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by Steve Pados, Accord Media
When Accord Speedway Promoter Gary Palmer made the stunning announcement in January he was altering the rules of the Modified division at his speedway to conform with what all of the existing area tracks were doing around him, the news was met with a tremendous amount of interest, but along with that some skepticism as well. Some suggested the tight configuration of the 1/4 mile Ulster County bullring would not allow the Big Block powered cars the maneuverability to utilize the superior horsepower they had bolted in the engine compartment. Up until this past Friday night, the rail-birds may have been proven right, despite the fact the point leader in the Rhinebeck Ford Modified division was Slate Hill, New York Big Block talent Jerry Higbie. The proponents of the Big Block cars were hoping to see one of their own secure a victory. The win they were hoping for was just around one of Accord's four corners.
On Minnewaska Motors Night at the speedway, veteran Warwick, New York Modified campaigner Richie Eurich outhustled the star-studded Rhinebeck Ford Modified field to secure his first ever win at the Accord facility. The win was not a given by any means as Eurich had to first wear down strong runner Mel Shrufer, then hold off the 2006 Modified Champion at the speedway, "The Rosendale Rocket" Mike Ricci.
The 20-car Rhinebeck Ford Modified field took the green flag with Shrufer, a 2-time winner in 2006, hugging the inside lane and gaining an advantage over Crackers Motorsports veteran driver Rick Mill, who was using the wild side of the raceway to mount an early battle with Shrufer, who was piloting his Academy Transmission sponsored machine. Eurich, starting from fourth, was racy early on as he first moved past Kevin Duryea and then set his sights on Mill.
Completing the pass of Mill on lap four, Eurich now began to hunt down Shrufer by using both racing lanes to reel in the leader. Eurich stuck the nose of the Collier Motorcar sponsored machine under Shrufer with each passing lap to move alongside of Shrufer on lap seven. By lap eight Eurich was now in command of the lead, but was now fighting a small push to keep the car down in his preferred racing lane. He corrected the car and began to drive away from the rest of the field.
Meanwhile some great racing was taking place in mid-pack as the drivers jockeyed for the line they were looking to advance to the front. Mike Ricci, driving the PineGrove Dude Ranch sponsored LET Fabrications machine, was the first to make the break as he methodically moved into second with an inside move on Shrufer. Last week's feature event winner Rich Ricci Jr followed suit two laps later to secure third place.
A caution flag on lap-27 closed up the ranks and brought the field together for the final time. This was the break the Ricci's were hoping for. On the restart, Eurich again powered away, and this time had a bit of help as Jerry Curry, in his Artic Adventures sponsored mount had just gone a lap down, and was now racing in between Eurich and Mike Ricci. Even though Ricci finally moved around Curry on the white flag lap, it was Eurich crossing under the checkered flag first securing his initial win at Accord and his spot in the Accord record books in becoming the first Big Block driver to win a main event in the 45-year history of the speedway. Mike Ricci, in another stout run was second from his eleventh starting place, Rich Ricci Jr wound up third with Shrufer in a solid run finishing fourth, and Robbie Green completing the top five with a nice run in his New York Truck Parts sponsored entry.
In Victory Lane, a jubilant Eurich exclaimed, "When we had heard the news of the Accord rules change, the crew and I decided we would come up and have a little fun on Friday nights. Early on I knew I had a lot to learn about running this great little track. We made some big changes to the car, asked lots of questions, and were hoping ladyluck would be kind to us on occasion. This is a great night for us and should really open up some eyes the Big Blocks are not only competitive here, they can also win. I am proud to the first."
In the Amsoil Pro Stocks, Rob Rowe rebounded from a couple of weeks of being at the wrong place at the wrong time, to wire the field and win his second feature event of the season. Rowe took the lead at the start, but as the cars moved down the backstretch, Charlie Houghtaling and Donald Williams engaged in a battle royal that found both of them in the fence on turn three and disqualified from the feature for their involvement in the incident. On the restart, it was Rowe moving to the point and opening up a wide margin through the first half of the race. Larry Temple Jr, driving the Larry and Gene's Auto Service Center sponsored mount broke into second on lap-12 and set sail for Rowe. Tonight, however, belonged to the Walden, New York campaigner Rowe as he crossed the finish line with room to spare to win the event. Temple Jr, was second with Scott Mill finishing third in a fine drive. Norbert Bracklow finished fourth and Bill Deak Jr put in a great drive to secure fifth.
The Campers Barn Sportsman feature event began with Middletown, New York's Jerry Craig leading the way for the first four laps before Danny Tyler, in the Jakes Auto Body/TCC entry, powered his way into the lead. Tyler stayed in command of the event the remainder of the way despite some good racing right behind him from David Coene, Ken Ferrier, Howard Jarvis, and Craig. With lots of tight competition behind him, Tyler forged ahead to score his first win of the season. Howard Jarvis wound-up second in a great run, with Coene, Ferrier and David Bush rounding out the top five. Bush, the winner of the $1,000.00 to win paycheck last week, rallied hard from his 16th starting position to move into the top five with one lap remaining in another great drive at the speedway.
The Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman feature began with Steve Eubanks leading the way with Quad graduate Greg Hastie in hasty pursuit. A fifth lap scramble off of turn two found a quick-thinking Danny Conklin avoiding the melee to take control of the race. Conklin led up until lap-11when the veteran Phil Recchio, utilizing the bottom of the raceway to perfection, edged in front and led the final four laps to win his third feature event of the new season. Conklin finished second with Hastie third, steady Hawley Smith fourth, and Vinnie DeCicco completing the top five.
Gary Ronk, driving the Arkle Motors/Jordan Landscaping entry, scored his second win of the year in the hotly contested Bryant's Towing Pure Stock feature event. Don Coon led the field to the start was the leader for three laps until John Woinoski, driving one of the Tom's Repair Shop sponsored cars at the track, took over and led a lap. Ronk, using the inside lane, bolted into the lead on lap six and sped to victory. Ryan Coon enjoyed a great run to finish second, with last week's winner Mike Deyo rallying to wind up third. Joe Judge, and the steady Woinoski completed the top five.
Phil Beesmer led the Kingston Nissan Mini Sprint feature to the backstretch of the first lap. With a burst of speed, West Milford, New Jersey veteran Ralph Utter Jr took control and led the next eight laps of the 20-lap affair. Following a restart for a 4-car crash on turn one, Stone Ridge, New York racer Peter Sindt took over the lead and led the rest of the way in securing his first win of the season. Scott Goodrich gave a great run to finish second and 2006 track champion Clint Roehrs drove the Apple Greens sponsored mini-sprint from his ninth place starting spot to finish a strong third. Jimmy Broderick returned to action this week and recovered from an early spin to finish fourth and Todd Lapp rounded out the top five.
MudPlugs:
New additions to the already bulging pit area continue to arrive at the speedway. This week the Pure Stock Roster was bolstered with the arrival of Ken Hopkins and Charlie Rose. Bob Gibson returned to action for the first time since opening night. The Rhinebeck Ford Modified roster had Parkeville, New York's Mike Trautschold making his first appearance of the season with a sharp looking numbered 28 race car.
Pat Zimmer, made his first appearance of the year with a beautiful new Amsoil Pro Stock divison car sponsored by Rebel Race Works and Bellwood design. Zimmer drove a steady race to finish eighth in the feature event.
Tom Stevens Jr made his first visit to the Ulster County facility with a sharp looking numbered 125 and sponsored by Big Mike's Pizza and Pasta. Stevens, racing in the Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman division, finished 15th in his initial outing.
The House family brought one of the older cars for 16-year old Jamie to race with. While encountering problems with the regular mount, Brett Graham was summoned a week ago to test the car and found some problems with the car.
The car, a 99 Olsen, was seemingly a better fit for the young driver.
The Accord drivers were able to receive some great tips regarding shock packages as Bilstein Shock Reps, Pat MacCauley and Bruce Harwood were on hand to assist the drivers with their vast knowledge of shock development.
Spec Sportsman rookie Danny Cross returned to action after missing a few weeks and had WWE Rep Nick Daws on hand with him to witness the racing action throughout the evening.
Minnewaska Motors, the night's sponsor brought a few of the outstanding pieces of equipment they sell on a daily basis. The Mustang was a sharp looking piece as were the truck and trailer combination on display as well.
Once again the Accord track was in great shape despite the fact the track's two water trucks were not cooperating with Promoter Gary Palmer. The track remained dust-free throughout the evening and the the full card of events was completed at 10:32 in the evening. A small electrical problem had the front stretch lights go out for ten minutes, but the track crew sprung into action and quicklymade the necessary repairs.
Rhinebeck Ford Modifieds: Rich Eurich, Mike Ricci, Rich Ricci Jr, Mel Shrufer, Robbie Green, Scott Ferrier, John McGill, Kevin Duryea, Donnie Elliott, Mark Pullen, Jamie Yannone, Dom Roselli, Ernie Palmer Jr, Tom Hindley, Bill Papula, Jerry Curry, Barry Davis, Rick Mill, Andy Bachetti, Jackie Brown Jr
Amsoil Pro Stock: Rob Rowe, Larry Temple Jr, Scott Mill, Norbert Bracklow, Bill Deak Jr, Bill Deak Sr, George Christiana, Pat Zimmer, Emerson Cargain Jr, Adam Douglas, Charlie Swartz Jr, Kenny Atkins, John Roese, John Rood, Bill Halstead, James Devitt, Don Williams (DQ), Charlie Houghtaling (DQ)
Kingston Nissan Mini Sprints: Peter Sindt, Scott Goodrich, Clint Roehrs, Jimmy Broderick, Todd Lapp, Tim Durland, John Lieto, Mark Rogers, Mike Goodnow, Kevin Horton, Brian Collier, Phil Beesmer, Brandon Bachor, JD Casazza, Ralph Utter Jr
Campers Barn Sportsman: Danny Tyler, Howard Jarvis, Dave Coene, Ken Ferrier, David Bush, Ray See Jr, Jerry Craig, Tom Tomasko, Jesse Marks, Keith Van Oyan, Steve Krom, Joe Giachinta, Greg Hocking, Charlie Winne, Mike Senecal, John Sundlof, Justin Holland, Paul Minton, Steve Meilleur
Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman: Phil Recchio, Dan Conklin, Greg Hastie, Hawley Smith, Vinnie DeCicco, Jason Thew, Jeff Richardson, Jeremy Quick, Jeff Hager, Eddie Burgess, Burt Irwin Jr, John Gesztesi, Steve Eubanks, Danny Cross, Tom Stevens Jr,
Jamie House, Amanda House
Bryant's Towing Pure Stocks: Gary Ronk, Ryan Coon, Mike Deyo, Joe Judgem John Woinoski, Don Coon, John Dearborn, Kyle Wright, Paul Aragon Jr, Tom Johnson, Charlie Rose Jr, Bill Goldpaugh, Bill Bulson, Chris Kanuk, Bob Gibson, Ken Hopkins, Sharon Byrne, Lee Gallant
WL 4 Cylinders: Bert Long, Sasha Rumsey
THIS COMING WEEK, June 13th: Midweek Madness Featuring Karts, Quads, Bikes and Lawn Mowers on the 1/4 mile track
June 15th: Ruges Auto Night Night, Racing in all Divisions + HigFab Fabrications Modified Dash For Cash + Flame Throwing Cars
June 29th: K&W Car Wash Night, Racing in all Divisions + Gigantic Fireworks Extravaganza
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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