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Mike Ricci Rockets to Third Accord Win on Amsoil Night Labor Day Celebration
by Steve Pados, Accord Media
A large storm front raced through the Hudson Valley region on Thursday night depositing a huge deluge of rainfall in the area. Accord promoter Gary Palmer, who had already lost a half-dozen shows during the 2007 season to Mother Nature, spent a restless night wondering if the same circumstances would prevail. Palmer made his way to the track early Friday morning to find half of the track covered in a couple of feet of water. Putting an emergency plan into action, the hard working promoter assembled his help and spent the rest of the day, right up until racetime, whipping the track into shape to provide the loyal Accord racing fans a night to remember at the Ulster County bullring.
While the burden of preparation was a vast undertaking, the results were breathtaking. All six divisions of racing at the 1/4 mile speedring were on their a-game as the track was groomed to perfection and the 140 plus competitors could use all of the racing surface for their racing endeavors. The racing was excellent and "Wild Bill" brought in his exceptional brand of fireworks that filled the Hudson Valley with a light show beyond compare. DJ Tim Adams provided the background music making the Accord Labor Day celebration a special one.
Donnie Elliott and Mark Pullen paced the 20-car Rhinebeck Ford Modified field down for the start of the 30-lap feature event. Elliott drove his Affordable Transmission/Elliott's Automotive into the lead at the drop of the green flag and was pressured early on by Richie Eurich who was hustling his Collier Motorcar big block powered machine around the facility in fine fashion. Jamie Yannone, a three-time Accord winner this year, bolted from his fifth starting position and immediately utilized his signature "Yannone Line" to move into third to stay close with the leaders. Robbie Green raced his New York Truck Parts/Deckleman Trucking mount to the front early on using the many track grooves available to him.
Meanwhile, the action in mid-pack was fast and clustered as the impressive field of driving talent raced side by side and bumper to bumper in their attempt to break free from their competitors. Defending track champion Mike Ricci was the first drive to break free and he set his sights on the front running trio with his quick running Pine Grove Dude Ranch sponsored entry. Nine-time track Champion and current point leader Rich Ricci Jr was the next to do so and rim-riding Andy Bachetti quickly made himself part of the mix with his daring outside maneuvers that kept the jam-packed grandstand crowd on the edge of their seats.
As the laps clicked off, Elliott was seemingly in command of the race and his own destiny as he held a four-car length advantage over Eurich. Lap-19 saw the smoooth riding Mike Ricci take control of third place from Yannone with a strong outside pass that would set the stage for the same pass he would make on Eurich four laps later. Mike Ricci now set his sights on Elliott, who was seeking his initial win of the year at the speedway. Elliott was feeling the pressure but was keeping his line on the raceway picture perfect. Lap after lap Mike Ricci tried to make the winning move, only to have Elliott thwart his efforts.
On lap-28, Elliott's one bobble cost him dearly as his racer kissed the inside barrier and it upset the car enough to allow Mike Ricci to drive underneath him off of turn four to grab the lead and drive his racer to victory and capture his third win of the year at the Ulster County bullring. Donnie Elliott drove an outstanding race to finish in the runnerup slot.
Rich Ricci Jr raced to a third place finish and with second place points man Robbie Green suffering a DNF in the final rundown further enhancing his prospects for the track championship. Richie Eurich was a solid fourth and Jamie Yannone completed the top five finishing order.
In the headline race for the Amsoil Pro Stock division and with $1,000.00 on the line for the winner, a "CARQUEST" front row of Bill Deak Sr and Jr brought the 20-car lineup down for the start. Bill Deak Sr jumped into the lead at the start and led the first four circuits around the raceway. Bill Deak Jr took advantage of a fifth lap restart to power his way into the lead for the next five laps. Bill Deak Sr stayed close to his son and regained the lead on lap-10. The racing was closely contested as Jon Routhier continued to impress as he drove his Canaan Auto Supply/Stinger Chassis low slung mount to a challenging position. Last week's feature event winner Don Williams was up to the task to challenge as was Emerson Cargain Jr, who was solid throughout the running of the event in his Putnam Capital racer.
Bill Deak Sr held off all advances as he led the remainder of the 20-lap feature to capture his second win of the year. Bill Deak Jr was second and Jon Routhier was a close third. Don Williams was fourth and Emerson Cargain Jr completed the top five running order.
The Camper's Barn Sportsman feature was a triumph of joy for first time winner Steve Meilleur, as he wired the field in an impressive display of driving that was reminiscent to that of his mentor Andy Bachetti. Meilleur, who has been assisting Bachetti for years on his Modified equipment, had some great runs falter throughout the 2007 season, but on this night the Wassaic, New York resident drove his Pelletier Brothers Old School Plumbing/Albreada Waste sponsored racer to the front from his outside the front row starting spot and did his own version of rim-riding as he led every lap on his way to victory. Justin Holland finished second in a great run and Mike Senecal raced from 16th starting position to capture third. Ken Ferrier was fourth in the final rundown and Darrell Ford was another driver who thrilled the crowd as he raced from 18th starting spot to finish in fifth.
Vinnie DeCicco utilized a front row starting spot to grab the lead of the Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman event on the initial start and reel off his third win of the 2007 season. Greg Hastie applied plenty of pressure to the hard-riding DeCicco but came up a few car lengths short at the end of the race. Dan Conklin drove a great race to finish third and Jeff Richardson was his steady self as he worked his way into contention and drove a solid race to finish fourth. Phil Recchio recovered from a tenth lap spin to race through the pack and finish a solid fifth place at the end of the race.
The Kingston Nissan Mini Sprint feature saw Mark Rogers grab the early lead from his front row starting spot and lead the first 10-laps of the event. Clint Roehrs, who is the defending track champion, made his bid for the lead on lap-13 and took control of the event as he won his fifth feature event of the year. Rogers held on for the runnerup spot although pressure throughout by Scott Goodrich, who finished a close third. Tim Durland continued his great work at the speedway with a fourth place finish and Todd Lapp finished fifth.
The Bryant's Towing Pure Stock feature saw Gary Ronk power into the lead at the start of the event and lead the entire 15-laps on his way to his third win of the year at the speedway. Ronk was never seriously challenged throughout the running of the feature that saw Kyle Wright finish second. Mike Dubois continues his late season charge with a great third place performance and Ryan Coon and Don Coon completed the top five running order.
MUDPLUGS:
Another strong field of cars were on hand to do battle and new additions were abundant in the Amsoil Pro Stock ranks, with the big money on the line for the event. Newcomers incluuded Ivan Joslin who raced to a fine ninth place finish in the main event. Brad Curry was another newcomer who finished just out of the top ten running order with a respectable eleventh place finish. Chrissy Ryder took over the controls of the Norbert Bracklow machine and was credited with an 18th place finish, and Bill Knapp came over from the Lebanon Valley Speedway to make the show but was the first car to drop out of the event resulting in a 21st place finish.
The Pure Stock ranks were bolstered by a new face in Fred Davis, who raced the Jay Smalley mount to an eleventh place finish. Will Dietz was another newcomer who failed to qualify and Don J Williams took over the controls of the Bill Judge car and drove it to a 12th place finish.
Jesse Kline drove the Lutes Family machine to a solid 12th place finish in the main event. Kline, known to his faithful fans as the "Bangor Blast," is currently sitting in fourth place in the Modified points at the Five Mile Point speedway and is enjoying the racing at Accord as he stated he has never raced a track like Accord in his life that offers so much traction and multiple groove racing. He hopes to become a regular at the speedway next season.
The Pre-Race Show was another outstanding one as Announcers Andy Crane and Steve Pados interviewed last week's Sportsman winner Steve Krom, Modified great Richie Eurich, and Pro Stock drivers Rob Rowe and Emerson Cargain Jr.
Bachetti, Elliott, and Eurich were Modified heat winners. Deak Sr, Deak Jr, and Larry Temple Jr won the Pro Stock heats. DeCicco and Conklin won the Spec Sportsman heats. The Sportsman heats were captured by Holland, Larry Hendershot, and Meilleur. Mini Sprint heat winners were Goodrich and Roehrs. The Pure Stock heats were captured by Ryan Coon, Ralph Ronk, and Charlie Rose.
The Fireworks show was spectacular as was the music before the races and during the fireworks display provided by Catskill Mountain DJ Services guru Tim Adams.
For those still seeking Amsoil Catalogs, go to their website at: www.48StateSynLube.com
Another big tip of the hat goes out to Gary Palmer for taking the time and effort to provide a great night of entertainment at Accord, as he overcame all of the obstacles to make the night a special one for the fans and drivers.
Rhinebeck Ford Modifieds: Mike Ricci, Donnie Elliott, Rich Ricci Jr, Richie Eurich, Jamie Yannone, Andy Bachetti, Jerry Higbie, Jackie Brown Jr, Mel Shrufer, Rick Mill, Tom Hindley, Jesse Kline, John McGill, Scott Ferrier, Jim Halpin, Hank Goranson, Robbie Green, Jerry Curry, Dom Roselli
Amsoil Pro Stock: Bill Deak Sr, Bill Deak Jr, Jon Routhier, Don Williams, Emerson Cargain Jr, Rob Rowe, Adam Douglas, George Christiana, Ivan Joslin, Charlie Houghtaling, Brad Curry, Mark Lathrop, Larry Temple Jr, Al Christiana, John Roese, Pat Zimmer, Charlie Swartz Jr, Chrissy Ryder, John Rood, Bill Knapp
Camper's Barn Sportsman: Steve Meilleur, Justin Holland, Mike Senecal, Ken Ferrier, Darrell Ford, Jerry Craig, Danny Tyler, Dave Coene, Ray See Jr, Jesse Marks, Steve Krom, Keith VanOyan, Tom Dakake, Danny Hedges, Howard Jarvis, Randy Banks Jr,
Joey Giachinta, David Bush, John Sundlof, Larry Hendershot
Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman: Vinny DeCicco, Greg Hastie, Dan Conklin, Jeff Richardson, Phil Recchio, Jeff Hager, Steve Pinto, Danny Cross, Eric Moon, Hawley Smith, Jason Thew, Scott Mathews, Burt Irwin Jr, Steve Eubanks, John Gesztesi, Jamie House, Jeremy Quick
Bryant's Towing Pure Stocks: Gary Ronk, Kyle Wright, Mike Dubois, Tyan Coon, Don Coon, Bill Rion, Mike Deyo, Joe Judge, John Woinoski, Paul Aragon Jr, Fred Davis, Don J Williams, Scott Kilmer, Steven Kanuk, Bert Long, Tommy Johnson, Sharon Byrne, Charlie Rose Jr, Ralph Ronk, Bill Merten
Kingston Nissan Mini Sprints: Clint Roehrs, Mark Rogers, Scott Goodrich, Tim Durland, Todd Lapp, Phil Beesmer, Kevin Horton, Bob Lynt, Ralph Utter Jr, Brandon Bachor, Mike Goodnow, Brian Collier,
THIS COMING WEEK, September 7th, Nibble Nook Diner Night, Racing in all Divisions
September 14th, HO Penn Night, Last Night of Points, Racing in all Divisions
Septmeber 22nd, Super Nationals Midweek Madness, Karts, Quads, Bikes, Lawn Mowers
September 28: Rhinebeck Ford "King of the Catskills" 75 Laps Modifieds $5,000.00 to Win, Bars For Less Modified Dash For Cash $1,000.00 to Win, Plus Racing in All Divisions (Rain Date, Sept 29)
November 10th: Accord Awards Banquet: Hudson Valley Resort, Kerhonkson, NY
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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