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ACCORD SPEEDWAY NEWS
Accord, NY - Kevin Duryea Holds Off Rim-Riding Bachetti To Win Modified Feature At Accord Speedway
By Steve Pados, Accord Media
As pockets of thunder showers drenched many of the towns encompassing the greater Hudson Valley region, Promoter Gary Palmer was able to dodge all of the storms and present another fantastic racing show at his "Gem in the Catskills" the Accord Speedway. For Palmer, the night couldn't have been better, as Plamer celebrated his birthdaywhile witnessing another great of racing at his action filled facility. Another great crowd was on hand for the racing action as all divisions were well represented and the racing action can only be described as the best there is in short track racing today. The track was in impeccable shape and remained tacky and relatively dust free throughout an evening of racing that featured seven exciting main events. The evening's sponsor Escape RV was on hand with a great looking display unit and the US National Guard paid a visit with the Dale Earnhardt Jr showcar.
In the headline Rhinebeck Ford Modified feature event, Mel Schrufer and Kevin Duryea brought the23-car starting field down for the start of the 30-lap event. Schrufer got the jump and the led the field into turn one but Duryea quickly switched lanes and found the inside of the raceway much to his liking as he led the field down the backstretch. Duryea, who spent most of the 2007 season on the sidelines, quickly established himself as the man to beat as he opened up a huge advantage over the remainder of the field as he raced through clean air.
The mid pack action again proved to be worth the price of an admission ticket as one by one a driver would find a seam and quickly fill it with his race car. The race came to a screeching halt on lap-7 when Tom Demarmels clipped the inisde of the turn two fencing and leaped across the track and made heavy contact with the unforgiving boiler plate. With the restart bunching the field together, Duryea again showed his tailfeathers to the rest of the field but now the Walkill driving talent had some dancing partners as Modified Rookie Danny "Showtime" Tyler moved into contention from his 8th starting spot. Bill Papula, and "The Cyclone" Jamie Yannone also moved into contention but making the most noise was the "Wild Child" Andy Bachetti as he tossed his Albreada Waste machine to the top and bottom of the racetrack with relative ease to find the racing room he desired.
Another restart was needed 6-laps later when the Jackie Brown Jr machine became disabled with front end damage. On the restart Duryea again attempted to drive away from the field but by this time Bachetti was hot on his heels with Tyler and Yannone remaining close and the "Statesman" Jerry Higbie making his presence known with his Big Block powered Mid City Transit machine. As the laps wound down it was Higbie making the race a three car battle, and Bachetti testing all of the Accord real estate he could find to wrestle the lead away from the determined Duryea. Duryea kept his K&W Powerwash and Painting machine pointing straight while Bachetti was relentless in trying trying to find a way around him. Driving over the cushion many times during the last six laps of the race, Bachetti dazzled the fans with his exciting driving style. Duryea was not to be denied on this night as he drove under the checkered flag to record his first win of the season at the speedway. Bachetti was second with Higbie settling for third. Danny Tyler continued to impress with a fourth place finish and Rich Ricci Jr completed the top five. Jamie Yannone, newcomer Jimmy Johnson, Scott Ferrier, John Lutes Jr, and Barry Davis completed the top ten running order.
The Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman feature began with defending track champion Greg Hastie leading the way for a lap before yielding to Danny Conklin. Conklin was quick and jumped out to a big lead. A couple of restarts bunched the field closely for a few laps but a restart on lap-10 proved to be the determining factor in the race as DeCicco restarting from the outside lane, got a great jump at the green and took over the lead for good coming out of turn two. DeCicco went to record his third win of the season. Dan Conklin, in a great drive, was second with Greg Hastie in third, Phil Recchio was fourth and the veteran Jeff Richardson completed the top five.
The Bryant's Towing Pure Stock feature event was pure excitement from the word go. Ryan Coon led early but Joe Judge was moving to the front quickly from his 9th starting spot. Moving into second in just five laps, Judge and Coon got together in turn one and both were eliminated for the rest of the evening with the iron crunching incident. On the restart, Mike Dubois using a borrowed ride from Bill Judge, jumped into the lead with Steve Smalley, Tommy Johnson and Paul Aragon in hot pursuit. Aragon moved into second a couple of laps later and began to pressure Dubois. On a 14th lap restart, Aragon drove into turn one with intensity and collected Dubois as the two battlers banged and clanged all of the way into turn two. With the two top runners being eliminated, the door was left open for veteran campaigner John Woinoski and he won the final one lap shootout with 15-year old driving talent Tommy "The Gun" Johnson. "Mr Consistency" Steve Smalley was third with last week's winner Ray Tarantino in fourth and the "Cowboy" Bill Halstead completing the top five
The Camper's Barn Sportsman feature event proved to be a mini version of the Modified feature. Shane Jablonka, who has been a welcome addition to the speedway this year, took off at the drop of the green flag and led the first laps of the race. The "Rockbuster" Justin Holland broke free and was challenging but couldn't make the pass stick as he catered to the outside of the raceway. Pulling up alongside of Jablonka in turn-3 on lap-9, Holland tossed his car to the top of the cushion, hit the seam, and got a great run of of turn-4 to assume the lead. Once in front Holland was never headed even though Jablonka remained close throughout. Steve Krom ran a steady race to finish third with Darrell Ford in fourth and a return to the speedway brought a top five finish for the popular Bobby Hentschel.
The Enzo's Ristorante and Pizza Pro Stock held over feature was classic Don Willimas as the defending track champion raced into contention early on and waited until early leader Don J Williams slipped up the raceway on turn-1, after leading for six laps, and the elder Williams deftly moved underneath on turn-2 and took over the lead and go on to win another feature event. Bill Deak Sr made it a great race with his runner-up finish and Don J Williams held on for third. Rookie competitor Torin Betterton was solid throughout the event and finished fourth in his best outing to date. Larry Temple Jr copmpleted the top five.
The Accord Mini Sprints returned to action and the "Whirlin" Timmy Durland was quick to the point as he led the first 13-laps of the event even though pressured heavily by two time defending track champion Clint Roehrs. Hitting lapped traffic on lap-13, Durland went one way and Roehrs the other as the
two hotshoes tried to find the channel around or through the traffic. Roehrs came out of turn-4 four with the lead and was never headed. Durland's night went sour when on a restart Scott Goodrich and he connected off of turn-2 and Durland went upside down in a dispaoointing night for the hard charging talent. The final rundown was Clint Roehrs, Scott Goodrich, newcomer Mike Kiser, Todd Lapp, and rounding out the top five was JD Casazza.
The regular Enzo's Pro Stock event began with Jon Routhier leading the first four laps. A huge fourth turn pileup rendered many cars disabled and the event resumed with a reduced field of racers. Emerson Cargain Jr took the lead from Routhier with an outside pass off of turn-2 and led the reaminder of the race to win his first career feature event at Accord. Don Williams raced from 11th starting place to finish in the runnerup slot. Bill Deak Sr was third with Norbert Bracklow in for fourth in a solid outing. Jon Routhier held on for fifth even though he raced the remaining three laps of the race at a reduced speed as something went amiss with his racer.
MUDPLUGS:
The US National Guard sponsored Dale Earnhardt Jr numbered 88 show car was a hit of the fans during it's stay at the speedway. Staff Sargeant Girard answered many questions about the car during a Pre-Race interview with announcers Steve Pados and Andy Crane. Also taking part in the show was the headline sponsor Joey Barbagallo from Escape RV and the popular Mike Dubois, whose Dad was present from North Carolina. Barbagallo, who was hoping to begin his racing season that evening, was informed their was problems with the trailer carrying the two cars, one for he and the other for Ric Hill and unfortunately the cars never did make it to the raceway. For Dubois, his Dad took out the family owned racer out for hot laps and while Pop showed he could still cut the mustard with the best of them, something went wrong with the car on the final lap of the session and the car was withdrawn from further competition that evening. Dubois, whose Uncle just happens to be two time winner in 2008, Bill Judge, volunteered his car to Dubois for the evening. Dubois, while leading, was involved in the wreck that would eliminate he and Paul Aragon from competition.
New additions continue to dot the Accord driving rosters. Jimmy Johnson made his first appearance a successful one as he recorded a 7th place finish in maiden voyage at the speedway. Bobby Hentschel and Danny Hedges made their first appearances with Hentschel in for a solid fifth and Hedges recovering from a spin to finish in tenth. The Modified roster was enhanced with the return of the talented veteran Richie Eurich. Eurich suffered from a flat tire and was an early retiree from the feature event.
The Accord Mini Sprint roster included such new names as Rick Hench in his beautiful Henchraft House-car. Hench was an early departure from the feature while contending in the top five. Art Kiser and Mike Kiser were new additions and Mike Kiser raced hard to a third place finish. Robert Head was another new name with the Mini Sprints.
Heat winners during the evening included Durland and Roehrs in the Mini Sprints. Tommy Johnson, Joe Judge, and Mike Dubois were Pure Stock heat winners. Pro Stock heats were won by Routhier and Don Williams. Sportsman heat winners included Jablonka, Holland, and Brian Krummel. Danny Conklin and Greg Hastie were Spec Sportsman heat winners and the Modified heats were captured by Jerry Curry, Jamie Yannone, and eventual feature winner Duryea.
Even with all of the racing that took place at the speedway, the track surface was amazing. The laborious task of trying to improve the track surface with each passing week is a true testament to the dedication Palmer and his family put into the facility.
Mid Week Madness was again cancelled when a quick hitting storm pounced on the area and rendered racing conditions impossible. This coming Wednesday night, June 25th, the staff will try to do it all over again as launching the midweek programs have been a struggle thus far. Karts, Quads, Bikes, Lawn Mowers and Slingshots make up the midweek roster as the quarter miler will be tested by upwards of 100 plus racers coming out to test their skill on the lightning quick facility. Gates open at 5 PM with hot laps beginning promptly at 6:15. Racing commences immediately after hot laps. Admission for the quickly paced show is a very affordable $3.00.
Action returns on Friday night, June 27th at Accord Speedway with the host sponsor being Joe's Wash and Go. A huge Fireworks Extravaganza is planned as Wild Bill returns for his 8th consecutive year, bringing his sensational light show back to the Accord arena. Pit Gates open at 4:30 and Spectator Gates open at 5. Hot laps are at 6:30 and the racing begins at 7 PM. Admission for regular shows is $12.00 for Adults and $3.00 for those 11 and under.
July 4th is the famous Chicken BBQ night at the speedway so make sure you arrive early for some sensational vittles.
July 11th will be a night to remember at the speedway as the "Three-Wide is Standard" ARDC Midget racing club brings their side by side style of racing to the Accord facility. Along with two time champion Andy Martin, the traveling club is blessed with a combination of youth and veteran driving talents. Among the ranks will be Nick Wean, Ryan Smith, Stephanie Stevens, Brett Arndt, Eric Heydenreich, Randy Monroe, Steve Lenig, Steve Craig, Drew Heistand and a talented band of hard-chargers that will test their skills on the Accord clay. The ACOT Old-Timers will pay a role in the evening as well as the fans get a look at how the Midgets looked and raced back in the golden era of racing. The Grand Marshall for the event will be open wheel legend, the great Jimmy Maguire.
Bryant's Towing Pure Stock: John Woinoski, Tommy Johnson, Steve Smalley, Ray Tarantino, Bill Halstead, Bill Bulson, Kyle Wright, Mike Deyo, Richard Stickle, Phil Johnson, Mike DuBois, Paul Aragon Jr, Ralph Ronk, Will Dietz, Gary Ronk, Joe Judge, Ryan Coon, Rich Scott, Charlie Rose Jr
Rhinebeck Ford Modifieds: Kevin Duryea, Andy Bachetti, Jerry Higbie, Danny Tyler, Rich Ricci Jr, Jamie Yannone, Jimmy Johnson, Scott Ferrier, John Lutes Jr, Barry Davis, John McGill, Mike Ricci, David Bush, Rick Mill, Mark Pullen, Mel Schrufer, Jimmy Halpin, Jerry Curry, Jackie Brown Jr, Nick Lapp, Richie Eurich, Bill Papula, Tom Demarmels
Enzo's Ristorante & Pizza Pro Stocks: (Held Over Event) Don Williams, Bill Deak Sr, Don J Williams, Torin Betterton, Larry Temple Jr, Al Christiana Jr,
John Roese, Norbert Bracklow, Roy Williams, Terry O'Brien, Leon Shauger, Bill Deak Jr, Emerson Cargain Jr, John Rood, Hank Marin, Jon Routhier
Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman: Vinnie DeCicco, Danny Conklin, Greg Hastie, Phil Recchio, Jeff Richardson, Eric Moon, Kyle Rohner, Sammy Dwy, Tyler Boniface, John Calcagni Jr, Scott Mathews, Jack Skeritt, Steve Pinto, Bobby Hassenmayer, Richard Smith, Tyler Odendahl, John Gesztesi, Greg Hastie, Kyle Plumstead, AJ Williams
Campers Barn Sportsman: Justin Holland, Shane Jablonka, Steve Krom, Darrell Ford, Bobby Hentschel, Brian Krummel, Steve Meilleur, Jeff Hulseapple, Howard Jarvis, Danny Hedges, Ken Ferrier, Joe Giachinta, David Coene, John Sundlof, Greg McCloskey, Randy Banks Jr, Ray See Jr, Charlie Winne, Mike Senecal, Larry Badaracco
Accord Mini Sprint Series: Clint Roehrs, Scott Goodrich, Mike Kiser, Todd Lapp, JD Casazza, Mark Rogers, Rick Russell, Karl Pittenger, Will Casazza, Gary Reyer, Tim Durland, Art Kiser, Rick Hench, Robert Head
Enzo's Ristorante & Pizza Pro Stocks: Emerson Cargains Jr, Don Williams, Bill Deak Sr, Norbert Bracklow, Jon Routhier, Roy Williams, John Rood, Pete Pollender, Bill Deak Jr, Don J Williams, Larry Temple Jr, Matt Curry, Al Christiana Jr, Hank Marin, Lenny Helmich, John Roese, Torin Betterton
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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