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ACCORD SPEEDWAY NEWS Accord, NY - Nick Lapp Scores Surprising Accord Speedway Win
By Steve Pados, Accord Media Embraced by a solid military presence that was matched up with the great musical sounds of DJ Tim Adams, an amazing light show by Wild Bill, and a racing card that is second to none, Gary Palmer's Accord Speedway ushered in the start of a series of special events that is certain to have people buzzing about for some time to come. The fabulous racing at the facility keeps getting better and better due to the great playing surface Promoter Palmer provides to the more than 120 racers that funneled into the pit area to do battle last Friday night. The track was again dust free and when the racers suggested a bit of grading be done to shave down the "Accord Cushion", Palmer jumped on the grader and soon had the raceway groomed and ready for the remaining feature events. Joe's Wash and Go was the headline sponosr for the evening's racing activities. The 23-car Rhinebeck Ford Modified starting field rolled down for the start with Nick Lapp behind the wheel of the signature numbered 406 Big Block racer that Rich Ricci Jr had raced all season long and won with on opening night. Ricci Jr took over the controls of the number 55 that Lapp had raced a few times prior and of late enjoyed a top ten finish in the machine. Ricci Jr would start from the 15th starting spot. Lapp took the lead at the drop of the green flag and raced away to a small advantage over second starting Mel Schrufer. A caution on lap-8 for the disabled machine of newcomer JJ Bunnell brought the field to a halt. On the restart Lapp again pulled away as he hit his marks with each passing lap. By this time Mike Ricci began to make his presence known as he slipped into second and began hunting the raceway to find a way around the high-flying Lapp. With each passing lap Ricci would try another line as attempted to wrestle the lead away from Lapp. As the pair battled, Rich Ricci Jr broke free and entered into the chase for the win. Mike Ricci now had to contend with brother Rich and the turn of events gave Lapp some breathing room he took advantage of as he raced under Kenny Marshall's checkered flag to secure the victory. Mike Ricci was second with Rich Ricci Jr third, "Showtime" Danny Tyler was fourth and Mel Schrufer rounded out the top five. The second five consisted of John McGill, current point leader Andy Bachetti, Bill Papula, Rick Mill, and the returning "Iceman" Dom Roselli. The Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman event began as the Steve Pinto show as the second year driver took off from his pole start and led easily through the first eight laps. Rookie driver Bobby Hassenmayer began to pressure Pinto on the bottom side of the raceway and slipped by to take the lead on the third turn of lap 10 and led the remaining 10-laps to capture his first win the big car ranks. Phil Recchio took up the chase when Pinto fell off the pace and pressured Hassenmayer throughout but couldn't make the winning pass and wound up second. Defending champion Greg Hastie battled for third and the "Bushkill Bullet" Kyle Rohner continues to impress with a great run from 12th starting place to finish fourth. Pinto held on to complete the top five. The Camper's Barn Sportsman affair began with Ray See Jr turning up the wick to lead the first 9-laps of the 20-lap event. Brian Krummel, a winner earlier in the year, methodically worked his way into contention and took over the lead on lap-10. Once in front, Krummel raced out to safe distance to capture his second win of the 2008 racing season. Ray See Jr was second with "Highside" Howard Jarvis rallying for third place from his 12th starting position. Jerry Craig was fourth and Steve Meilleur rounded out the top five. In the Enzo's Ristorante and Pizza Pro Stock main event, Don J Williams took the lead at the start and manhandled his racer for the first 16-laps of the event. Larry Temple Jr applied heavy pressure from the start as he sought to find a way around Williams, who worked extremely hard to keep his racer going in the right direction. As Williams entered turned two on the 17th lap, the car turned to the inside of the raceway and Williams wrestled with the machine to point it straight but by that time Temple was gone as was Bill Deak Jr. A lap later defending track champion Don Williams found his way by Deak Jr and though Williams got close, Temple Jr got the great run off of turn four to win the event. Williams settled for second with Bill Deak Jr holding on to third, John Roese finishing fourth, and Jon Routhier rounding out the top five. The always exciting Bryant's Towing Pure Stock feature event began with Mike Dubois grabbing the lead at the outset. Dubois raced out to a comfortable margin by lap-5 but making his presence known by that time was defending track champion Joe Judge as he raced from 9th starting position to challenge with the leader Dubois. Lap after the pair battled on with Judge pulling alongside but never being able to gain an advantage. Dubois crossed the finish line first with Joe Judge finishing second. Paul Aragon Jr was third with two-time winner Bill Judge in fourth and Ralph Ronk completing the top five. MUDPLUGS: New racers continue to surface at the speedway as Bushkill, Pennsylvania's JJ Bunnell added his name to the growing list of Modified drivers at Accord.Bunnell raced Slingshot race cars last year but made the big leap into the Modifieds for the 2008 racing season. Bunnell did not finish the feature event. The veteran Everett Haubrich took over the controls of the AJ Wiliams Spec Sportsman machine as Haurich was on hand to help the newcomer Williams with some set-up tips. Don Coon returned to action with his pure stock racer and Charlie Rose returned with a new mount as well. Pro Stock heat race winners were Don J Williams and Jon Routhier. Paul Aragon Jr, Mike Dubois and Bill Judge were victorious in the Pure Stock heats.Sportsman heat winners included Ray See Jr, Jeff Hulseapple, and Brian Krummel. Spec Sportsman heat winners included Eric Moon and Steve Pinto.Modified heat winners included Mike Ricci, Mel Schrufer and David Bush. The pre-race interviews included Accordian "Driver of the Week" "Dynamite" Danny Cross, Steve Krom and "Showtime" Danny Tyler as they brought their race cars behind the grandstands to sign autographs and chat with Announcer Steve Pados. The format has proved to be quite popular with the fans as they become more in-tune with the racing equipment and the drivers who are performing for them on the racetrack. Later interviews while there was a break in the action included the 2007 National Slingshot Champion Billy Van Inwegen and Pro Stock driver Emerson Cargain Jr. A surprise visitor to the speedway was Behrent's Performance Center owner Harry Beherent along with his wife. Behrent, a noted Modified wheel twister himself just a few years ago, enjoyed the close racing action the Accord speedplant provides. The US National Guard 104th Military Police Battalion returned to the speedway along with the US Army Reserve to do the flag raising ceremonies at the speedway. Six Hum-Vees accompanied the group as the racing fans were encouraged to chat with them or to view the military equipment they brought with them for the evening. Staff Sargeant Van Vleet again headed up the participation by the military. The large grandstand crowd gave the military group another standing ovation and did again when racing ambassador John McGill spearheaded a campaign to have Sargeant Eddie Ryan on hand to wave the green flag to start one of the feature events. Ryan was gracious as he waved to the standing crowd from his wheelchair and surrounded by many well-wishers who assisted in getting him to the event. Wild Bill Did his usual excellent sky lighting extravaganza much to the delight of the large crowd on hand for the event. In the background, DJ Tim Adams played some great music that brought a carnival like atmosphere to the popular speedplant. Midweek Madness was a success last Wednesday night as more than 140 competitors were on hand to test the lightning quick oval. RJ Smykla proved to be the opening night winner in the Slingshots with the "Montgomery Missile" Anthony Perrego in second, Kayla Smykla in third and the "Z-Man" Zach O'Connell rounding out the top four place winners. Charlie Lawrence finished fifth. "Mighty" Michael Horton was an easy winner in the Junior Slingshot event with Joseph Kata finishing in second. Another jam-packed week of Accord action is in store for the racing fans as Midweek Madness hits on Wednesday night and a Fourth of July Friday evening hits with the famous BBQ Chicken feast awaiting the fans on KB's Photos Night. All divisions will be in action along with the return of the Accord Mini Sprints. Bryant's Towing Pure Stock: Mike Dubois, Joe Judge, Paul Aragon Jr, Bill Judge, Ralph Ronk, Ray Tarantino. Tommy Johnson, Bill Halstead, Ryan Coon, Mike Deyo, John Woinoski, Danny Rose, Kyle Wright, Don Coon, Chris Kanuk, Bill Bulson, Steve Smalley, Clarence Smith Jr, Rich Scott, Bill Merten, Phil Johnson Rhinebeck Ford Modifieds: Nick Lapp, Mike Ricci, Rich Ricci Jr, Danny Tyler, Mel Schrufer, John McGill, Andy Bachetti, Bill Papula, Rick Mill, Dom Roselli, Kevin Duryea, Barry Davis, Donnie Elliott, Rich Eurich, John Lutes Jr, Jackie Brown Jr, Tom Demarmels, Mark Pullen, Jerry Curry, Scott Ferrier, Jerry Higbie, David Bush, JJ Bunnell Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman: Bobby Hassenmayer, Phil Recchio, Greg Hastie, Kyle Rohner, Jeff Richardson, Steve Pinto, Danny Cross, John Calcagni Jr, Sammy Dwy, Tyler Odendahl, Scott Mathews, AJ Williams, Danny Conklin, Richard Smith, Jack Skeritt, Vinnie DeCicco Campers Barn Sportsman: Brian Krummel, Ray See Jr, Howard Jarvis, Jerry Craig, Steve Meilleur, Larry Badaracco, Ken Ferrier, John Sundlof, Jeff Hulseapple, Joe Giachinta, Jesse Marks, Tom Dakake, Mike Senecal, Everett Haubrich, Danny Hedges, David Coene, Darrell Ford, Randy Banks Jr, Larry Hendershot, Justin Holland Enzo's Ristorante and Pizza Pro Stocks: Larry Temple Jr, Don Williams, Bill Deak Jr, John Roese, Jon Routhier, Don J Williams, Emerson Cargain Jr, Bill Deak Sr, Roy Williams, Lenny Helmich, Ron Nuzzaro, Torin Betterton, Charlie Rose 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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