“IRON” MIKE RICCI STEALS THE SHOW WITH FIRST ACCORD SPEEDWAY TRIUMPH

Accord, NY- "Iron" Mike Ricci Steals The Show With First Accord Speedway Triumph
By: Steve Pados, Accord Speedway Media

The East Coast flirted with temperatures in the mid 90's for most of the week and as this writer stepped out of his car the temperature read 96 degrees on the dashboard. Nevertheless, the Catskill Mountains came alive on Friday evening and a great band of loyal racing fans came out to witness a seven feature race card presented by Ruge's GM Parts Center located in Red Hook, New York. Speedway Promoters Gary and Donna Palmer had the speedway grounds in pristine condition and the great track work prep by Gary Palmer presented the drivers with a smooth and super quick racing surface to thrill the racing fans. Behrent's Speed Center sponsored the Checkered Flag Bonus on Friday night. The seven feature event race card was completed at 10:30 PM.

When all was said and done, "Iron" Mike Ricci, who despite being winless was leading the Modified points, put his right foot to the floor and captured his first win of the season in the United Pump and Tank Modified division. "The Otisville Outlaw" Corey Cormier was a man on a mission as he drove a fine race to capture his first win of the season in the Healey Brothers Group Sportsman headliner. Travis Brockner withstood a ton of challenges to emerge victorious for his second win of the season in the Arkel Motors Pure Stock finale. Tighe Sherlock put together another masterful ride to race to his third win of the season in the Ruge's Parts Center Rookie Sportsman shootout. "The Layton Laser" Brody Adamsky had a fast hot rod underneath him as he raced to his third victory of the season in the Ruge's Performance Center NEWS Sprint encounter. Samantha Muller captured her sixth win of the season in the the Want Ad Digest Slingshot main event even though she expired an engine before the event was completed. John Kendall had the hot ticket as he drove to his fourth consecutive win of the season in the WRWD Radio Junior Slingshot finale.

The Modified field came down for the start of the 30-lap main event with Brett Graham getting the edge from Ed Dachenhausen and Joe Judge as the trio raced through turns one and two. Graham was smooth wherever he placed the race car and began to drive away from the field. Mike Ricci, starting ninth, was quick in traffic and soon wrestled his way into the top five. Ahead of him were last week's feature winner Anthony Perrego and Danny Creeden, who is on a current hot streak wherever he competes. Lots of green flag racing had Graham way out front by ten car lengths and Dachenhausen unable to close the gap.

Ricci worked his way past Perrego and then Creeden and slipped into the runner-up role behind Dachenhausen, whom Ricci would pass one later to set sail for Graham. With slower cars in front of the leader Graham, Ricci quickly bought up all of the real estate in front of him and went nose to tail with Graham for one lap before a baseline move in turn three put Ricci at the head of the class. Ricci went on to claim the win with Creeden second, Graham third, Perrego fourth and Dachenhausen completing the top five. The second five had Brad Rothaupt, Danny Tyler, Joe Judge, Jesse Marks and Corey Lowitt completing the top ten.

Corey Cormier found a burst of energy down the backstretch and seized command of the Healey Brothers Group Sportsman event on lap one. All eyes were on Cormier as he quickly drove away from the field and built up a tremendous lead. On lap eleven a four car scramble involving Phil Goetchius, Nick Johnson Dana Carey and Leo Fotopolous brought the race to a halt. Only Fotopolous was able to continue. Cormier lost the huge advantage he enjoyed but on the restart he quickly broke away once again and five laps later another caution came out involving Vinnie Gress. The restart had Cormier at the point but now eight time winner Jimmie Wells was knocking on the door. Cormier, a rookie in Sportsman racing this year, kept his cool and his poise as he held off Wells time and time again and raced to his first win in the regular Sportsman division. Cormier did enjoy one Rookie win before moving into the division. Wells was second with Nick Plumstead borrowing a Mike DuBois racer finishing third, the returning Kevin Ward in fourth and Brandon McGill continuing his great work for another top five finish. Milton Mann headed up the second five with Leo Fotopolous recovering from the earlier incident to finish seventh and Collin DuBois, Ralph Ronk and Vinnie Gress completing the top ten.

The Ruge's Parts Center Rookie Sportsman event had Tighe Sherlock blasting into the lead from his pole start. Sherlock wasted no time in vaulting out to a huge lead. A couple of restarts would bring the field back together but Sherlock was up to the task to hold the field at bay and he would race to his third win of the season. Matt Shultz was second in a fine drive with Jim Kraus third, Chris Van Duser fourth and Jason Feinberg finishing fight. The remainder of the finishers included Ryan McCartney, Sarah Smith and RJ Daley.

The Ruge's Performance Center NEWS Sprint car feature attraction had Brody Adamsky jumping out front at the start with Heidi Hedin taking up the chase. Hedin's bid would end early as she caught the inside Redi Rock and damaged the front rend of her racer. The restart found Adamsky racing away and leading the remainder of the laps to claim his third win of the season. Jesse James Bartleson and Andrew Davis followed.

Pole sitter Harry Bachman wasted no time in seizing control of the Arkel Motors Pure Stock feature attraction as he won the battle for the lead in turn one from Mike DuBois Jr. Bachman would lead the first five laps before yielding to the high flying Travis Brockner as Brockner found the top of the raceway to his liking and he glued himself to the top shelf for the remainder of the event. Brockner would race to his second win of the season as he withstood a solid rally by Bob Sleight to accomplish his mission. Sleight settled for runner-up honors with Livy Johnson, Steve Williams and Ray Tarantino completing the top five. Mike DuBois Jr headed up the second five with Harry Bachman, Curt Ayers, Steve Kanuk and the returning Dan Knoth following.

"The Hurricane" Hunter Lapp blasted out front at the drop of the green flag and led the first two laps before yielding to John Kendall. Kendall would lead the rest of the way to earn his fourth consecutive win of the season in the WRWD Radio Junior Slingshots. Hunter Lapp, Jake Mason and Ashton DeWitt completed the field.

The All Star Slingshot main had Samantha Muller the lone entrant and she raced until the halfway point of the event before expiring a motor but still winning the event for her sixth win of the season.

GEMSTONES:

Kudos to Gary Palmer for working right up until race time to have the track in superb condition for the evening. A short shower raced through the area prior to race time adding to the prep time for Gary Palmer. Kudos also to Race Director Dave Rocket and Staff for a high quality quickly run program.

Heat races were run off quickly and Sportsman heat wins went to Brandon McGill and Phil Goetchius. Matt Shultz captured the Rookie Sportsman heat event. Modified heats were claimed by Danny Creeden, Anthony Perrego and Brad Rothaupt. Samantha Muller in the All Stars and John Kendall in the Juniors were victorious in the Slingshot heats. Bob Sleight and Livy Johnson were triumphant in the Pure Stock heat encounters and Brody Adamsky captured the NEWS Sprint Car heat event.

New cars and new faces dotted the Accord landscape on Friday evening as Rob Rowe returned to the Accord scene with his Modified race car. "Mr Excitement" Kevin Ward and a reigning champion returned and enjoyed a solid run fourth place finish after starting fifteenth. Middle School Teacher in Japan, Dana Carey is back in the states and brought out his Gary Weyant Sponsored hot rod but was involved in a skirmish that put him out of the competition. Gary will be racing until Mid August when he returns to Japan. Dan Knoth made his first Accord in almost a year and borrowed Tom Hausman's hot rod to do so.

The evening of racing excitement was sponsored by Ruge's GM Parts Center located in Red Hook, New York and they supply GM, Chrysler, Subaru parts for passenger, light truck and SUV's throughout a five state area with more than 35,000 parts on inventory at all times. The phone number to reach them is: 845-876-1090, the toll free number is: 1-800-343-RUGE. and their extensive website is: www.rugesparts.com

The always popular annual Camera & Autograph Night will take place next Friday, July 29th, on United Pump & Tank night at the speedway. After the heat racing is completed, the fans will be allowed onto the racetrack to visit with their favorite drivers for autographs and driver interviews will be conducted trackside.

RESULTS:

United Pump & Tank Modifieds: Mike Ricci, Danny Creeden, Brett Graham, Anthony Perrego, Ed Dachenhausen, Brad Rothaupt, Danny Tyler, Joe Judge, Jesse Marks, Corey Lowitt, Scott Ferrier, Ken Ferrier, Richie Eurich, Chad Loiodice, Randy Green, Rob Rowe, Mark Pullen, Lenny Helmich, Tyler Treacy

Healey Brothers Group Sportsman: Corey Cormier, Jimmy Wells, Nick Plumstead, Kevin Ward, Brandon McGill, Milton Mann, Leo Fotopolous, Collin DuBois, Ralph Ronk, Vinnie Gress, Phil Goetchius, Dana Carey, Nick Johnson, Chris Stevens, Connor Otten

Ruge's Performance Center NEWS Sprint Cars: Brody Adamsky, Jesse James Bartleson, Andrew Davis, Heidi Hedin

Arkel Motors Pure Stocks: Travis Brockner, Bob Sleight, Livy Johnson, Steve Williams, Ray Tarantino, Mike DuBois Jr, Harry Bachman, Curt Ayers, Steve Kanuk, Dan Knoth, James Goetchius

Ruges Parts Center Rookie Crate Sportsman: Tighe Sherlock, Matt Shultz, Jim Kraus, Chris Van Duser, Jason Feinberg, Ryan McCartney, Sarah Smith, RJ Daley

Want AD Digest All Star Slingshots: Samantha Muller

WRWD Radio Junior Slingshots: John Kendall, Hunter Lapp, Jake Mason, Ashton Dewitt

Racing is on tap every Friday night at Accord Speedway from April through September. Pit Gates open at 4:30; Spectator Gates open at 5:00; Hot Laps are at 6:30 and the racing begins at 7 PM. Admission for Adults $14.00; Seniors (65+) $12.00; Children $3.00 (11+ under) Indoor Seating $20.00; Family four pack special: 2 Adults + 2 Children and $20.00 in Accord Bucks for $44.00 (a savings of $10.00) Special event shows do have an increase in admission.

Next week, Friday, July 29th is United Pump & Tank Night at the speedway with all divisions ready to do battle and the always popular Camera and Autograph session for the fans.

For further updates and information regarding all of the news and additions to the Accord Speedway, log on to their well documented website at: http://www.accordspeedway.com or call the speedway hotline at: 845 626 3478.
At the Accord Speedway............................................

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