MIKE RICCI BRINGS ACCORD SEASON TO A CLOSE WITH A VICTORY
By: Brett Deyo
ACCORD, NY- Bringing to a close by far the best year of his racing career, veteran Mike Ricci of Rosendale, NY picked up the victory in the 30-lap DIRT 358 Modified season finale last Friday night at Accord Speedway.
After a mid race tangle with Robbie Green while battling for the lead, Ricci held off a determined Rick Mill for the $1,000 triumph, his 17th trip to victory lane this season at various speedways across the Northeast.
By virtue of his win in the first heat race, it was Mike Ricci leading the 17-car field to the green flag, and he jumped into the lead with the completion of the first go round. Fourth starting Rob Green, running the extreme high side of the track, burst into the runner up spot on the third lap, and three circuits later, powered around Ricci for the number one position.
On lap 7, a returning BK Rizzo spun in turn two, bringing out the caution flag and setting up a chain of restarts that slowed the mid portions of the event dramatically. During this time, Green and Ricci traded the lead on three occasions before Green regained the position on the fourteenth go round with a daring pass off of the second turn.
One lap later, Ricci was able to snatch the lead back away in his Ricci's Barber Shop No. 76 Teo Pro Car while Green again mounted a charge on the high side. On the 17th circuit, Green pulled even with Ricci on the frontstretch, sparking off a wild side by side battle that resulted in a controversial tangle between the leaders.
Entering turn one on the 20th lap, the two cars made heavy contact, sending Green's No. 69 spinning in front of the field with heavy front suspension damage. After going airborne, Ricci was able to continue on with just bent sheet metal. Officials decided that the incident was just a product of hard racing, and Ricci was able to remain in the lead, this time with ninth starter Rick Mill on his bumper for the restart.
Mill made several challenges for the position over the final ten laps, but he was unable to get around Ricci, who held on for his sixth Accord victory of the season.
"That was a tough race," Ricci commented. "Rob and I were racing hard there and we got together in the corner. When you're running that close, it's tough not to make contact."
He concluded, "It was just hard racing."
For Mill, his stellar championship season came to a close with a runner up effort, ahead of Rich Ricci, Jr. Papa Rich Ricci, Sr. took the wheel for the first time this season in one of the team's back up cars and raced to a fourth place finish. Jim Halpin completed the front five.
In a truly dominant performance, Jim Winchell of Stone Ridge, NY won the 25-lap DIRT Sportsman main event. Starting from the pole, Winchell pulled away to a near half track lead in the final laps of the event aboard his C&J Self Storage No. 17.
Several caution flags early in the race gave multi time feature winner Scott Ferrier a shot at the lead, but Winchell was just too strong and the 2000 track champion fought off all challenges for his fourth victory of the season.
Ferrier finished a solid second in the WWF No. 20, while Rich Coons posted a fine run in third spot, charging from deep in the field to secure the position. Chuck Thomaschek held on for fourth, while Craig "Hollywood" Mitchell raced from 13th starting spot to fifth in the No. 93X.
Tommy Kuck of Mahopac, NY continued his dominance of the speedway with a green to checkered victory in the 20-lap Street Stock feature. In five appearances at the track in 2001, the veteran Kuck picked up four feature wins and one second place effort. Following him across the stripe were TJ Pasko, Danny Hedges, Jim Cronk and Ken Hartshorn.
In a rough and tumble 15-lap Mini Sprint main, Joe Sanfilippo earned his first ever Accord win in his No. 17. Tony Montesi was second, ahead of local favorite Todd Lapp, Duby Woodruff and the personable Brian Burns.
For the first time this season, Charging Charlie Rose raced to victory in the Strictly Stock main event. One of the true colorful characters at the speedway, Rose, of Accord, NY led from the drop of the green in the 15-lap main. Mike Deyo was a strong second, ahead of Chris Meola, Joe Narok and William Landrum.
Joe Narok won the 25-lap Enduro, which featured a lot of wild action. Narok fought off Jeff Hager for the win. Lisa Schoonmaker drove to victory in the 12-lap Powder Puff.
The event concluded the inaugural season under the management of Gary and Donna Palmer. The Palmer family would like to thank all the fans and competitors who supported the track and made the 2001 season such an overwhelming success. Information on the banquet will be made available in the coming weeks.
On a personal note, I would like to thank the Palmer family for the opportunities that they granted me this season and all the drivers, pit crews and fans who supported my efforts. It made for a truly enjoyable season. Thank you!
DIRT 358 Modified Feature Finish: Mike Ricci, Rick Mill, Rich Ricci, Jr., Rich Ricci, Sr., Jim Halpin, Donnie Ackner, Jack Gentile, Jackie Brown, Jr., Robbie Green, BK Rizzo, Phil Recchio, Steve Walsh, Chris Moore, Joe Winne, Jr., Hank Goranson, Pete Booth, Eddie Haenelt.
Heat Winners: Mike Ricci and Chris Moore.
DIRT Sportsman Feature Finish: Jim Winchell, Scott Ferrier, Rich Coons, Chuck Thomaschek, Craig Mitchell, Jeff Carr, Ron Santosky, Alan Sturhann, Brian Ford, Howard Jarvis, Mike Houghtaling, Jim Secor, Steve Williams, Pete Gardiner, Tom DeMarmels.
Heat Winners: Chuck Thomaschek and Jim Winchell.
Street Stock Feature Finish: Tom Kuck, TJ Pasko, Danny Hedges, Jim Cronk, Ken Hartshorn, Jimmy Banks, Butch Winnie, Pete Goydich, Rich Colesanti, Jackie Brown, Jr., Steve Murray, Don Palmateer, Josh Henke, John Rood, Ray Williams, Ray See, Jr.
Heat Winners: Ray See, Jr. and Tom Kuck.
Strictly Stock Feature Finish: Charlie Rose, Jr., Mike Deyo, Chris Meola, Joe Narok, William Landrum, Paul Jordan, Emerson Cargain, Ray Tarantino, Leon Rexford, David Breed, Pete Weigand, Lars Petri, Greg Meola, Scott Hornbeck, Kevin Schlossareck.
Mini Sprint Feature Finish: Joe Sanfilippo, Tony Montesi, Todd Lapp, Duby Woodruff, Brian Burns, Steven Lapine, John Lieto, Glenn Grossjung, Rich Sennett, Joe Barbagallo.