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1/17/2009
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LIQUID LOU CALLS
OUT STEWART AFTER
ATLANTIC CITY FAST TIME ATLANTIC CITY |
Lou Cicconi Jr. is known for his expertise of mastering indoor racing
circles.So it wasn’t much of a surprise when the Aston, Pa., driver posted a
record-lap of 8.982 seconds in Thursday night’s TQ Midget/600 cc Micro
Sprint time trials at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall, topping a field of
more than 95 cars that registered time. Cicconi did have one question after
the first eight-second lap turned on the indoor oval.
“Where’s Tony?,” asked Cicconi. Cicconi was asking the whereabouts
of NASCAR Sprint Car Series racer Tony Stewart, a good friend and indoor
racing competitor.
Just three weeks ago, Cicconi was leading a preliminary feature
race at the Rumble Series event in Ft. Wayne , Ind. , when Cicconi was
bumped from the lead and Stewart went on to win. Cicconi rebounded the
following night and won the Midget Car main event.
Not only did Cicconi grab the fast time, but his team car, which is
driven by Bobby Santos III, posted the second-fastest lap with a time of
9.299. Mike Lichty was third in 9.342, Stewart Friesen was third in 9.362,
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ted Christopher was fifth in 9.420 and
dirt Modified expert Billy Pauch was sixth in 9.460.
“It’s awesome to come out like that and set fast time, plus get the
top two spots,” Cicconi said. “Bobby’s a good race car driver, and he didn’t
need any advice from me. I’m real proud of him.
”In Briggs and Stratton Slingshot qualifying, Michael Butler of Milford ,
N.J. , posted a fast lap of 10.722 seconds. He earned a $100 bonus named in
honor the late Dick “Toby” Tobias.
Butler topped Shannon Smith (10.773), Anthony Perrego (10.836),
Rick Laubach (10.874), Ryan Godown (10.985) and Willy Evernham (11.120).
Both Laubach and Godown are experienced dirt Modified drivers,
while Evernham is the nephew of Ryan Evernham.
Coby Cresssinger of Selinsgrove, Pa., set fast time in the Champ
Karts with a lap of 10.106 seconds. He received a $50 bonus.
Justin Bonsignore was second in 10.132, followed by defending race
champion Chris Daley (10.221), David Pantanella (10.281), Ryan Kendall
(10.304) and John Hillman (10.328).
Racing action begins Friday at 7:30, which includes a TQ/600 cc
Micro Sprint heats and an Eliminator race, Champ Kart heats, Slingshot heats
and a 20-lap main event for the TQ/600 cc Micro Sprints.
The Gambler’s Classic culminates on Saturday evening with a TQ/600
Eliminator race, transfer events and main events for all classes.
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Source: Jerry
Reigle / Gambler's Classic 2009
Posted: January
17, 2009 |
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