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by Steve Pados, Accord Media
With an aura of magic capturing the Hudson Valley, eager racing fans began to assemble hours before the gates opened at the Accord Speedway to take part in a spectacular night of entertainment highlighted by great racing in all divisions and sky-filled fireworks that set the tone for the record-breaking night at the speedway.
As the record breaking, standing room only crowd squeezed into their seats to make room for their neighbors, a Southern-style Chicken BBQ was the hit attraction at the concession area, as drivers and fans mingled together to enjoy the fine food and friendship at the family themed speedway.
Jamie Yannone, the high-flying rookie wheel-twister from Newburgh, New York, rocketed to his second Modified win of the season by using racing savvy and a heavy right foot to dominate the action on K&W Car Wash Night at the Ulster County facility.
John Lutes Jr paced the Rhinebeck Ford Modified field down for the start of the 30-lap feature event. Lutes would take the Lutes Family owned racer to the point early on before giving way to the fifth place starting Yannone on lap-6. Yannone, in his Alex Marine/Ruggerio Plumbing/Yannone Enterprises sponsored machine, began to distance himself from the rest of the field until lap-10 when the New York Truck Parts/Deckleman Trucking machine of Robbie Green took contol of second place.
Green, who was involved in a dogfight, with "Jumpin" John McGill, took off after Yannone and began to reel him in.
Meanwhile, the racing mid-pack was extraordinary as the star-studded field of drivers were waging a war among themselves. Defending 2006 Modified Cahmpion Mike Ricci took the Pine Grove Dude Ranch machine high and then low as he moved into third place and began his duel with Green that ended on lap-26 later when Green lost power coming off of turn three, necessitating a caution.
On the restart, Yannone took advantage of a lapped car to set a pick, and it was all he needed to capture his second win of the season. Mike Ricci, in a superb drive, was second. McGill, who kept his Mid-Hudson Concrete sponsored machine among the leaders all night was third. Jerry Higbie, who raced to the front from his 12th-starting position, ended up fourth, and Donnie Elliott drove the Affordable Transmission/Elliott's Automotive machine to an impressive fifth place finish.
In the Bryant's Towing Pure Stock feature, Kyle Wright jumped into the lead at the start and did all of the (w)right stuff to capture his first feature event of the season.
Wright had constant pressure throughout but held his ground to secure the win. Joe Judge rallied from 11th-starting position to finish second, with Paul Aragon Jr, Ryan Coon, and impressive newcomer Wayne Hajek reeling in another top five finish
Vinnie DeCicco continued his winning ways in the Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman feature event as he captured his second win in a row. DeCicco took his P&H Die Cast sponsored machine to the front on lap-9 after a torrid battle with Jeff Richardson. Once in front, DeCicco easily outdistanced the veteran Richardson who finished second. Steve Eubanks, Greg Hastie, and birthday boy Danny Conklin completed the top five.
The Amsoil Pro Stock feature event had Bill Deak Sr leading the way for 5-laps until the "Walden Warrior" Rob Rowe blasted by. One lap later John Roese moved around Deak to set the stage for an old-fashioned slobberknocker between the two veteran campaigners. The battle raged on until lap-16 when both drivers thirsting for a win, spun out of control on turn four and were relegated to the back of the field. This led to another battle royal as the event turned into a family affair with Bill Deak Sr now assuming command of the lead and his son Bill Jr hot on his heels. Papa Deak showed Junior the short way around the track for the next four laps to win the event in a very popular win that had both father and son driving to victory lane to share in the celebration.
In the Camper's Barn Sportsman feature event, the much improved John Sundlof took his PMC chassied mount to the point for the opening four laps. Hot-shoe Justin Holland finally got around the hard-driving Sundlof on lap-4, but hot on his heels was the "DC Express" Danny Creeden, as he moved into second from 10th-starting position and began to challenge Holland. On lap-8, Creeden completed the pass and was never headed in securing the win. Holland was second, with Danny Tyler coming from a 17th starting place to finish third, Sundlof, in a great performance was fourth, and Steve Krom drove a steady race to complete the top five in his Armistead Mechanical sponsored racer.
In the Kingston Nissan Mini Sprint feature, West Milford, New Jersey veteran camapigner Ralph Utter Jr was finally able to shake a reign of bad luck to wire the field in the 20-lap main event and capture his first win of the season. Utter dominated the action in his Utter Excavating sponsored mount, even though he was pressured late in the contest by opening night winner Scott Goodrich. Goodrich held tough for second with Tim Durland, Bob Lynt, and JD Casazza rounding out the top five. Point leader and five time winner Clint Roehrs was involved in a skirmish with Jimmy Broderick that would see both racers towed to the pit area.
MUDPLUGS:
Additional new talent filled the already swelling pit area. Kyle Redner brought the Jays Deli sponsored machine in for his first look at the speedway. Kyle Weiss,the talented campaigner from Hamburg, Pennsylvania, made his initial start at Accord and was impressive as he cracked the top five in the feature only to get turned around and had to settle for 12th in the final rundown.
New Modifieds in attendance marked the return of the veteran Hank Goranson out of Plattekill, New York. Goranson qualified into the main event and recorded a 15th place in the final rundown. Eric Acquaro brought his brighly painted green machine to the speedway for the first time in 2007. Acquaro missed the set-up and didn't make it to a transfer spot.
Al Christiana brought his Pro Stock out for the first time in 2007 as did Steve Pinto in his Custom Car Care Spec Sportsman racer. John Parete took over the controls of the John Lieto racer and raced to a ninth place finish in his first outing.
Again, the track was in excellent condition for racing as the drivers continuously find new racing lanes to conquer. Promoter Gary Palmer worked on the track right up until hot-laps to provide the drivers the great racing surface.
Tel-Star Promotions and "Wild Bill" treated the fans to a sky-lighting fireworks display that was second to none. The record crowd on hand cheered in appreciation for the great show. Promoter Gary Palmer, always looking to add to the entertainment value for the fans, brought in DJ Tim Adams to provide patriotic music as a backdrop for the fireworks program and the program was a complete success.
Banner Night proved to be a tremendous addition to the night's festivites. Banners of all varieties, including discarded parts from race cars, made it to the grandstand concourse for the judging. Cash prizes were provided from the popular CARQUEST Gasoline Alley and On-Track TV shows, as well as the New Dirt Style Hats from Peter Dunn/Freedom Plains and DVD's from Tri-State Studios. A second night is planned for later in the season.
Track Announcers Andy Crane, Joel Murns and Steve Pados provided the early crowd to interviews with Jerry Higbie, "Jumpin" John McGill, David Coene, Burt Irwin Jr, and 14-year old Pure Stock Rookie Tommy Johnson. Modified talent Clinton Mills, who will be entering the competition at Accord this coming week, was interviewed during a break in the action. More interviews are being planned throughout the remainder of the season to allow the fans to learn more about the drivers they cheer
for at the speedway.
Interest remains high for the Rusty Creeden Memorial race on July 6th being spearheaded by Track Photographer Kevin Berryman and sponsor of the Creeden race car. $1,600.00 in cash and a host of contingency prizes will greet the winner of the 25 lap event.
Midweek Madness will take place on Tuesday Night at the track this week instead of the customary Wednesday night due to the celebration of the Holiday.
Rhinebeck Ford Modifieds: Jamie Yannone, Mike Ricci, John McGill, Jerry Higbie, Donnie Elliott, Andy Bachetti, Rich Ricci Jr, John Lutes Jr, Scott Ferrier, Jackie Brown Jr, Mark Pullen, Dom Roselli, Rick Mill, Rich Budd Jr, Hank Goranson, Mel Shrufer, Robbie Green, Bill Papula, Ernie Palmer Jr, Rich Eurich
Amsoil Pro Stock: Bill Deak Sr, Bill Deak Jr, Adam Douglas, Don Williams, John Routhier, Norbert Bracklow, Charlie Houghtaling, Bill Liese, Emerson Cargain Jr, Larry Temple Jr, John Hager, Kenny Atkins, Rob Rowe, John Roese, Rich Lapolt, Al Christiana, Lenny Helmich, John Rood, Charlie Swartz Jr
Kingston Nissan Mini Sprints: Ralph Utter Jr, Scott Goodrich, Tim Durland, Bob Lynt, JD Casazza, Mark Rogers, Todd Lapp, Phil Beesmer, John Parete, Dana Carey, Kevin Horton, Brian Collier, Brandon Bachor, Mike Goodnow, Clint Roehrs, Jimmy Broderick
Campers Barn Sportsman: Danny Creeden, Justin Holland, Danny Tyler, John Sundlof, Steve Krom, Jerry Craig, Tom Tomasko, David Coene, Steve Meilleur, Vinnie Gress, Ray See Jr, Kyle Weiss, Keith Van Oyan, Howard Jarvis, Joey Giachinta, Mike Senecal, Tom Dakake, Ken Ferrier, Jesse Marks, David Bush
Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman: Vinnie DeCicco, Jeff Richardson, Steve Eubanks, Greg Hastie, Dan Conklin, Burt Irwin Jr, Jeff Hager, Danny Cross, Jason Thew, Hawley Smith, John Gesztesi, Jamie House, Tom Stevens, Steve Pinto, Phil Recchio
Bryant's Towing Pure Stocks: Kyle Wright, Joe Judge, Paul Aragon Jr, Ryan Coon, Wayne Hajek, Don Coon, Tommy Johnson, James DeCicco III, Ken Hopkins, Steve Kanuk, Sharon Byrne, Charlie Rose Jr, Don J Williams, Ralph Ronk, Mike Deyo, Bill Goldpaugh, John Woinoski, Bill Rion, Bill Bulson, (DQ) Gary Ronk, (DQ)
THIS COMING WEEK, July 3rd: Midweek Madness Featuring Karts, Quads, Bikes and Lawn Mowers on the 1/4 mile track
July 6th: KB Photos "Christmas In July" Night-Santa visits the Speedway, Racing in all Divisions Plus The Rusty Creeden Memorial for Sportsman, $1,600.00 to win
July 13th: STS Tire Night, Racing in all Divisions Plus 4 Cylinder Enduros
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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