Cicconi celebrates after Rumble victory

Tony Barhorst · 12/28/08, 3:15 AM

“Rumble in Fort Wayne,” Fort Wayne, Ind.
Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008

(NOTE: Results of all classes are on two other threads)

Cicconi has reason to celebrate after beating Stewart

By RON WARE
Classic Motorsports

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Lou Cicconi Jr. couldn’t wait to celebrate.

So he yanked the steering wheel, stomped the throttle and began a dizzying series of 360-degree spins -- right there in the middle of the second turn, no more than two seconds after the checkered flag waved, with traffic bearing down on him.

The 44-year-old East Coast standout reached a personal goal Saturday by beating NASCAR star Tony Stewart to win the 60-lap midget feature that capped the final night of the 11th annual “Rumble in Fort Wayne.”

Forget champagne. Cicconi wanted donuts.

“I was so excited,” the driver known as Liquid Lou said, still effervescent a half-hour later. “I’ve been thinking about this for a year -- beating Tony Stewart.”

Stewart, the winner here on Friday, finished nearly a third of a lap behind in a race that went green all the way after a caution on lap 12. Jon Stanbrough finished third, giving Rick Daugherty the Rumble Series car owner championship, with Mike Fedorcak and Dave Darland completing the top five on the 1/6-mile indoor track at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center.

Stewart, whose resume includes two NASCAR titles and another in the Indy Racing League, had won six of the past nine races here and a record seven overall.

“I think he was as fast as me,” said Cicconi, a three-time ARDC midget champ. “But he would have had to have been twice as fast to get by me tonight. I wanted this one. He wasn’t going to get past me unless he drove right through me.”

Cicconi, who started fourth in the 14-car field, grabbed the lead on lap 16 when Stanbrough slid wide in turn four and hit the lapped traffic just right all night. Stewart, meanwhile, had to come from ninth after a tangle with a slower car in his heat cost him a much better starting position.

Before Stewart could catch a glimpse of Cicconi, he was gone.

“The track got really good at the end,” Stewart said, “but there were about five really good cars all going about the same speed. Obviously, Lou got in front and checked out on me. He had a lot better car tonight than last night. I don’t think I could have got past him.”

The win was especially sweet for Cicconi, who had endured only frustration in the four previous Rumble Series indoor races. After qualifying in the top three each time, he had finished 12th, 13th, 10th and 12th.

Earlier in the week, he had abruptly announced he was selling his new Munchkin chassis -- the one purchased specifically to try to beat Stewart -- and quitting the series after disagreements with officials over car specs.

“They were busting my (chops),” Cicconi said, his smile disappearing. “I don’t like people busting my (chops). As of now, I’m not coming back.”

Daugherty, who owns a Peterbilt truck dealership in Findlay, Ohio, earned a bonus of $1,150 from the new $7,020 point fund for his series championship. Stanbrough, driving the RAD Racing No. 0, won two of the five races, surviving two last-place finishes, to grab the crown by 18 points over Don Moore’s team with driver Geoff Kaiser. Daugherty’s second car, driven by Kevin Olson, Ken Schrader and Darland, finished third in points.

John Ivy won the 40-lap winged outlaw modified midget feature over Larry Joe Sroufe and Erick Rudolph. Also visiting victory lane were Brandon Young, Dustin Heath, Cory Talaska, Kelsey Ivers and Alexander Klement in karts; Caleb Wilkerson in junior sprints; and Nick Ley, Cooper Clouse, Shelby Campbell, Cannon Konser and Mox Price in quarter midgets.

Stewart, now owner of his NASCAR Sprint Cup team, confirmed that this was his only indoor racing appearance of the winter. He said he will attend the Chili Bowl Nationals next month in Tulsa, Okla., but won’t race due to other commitments.

12/28/08, 3:43 AM

Any insight as to what car specs he is referring to? Must be alot if that is leading to him wanting to sell the car. It's unfortunate because this is the most competitive the Rumble Series has been as far as cars being as quick as Stewart . I heard there was some controversy on Stewart's car but no details?? Sounds like Liquid Lou will not be coming back anymore. Liked watching him run and the cars he brought.

12/29/08, 11:24 AM

Congratulations to Lou Jr., Lou Sr. and team! This was a well EARNED, well DESERVED, long time coming. It proves that Lou is indeed one of the best in the Country. It is a SHAME that multiple series continually bust this guy's ba*ls for innovation and working within the confines of the rulebook. I can't wait to team up with him next year in a few different ways and make them all crazy again...

12/28/08, 3:15 AM	#1 Cicconi celebrates after Rumble victory
Tony Barhorst Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 752	“Rumble in Fort Wayne,” Fort Wayne, Ind. Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008 (NOTE: Results of all classes are on two other threads) Cicconi has reason to celebrate after beating Stewart By RON WARE Classic Motorsports FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Lou Cicconi Jr. couldn’t wait to celebrate. So he yanked the steering wheel, stomped the throttle and began a dizzying series of 360-degree spins -- right there in the middle of the second turn, no more than two seconds after the checkered flag waved, with traffic bearing down on him. The 44-year-old East Coast standout reached a personal goal Saturday by beating NASCAR star Tony Stewart to win the 60-lap midget feature that capped the final night of the 11th annual “Rumble in Fort Wayne.” Forget champagne. Cicconi wanted donuts. “I was so excited,” the driver known as Liquid Lou said, still effervescent a half-hour later. “I’ve been thinking about this for a year -- beating Tony Stewart.” Stewart, the winner here on Friday, finished nearly a third of a lap behind in a race that went green all the way after a caution on lap 12. Jon Stanbrough finished third, giving Rick Daugherty the Rumble Series car owner championship, with Mike Fedorcak and Dave Darland completing the top five on the 1/6-mile indoor track at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center. Stewart, whose resume includes two NASCAR titles and another in the Indy Racing League, had won six of the past nine races here and a record seven overall. “I think he was as fast as me,” said Cicconi, a three-time ARDC midget champ. “But he would have had to have been twice as fast to get by me tonight. I wanted this one. He wasn’t going to get past me unless he drove right through me.” Cicconi, who started fourth in the 14-car field, grabbed the lead on lap 16 when Stanbrough slid wide in turn four and hit the lapped traffic just right all night. Stewart, meanwhile, had to come from ninth after a tangle with a slower car in his heat cost him a much better starting position. Before Stewart could catch a glimpse of Cicconi, he was gone. “The track got really good at the end,” Stewart said, “but there were about five really good cars all going about the same speed. Obviously, Lou got in front and checked out on me. He had a lot better car tonight than last night. I don’t think I could have got past him.” The win was especially sweet for Cicconi, who had endured only frustration in the four previous Rumble Series indoor races. After qualifying in the top three each time, he had finished 12th, 13th, 10th and 12th. Earlier in the week, he had abruptly announced he was selling his new Munchkin chassis -- the one purchased specifically to try to beat Stewart -- and quitting the series after disagreements with officials over car specs. “They were busting my (chops),” Cicconi said, his smile disappearing. “I don’t like people busting my (chops). As of now, I’m not coming back.” Daugherty, who owns a Peterbilt truck dealership in Findlay, Ohio, earned a bonus of $1,150 from the new $7,020 point fund for his series championship. Stanbrough, driving the RAD Racing No. 0, won two of the five races, surviving two last-place finishes, to grab the crown by 18 points over Don Moore’s team with driver Geoff Kaiser. Daugherty’s second car, driven by Kevin Olson, Ken Schrader and Darland, finished third in points. John Ivy won the 40-lap winged outlaw modified midget feature over Larry Joe Sroufe and Erick Rudolph. Also visiting victory lane were Brandon Young, Dustin Heath, Cory Talaska, Kelsey Ivers and Alexander Klement in karts; Caleb Wilkerson in junior sprints; and Nick Ley, Cooper Clouse, Shelby Campbell, Cannon Konser and Mox Price in quarter midgets. Stewart, now owner of his NASCAR Sprint Cup team, confirmed that this was his only indoor racing appearance of the winter. He said he will attend the Chili Bowl Nationals next month in Tulsa, Okla., but won’t race due to other commitments.

12/28/08, 3:43 AM	#2 Re: Cicconi celebrates after Rumble victory
turn4fan Posts: n/a	Any insight as to what car specs he is referring to? Must be alot if that is leading to him wanting to sell the car. It's unfortunate because this is the most competitive the Rumble Series has been as far as cars being as quick as Stewart . I heard there was some controversy on Stewart's car but no details?? Sounds like Liquid Lou will not be coming back anymore. Liked watching him run and the cars he brought.

12/29/08, 11:24 AM	#3 Re: Cicconi celebrates after Rumble victory
tbertrand Posts: n/a	Congratulations to Lou Jr., Lou Sr. and team! This was a well EARNED, well DESERVED, long time coming. It proves that Lou is indeed one of the best in the Country. It is a SHAME that multiple series continually bust this guy's ba*ls for innovation and working within the confines of the rulebook. I can't wait to team up with him next year in a few different ways and make them all crazy again...