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Accord Action Short-Circuited By Rain With Four Feature Events Remaining
by Steve Pados, Accord Media
The 2007 racing season at the Accord Speedway got off to a slow start with two consecutive rain-outs twice delaying the season opener at the Ulster County bullring. Once the season was able to get underway, twelve great weeks of racing followed, with lots of close wheel to wheel, side by side, and jam packed action throughout the ranks. The six divisions of racing at the speedway have produced many new winners, and the large crowds on hand have been able to witness many new stars emerging within the driving ranks.
After the great twelve week run, Mother Nature has unleashed a multitude of storm activity at the facility the past four weeks resulting in three consecutive rain-outs and a stoppage of the racing this past Friday night after two of the scheduled six features had been run. While Mother Nature runs it's course, in no way has it hindered the tremendous momentum and popularity the track has enjoyed this year with it's decison to open up the rules in the Modified ranks.
With Big Block Modifieds allowed to compete in 2007 with an adjusted weight rule, a considerable amount of fan and participant interest was generated with the ruling. Richie Eurich, the veteran Modified campaigner, from Warwick, New York, was the first Big Block driver to accomplish the feat and was quickly followed by the popular Slate Hill, New York driving star Jerry Higbie. Rich Ricci Jr, a nine-time Champion at the speedway, switched to Big Block power and recorded a Big Block win to go along with a win he recorded earlier driving a Small Block powered car.
While the weather picture appeared to be fine for Friday's scheduled Kingston Nissan Night at the speedway, a heavy downpour came onto the racetrack just as the Rhinebeck Ford Modifieds got underway with their 30-lap feature event. Richie Eurich, Rick Mill, and Mel Shrufer were victorious in the heat action and the Consi was won by Mark Pullen.
The Bryant's Towing Pure Stock feature was a redemption of sorts for Donald J Williams, as the "Heartbreak Kid" was finally able to shake off some recent disappointments at the speedway to record his first win of the 2007 campaign. For the soft spoken Williams, who has been leading races only to spin out a few feet from the start/finish line and suffered flat tires while in contention for a win, this night belonged to the High Falls, New York driver as he drove quickly to front from his sixth starting place to take control of the lead on lap-2 and led the remainder of the way. Mike Deyo challenged Williams by the midway point, but Williams was the man of the hour and won the event by three car lengths over Deyo. Paul Aragon Jr was in for third place and current division point leader Joe Judge finished fourth. Ryan Coon completed the top five.
In the Amsoil Pro Stock ranks, Adam Douglas jumped into the lead from the his second starting position and led the first 13-laps of the race until he lost the handle and spun in turn two. As the race restarted, Bill Deak Sr assumed the lead but quickly was turned around in turn-1 necessitating another restart. John Roese assummed commnad of the lead on the restart and proceeded to lead the remainder of the way to record his thrid triumph in the 2007 season.
Norbert Bracklow drove a great race to finish second. Chalie Houghtaling, returning to action, was third. Larry Temple Jr, who was involved in an earlier skirmish rebounded to finish a solid fourth, and Al Christiana recorded his first top five finish of the season.
MUDPLUGS:
Announcer Andy Crane returned to the speedway on Friday night for the first time since being struck by lightning back on July 27th. He thanked the many fans and drivers for the encouraging messages and well wishes while he was recovering from the incident.
With the August 24th Mid Hudson Concrete night show, four front row tickets to see the WWE Wrestling stars in action at the Pepsi Arena in Albany, New York on August 28th, will be given away to some lucky fans. The tickets are courtesy of the Danny Cross 3D racing team that is sponsored by Swelha Contracting, G&G Lawn & Garden, Richard Smith Logging, Better Choice Fuel, and WWE Magic Boys.
More new faces entered the speedway for the first time this season. Nicky Lapp took over the controls of the Small Block Rich Ricci Jr car but was involved in an accident and didn't qualify for the main event. "The Bangor Blast" Jesse Kline was back aboard the Lutes Family racing entry, and Kline drove the car to a fine third place in the Consi.
The Kingston Nissan Mini Sprint ranks swelled over with the addition of Curtis Haskell out of Massachusetts. Tom Kanan was another first time competitor, and Sierra Lister and Rachel Melrose were on hand to do battle from New Zealand.
Matt Curry, who did his racing at White Lake last year, was a new addition to the Amsoil Pro Stock ranks. Joe Mabb Jr, who is a regular at Lebanon Valley, tried his hand at the smaller confines of Accord but didn't transfer to the feature event. Scott Kilmer made his first visit to the speedway a good one as he recorded a top ten finish in the Pure Stock feature event. John Woinoski slipped behind the belts of the Tommy Johnson car as Tommy was on vacation. Woinoski recorded a 17th place finish in the teenager's car.
Car counts remain high at the speedway as 140 cars signed in to do battle on Friday night. The Wednesday Night Midweek Madness show produced another 128 entries and highest fan count of the season with more than 300 enjoying the great racing action.
"The Bangor Bullet" Bruce Kline was interviewed by Announcers Andy Crane and Steve Pados in a shortened version of their pre-race show. Kline expressed he was not retiring from racing but merely turning his Big Block car over to son Jesse, as the younger Kline wounded the motor in his FMP car, and there wasn't an available spare powerplant at this time in the Kline shop. Jesse, who is sitting in fourth in points at FMP, will finish out the season with the car but more than likely will see Bruce Kline return to the seat at Eastern States and Hagerstown.
Amsoil Pro Stock: John Roese, Norbert Bracklow, Charlie Houghtaling, Larry Temple Jr, Al Christiana, Rob Rowe, Jon Routhier, Kenny Atkins, Adam Douglas, George Christiana, Don Williams, Mark Lathrop, Scott Liese, Bill Deak Sr, Bill Deak Jr, John Hager, Bill Halstead, John Rood, Charlie Swartz Jr
Bryant's Towing Pure Stocks: Don J Williams, Mike Deyo, Paul Aragon Jr, Joe Judge, Ryan Coon, Kyle Wright, Ralph Ronk, Bill Judge, Ken Hopkins, Scott Kilmer, Don Coon, Richard Stickle, Steve Kanuk, Eric Davis, James DeCicco III, Bill Bulson, John Woinoski, Gary Ronk, Kyle Plumstead, Mike Dubois
THIS COMING WEEK, August 22: Midweek Madness Featuring Karts, Quads, Bikes and Lawn Mowers on the 1/4 mile track
August 24: Mid-Hudson Concrete Night Featuring Racing in all Divisions plus the CNYMS
August 31: Amsoil Night Featuring Racing in all Divisions plus Spectacular Labor Day Light Show-Fireworks and $1,000.00 to win Pro Stock Shoot-Out
September 28: Rhinebeck Ford "King of the Catskills" Bars For Less Modified Dash For Cash (Rain Date, Sept 29)
For updated information regarding Accord Speedway, log on to their website at:
www.accordspeedway.com or call the Speedway Hotline at: 845 626 3478
Your Weekend Begins at Accord
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