Cicconi wins, Myers injured in Super Modifieds visit to Ace

April 16, 2011 3:04 AM

ALTAMAHAW — Lou Cicconi actually had time to collect his thoughts as the Midwest Supermodifieds Association rocketed around Ace Speedway.

A comfortable lead afforded that rare opportunity during Friday night’s high-speed show.

“Once I got out front I was pacing myself because I didn’t want to use it up,” he said later, referring to his No. 49 car while soaking up the atmosphere of Victory Lane.

Cicconi gained control on an early restart and bolted away to win the 50-lap feature for the Midwest Super Modifieds, a touring series of powerful winged cars.

The driver from Aston, Pa., who some five hours earlier nearly established a track record with a qualifying lap of 13.251 seconds, led the final 36 laps.

Trent Stephens of Ravenna, Ohio, was the runner-up. Mark Sammut of Ontario placed third as fans packed the grandstands to watch the season opener for the circuit that’s primary based in Ohio.

“I got the five (laps) to go and I was like, ‘All right, probably should try something’ and I was a little bit too far away,” Stephens said.

“A great race from my point of view. Had a big turnout. It was pretty nice racing in front of a big crowd the first race of the year.”

Sammut’s No. 78 car led eight laps before Cicconi took command.

Bobby Dawson of South Amherst, Ohio, came in fourth. Joey Scanlon of Salem, N.H., finished fifth.

Meanwhile, a scary situation snuffed out Burt Myers’ much-anticipated Super Modifieds debut nearly as quickly as it began — and landed the star driver in the hospital.

The reigning champion of Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem and the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, who would have carried a proverbial banner as the only competitor from the Southeast in Friday’s main event, was ensnared in a fiery wreck on his second practice lap.

Myers, piloting the No. 52 car owned by Super Modifieds president Randy Burch, crashed hard into a portion of Ace’s concrete outside wall between turns one and two.

The car, while disintegrating and catching on fire, hopped airborne, knocking down some billboards and melting other signs stationed above the concrete outside wall.

Ace general manager Brad Allen said track personnel needed 90 minutes to clean up and perform repairs to the fencing.

What remained of the destroyed Super Modifieds car was scooped into pieces and hauled away. Myers, suffering from possible broken ribs, was taken to Alamance Regional Medical Center.

Ever since the announcement that the Supermodifieds would be at Ace Speedway (NC) in the spring of 2011, it has been the talk of many conversations throughout the racing community. This much anticipated event sanctioned by the Midwest Supermodified Association (MSA) presented by Town Money Saver will be a first time visit to Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, NC for the group. A 50 lap feature event await the winged warriors for their April 15 date, as the NC show will be the MSA 2011 opening date of a 13 race schedule. As both the race promoters and the MSA officials have been hard at work to put this event together, many new additions and announcements are ready for both the racers and the eager race fans.

Two driver announcements that have come on board for this event will be the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour drivers of Teddy Christopher, from Plainville Conn., and NASCAR Whelen Southern Tour driver Burt Myers, from Walnut Grove NC. Both Christopher and Myers are well known and respected throughout the racing community for their aggressive style of racing with several checkered flags and Championships under their belt. Christopher will be wheeling a brand new car for car owner Clyde Booth. Christopher won an ISMA event last year at Berlin (MI) in the Clyde Booth No. 61 car. Myers will drive the No. 52 car owned by Randy and Rhonda Burch. For Myers it will be a whole new ball game as he has never driven a Supermodified before.

“Well, it’s called a Supermodified, so it speaks a lot,” said Myers the 2010 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Champion. “I first saw these cars at Concord (NC) a few years back and they where two-and-a-half seconds faster than my Modified. I am pretty sure I am going to enjoy it. The race Promoter Chad Kepley called me and wanted to know if I wanted to drive one. I just said as long as it is a good and safe car, heck yes. I am looking forward to it, the faster the better,” finished the 35 year-old racing veteran Myers.

Myers has captured eight wins on the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour and is the Tour’s all time pole winner with 23 poles to his name. He was also the youngest ever Bowman Gray Stadium (NC) track Champion in 1999. In all he has 44 feature Modified wins at Bowman Gray and four track titles. Winning the last two NASCAR Whelen Southern Tour Mod races of 2010 allowed him to capture the series Championship. Burt is also the winner of the 2008 and 2009 North South Shootout Modified races at Concord (NC) Speedway.

Myers has enjoyed success in the past at Ace Speedway. In 2005 he sat on the pole for two NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified races and winning one of those events. Say’s Myers, “Ace is actually about a 4/10 of a mile track. Turns one and two are tight, while three and four are swooping turns. The track is tight for good competition, yet wide enough for good passing,” noted Myers.

“We are really excited about having Burt in the car,” said MSA president and car owner Randy Burch. “This is going to be a great addition to the MSA for this race. Hopefully it will lead to more for Burt in the future with the Supers. Everyone is excited, hopefully a huge turnout of fans, as I am sure it will be a great race. We at the MSA are looking forward to this event,” finished Burch.

Race promoters Chad and Charles Kepley have been hard at it as well. The Father Son team that forms C&C Racing Promotions has three key announcements to pass along. For the racers, this will be a televised event as the FOX South Network will be doing the coverage. For the fans it is a can’t lose deal. The Ramada Inn will be offering rooms for up to four people for just $55, and the Best Western Hotel will be offering rooms for up to four people for just $69 per night, with a hot breakfast included in that price, both in Burlington NC . Another key deal and a race fans dream come true, for just $30 you can buy a pre-sale combination ticket for both the Ace Speedway MSA show April 15th and the South Boston (VA) Speedway double header show the next day, April 16th, featuring the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour and the K&N NASCAR East Pro Series. For questions or further information visit online at northsouthshootout.com or call 336-442-4317.