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by Steve Pados, Accord Media
Accord, NY: In what is certain to prove to be perhaps the finest race to ever grace the 45-year old racing history of the Accord Speedway, the entries for the prestigious "King of the Catskills" 75-lap Modified spectacular continue to pour into the speedway office. With just 4-days remaining until the largest paying purse ever offered by the Ulster County speedplant race commences, the speedway staff has been kept busy preparing for the event that is certain to keep the greater Hudson Valley racing fans buzzing for some time to come.
The latest entry received by the Accord staff is that of the "Corporate Jet" Brett Hearn, who has told Accord Promoter Gary Palmer he will have the Vinny Salerno owned 4-Star Transmission at his disposal for the Friday night show. Hearn, a multi-time track champion at many tracks in the Northeast and the winner of more than 600 career feature wins and counting, considers the Accord facility to be a real challenge for the 40-plus entries that have signed in to do battle. With the race being a 75-lap go for broke shootout, the race proves to be the ultimate test for those who can be fast and still be able to negotiate and thread through the traffic on the tacky "race to the walls" speedplant.
In what will prove to be a much-looked at battle, the "Doctor" Danny Johnson has filed his entry as well for the event. Johnson is another multi-track champion who has enjoyed a great career in short track-racing. Together, Johnson and Hearn have forged a fierce rivalry in short-track racing and will resume their battle with this week's race.
The top names in the ranks of the Northeast Modifieds have all sent in their entries to try to secure the top prize of $5,000.00 offered by promoter Gary Palmer. The entries read like a who's who in star status and accomplishments. Four-time Orange County champion, the "Middletown Missle" Chuck McKee will be among the hopefuls attempting to win the coveted top prize. Along with McKee, "AJ Slideways" Alan Johnson has sent in his entry as well, and the former "Mr Dirt" star is comfortable in any kind of race setting.
Other entries have been received by Vermont star Dave Camara, and recent Forrest Rogers Grandview winner Jason Hamilton. The recent Utica Rome 200 winner, the "Canadian Sensation" Stewart Friesen, has announced his attentions to be in the field as well. Strong short-track runner Joey Grammes will make the tow from his Kunkletown, Pennsylvania shop to take part in the Friday race.
With all of the weekly regulars already sending in their entries for the race, the phones have been ringing off of the hook at the speedway office, as the race is certain to fill the grandstand seats and make for a standing room only crowd. Names like 10-time champion Rich Ricci Jr, muti-time champion Mike Ricci,
the "Wild Child" Andy Bachetti, Modified super-talent Jerry Higbie, Richie Eurich, Jamie Yannone, Donnie Elliott, Danny Creeden, John McGill, Rick Mill, Robbie Green, and a host of others will all bring their talents to the Accord "Gem in the Catskills" speedplant to seek the big payday offered. With the high interest for the event, the entries are likely to reach the 50-mark by raceday. The rules for the Rhinebeck Ford Modified division race have been slightly altered for the race.
Entry forms and rules information for the event are available online at the newly constructed website: www.accordspeedway.com While the "King of the Catskills" race is the headline race for the Friday night activities, four of the track divisions will also take part in the show. The Camper's Barn Sportsman race will pay-out a handsome $750.00 to the winner of the event. The Amsoil Pro Stocks, and the Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman will pay $400.00 to the winners, and the Bryant's Towing Pure Stocks will pay $250.00 to the winner. All pay-outs are based on 20-car starting fields.
Admission for the event is as follows: Spectator admission is $18.00. For Seniors over 65 years of age, the admission is $16.00. Juniors from ages 8 to 12, the admission price is $10.00. Kids 7 years of age and under, the admission price is $1.00. Campers are most welcome. (Thre are no hook-ups on site)
Pit gates will open on the 28th at 3:30 PM. Hot laps will be at 6 PM. Spectator gates will open at 5 PM. Accord Speedway is located at 297 Whitfield Road in Accord, New York 12404. Please check the website for directions to the speedway. The hotline for the speedway is: 845 626 3478.
Your weekend begins at Accord
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