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.
Source: Len Sammons
Productions PR
Posted:
January 15, 2009
