Dirt Modified Racer Mike Iles Wins Providence Indoor TQ Midget Race
Providence, RI — Mike Iles of Medford, N.J., pulled off a huge upset Friday night at the Dunkin Donuts Center by claiming the 20-lap TQ Midget feature race.
Iles is the defending Modified champion at the dirt 5/8th-mile Bridgeport Speedway.
Iles made history with the win at the Dunkin Donuts Center as the race was the first held in Rhode Island in 50 years.
“It is very cool to win in Rhode Island since the state hasn’t had a race in so long,” Iles said. “It is a real honor.”
TQ Midget star Joey Payne of Fairlawn, N.J., finished second, while Ryan Smith of Kunkletown, Pa., was third, Timex Morgan of Rochester, N.Y., was fourth and Matt Roselli of Broadheadsville, Pa., completed the top five spots.
Although Iles was fast and captured the main event, a crash on lap 16 ultimately changed the complexion of the race itself.
Lou Cicconi Jr., a top name on the indoor Midget Car racing circuit, was running in the second spot and pressuring Iles for the lead when a water line broke and sent his car and others into the wall in turn one.
Cicconi’s car crashed and collected many other front runners including cars driven by Matt Janisch, multi-time NASCAR Modified champion Mike Stefanik, defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ted Christopher, Mike Lichty and Jeff Heotzler.
Heotzler, a dirt Modified ace, got out of his car under his own power but he was later transported to a nearby hospital for observation.
Prior to the big crash on lap 16, Iles was leading after he passed Janisch for the lead position on the backstretch.
“I love racing this TQ Midget indoors,” Iles said. “We race on the big track on dirt, but this indoor stuff keeps you sharp.”
Iles also praised Cicconi in the post-race interview session.
“Lou and his father helped with a lot with the set-up of the car,” Iles said. “Although I own this car, it is a Hyper Chassis that Lou designed so much of the credit has to go to him.”
Heat race action went to Cicconi, Iles, Ian Cumens and Lichty. Jeff Kot and Chris Haskell won the consolation races. Cicconi posted a fast lap speed of 8.6325 seconds.
Chris Daley of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., captured the 20-lap Champ Kart, while Justin Bonsignore, Ron Milford Jr., Eric Zeh and George Bark Jr. completed the top five.
Daley and Bonsignore won the Champ Kart heat races.
Racing action continues Saturday with the second night of action. A complete show of TQ Midget and Champ Kart fills the card.
TQ Midget Car Feature Finish, 20 Laps: 1. Mike Iles; 2. Joey Payne; 3. Ryan Smith; 4. Timex Morgan; 5. Matt Roselli; 6. Jeff Kot; 7. Don Zrinski; 8. Ian Cumens; 9. Ted Christopher; 10. Lou Cicconi Jr.; 11. Matt Janisch; 12. Jeff Heotzler; 13. Mike Stefanik; 14. Mike Lichty; 15. Alison Cumens; 16. Richie Coy Jr.; 17. Christopher Allen Jr.; 1. Tim Adams; 19. Bobby Santos III; 20. Joe Lord Jr.
Champ Kart Feature Finish, 20 Laps: 1. Chris Daley; 2. Justin Bonsignore; 3. Ron Milford Jr.; 4. Eric Zeh; 5. George Bark Jr.; 6. Tammy Smith; 7. Tim Buckwalter; 8. Jay Dimons; 9. Dennis Perry; 10. Andrew Swisher; 11. Nick Hadden; 12. Clinton Mills; 13. Paul McCollum; 14. Bryan Ray; 15. Evan Beaulieu; 16. Ryan Arsenault; 17. Tyler Robertson; 18. Andrew Hutchinson; 19. John Hillman; 20. TJ Laro.
Sources: Gerry Reigle/Providence Indoor Race PR