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Accord, NY - Accord Speedway Highlighted By The Run Of The Mill (Rick Mill)
By Steve Pados, Accord Media
Racing returned on Friday night to the Accord Speedway as a perfect spring night and perfect racing conditions led to some of the best driving performances the "young" racing season at Accord could provide. Hampered by three consecutive weather cancellations, the racing season at Accord has gotten off to a rather slow start in 2008. Throw all of that out the window as when the Hudson Valley area is graced with great weather, a pit area bulging at the seams full of hungry racers, and an enthusiastic Friday night crowd thriving for side by side dirt track racing, the ingredients make a special formula for a special night of racing at Gary Palmer's "Gem in the Catskills".
More than 120 racers from five divisions signed in to do battle on HigFab Night at the speedway. Competitive heat racing set the stage for a six feature event night of racing that had the loyal Accord fans craving for more. During the off-time at the speedway, Promoter Gary Palmer worked 16-hours a day to correct some of the rough spots in his raceway created by the major up-grading project he began once the racing concluded last year at the speedway. Hampered by the harsh winter weather, the major overhaul of the speedway took longer that expected but the energetic Palmer, who is never satisfied with being second best, put the time and effort into the speedway surface to produce a track surface that had little dust but a ton of bite for the racers to dig into and produce the best racing the 2008 season has had to offer.
Second year Modified talent Jerry Curry and "Showtime" Danny Tyler brought the Rhinebeck Ford Modified field down for the start of the 30-lap headliner. Tyler, the 2007 Sportsman champion at the track, wasted no time in hustling his Doug Tyler and Son racer into the front at the drop of the green. Quickly distancing himself from the rest of the field, the rookie sensation was rim riding his mount on the outside of the raceway. Curry remained in second while trying to hold off the advances of Rick MIll and the "Slate Hill Statesman" Jerry Higbie, who was sporting big block power in his Mid City Transit sponsored mount. Action at mid-pack was simply spectacular as the real estate was tough to come by but inch by inch the masters of the Accord clay began to claw their way through the star studded field. The action came to a screeching halt on lap-10 when Tom Demarmels sheered off the right side front end of his Empire Packing sponsored machine in turn three and took a few billboards along with him in the process.
When racing resumed, Tyler had a bunched up field of hot shoes behind him. Mill broke into second and began to apply the pressure to Tyler, Higbie slid into third and by lap-17 the leaders approached lapped traffic. Mill, utilizing his many years of experience, threaded the needle to the outside of a lapped car and Tyler tried to hug the bottom as the pair entered turn-3. Mill had the momentum going his way and powered into turn-4 as the new leader. Tyler kept up the chase but now had to contend with Higbie who made his presence known to both Mill and Tyler. Not finding the bite he needed in turns one and two, Higbie could not muster the challenge needed to make a move on Tyler. Rich Ricci Jr, starting from 13th position, was hugging the inside of the raceway throughout most of the 30-lap race came into the picture late and mounted a challenge to Higbie and the "Wild Child" Andy Bachetti was working the wild side of the raceway to perfection. Mill crossed the finish line first in his Cracker Motorsports/Frank Stevens Roofing sponsored mount for a hard earned and well deserved feature event victory and a healthy $2,000.00 in cash at the payout window. Tyler was in for the bridesmaid's role with Higbie racing to a third place finish. Defending Champion Ricci was fourth and Bachetti finally settled for fifth. "The Cyclone" Jamie Yannone made his first appearance of the season and was sixth in his first outing. The remainder of the top ten were Danny Creeden, Jerry Curry, Bill Papula and Garden Stater John Dixon.
The Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman feature belonged to Vinnie DeCicco. DeCicco, whose Mother passed away during the past week, raced with a heavy heart as he led all 20-laps of the feature event and dedicated the win to her in an emotional victory lane tribute. The fast improving Steve Pinto finished second with the veteran racer Jeff Richardson third, defending champion Greg Hastie Fourth, and impressive rookie campaigner Tyler Odendahl completed the top five.
Middletown, New York's Brian Krummel raced his Affordable Transmission sponsored racer into the lead at the start of the Camper's Barn Sportsman feature event and led all 20-laps even though he receiving lots of pressure from 9th place starting Ken Ferrier in the final laps of the race. The battle between Krummel and Darrel Ford was textbook stuff for a good fifteen laps as Ford kept pace with Krummel by racing on the wildside of the raceway that even had him pulling into the lead on occasion but never enough to hold onto. Ford spun on lap-19 to negate the fine run he was making to attempt to win the race.
David Coene raced from 13th with a hard charge forward to finish third and Jerry Craig and Larry Hendershot completed the top five. Steve Meilleur, who started fourth but lost 10 spots when he drove into turn three a bit too hot, rebounded from the half spin and was the fastest car on the track the remainder of the race as he clawed his way back to a respectable sixth at the end of the event.
Scott Mill paced the Enzo's Ristorante Pro Stock feature down for the start of the 20-lap event as the race featured a $500.00 to win payoff as a memorial to Jeremy Michael Hedges, the late son of Pat Hedges who crew chiefs the Emererson Cargain Jr mount. Mill spun in turn three while leading the event and was an early race casualty. On the restart Larry Temple Jr took over for two laps before yielding to the high flying defending track champion Don Williams. The race turned into a three way battle as Rob Rowe, making his first appearance of the new season, raced from 11th starting position to challenge Temple and Williams. Williams held on to win the event with Rowe charging into second and Temple finishing in third. John Roese continued his great work with a solid fourth place finish and newcomer Steve Hankle made his first visit to Accord a successful one as he landed a top five finish.
In the regular feature event for the Bryant's Towing Pure Stocks,Mike Dubois umped to an early lead at the start and drove to victory over a very challenging Mike Deyo. Bill Bulson broke through a pack of stout racers to finish third with Paul Aragon doing some great work with a fourth place finish and the steady Kyle Wright completing the top five.
In the heldover Bryant's Towing feature event, 15-year old driving star Tommy "The Gun" Johnson jumped into the lead at the start of event and held off the challenges of defending track champion Joe Judge for 14 laps. A skirmish on lap-14 resulted in a restart and a one lap shootout pitting the youngster against the veteran. Johnson tried to be cautious on the restart but felt the pressure of Judge between turns one and two. Johnson goosed the hammer a bit too hard and became sideways allowing the quick thinking Judge to squirt past for the win. Mike Deyo and Ryan Coon also slipped by Johnson, but the youngster managed to get straightened out and drove to a fine fourth place finish. Andy Briggs was very impressive in driving from 14th starting position to record a top five when the checkered flag fell.
MUDPLUGS:
Many new cars graced the pit area as the word about the great racing and payouts at Accord continues to spread throughout the racing community. New Modified entries included the popular Craig "Hollywood" Mitchell, who placed 18th in first outing in 2008 at Accord. Kevin Duryea made his first appearance a successful one as the Wallkill, New York driving talent drove to a 11th place finish with his K&W Painting machine. Mel Schrufer made his first appearance of the year and was credited with a 17th place finish in his sharp looking Academy Transmission sponsored machine. Jamie Yannone also was sporting some great new graphic designs on his sharp looking Alex Marine sponsored mount. Nick Lapp attempted to qualify the Rich Ricci Small block car but did not transfer into the main event.
Will Dietz brought a new Pure Stock into the pit area and the Pro Stocks were graced with new arrivals in Steve Hankle, Roy Williams, Hank Marin and Matt Curry. The Spec Sportsman had one new addition to the field with Kyle Plumstead returning to action. Carl Dawes returned to Accord with a former Chuck McKee small block ride.
Heat winners for the Pure Stocks were Paul Aragon in his DNB Seamless machine, Mike Dubois in his Absolute Automotive entry, and Mike Deyo in his Showalters Equipment entry. Pro Stock heats went to Rob Rowe in his new mount, Don Williams in his Hewitts Fabrications entry, and Emerson Cargain Jr
in the beautiful Putnam Capital mount. Sportsman heats went to Steve Meilleur in his Pelletier Brothers Plumbing ride, Brian Krummel, and Larry Hendershot driving his Hendershot Excavating entry. Spec Sportsman heats were captured by "Slammin" Sammy Dwy in his Bonavenia Trucking entry, Jeff Richardson in his beautiful Color Trick graphics mount, and the high flying Phil Recchio in his DR Mullen sponsored machine. Modified heats went to Jerry Higbie in his Mr K's Carpet entry, Rick Mill, and Danny Tyler. Mel Schrufer captured the Modified consi.
The racing at the speedway was tremendous and the drivers were not afraid to test the racing surface from wall to wall as they all tried to find the sweet spot of the raceway to match their chassis set-up. With a few more curfewed feature events to catch up with, the next couple of weeks will add spice without price to the admission ticket. Camper's Barn will be the headline sponsor for next week's racing show with the Vintage Modified providing an extra attraction to the evening's festivities. Pit Gates open at the speedway at 4:30 and the Spectator Gates open at 5 PM. Hot Laps are at 6:30 and the Racing begins at 7 PM. Admission prices are $12.00 per Adult and $3.00 for those 11 and under.
Make note on the racing calendar Mid Week Madness commences on June 4th with small division racing featuring Slingshots, Lawn Mowers, Bikes, Quads and Go Karts. The Wednesday night shows have become the feeder series for the Friday night divisions at the speedway for those hoping to become the stars of tomorrow in racing.
Bryant's Towing Pure Stock: (Held Over) Joe Judge, Mike Deyo, Ryan Coon, Tommy Johnson, Andy Briggs, Ray Tarantino, Kyle Wright, Steve Smalley,
Paul Aragon Jr, Steve Kanuk, Phil Johnson, Clarence Smith Jr, John Woinoski, Dan Knoth, Mike Dubois, Bill Halstead, Gary Ronk, Jeff Hager ,Bill Judge, Richard Stickle, Rich Scott
Rhinebeck Ford Modifieds: Rick Mill, Danny Tyler, Jerry Higbie, Rich Ricci Jr, Andy Bachetti, Jamie Yannone, Danny Creeden, Jerry Curry, Bill Papula, John Dixon, Kevin Duryea, John McGill, Jackie Brown Jr, Barry Davis, Scott Ferrier, David Bush, Mel Schrufer, Craig Mitchell, Mark Pullen, Doug Ostwald, John Lutes Jr, Tom Demarmels
Enzo's Ristorante & Pizza Pro Stocks: Don Williams, Rob Rowe, Larry Temple Jr, John Roese, Bill Deak Jr, Steve Hankle, Emerson Cargain Jr, Jon Routhier, Torin Betterton, John Rood, Bill Deak Sr, Charlie Schwartz Jr, Don J Williams, Torin Betterton, Charlie Schwartz Jr, Pete Polander, Matt Curry, Roy Williams, Al Christiana Jr, Scott Mill
Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman: Vinnie DeCicco, Steve Pinto, Jeff Richardson, Greg Hastie, Tyler Odendahl, Phil Recchio, John Lieto, Bobby Hassenmayer, Danny Cross, Eric Moon, AJ Williams, Sam Dwy, Rich Lybolt, John Calcagni Jr, Scott Mathews, Steve Plumstead, Jack Skeritt, Dan Conklin, Tyler Boniface, Kyle Rohner
Campers Barn Sportsman: Brian Krummel, Ken Ferrier, David Coene, Jerry Craig, Larry Hendershot, Steve Meilleur, Larry Badaracco, Howard Jarvis, Randy Banks Jr, Greg McCloskey, John Sundlof, Ray See, Jr, Tom Dakake, Carl Dawes, Darrell Ford, Shane Jablonka, Justin Holland, Kevin Smith, Jesse Marks, Joey Giachinta, Steve Krom
Bryant's Towing Pure Stocks: Mike Dubois, Mike Deyo, Bill Bulson, Paul Aragon Jr, Kyle Wright, Ryan Coon, Rich Scott, Tommy Johnson, Gary Ronk,
Ray Tarantino, John Woinoski, Bill Halstead, Andy Briggs, Jeff Hager, Phil Johnson, Dan Knoth, Richard Stickle, Steve Kanuk, Clarence Smith Jr,
Joe Judge, Will Dietz
For further updates and information regarding the great racing at the Accord Speedway, logon to the their newly constructed website at: http://www.accordspeedway.com or call the speedway hotline at: 845 626 3478
A TRAIL OF DIRT LEADS RIGHT TO OUR DOOR
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