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ACCORD SPEEDWAY NEWS Accord, NY - Rich Ricci Jr Scores Second Accord Speedway On Mid Hudson Concrete NightBy Steve Pados, Accord Media The warm summer weather and the beautiful skies of the Hudson Valley welcomed an overflowing pit area of anxious racers and a grandstand packed full of eager racing fans waiting for their Friday night racing heroes to take to the Accord Speedway and once again perform their magic in race cars that will have to go down in the history books as the most exciting season ever in the eight seasons of racing at the speedway since Gary Palmer and his family took over the reigns of their quarter mile play ground. The speedway suffered from two consecutive rainouts that brought the Friday night action to a screeching halt after 11 straight weeks of side by racing, but with the favorable weather the race place to be on Friday night was the "Gem in the Catskills". Mark Pullen and Tommy Demarmels led the 22-car Rhinebeck Ford Modified starting field down for the green flag. The two hard luck campaigners squared off in a battle that went 6-laps before a disabled Jackie Brown Jr racer brought the action to a halt. On the restart, Pullen sped off but soon had to contend with sixth place starting Rich Ricci Jr as the 10-time champion quickly made his presence known in his big block powered machine. On lap-9 Ricci sped into the lead but soon had the veteran big block warrior Richie Eurich challenging from all sides of the raceway. Eurich tested all of the real estate at the speedway but couldn't inch his way past the high-flying Ricci. The built up momentum of the drivers came to sudden stops on two separate occasions with the first one happening for the tangle between Kevin Duryea and Danny Tyler which sent the Tyler machine to the infield with heavy front end damage. After a period of green flag racing, point leader Andy Bachetti broke off of turn two bringing another halt in the racing action. After the next green flag, Eurich couldn't find the proper lane to challenge Ricci and settled back into second with "Prime Time" Scotty Ferrier now beginning to inch closer to Eurich. Meanwhile, "The Statesman From Slate Hill" Jerry Higbie began to find the raceway to his liking as he began to mow down the traffic with each passing lap. Mike Ricci found his racer responding well and he sped forward from 20th starting position. This was a textbook Ricci night as the 10-time champion sped under the checkered flag to score his second win of the season and his first win since opening night. Richie Eurich did a masterful job of finishing second from his 11th starting position. Scotty Ferrier was third with Higbie running out of laps at the end and settling for fourth place money. Mike Ricci completed the top five with a sensational run through the heavy traffic. Danny Creeden had an excellent run throughout and was sixth with Kevin Duryea coming across the line for seventh. Donnie Elliott, Barry Davis and the "Iceman" Dom Roselli all had excellent runs to complete the top ten in a very competitive and exciting feature run. The Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman ranks continue to set the tone for the great future for the racing at the Accord Speedway as so many young driving stars have emerged during the past two seasons to add to the lustre of the division once totally dominated by the veteran drivers. "The Catskill Comet" Ken Boniface Jr led the first two laps before yielding to the "Montgomery Missile" Anthony Perrego. Perrego, in only his fifth start in the division, quickly found the short way around the speedway and set the pace out front with a lot of hot iron behind him. Perrego held off challenges from "Dynamite" Danny Cross,Vinnie DeCicco and "Slammin" Sammy Dwy as the race progressed. Former 2006 Spec Sportsman Champion Mike Sabia recently returned to the speedway and was challenging from 15th starting spot with a great run. Jeff Richardson, from 12th starting spot, was patient early on and then began his patented run to the front using the bottom side of the raceway. Using the skill of the veteran he is, Richardson was soon knocking on the door as he worked his way into second place. Perrego took the white flag while still enjoying the lead but with Richardson now racing along side of the young racer. Perrego used veteran like savvy to hang tough as he and Richardson raced the final lap side by side. Perrego left the door a bit open open in turn-4 allowing Richardson a final opportunity to have a left ditch run at the win. Side by side across the line they came and the veteran Richardson just nudged the youngster Perrego for his fifth win of the season. Perrego was second in a fabulous run with the veteran Vinnie DeCicco in for third, Mike Sabia was fourth and the "Bushkill Bullet" Kyle Rohner completed the top five running order. Bobby Hentschel led the first two laps of the Camper's Barn Sportsman event before a small skirmish halted the racing action. On the restart, Hentschel caught the inside fence going into turn one causing a halt to the action and a severe amount of damage to his disabled racer. On the restart Ken Ferrier, who assumed command of the lead, raced away from the rest of the field to win his first feature event of the 2008 racing season. High-riding Darrell Ford was second with Ray See Jr running steady throughout to finish third. Larry Hendershot came from 16th starting position to finish fourth and Mke Senecal completed the top five. The high-flying Clinton Mills came from 15th starting position in his first outing of the season to finish sixth in a great run and lending further testament the Accord facility is a race track where you race to the front with the proper race set-up no matter where you start from. Emerson Cargain Jr returned to his own racer this week and led the first five laps of the Enzo's Ristorante Pro Stock feature. Don Williams, ever seizing the moment, put his Elwood Hewitt built and prepared racer into the lead on lap-6 and led the remainder of the 20 lap event to capture his third win of the season and further cement his hold onto the point's lead in the division. Larry Temple Jr used another Hewitt Chassis racer to finish second. Pat Zimmer drove an excellent race to finish in third place. Jon Routhier was fourth and Bill Deak Jr completed the top five running order. Gary Ronk led the first three laps of the Bryant's Towing Pure Stock event before yielding to the hard charging Mike DuBois. Once in front, Dubois withstood many challenges and held on to a slight lead through lap-10 when Bill Merton slowed in turn two and Clarence Smith with no place to go turned sideways and flipped over top of the disabled Merton racer. With Smith complaining of a sore neck, the Ambulance was called to take him to the hospital. Since the race had gone past the halfway point, and with the uncertainty of how soon another Ambulance could return to the speedway, the race was called official and Mike DuBois was declared the winner. Gary Ronk did a great job to hold onto second with Paul Aragon keeping his title hopes alive with a solid run in third place. "Tommy Gun" Tommy Johnson had another great run in fourth place as he works his way forward in the points chase. Joe Judge was fifth in this outing and found himself losing the point's lead to Aragon in one of the speedway's tight battles for the crown. MUDPLUGS: Promoter Gary Palmer added new clay to the raceway during the week and the racing surface was impeccable as all of the divisions at the raceway utilized the multi-channel racing lanes to perfection. The drivers responded with exciting racing action that had the drivers utilizing three, four and sometimes five wide racing action to keep the fans at the edge of their seats. Mid Hudson Concrete was the headline sponsor for the night of racing that included Camera and Autograph night for the racing fans. All of the stars at the speedway made their way to the speedway on the frontstretch of the grandstand area and candy, driver pics, autographs and a chance to say hi to their favorite driver was the bustle of activity for next thirty minutes. Announcers Joel Murns and Steve Pados conducted interviews with many of the drivers, all giving their viewpoints of this special night for the faithful Accord racing fans. The Pre-Race Show returned to the speedway with Announcers Joel Murns and Steve Pados conducting behind the grandstand interviews with Charlie Schwartz Jr who debuted his beautiful new Pro Stock racer sponsored by Millen's Recycling. Two time Sportsman winner and contender David Coene joined in the interview session along with top Pro Stock performer Larry Temple Jr. Joe Giachinta and "Jumpin" John McGill displayed their racers behind the grandstand area as well and the fun atmosphere gave the early arriving faithful a chance to become closer to the stars who perfrom for them on a weekly basis. Heat race winners included John Sundlof, Jeff Hulseapple and Bobby Hentschel in the Sportsman ranks and Barry Davis, Danny Creeden and Kevin Duryea in the Modifieds. Spec Sportsman heats were won by Bobby Hassenmayer, Phil Recchio, and Kyle Rohner. The Pro Stock heats were captured by Don Williams, Bill Deak Sr and Bill Deak Jr and the Pure Stock heats were captured by Tommy Johnson, Gary Ronk and Mike Dubois. "The Cyclone" Jamie Yannone and Larry Hendershot captured the Modified and Sportsman consolation events. New racers continue to make their way to the speedway. Clinton Mills was a new addition to the Sportsman ranks and did an excellent job in his return to racign at the speedway even though he is a regular performer at the Wednesday night shows. 2006 Pro Stock Champion Lenny Brice made his return to the speedway aboard a new Hewitt built machine out of the Temple Racing stables. Ralph Ronk returned with a new racer and James Devitt took over the controls of the Terry O'Brien machine. Chrissy Rider mader her first appearance of the season aboard one of the Nuzzaro racers. Chris Head shook down a brand new Pure Stock racer. A new Sand Box was installed for the racing children and the speedway would like to thank Mike Gates for his help with the new project. D&J Collectibles was the Modified sponsor for the evening with his generous $250.00 donation. The final Midweek Madness Wednesday night show will take place on August 27th. The shows have been quick hitting and very exciting for the fans and have provided the fans a great look at some of the future driving stars of the racing activities at Accord in the future. RJ Smykla was the Slinghsot feature winner on Wednesday night with Kayla Smykla in second and Jimmy Babb finishing in third. Kyle Van Duser, Anthony Perrego and Charlie Lawrence completed the top six running order. The gates open at 5 PM with the hot laps beginning at 6:15. Racing begins immediately after and the Admission price is a very affordable $3.00. Friday night, August 29th, at the Speedway will be the Labor Day Light show with racing in all divisions and Wild Bill returning to the speedway to set the night sky on fire with his fabulous light show. Artic Adventures will be the headline sponsor for the evening's festivities. Security man Russ Meyers returned to the racing scene last week at the Hamlin Speedway when he climbed aboard the Billy Van Inwegen Sr Slingshot and competed with the best in the Super Slinger division. Russ finished twelveth in the final rundown for the event but the 80 year old campaigner handled himself well in his return to the racing wars. All Businesses, Race teams and fans seeking to sponsor some laps at any of the King of the Catskill events are encouraged to contact Steve Pados immediately to check on the availability of the laps remaining for the events. The Modified laps are at $20.00 each and all other divisions come in at $5.00 each. All those who participate will be acknowledged prior to the running of the events. Rhinebeck Ford Modifieds: Rich Rcci Jr, Richie Eurich, Scott Ferrier, Jerry Higbie, Mike Ricci, Danny Creeden, Kevin Duryea, Donnie Elliott, Barry Davis, Dom Roselli, Mel Schrufer, Jackie Brown Jr, Tom Demarmels, Rick Mill, Rich Budd Jr, John McGill, John McGill, Mark Pullen, Andy Bachetti, Jamie Yannone, Tom Hindley, Danny Tyler, John Lutes Jr Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman: Jeff Richardson, Anthony Perrego, Vinnie DeCicco, Mike Sabia, Kyle Rohner, Danny Cross, Phil Recchio, Eric Moon, Ken Boniface Jr, Tyler Boniface, Robbie Konikowski, Tony Suozzo, Scott Mathews, Kenny Hinsch, Danny Conklin, Greg Hastie, Jeff Hager, Sammy Dwy, John Calcagni Jr, Kyle Plumstead, Jack Skerrit, Steve Pinto, Bobby Hassenmayer Campers Barn Sportsman: Ken Ferrier, Darrell Ford, Ray See Jr, Larry Hendershot, Mike Senecal, Clinton Mills, John Sundlof, Joe Giachinta, Brian Krummel, Jeff Hulseapple, Brad Rothaupt, Ryan Stortini, Steve Krom, Steve Meilleur, Greg McCloskey, Joe Giachinta, David Coene, Randy Banks Jr, Carl Dawes, Jesse Marks, Bobby Hentschel Enzo's Ristorante and Pizza Pro Stocks: Don Williams, Larry Temple Jr, Pat Zimmer, Jon Routhier, Bill Deak Jr, Norbert Bracklow, Al Christiana Jr, John Roese, Chrissy Rider, James Devitt, Torin Betterton, Emerson Cargain Jr, Hank Marin, Ralph Ronk, Lenny Brice, Charlie Schwartz Jr, John Rood, Lenny Helmich, Bill Deak Sr, Nick Plumstead Bryant's Towing Pure Stock: Mike DuBois, Gary Ronk, Paul Aragon Jr, Tommy Johnson, Joe Judge, Ryan Coon, John Woinoski, Andy Briggs, Steve Smalley, Kyle Wright, Richard Stickle, Phil Johnson, Steven Kanuk, Ray Tarantino, Robert Ball, Clarence Smith Jr, Bill Merton, Will Dietz, Rich Scott, James DeCicco III, Chris Head (DNS) 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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