Quackenbush, Brian Burns, Chris Haskel, Richard Sennett, John Lieto, Mark Depuis, Wally Kurn, Todd Lapp.
IMCA Modified Feature: George Catanzano, Jim Fugel, Travis Stevens, Bob Banks, Lou Gancarz, Mike Brown, Bob Sherwood, Jeff Warren, Bud Hernberg.
Strictly Stock Feature: Ron Irvin, Dave Gerard, Gary O'Donnell, Bobby Brown, Mike Deyo, Charlie Houghtaling, George Decker, Joe Narok, Jay Smalley, Charlie Rose, Ray Tarantino, Donald Chase, Scott Hornbeck, Larry Pregent, Jr.