Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – NEW PALTZ, NY – After a 2021 season that didn’t meet up to his expectations, Rich Ricci III will be back at it this season in the OCFS Small Block Modified division.
The youngest member in the long line of the Ricci racing family is looking for better results and to gain more experience on the 5/8ths House of Power oval.
“Last season, it seemed like I was always trying to keep up with the changing track conditions. But getting the chance to race OCFS often was a plus. With the schedule for this year, I will get a lot of time in the driver’s seat and that can only help.”
The Ricci family has been such a recognizable name in area dirt racing for decades, starting with Rich’s grandfather, Rich Ricci Sr. Sr’s sons, Mike and Rich Jr have been in Victory Lane many times. And Allison Ricci has been a fixture for many years at area tracks, recording some great finishes.
And now, Rich III wants to take the next step and be a contender.
“I really want to get running closer to the front this year. I’m hoping what I learned during the 2021 season will help us along in 2022. We will be racing the whole Orange County 358 schedule and maybe some races at Accord.”
Rich III already has a decade of racing experience. He has recorded wins in the Rookie Sportsman division at both Accord and OCFS. He races in the Modified division at Accord in 2019 and has some very good finishes, including a 2nd place feature finish.
Rich III states that he doesn’t try to pattern himself to any particular racer. But he says that he pays close attention to what’s going out on the track.
“I get my advice from my dad, he explains to me what lanes he thinks will work for me out there. I also like to watch the drivers like Stewart Friesen on how they move up in a race and what racing line might work the best. But the biggest thing is that I need to be more consistent and learn the changing track conditions.”
Sponsor’s for Rich III in 2022 are ESF Transport, Dean C Ale Excavating and H. Jarvis Contracting.
Rich III’s crew consists of grandfather Rich Sr, his dad Rich Jr, Kyle Dunham and girlfriend Katie Kortright.
Good luck in 2022 Rich Ricci III.