|
Accord, New York - Bachetti "Powers" to Victory on NAPA Auto Supply Night
By Steve Pados, Accord Media
Andy Bachetti was totally frustrated after the first two weeks of racing at the Accord Speedway. He couldn't figure out why the Albreada Waste sponsored number 4 modified wouldn't respond the way he had hoped it would. With that, he went to back to his race shop and proceeded to take the car apart down to the bare frame and put it back together. He obviously put the car back together correctly and then some as the Sheffield, Massachusetts driving talent had one fast hot rod when he took to the track on Friday night and powered his way to victory on Powers NAPA Auto Supply night at the Ulster County bullring.
Bachetti, known to his adoring racing fans as the "Wild Child," started off the Rhinebeck Ford Modified 30 lap feature in the fourth starting spot. Pole sitter Ernie Palmer Jr, who enjoyed a great of racing as well, took off as starter Kenny Marshall displayed the green flag. Middletown's Donnie Elliott raced with Palmer for a few laps, but constant pressure from Bachetti had the price of real estate rising with each passing lap. Bachetti finally completed the move into second and constantly moved his race car into all of the racing lanes trying to find the precise time to make his bid for the lead.
Bachetti made his decision and chose the wild side of the raceway to pull even with Palmer down the backstretch and used a power move off of turn four to complete the move and take over the lead for good on the 16th lap.
Racing throughout the pack was hot and heavy and the Mid-City Transit number 97 of Slate Hill, New York's Jerry Higbie raced from his ninth starting to spot to finally corral second place on lap 26. Higbie had the Big Block honking as lap after lap found him moving closer to the front in a great drive at the speedway.
Meanwhile, "Mighty" Mike Ricci, the 2006 Modified Champion at the Speedway, was methodically working his way to the front as well. He wrestled third place away from Palmer on lap 27. As the cars raced to the finish, it was Bachetti in for a popular win with Higbie, Mike Ricci, Palmer and Elliott completing the top five
Wantage, New Jersey's Larry Hendershot took his Hendershot Excavating numbered 29 to the lead at the drop of the green flag and wired the field in the Campers Barn Sportsman 25 lap chase. Accord's Howard Jarvis supplied lots of pressure to the veteran Hendershot, but fell short in his many attempts to gain the lead. As Hendershot took the checkered flag, a water hose on the car let go and he wound up facing traffic in turn one. Nevertheless, it was an exciting win for the New Jersey driver who also began the season with some nagging mechanical problems. Jarvis finished in the runnerup slot with newcomer Derrick McGrew in third, Justin Holland in fourth, and David Coene rounding out the top five.
In the Amsoil Pro Stock 20 lap feature event, Highland, New York's Charlie Schwartz Jr returned from a three year layoff to capture the win, leading all 20 laps on his way to victory. Mahopac's Emerson Cargain Jr provided plenty of competition for Schwartz, but fell a tad short in his hopes of securing his first win at Accord. Last week's winner Adam Douglas rallied to finish third with Don Williams and Norbert Bracklow completing the top five.
Lagrangeville, New York rookie Jason Thew led all 15 laps of the Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman feature to win his first race at Accord. Veteran Goshen, New York campaigner Jeff Richardson dogged young Thew every step of the way but the young man wouldn't be denied as his win carried with it a big celebration to the Accord Winners Circle. Richardson settled for second with Burt Irwin Jr third, and Vinne DeCicco and last week's winner Eddie Burgess following.
Polesitter Kyle Wright led the Bryant's Towing Pure Stock feature for the first nine laps before yielding to a determined Ryan Coon. Coon, the veteran from West Camp, led the rest of the way with Wright finishing second, Joe Judge in third and Paul Aragon Jr and opening night winner Bill Rion following.
Will Casazza led the Kingston Nissan Mini Sprint down for the start of their 20 lap feature, but Brookfield, Connecticut's Jimmy Broderick, driving the Jones Brothers Roofing entry had other ideas and hammered down on the outside lane to take the lead, a lead he would never relinguish as he outdistanced himself from the rest of the field in a great drive to victory. Broderick, who prefers the outside racing lanes, at one time led the rest of the field by almost a straightaway in winning the event. Casazza held off a strong run to the front by 2006 Track Champion Clint Roehrs to finish in the runnerup spot, with Roehrs, Bobby Lynt, and opening night winner Scott Goodrich completing the top five.
In the Northeastern Vintage Modified feature event, Howard Murphy, in a replicar similar to that of former Nazareth Modified Champion Johnny Harroll, led all 15 laps as the vintage group put on an entertaining race. The racing fans were treated to a look back at how the cars once were in a very popular attraction to the racing at Accord. Jimmy Halpin using Frankie Schneider's signature look alike number 2 was a close second with Mike Brown in a Chamberlain look alike Falcon in third. Mike Murphy and Jim Donelli completed the top five.
A moment of silence was held for the passing of longtime speedway announcer Scott Harvey who passed away on May 16th after battling cancer. Harvey, who began announcing in May of 1991, announced his last race at Accord during the running of the King of the Catskills race last year. He was honored at the Accord Awards banquet in March for his loyalty and long dedication to the speedway. He will be missed by everyone who came to know him.
MUDPLUGS:
Kevin Ward displayed a new PMC Chassied number 98 Sportsman car and found his way into the feature through the consi and wound up 12th in the final rundown.
Derrick McGrew, from Ballston Spa, New York, brought two identical numbered 26 cars to the raceway and assigned Perth's Dave Constantino to steer the second entry. Both cars qualified for the feature and McGrew came from 11th starting to finish a strong third. Constantino ended up in a crash with Ray See Jr.
Tom Dakake, up from New Jersey, made his first appearance of the season in the Sportsman ranks as did the Pro Stocks of Elwood Hewitt, and Lenny Helmich. Scott Ackerly made his debut in the Pro Stocks and turned his Pure Stock car over to Matt Costa.
Andy Bachetti brought in PMC Chassis builder Pete Chuckta to help him with his race car. OCFS Modified regulars Ric Hill and Gary Edwards were seen taking in the action at trackside.
Rich and Laurie Roosa celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary at the speedway.
Rhinebeck Ford Modifieds: Andy Bachetti, Jerry Higbie, Mike Ricci, Ernie Palmer Jr, Donnie Elliott, Tom Hindley, Robbie Green, Jeff Hoetzler, Rich Ricci Jr, Scott Ferrier, John McGill, Kevin Duryea, Jamie Yannone, Mark Pullen, Jerry Curry, Rich Eurich, Dom Roselli, Mel Shrufer, Mike Sabia (DQ), Jackie Brown (DQ)
Amsoil Pro Stock: Charlie Schwartz Jr, Emerson Cargain Jr, Adam Douglas, Don Williams, Norbert Bracklow, John Roese, Charlie Houghtaling, Bill Deak Jr, John Hager, Rich Lapolt, Scott Ackerly, George Christiana, John Rood, James Devitt, Larry Temple Jr, Elwood Hewitt, Kenny Atkins, Rob Rowe, Lenny Helmich, Scott Mill,
Kingston Nissan Mini Sprints: Jimmy Broderick, Will Casazza, Clint Roehrs, Bob Lynt, Scott Goodrich, John Lieto, Peter Sindt, Tim Durland, Mark Rogers, Hank Katz, Gary Reyer, Phil Beesmer, JD Casazza, Mike Goodnow, Rich Van Demark, Ralph Utter Jr, Brian Collier
Campers Barn Sportsman: Larry Hendeshot, Howard Jarvis, Derrick McGrew, Justin Holland, David Coene, Mike Senecal, Danny Tyler, Jesse Marks, John Sundlof, Ken Ferrier, David Bush, Kevin Ward, Jerry Craig, Steve Meilleur, Doc Young, Vinnie Gress, Ray See Jr, Dave Constantino, Steve Krom, Charlie Winne
Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman: Jason Thew, Jeff Richardson, Burt Irwin Jr, Vinnie DeCicco, Eddie Burgess, Hawley Smith, Greg Hastie, Danny Conklin, Steve Eubanks, Jamie House, John Gesztesi, Jeremy Quick, Phil Recchio, Jeff Hager, Amanda House
Bryant's Towing Pure Stocks: Ryan Coons, Kyle Wright, Bill Judge, Paul Aragon Jr, Bill Rion, Don J Williams, Mike Deyo, James DeCicco III, Ralph Ronk, Bill Bulson, Bill Judge, Richard Stickle, Don Coon, Bill Merten, Tom Johnson, Chris Kanuk, Matt Costa, John Woinoski, Lee Gallant, Gary Ronk, Kyle Plumstead
Vintage Modifieds: Howard Murphy, Jimmy Halpin, Mike Brown, Mike Murphy, Jim Donelli, Pat Murphy, Robbie Casti, Ray See Sr
THIS WEEK, May 25th: Hig-Fab Night featuring racing in all divisons
Coming June 6th: Mid-Week Madness with Quads, Bikes, Karts and Lawn Mowers racing on the 1/4 mile track
For updated information regarding Accord Speedway, log on to their website at:
www.accordspeedway.com or call the Speedway Hotline at: 845 626 3478 |
|
