Liquid Lou Does it Again

Winning Gambler's Classic

2010

Chris DeRitis leads way in Qualifying

ATQMRA teams post five fastest times

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – January 31, 2010 . . .  Lou Cicconi Jr. joined some elite company by winning Saturday night’s Gambler’s Classic 40-lap TQ-Midget feature at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. The Aston, Pa., veteran became only the second driver in the eight year history of the race to have won the Gambler’s Classic twice. Cicconi, who collected $5000 for the 40-lap victory, won the event in 2006. Joey Payne is the only other driver to have won twice (2004 and 2007).

“It’s all because of the crew,” Cicconi said. “They work hard in giving me a great car. I love racing in this event, and I’m very proud that I won it with Tony Stewart here.”

Stewart made an unannounced visit to Boardwalk Hall to watch both nights of racing action.

Cicconi defeated Mike Stefanik of Coventry, R.I., while Stewart Friesen of Niagra-on-the-Lakes, Ontario, was third, Ryan Smith of Kunkletown, Pa. was fourth and Mike Lichty of Innerkip, Ontario, was fifth.

It appeared early in the main event as if Mike Tidaback had the upper hand over the field. Tidaback jumped into the lead over Friesen at the start of the race and led until he was involved in a multicar crash on lap seven.

Friesen inherited the lead as a result of the crash, while Smith, Stefanik and Cicconi followed closely behind.

Cicconi went into passing mode on the restart as he blitzed by Stefanik and Smith for third and second, respectively, on the restart.

Then, on lap 11, he passed Friesen for the top spot.

The race was stopped on lap 19 when a multi-car incident on the backstretch saw Tidaback’s car catch fire. Track personnel extinguished the fire and Tidaback escaped without serious injury. Other top drivers involved were Davey Hamilton, Mike Iles, Matt Janisch, Jeff Kot and Glenn Heverin.

Stefanik hounded Cicconi for a few circuits until he lost second to Friesen on lap 32. However, Friesen slid high in turn three, which allowed Stefanik to sneak under for the runner-up spot.

Heat races for the TQ-Midgets went to Chris DeRitis, Iles, Stefanik and Cicconi. Ian Cumens and Tim Adams won consolation events. Danny Shirey, Randy Cabral, Bruce Leote and Mike Lichty won semi-qualifying events.
 

TQ-Midget Feature Finish, 40 Laps: 1. Lou Cicconi Jr; 2. Mike Stefanik; 3. Stewart Friesen; 4. Ryan Smith; 5. Mike Lichty; 6. Joey Payne; 7. Russ Bailey; 8. Timex Morgan; 9. Ted Christopher; 10. Christopher Allen; 11. Don Zrinski; 12. Ian Cumens; 13. Steve Craig; 14. Rob Vivona; 15. Chris DeRitis; 16. Matt Janisch; 17. Mike Tidaback; 18. Davey Hamilton; 19. Mike Iles; 20. Jeff Kot; 21. Glenn Heverin; 22. Paul Lotier Jr.; 23. Robin Johnston; 24. Tim Adams; 25. Tim Buckwalter; 26. Billy Pauch

TC Wins Friday Night's Preliminary Feature

Defending Gamblers Classic champion Ted Christopher won a 30-lap three-quarter midget preliminary race Friday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Christopher will be the favorite in tonight's 40-lap Gamblers Classic, the main event of the two-day Atlantic City Indoor Race.

"I like my chances," Christopher said. "I didn't see anybody go as fast as us in the heat race. We'll see what the Gambler's Classic brings."

Billy Pauch of Frenchtown was second, followed by Stewart Friesen of Niagra-On-The-Lake, Ontario; Matt Janisch of Nazareth, Pa; and Ryan Smith of Kunkletown, Pa.

Joey Payne, a two-time Gamblers Classic champion, led the preliminary event early, but his car went out with mechanical problems on lap 19.

Tim Buckwalter finished sixth, Mike Tidaback seventh, Don Zrinski eighth, Joe Lord Jr. ninth and Chris Allen 10th.

The top eight are guaranteed starting spots in the Gambler's Classic.

Heat events winners for the TQ-Midgets went to Friesen; Lou Cicconi Jr., of Aston, Pa; Pauch; and Christopher.

Consolation races went to Chris DeRitis of Philadelphia, and Dan Dunigan Jr. of Jackson, Mich. DeRitis had the quickest lap in time trials with a lap time of 8.9098 seconds.

The slingshot qualifying race winners were Kyle Hieber of Langhorne, Pa.; Shannon Smith of Kunkletown, Pa; and Anthony Perrego of Montgomery, N.Y.

The Slingshot division will compete in the Herr's Snack Bowl 25 tonight. Paul Lotier Jr. of Lebanon, Pa. is the defending champion.

The champ kart qualifying race winners were Bobby Timmons of Windham, Maine; Norman Hynes of Lithicum Heights, Md; Evan Beaulieu of Durham, Maine; and Coby Cressinger of Selinsgrove, Pa.

The Champ Kart division will be in action tonight with the National Guard 25.

Preliminary action begins today at 4:30 p.m.

TQ Midget Feature Finish, 30 Laps

1. Ted Christopher; 2. Billy Pauch; 3. Stewart Friesen; 4. Matt Janisch; 5. Ryan Smith; 6. Tim Buckwalter; 7. Mike Tidaback; 8. Don Zrinski; 9. Joseph Lord Jr; 10. Chris Allen; 11. Justin Moensch; 12. Anthony Sesely; 13. Richie Coy; 14. Joey Payne; 15. Timex Morgan; 16. Steve Craig; 17. Lou Cicconi Jr; 18. Mike Stefanik; 19. Russ Bailey; 20. Dan Dunigan Jr; 21. Chris DeRitis; 22. Ian CUmens; 23. Rob Vivona; 24. Glenn Heverin.

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