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1/17/2009
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BILLY PAUCH
SCORES IMPRESSIVE
ATLANTIC CITY INDOOR WIN |
Billy Pauch has scored well over 600 feature wins in his career.
And Friday night at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall, Pauch of
Frenchtown, N.J., added one to his stellar list as he claimed the TQ
Midget/600 cc Micro Sprint feature, which served as a preliminary for
Saturday night’s Gambler’s Classic.
It was Pauch’s second career win indoors at Atlantic City. He has a
previous win in a 20-lap feature.
This time, though, Pauch beat one of the best on the indoor circuit
as Lou Cicconi Jr., who became the first driver to break the eight-second
bracket in Thursday’s qualifying, finished in the second spot.
“Lou is always tough at these indoor races,” Pauch said. “Boy, we
sure did make a race out of it.”
Actually, Pauch was the talk of the night.
At the start of the first heat race, Pauch was involved in a first
turn skirmish, which ended with his car upside down. The car was rolled on
its wheels and Pauch proceeded to complete the main event, earning a
feature-qualifying spot in the process.
Pauch started in the third position behind front-row starters Rudy
Boetticher and Jeff Heotzler.
He ran in second until a lap three restart, which found Heotzler
regaining the runner-up spot. It was short-lived, as Pauch got a great start
on the lap five restart.
Boetticher got loose on the ninth round, which allowed Pauch to
grab the top spot.
Despite having the lead, it was far from over as Cicconi, who started sixth
in the 20-car field, moved into the runner-up spot on lap 12 and pressured
Pauch immediately.
A caution on lap 13 tightened the field and despite frequent
attempts to get the lead, Cicconi was unsuccessful.
Mike Lichty, in fact, got by Cicconi for the second position on lap
18, but those spots were reversed on lap 23.
Cicconi made every threat to get the lead over the final two laps,
but Pauch didn’t waver in his victory.
Pauch can win the Behrent’s Bonus if he elects to start 12th in
Saturday night’s feature field and claims in the 40-lap Gambler’s Classic.
The top 12 finishers will draw for their starting positions during
Saturday’s Ms. Motorsports 2009 pageant, which is taking place at the AC
Convention Center.
Cicconi, Heath Hehnly, Jon Holmquist, James Michael Friesen and
Mike Tidaback won heat races.
Nick Herriven, Andrew Berkholder, Norm Hynes and Tyler Robertson
won heat races for the Champ Karts.
Gary Hieber, Ricky Yetter and Billy Weaver won heat races for the
Briggs and Stratton Slingshots.
 Action kicks up Saturday at 6:30 p.m. with Fanfest. The TQ/600 cc
Micro Sprint Eliminator is scheduled at 7:30, followed by four transfer
races, Slingshot feature, Champ Kart feature and the 40-lap Gambler’s
Classic.
During the day on Saturday the huge Motorsports 2009 Race Car &
Trade Show continues at the nearby Atlantic City Convention Center. The
shows opens at 10 a.m and continues until 7 p.m. Just about everything
imaginable in motorsports can be found at the show which includes FREE
autograph sessions for top name racers and personalities in the sport. The
popular U.S. Tobacco Ms. Motorsports Pageant and Kid’s Big Wheel Competition
takes place during the day.
Information can be had at 609.449.3920.
TQ Midget/600 cc Micro Sprint Feature Finish, 25 Laps: 1.
Billy Pauch; 2. Lou Cicconi Jr.; 3. Mike Lichty; 4. Jeff Heotzler; 5.
Stewart Friesen; 6. Mike Tidaback; 7. Matt Janisch; 8. Joseph Lord Jr.; 9.
Heath Hehnly; 10. Tim Proctor; 11. Ryan Smith; 12. Chris Arnold; 13. James
Michael Friesen; 14. Greg Cable; 15. Amanda Quinones; 16. Rudy Boetticher;
17. Timex Morgan; 18. Alex Bright; 19. John Payne; 20. Jon Holmquist.
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Source: Ernie
Saxton Communications / Gambler's Classic 2009
Posted: January
17, 2009 |
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