Robbie Green Is On Fire At Accord Speedway
By: Brett Deyo
ACCORD, NY- Robbie Green is on fire at Accord Speedway. For the third
straight week, the popular Newburgh, NY driver took the win in the 25-lap
DIRT 358 Modified feature this past Friday night. After starting from deep
in the field, Green wasted little time moving his Gross Graphics No. 69 to
the front, then just drove away from the field.
“I honestly can’t believe it,” Green echoed. “I was just waiting for
something to happen or to go wrong.” He continued, “Lady luck was with me
tonight. The cautions fell at the right time for me to gain positions, and I
was able to stay out of all the incidents.”
Bobby Zwart and Tom Hindley made up the front row and it was Hindley in a
borrowed No. 14H advancing to the top spot with the completion of the first
lap. However, the first five circuits of the event were caution plagued with
six yellow flags falling consecutively.
On each restart, thirteenth starter Green was able to pick up several
positions, putting him in the top five with six laps in the books.
As Hindley held on at the front of the field, Rick Mill, who started
deep in the pack, began his charge to the front, taking second spot away on
the seventh lap and setting his sights on the strong running Hindley. It
only took two laps for Mill, the point leader, to power his No. 77 to the top
spot on the inside groove, while Green followed him through for second.
The yellow lights flickered on with ten laps complete for a slowing
Jeremy Markle, setting up a double file restart, which was a crucial moment
in the race.
Green was able to power off the high side in turn two and take the top
spot impressively, while Mill settled back into second. From that point on,
Green just drove away, opening up a straightaway advantage on the field, and
despite some heavy late race lapped traffic, he took the win by a comfortable
margin.
“I never expected three in a row,” Green exclaimed. “I was trying to get
through the traffic and not get bogged down. I didn’t want to lose it on the
last lap.”
For the consistent Mill, of New Windsor, NY, it was another second place
finish, with Jackie Brown, Jr. finishing a fine third in the Head’s Up
Machine No. 16. Mike Ricci was fourth after being involved in an early race
incident with his Gen Plus No. 76, and Hindley held on for the final top five
slot in the unfamiliar ride.
In DIRT Sportsman competition, Jimmy Johnson picked up his third Accord
Speedway victory of the season at in the D&J Used Auto Parts No. 77. After
starting from tenth position, Johnson, of Bloomingburg, NY, made his way to
the front midway through the race, then went unchallenged in the caution
plagued 20-lap feature.
Jeff Carr jumped out into the early lead with his No. 5J, and held the
top spot for the first seven laps before being bounced out of the lead by
Johnson. Despite countless caution flags during the remainder of the
distance, Johnson was able to hold his own at the front of the field, taking
his sixth overall win of the 2001 season.
Jeff Hulseapple authored an impressive performance in the No. 92J, coming
from fifteenth starting position to second, with Harry Baldwin a solid third
in the Nancy’s Home Baked Pies No. 21B. Jimmy Winchell and Jay Haviland
completed the top five.
Don Williams of High Falls, NY picked up his first career win in the
20-lap Street Stock feature. Williams moved his No. 33D to the point on lap
2, then fought off the strong challenges of Scott Liese in an exciting battle
to the checkered. Liese put together a solid effort in his No. 28, in
second, with Don Palmateer, point leader George Christiana and Mike Dutka
completing the front five.
In his first appearance of the season at the speedway, Ray Legary of
Hampton, Mass. took the win in the 20-lap 1200cc Mini Sprint feature.
Legary, a top runner at the Whip City (Mass) Speedway, burst into the lead
just past the halfway point and maintained a steady lead over the second half
of the race for a hard eraned victory Don Harvey was second, ahead of Pete
Sindt, Joe Sanfilippo and Duby Woodruff.
In the IMCA Modified ranks, it was again Hudson, NY hotshoe George
Catanzano taking the win in the 15-lap feature, in turn moving himself into a
tie for the division point lead with Jim Fugel, who was forced to settle for
second spot. Bob Banks, Lou Gancarz and Bobby Sherwood completed the top five.
In the heldover 12-lap Strictly Stock feature, Dave Gerard of Modena, NY
picked up the win. Gerard grabbed the lead from Scott Hornbeck on an eighth
lap restart, then powered away for his seventh win of the season Ron Irvin
was second, ahead of Scott Hornbeck, Mike Deyo and Jay Smalley.
Ron Irvin of Hyde Park, NY picked up a hard earned victory in a wild
12-lap Strictly Stock feature with his No. 97 Monte Carlo, his sixth Accord
triumph of 2001. Ray Tarantino was second, just ahead of Mike Deyo, George
Decker and Jay Smalley.
The racing continues at the number one action track this Friday with the
DIRT 358 Modifieds, DIRT Sportsman, Street Stocks, Strictly Stocks, 1200cc
Mini Sprints and sanctioned IMCA Modifieds. The gates open at 4:30 p.m.,
with hot laps at 6:15 p.m. and green flag racing promptly at 7:15 p.m. For
more info, contact the track at (845) 626-DIRT or check out the website:
www.accordspeedway.com.
DIRT 358 Modified Feature Finish: Rob Green, Rick Mill, Jackie Brown, Jr.,
Mike Ricci, Tom Hindley, Doug Tyler, Jr., Chris Moore, Mark Pullen, Hank
Goranson, Brian Cobb, Jeremy Matthies, Jim Halpin, Bob Zwart, Burt Irwin,
Jr., Jeremy Markle, Don Goodrich, Joe Winne, Jr.
DIRT Sportsman Feature Finish: Jimmy Johnson, Jeff Hulseapple, Harry Baldwin,
Jim Winchell, Jay Haviland, Bill Papula, Pete Booth, Jeff Carr, Mike
Trautschold, Tom DeMarmels, Alan Houghtaling, Kevin Paffenroth, George
MacDonald, Mike Van Pelt, KC McCoy, Rich Oxford, Chris Hamer, Randy Banks,
Jr., Ken Baker. DNS: Scott Ferrier
Street Stock Feature Finish: Don Williams, Scott Liese, Don Palmateer, George
Christiana, Mike Dutka, Hank Morin, Butch Winnie, Gene Palmer, Bryan
McElheny, Bob Hoar, Chrissy Rider, Grant Hilfiger, TJ Pasko, Mike Tiani, Gene
Temple, Larry Temple. DNS: Scott Mill.
1200cc Mini Sprint Feature Finish: Ray Legary, Don Harvey, Pete Sindt, Rich
Sennett, Joe Sanfilippo, Duby Woodruff, Paul Corazzo, Brian Burns, Chet
Hinkle, Paul Corazzo, Jr., Bill Jaycox, John Lieto, John Parate, Jeff
Collins, Steve Lapine, Jack Arute.
IMCA Modified Feature Finish: George Catanzano, Jim Fugel, Bob Banks, Lou
Gancarz, Bob Sherwood, Jeff Warren, Travis Stevens, Todd Bilstein, Mike
Brown, Bud Hernberg.
Strictly Stock Feature Finish: Ron Irvin, Ray Tarantino, Jr., Mike Deyo,
George Decker, Jay Smalley, Gary O’Donnell, Bobby Brown, Joe Narok, Scott
Hornbeck, Dave Gerard, Charlie Rose, Jr., Larry Pregent, Grant Hilfiger.
Strictly Stock Heldover Feature Finish: Dave Gerard, Ron Irvin, Scott
Hornbeck, Mike Deyo, Jay Smalley, George Decker, Bobby Brown, Charlie Rose,
Joe Narok, Larry Pregent.