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by Steve Pados, Accord Media
A flash thunderstorm came through the Accord area on Friday night and temporarily halted the night's racing action, but it couldn't dampen the spirits of the great crowd on hand or the competitiveness of the great field of racers on hand for Hig-Fab Night at the speedway. What the quickly moving storm did do was to provide some extra moisture to an already great racing surface, and the fans were treated to some tremendous side by side racing in all divisions.
Andy Bachetti provided more than enough entertainment as he powered through the elite field of Rhinebeck Ford Modifieds to score his second consecutive win at the Ulster County bullring. Bachetti used all of the tacky and racy Accord surface to his advantage as he moved from his tenth starting position to reel in early leader Bill Papula on lap-17 and race to victory in the 30-lap main despite a late charge by 9-time speedway champion Rich Ricci Jr in the Apple Greens Golf course sponsored mount.
Papula, known as the "fastest school teacher in the East" took the Lutes Family owned racer to the point at the drop of Kenny Marshall's green flag. He built up a sizable advantage over early contenders Mark Pullen, and "Jumpin" John McGill. A crash on lap-6 sent the Robbie Green mount to the pit area. On the restart, once again it was Papula as he powered away, but within a few laps was being dogged by the hard riding Bachetti. Using both the high and low side to get to the front, Bachetti tried to make the pass for the lead on the top side only to be held off lap after lap by the determined Papula.
Bachetti moved his Albreada Waste/Wentworth Construction/PMC chassied machine down to the bottom on lap-15 and stuck the nose of the race car in front, but Papula proved to be one tough customer and held him off until lap-17 when Bachetti got a great run off of turn-4 to take over the lead for good.
While the racing upfront was worth the price of the admission ticket, the racing in the pack was just as exciting. Rich Ricci Jr broke into the runner-up spot on lap-21 and set sail for Bachetti, but ran out of laps before ever mounting a challenge to the
"Wild Child." Papula, who finally shook off the gremlins that had been plaguing the Lutes team finished third in his first feature start of the new season. Jerry Higbie, who started twelveth in the event, rallied to fine fourth place finish and with that, holding on to his point lead in the process. "Jumpin"John McGill remained a steady fixture among the top five throughout the race and completed the top five with solid drive in the Mid-Hudson concrete sponsored mount. Jackie Brown Jr, who endured a wild ride in his heat race landing atop the inside concrete barriers, rallied from a 11th place start and finished 6th in the main.
Ulster Park's Larry Temple Jr used a front row strarting spot to wire the field in the 20-lap Amsoil Pro Stock feature. Charlie Houghtaling, from his fourth starting spot provided plenty of pressure on Temple throughout the event, but Temple went on to record the victory in his TLC sponsored racer. Bill Deak Jr, the pure stock champion last year at the speedway, was third in a great run, with steady Norbert Bracklow finishing fourth and John Roese completing the top five running order.
In the Bryant's Towing Pure Stock feature it was Germantown, New York's Lee Gallant leading the first eight laps, utilizing the wild side of the raceway to build up a good sized lead on the field. A caution brought the field back together on lap-8 and Marlboro, New York's Gary Ronk used a move on the bottom of turn four to take over the lead on lap-9 and race to his first win of the season. Gallant held on for second with John Woinoski in a solid third place finish, with point leader Bill Rion charging up from thirteenth to finish fourth and Paul Aragon Jr rounding out the top five.
In the Campers Barn Sportsman feature that was shortened to 18-laps due to curfew, Charlie Winne led the field down for the start and led the first two laps until his car developed some handling problems. Steve Meilleur, the protege of Andy Bachetti, took over the lead and and was impressive in leading up until lap nine when the hard charging Justin Holland took over the lead with a high-powered outside pass. Holland led until a Mike Senecal spin ended the race at the 11:30 curfew time. Ken Ferrier finished third, the returning Danny Creeden finished fourth from a 12th place start and Steve Krom was steady with another top five outing in his Armistead Mechanical sponsored mount.
In the time shortened Kingston Mini Sprint feature, Middletown, New York's Marc Rogers jumped into the lead from the outside pole and led all of the way in what resulted to be a 10 lap feature run. The halt in the action came when Mt Kisco's John Lieto and Sparrowbush, New York veteran Hank Katz executed a double flip in turn one. While both drivers walked away from the spectacular incident, the cars were heavily damaged from the impact. Clint Roehrs, in another spectacular run, drove the Apple Greens sponsored mount from ninth starting to place to a strong second by the end of the race. Southbury, Connecticut's Will Casazza turned in another great effort finishing third with West Milford, New Jersey's Ralph Utter Jr in fourth and the Monster Energy Drink Man Phil Beesmer claiming his first top five in the hotly contested division.
The Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman feature was postponed until next week when the delayed feature will open the program on Campers Barn "Disco Night." All divisions of racing will be on the schedule and will be highlighted by a $1,000.00 to win feature event for the Sportsman division. A top field of Sportsman cars is anticipated for the big purse on the line, with some expected invaders from other area speedways as well.
MUDPLUGS:
New additions to the field this week included the return of Somerville, New Jersey's Tom Tomasko. Tomasko unvieled a new mount again sponsored by Agin Signs and sporting a striking paint scheme. Tomakso was involved in skirmish during the running of the feature and was relegated to a 17th-place finish in the final rundown.
Jimmy Halpin, who raced with the Northeast Vintage cars last week to a second place finish, unvieled a new 358-Modified car he will be racing on occasion at the speedway. Lensman Ralph Corwin is providing some sponsorship for the Halpin team.
John Wolfe displayed a sharp looking Bicknell big block car he will be competing with the remainder of the season at Accord. Sponsorship comes from Empire Packing Company, Hall Motors, A Colarusso and Son and Matt Signs. Wolfe is returning to action after nearly a 30-year layoff.
Dave Haskell from Southampton, Massachusetts saw his first action at the speedway on Friday night and brought along with him the 2-seater Mini Sprint that can be rented for rides at the Whip City Speedway. Much interest centered around the car as it was parked near the Accord Winners Circle.
CARQUEST Gasoline Alley TV/Internet Show will be providing awards of 25 dollars each to the top male and female contestant next week who arrive at the speedway
dressed in their finest disco garb. This should set the stage for an interesting look at the 80's on Campers Barn "Disco Night."
Much credit goes out to Promoter Gary Palmer for providing another great racing surface for the race teams and his determined effort the move the show along after the flash storm. With the assistance of the track wreckers and the Sportsman division cars, the track was in tip-top shape in no time, creating the great racing the fans were treated to throughout the program.
A big thank you also goes out to Wes, the track's sound man. When the PA System developed problems, Wes went to work and rigged up temporary speakers for the Announcing team of Andy Crane, Joel Murns and Steve Pados to continue with the exciting racing program.
Jerry Higbie, whose company Hig-Fab sponsored the evening's show had his daughter Lindsey, his son Cody, and his niece Hannah handing out team sweatshirts in the Winners Circle ceremonies.
For additional information and updates regarding the Accord Speedway, visit their website at: www.accordspeedway.com or you can call the speedway hotline at:
845 626 3478. The weekend begins at Accord.
Rhinebeck Ford Modifieds: Andy Bachetti, Rich Ricci Jr, Bill Papula, Jerry Higbie, John McGill, Jackie Brown Jr, Mark Pullen, Dom Roselli, Barry Davis, Mike Ricci, Rick Mill, Rich Eurich, Jamie Yannone, Donnie Elliott, Scott Ferrier, Ernie Palmer Jr, Robbie Green, Tom Hindley, Jeff Hoetzler, Jerry Curry
Amsoil Pro Stock: Larry Temple Jr, Charlie Houghtaling, Bill Deak Jr, Norbert Bracklow, John Roese, Don Williams, George Christiana, Bill Deak Sr, Rich Lapolt, Charlie Schwartz Jr, John Hager, Adam Douglas, Kenny Atkins, Emerson Cargain Jr,
Lenny Helmich, Bill Liese, Rob Rowe, Mark Lathrop, Bill Halstead, Scott Mill,
Kingston Nissan Mini Sprints: Mark Rogers, Clint Roehrs, Will Casazza, Clint Roehrs, Ralph Utter Jr, Phil Beesmer, Todd Lapp, Scott Goodrich, Kevin Horton, Brian Collier, Hank Katz, John Lieto, Tim Durland, JD Casazza, Peter Sindt, Chris Haskell, Mike Goodnow
Campers Barn Sportsman: Justin Holland, Steve Meilleur, Ken Ferrier, Danny Creeden, Steve Krom, Howard Jarvis, Danny Tyler, Jerry Craig, Mike Senecal, Ray See Jr, John Sundlof, Paul Minton, Joey Giachinta, David Coene, Jesse Marks, Larry Hendershot, Tom Tomasko, David Bush, Charlie Winne
Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman: Curfewed (will be first event on the schedule next week)
Bryant's Towing Pure Stocks: Gary Ronk, Lee Gallant, John Woinoski, Bill Rion, Pual Aragon Jr, Ryan Coon, Joe Judge, Kyle Wright, Bill Bulson, Don Coon, Mike Deyo, Don J Williams, Steven Kanuk, Bill Merten, Tommy Johnson, Ralph Ronk, Bill Judge, James DeCicco II, Richard Stickle, Bill Goldpaugh
For updated information regarding Accord Speedway, log on to their website at:
www.accordspeedway.com or call the Speedway Hotline at: 845 626 3478 |
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