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Accord, New York - Mike Ricci Flawless in Opening Night Triumph
By Steve Pados, Accord Media
After two consecutive weeks of weather induced cancellations, the 2007 racing season at Accord Speedway kicked off in spectacular fashion Friday night as 150 plus cars signed in to do battle, a packed house filled the grandstands, and great racing in all divisions, made the celebration of "Cinco de Mayo" at the speedway, an opening night to remember.
Promoter Gary Palmer had the 1/4 mile dirt bullring in tip-top shape for the opening night of racing, highlighted by the 27 Modified cars that signed in, all hoping to latch onto the $2,000.00 prize being offered to the winner of the 50 lap feature event.
Defending track champion Mike Ricci, followed his brother Rich and Robbie Green for the first 22 laps of the main event, and occasionally showed signs of testing different parts of the track to see if he could find the way around the two 55 numbered race cars. A lap 22 restart allowed Mike to pull alongside of his younger brother and as the green flag waved on the restart, the pair took off with Green in hot pursuit. At the halfway sign, Mike taking advantage of the quicker outside lane, shot into the lead, and led the rest of the way to capture his initial win of the season.
Rich Ricci Jr held on to take runner-up honors, Jeff Hoetzler brought the Big Block powered Atlas Paving car home in third, in a great drive, Robbie Green finished fourth in his initial outing in the Gary Mann owned 55 and the charging Tom Hindley brought the Smykla Trucking 17H home in fifth.
Mike Senecal wired the field for the Sportsman win while David Bush, Jerry Craig, Jesse Marks and David Coene followed closely behind to round out the top five finishers.
The Spec-Sportsman feature was won by Phil Recchio as he too wired the field in a great run. Danny Conklin and Greg Hastie chased Recchio the checkered flag. Bill Rion won in the Pure Stocks, even though he was pressured all the way by Mike Deyo and Bob Gibson.
Rob Rowe started the Pro Stock feature in 13th position and slowly worked his way to the front. With just a couple of laps remaining in the feature he began to apply a ton of pressure on early race leader John Roese, and worked his way past Roese in what proved to be a very popular win for the Walden, New York campaigner.
Scott Goodrich made his first start in his new car a successful one as he wired the field in the Mini Sprint feature despite constant pressure from the 2006 Champion Clint Roehrs, who was in his familiar 48 car sponsored by the Apple Greens Golf Course. 2005 Champion John Lieto returned to action, recovered from an early spin and charged back through the field to finish and impressive third with Hank Katz and Todd Lapp completing the top five.
In the 4 cylinder event, Mike Houghtaling won over Dan Curry
MUDPLUGS:
Richie Eurich brought in his signature #10 Collier Motorcar Sponsored big block car and finished 12th. It was Richie's first time back to Accord since 1968. Other big block cars included the 66 of Hoetzler and the 97 of Higbie.
Jerry Curry, a top campiagner over at the now closed White Lake facility, showed he was very adaptable to the Accord dirt surface as he posted a 17th in his first outing at the speedway.
The Robbie Fairweather crew worked to capacity to repair the 44x after a heat tangle. Robbie was creditied with a 19th in the final rundown. Danny Creeden was victimized by a tangle in the Sportsman feature as he was making his bid with the leaders, sending the 16X to the sidelines.
The "Young Outlaw" Justin Barger was aboard the team 39 Team car to Peter Sindt and showed signs of racing with the leaders until being felled by mechanical woes.
Race Night Sponsor, Apple Greens Golf Course were pleased with the two second places of the cars they sponsor at the speedway with Ricci Jr and Roehrs both finishing their features in the runner-up slots.
Racing continues at Accord this coming week, May 11th, sponsored in part by Provident Bank. Racing for all divisions, plus four cylinder enduro racing. Pit gates open at 4:30, Spectator gates at 5, Hot Laps are at 6:30 and the racing is set to begin at 7. For additional information regarding the racing at Accord Speedway, log on to their website at:
www.accordspeedway.com or call the speedway hotline at: 845 626 3478. The weekend begins at Accord.
Modified: Mike Ricci, Rich Ricci Jr, Jeff Hoetzler, Robbie Green, Tom Hindley,
John McGill, Dom Roselli, Andy Bachetti, Jackie Brown Jr, Jerry Higbie,
Rick Mill, Rich Eurich, Scott Ferrier, Mike Sabia, Kevin Duryea, Mel Shrufer,
Jerry Curry, Mark Pullen, Robbie Fairweather Jr, John Lutes Jr
Pro Stock: Rob Rowe, John Roese, Don Williams, Bill Deak Jr, Scott Mill, Charlie
Houghtaling, Emerson Cargain Jr, Adam Douglas, Rich Lepolt, Leon
Shauger, James Devitt, Scott Liese, Charlie Swartz Jr, Norbert Bracklow,
John Hager, Larry Temple Jr, George Christiana, Kenny Atkins, John Rood
Mini Sprints: Scott Goodrich, Clint Roehrs, John Lieto, Hank Katz, Todd Lapp,
Brian Pompanio, Bob Lynt, Peter Sindt, Tim Durland, Ralph Utter Jr,
Mark Guerard, Gary Reyer, Justin Barger, Will Casazza, Jimmy
Broderick, Mark Rogers, Phil Beesmer, JD Casazza, Mike Goodnow,
Kevin Horton
Sportsman: Mike Senecal, David Bush, Jerry Craig, Jesse Marks, David Coene,
John Sundlof, Erik Holmgren, Ken Ferrier, Keith VanOyan, Justin
Holland, Steve Meilleur, Danny Tyler, Paul Minton, Howard Jarvis,
Steve Krom, Danny Creeden, Joe Giachinta, Ray See Jr, Greg Hocking,
Doc Young
Spec Sportsman: Phil Recchio, Dan Conklin, Greg Hastie, Jeremy Quick, Vinnie
Vinny DeCicco, Jeff Hager, Jeff Richardson, Jason Thew, Burt
Irwin Jr, Hawley Smith, Jamie House, Eddie Burgess, Steve
Eubanks, Amanda House, Danny Cross, Eddie Drake
Pure Stocks: Bill Rion, Mike Deyo, Bob Gibson, Paul Aragon Jr, Gary Ronk, Bill
Judge, Ryan Coon, Don Coon, Richard Stickle, Scott Ackerly, Mike
Skelly, Jason Chevalier, John Woinoski, James DeCicco III, Lee
Gallant, Kyle Wright, Tom Johnson, Don J. Williams, Bill Bulson,
Joe Judge, Bill Merten, Steve Smalley, Kyle Plumstead
WL 4 Cylinders: Mike Houghtaling, Dan Curry, Goggles Pisano, Bert Long
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