ROBBIE GREEN REACHES VICTORY LANE IN 55-LAPPER AT ACCORD

By: Brett Deyo

ACCORD, NY- After suffering through some terrible luck this season, veteran Robbie Green picked up a much deserved victory Friday night at Accord Speedway in the 55-lap DIRT 358 Modified Joe Winne Memorial Race. Starting from the front row, Green edged into the lead on the first lap, then fought off the challenges of Mike Ricci for the immensely popular win.

"Wow, what a race," exclaimed Green after exiting his Woodard's Concrete/Gross Graphics No. 69. "I had the pole and got out front early, but I knew Mike (Ricci) was back there, I just tried to stay smooth. This feels great right now."

Late race lapped traffic slowed Green's progress and allowed Ricci to make a charge, but he kept his cool and remained confident. "I thought I could hold him off," commented Green, who picked up his first victory at the tight quarter mile oval since 1982. "They were telling me on the radio that I was pulling him off the corners, I just tried not to bobble."

After being involved in several accidents during the past month, Green said it was good to finally give his crew a break. "My brother (Dave) has done a lot of fixing lately. It seemed like if there was a wreck, I was in it. This is really great for everybody that has helped us get this car back together. We needed this."

Along with the $2,000 winner's share, Green also collected over $500 in lap money, giving him one of the largest payoffs in the speedway's history.

It was Green and Brian Cobb up front for the start, with Green edging into the top spot by the time the 22-car field reached the backstretch for the first time.

Several early yellows slowed the action and allowed Mike Ricci, who started back in thirteenth position, to make a quick charge to the front of the field. By the thirteenth lap, Ricci had moved his Gen Plus No. 76 to second position, and closed in on Green's rear bumper.

However, as the race went for an extended period of time under green flag conditions, Green was able to open up a comfortable gap aboard his Precision Engine powered Olsen No. 69, gaining ground off of the corners on a consistent basis.

At the halfway point, Green had a half straightaway on Ricci, who had settled into the runner up spot. With 32 laps complete, the races' final caution flag flew for a spin by Bobby Zwart, allowing Ricci and the rest of the field to join the lead battle.

The smooth, consistent Green got back into his rhythm and opened up a sizable lead until, with five laps to go, double file lapped traffic severely slowed his progress. Ricci closed the gap quickly and tried to make a move to the inside with two laps remaining, but had to jam on the brakes to avoid hitting an infield tire and fell back in line.

At the line, it was Green taking the checkered by about two car lengths for his first win since August 2000 at the Lake Moc A Tek (Pa) Speedway. "It was a long time coming, but it sure feels good," stated Green matter-of -factly in victory lane, as he was greeted with a standing ovation from the packed grandstand.

Ricci, of Rosendale, NY, finished a up a solid second after a two week hiatus. After starting from twenty first position, Lake Moc A Tek Speedway regular Ed Strada, Jr. charged to third at races' end in the Sharkey's Fuel No. 42. Donnie Elliott, a regular competitor at Orange County Fair Speedway, finished a fine fourth in his No. 49 after starting fifteenth, and a Rich Ricci, Jr. filled out the front five.

The race was run in memory of 1999 Accord 358 Modified champion Joe Winne, who lost his life to a heart attack during practice for last year's Eastern States Weekend at Orange County Fair Speedway. At 45 years old, Joe still had a lot of years ahead of him, and his death shocked his many fans, friends, and competitors. Several tributes and special events took place during the night to honor his memory.

In DIRT Sportsman competition, Mike Van Pelt of Pine Bush, NY picked up an exciting win, his fourth this season.. After starting from mid pack, Van Pelt moved patiently to the front, winning out in an exciting battle with Bill Papula for the top spot on the sixteenth circuit of the 25-lap main, then surviving several restarts for the victory.

Jim Winchell made a bold move on the final lap of the event to take second spot, while Bill Papula had his best finish in several weeks with the Peerless Cast Iron Boilers No. 1. Jimmy Johnson was fourth and Harry Baldwin completed the top five.

Mike Dutka of Gardiner, NY continued his stellar rookie season in the Street Stock division, taking a hard earned win in the 20-lap feature. Starting from tenth spot, Dutka moved into the lead just past the halfway point, then cruised in front for his fourth triumph of the 2001 season. Larry Temple, Jr. was second, ahead of Rob Rowe, TJ Pasko and Al Christiana.

For the second week in a row, Billy White took the win in the 15-lap 1200cc Mini Sprint feature event. Steve Lapine was third, ahead of John Lieto, Pete Sindt and Chet Hinkle.

ABC Sports commentator and owner of Stafford Motor Speedway Jack Arute was on hand with his No. 21 Mini Sprint, finishing up in seventh spot. It was his first trip to the tight confines of Accord, but he said that he enjoyed the event and will be back.

George Catanzano of Hudson, NY collected his second consecutive win in the 15-lap IMCA Modified feature event. Jim Fugel was second, ahead of Lou Gancarz, Bob Banks and Bobby Sherwood.

Dave Gerard won the 15-lap Strictly Stock feature, winning out in an exciting side by side battle with Mike Deyo for the lead. It was Gerard's sixth trip to victory lane this season with his No. 77. Deyo was a career best second after switching from asphalt to dirt, ahead of George Decker, Joe Narok, and Donald Chase.

Racing continues at the number one action track Accord Speedway this Friday night with a regular show of 358 Modifieds, DIRT Sportsman, Street Stocks, IMCA Modifieds, 1200cc Mini Sprints and Strictly Stocks. There will also be a heldover DIRT Sportsman feature from the July 4th special. Hot laps take to the track at 6:15 p.m. with green flag racing at 7:15 p.m. For more info, contact the track at (845) 626-DIRT.

DIRT 358 Modified Feature Finish: Robbie Green, Mike Ricci, Ed Strada, Don Elliott, Rich Ricci, Jr., Doug Tyler, Jr., Rick Mill, Jeremy Matthies, Barry Davis, Chris Moore, Bobby Zwart, Mark Pullen, Burt Irwin, Jr., BK Rizzo, Don Goodrich, Brian Cobb, Hank Goranson, Jeremy Markle, Tom Hindley, Jimmy Halpin, Joe Winne, Jr. DNS: Jackie Brown, Jr.

DIRT Sportsman Feature Finish: Mike Van Pelt, Jim Winchell, Bill Papula, Harry Baldwin, Jay Haviland, Bill Haley, Jeff Hulseapple, KC McCoy, Pete Booth, Chuck Thomaschek, Rich Oxford, Neil Van Buren, George MacDonald, Jeff Carr, Glenn Daley, Ken Baker, Mike Trautschold, Tom DeMarmels, Randy Banks, Jr., Kenny Moulton, Bill Deckelman, Tom Athanas.

Street Stock Feature Finish: Mike Dutka, Larry Temple, Jr., Rob Rowe, TJ Pasko, Al Christiana, George Christiana, Jim Cronk, Joe Platt, Henry Van Houten, Bob Hoar, Scott Liese, Hank Morin, Chrissy Rider, Gene Palmer, Gene Temple, Bob Hoar, Brad Curry, Ray See, Jr., Don Williams. DNS: Ron Jablonka, John Rood.

Strictly Stock Feature Finish: Dave Gerard, Mike Deyo, George Decker, Joe Narok, Don Chase, Doug Chase, Charlie Rose, Jr., Gary O'Donnell, Bobby Brown, Jay Smalley, Scott Hornbeck, Ray Tarantino.

Mini Sprint Feature Finish: Billy White, Steve Lapine, John Lieto, Pete Sindt, Chet Hinkle, Richard Sennett, Jack Arute, John Parete, Tim Paul.

IMCA Modified Feature Finish: George Catanzano, Jim Fugel, Lou Gancarz, Bob Banks, Bob Sherwood, Jeff Warren, Travis Stevens, Bud Hernberg, Mike Brown.