MIKE RICCI RETURNS TO WINNING FORM AT ACCORD
By: Brett Deyo
ACCORD, NY- After a few weeks of bad luck, Mike Ricci returned to winning form Friday night in the DIRT 358 Modified feature at Accord Speedway. Starting from sixth position, Ricci edged into the lead early on in the 30-lap main, then fought off all challenges to secure his fourth win of the 2001 season in front of a packed grandstand.
Henry Sherman led the 21-car field to the green flag, but trouble erupted quickly, when Brian Cobb got turned sideways in front of the field, collecting several other cars. Sherman resumed his position at the front of the field, and was able to hang on for five laps before Mike Ricci drove his Ricci's Barber Shop No. 76 Teo Pro to the front on the sixth circuit.
Following Ricci to the front was eleventh starting Robbie Green, and by the tenth lap, it was a two car fight at the front of the field. Green and Ricci put on a spectacular side by side battle for several laps, before, after being squeezed out of the high groove, he tried to pull a slingshot move to the inside and clipped the tractor tire in the infield on the 15th circuit.
After Green's demise, the red hot CV Auto Machine No. 77 of Rick Mill moved into the runner up spot, and he began to put pressure on Ricci. Mill, running the high groove, was able to pull up alongside Ricci several times, but he wasn't able to get enough bite to make the pass. With only two laps to go, five cars stacked up in the first turn, setting up a two lap shootout.
Mill looked high and low, but Ricci maintained a consistent line and held on for the $1,000 win by about a car length. "My car was getting worse as the race went on," commented the Rosendale, NY hotshoe. "The track was slick, I was just trying to hold my line. Getting out into the lead early really helped us tonight."
Mill, the point leader, continued to be impressive, finishing a strong second ahead of the ageless Barry Davis in the No. 9D. Rich Ricci, Jr. rebounded from several early race tangles for fourth ahead of the rapidly improving Joe Winne, Jr. Jeremy Matthies charged from sixteenth starting position to a sixth place finish. Doug Tyler, Jr., Green, Sherman and Michael Murphy rounded out the top ten.
In DIRT Sportsman action, Mike Van Pelt of Pine Bush, NY picked up his second win of the 2001 season. Starting from second position, the strong running veteran worked into the lead early on, then negotiated lapped traffic flawlessly in the final laps for the win.
The WWF sponsored No. 20 of Scott Ferrier led the field to the green flag in the 20-lap affair, and he paced the first three circuits before Van Pelt charged around the outside to take command. Despite several caution flags, Van Pelt went unchallenged over the remaining distance for his second visit to victory lane in the past three weeks.
Harry Baldwin had his best run in since opening night with a second place finish, ahead of Jim Winchell, who battled from fifteenth starting spot to third at the checkered. Bill Deckelman and Jay Haviland rounded out the top five. Ferrier faded to sixth.
For the third time this year, rookie Mike Dutka of Gardiner, NY took home top honors in the 20-lap Street Stock feature. Dutka grabbed the top spot on the sixteenth circuit, taking advantage of a wild three wide scramble involving the top two cars. He then cruised in front over the final three laps for the extremely popular win. Tommy Byrne was second, ahead of Hank Morin, Scott Liese, and Chrissy Rider.
George Catanzano of Hudson, NY won the 15-lap IMCA Modified feature in convincing fashion with his No. Z1. Catanzano grabbed the lead on lap 7 after a stirring battle with Travis Stevens, then pulled away for his second win of the year. Jim Fugel was second, ahead of the up and coming Stevens. Mike Brown and Bob Banks were fourth and fifth.
Local favorite Peter Sindt of Stone Ridge, NY won the 20-lap feature for the 1200cc Mini Sprints. Sindt made it to the lead after a thrilling battle with John Lieto on the eleventh lap and never looked back with his No. 39. Lieto was second ahead of Joel Gamache, Robert Scaccio, and Tom Richard.
Jeff Richardson of Goshen, NY won the 15-lap Vintage Modified feature over Mike Cole, Art Parker, Tim Toombs and Ray Checke. The Strictly Stock feature was postponed to this Wednesday, July 4th due to time constraints.
A gigantic fireworks display thrilled the huge crowd during intermission, putting an exclamation point on what was an action packed evening.
Accord Speedway will be back in action this Wednesday, July 4th with the Len and Jo's Restaurant Holiday Spectacular. On the card will be DIRT 358 Modifieds, DIRT Sportsmen, Street Stocks, Strictly Stocks, 1200cc Mini Sprints and IMCA Modifieds. Gates will open at 3 p.m. with warm ups at 5 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m. It is a point race for all divisions. For more info, contact the track at (845) 626-DIRT.
DIRT 358 Modified Feature Finish: Mike Ricci, Rick Mill, Barry Davis, Rich Ricci, Jr., Joe Winne, Jr., Jeremy Matthies, Doug Tyler, Jr., Robbie Green, Henry Sherman, Mike Murphy, Jackie Brown, Jr., Mark Pullen, Jimmy Halpin, Brian Cobb, Al McCoy, Keith Wicks, Bob Zwart, Chris Moore, Burt Irwin, Jr., Hank Goranson, Jeremy Markle. DNS: Don Goodrich, III.
DIRT Sportsman Feature Finish: Mike Van Pelt, Harry Baldwin, Jim Winchell, Bill Deckelman, Jay Haviland, Scott Ferrier, Bill Papula, Pete Booth, Jeff Hulseapple, Rich Oxford, Jimmy Johnson, Neil Van Buren, KC McCoy, Randy Banks, Jr., Mike Trautschold, Alan Houghtaling, Tom DeMarmels.
Street Stock Feature Finish: Mike Dutka, Tom Byrne, Hank Morin, Scott Liese, Chrissy Rider, Larry Temple, Jr., George Christiana, Butch Winnie, Joe Rohacevich, Rob Rowe, Henry Van Houten, Brad Curry, John Rood, Gene Temple, Don Williams, Ray See, Jr., Al Christiana, TJ Pasko, Bryan McElheny, Bob Hoar.
IMCA Modified Feature Finish: George Catanzano, Jim Fugel, Travis Stevens, Mike Brown, Bob Banks, Jerry Curry, Bob Sherwood, Bud Hernberg. DNS: Lou Gancarz.
Mini Sprint Feature Finish: Peter Sindt, John Lieto, Joel Gamache, Rob Scaccio, Tom Richard, Wally Kuryn, Chet Hinkle, Brian Burns, John Parate. DNS: Dennis Fink.