By Steve Pados, Accord Media
Leaving no stone unturned, hard-working and enterprising Accord Speedway Promoter Gary Palmer has been extremely busy on all fronts as he prepares for what is expected to be his greatest season to date. Not only is Palmer widening up the racing channels at his "Gem in the Catskills", Palmer has been reviewing other exciting options for his popular Ulster County speedplant. With that in mind, Palmer has been busy in negotiations with the popular ARDC Midget Club and has booked the 69 year old traveling club to appear at his facilty on July 11th, with a 25-lap Main Event to go along with the regular full card of exciting racing activity. The event will mark the first time the club has ever raced at the Accord Speedway, and is certain to bring the open wheel fans out in big numbers to witness the powerful creations negotiate "the race to the walls facility".
The ARDC racing club has enjoyed an enduring and brilliant history, being the oldest racing club to date in the country, forming back in 1939. With legendary names carved into the club's record books such as "Bronco" Bill Schindler, Dutch Schaefer, Johnny Coy, Len Duncan, Middletown, New York great Ray Brown, and a host of supporting stars, the club has built a reputation of showcasing top notch driving talent.
The new club slogan "Where Side by Side and Three Wide is Standard" will be put to a solid test when the current breed of driving talent with the ARDC embarks on the Accord Speedway. Bolstered in recent years by adapting to "Going Wingless" and the arrival of younger stars advancing their driving careers, the current ARDC Roster is a tremendous blend of the new breed and the veterans who continue to fight off the advances of the rising new stars. Two-time consecutive driving Champion Andy Martin leads the brigade of stars who will do battle at Accord. Other names expected in for the event include veteran campaigners Frank Polimeda, Tracy Readinger, Eric Heydenreich, Steve Lenig, Lew Blair, and six-time Champion Ray Bull. Among the new breed of talent include the ARDC Rookie of the Year Ryan Smith, PJ Gargiulo, Nick Wean, Randy Monroe, Greg Robinson, Drew Heistand, and Brett Arndt. Another of the new breed expected to compete include Garden State female racer Stephanie Stevens who may have a slight advantage over her counterparts as she is a former winner at the Accord facility when she was piloting a Micro Sprint.
Due to the importance of this history making event, former open wheel racing legend Jimmy McGuire will serve as the Grand Marshall for the event. McGuire was hailed as "the" next Indianapolis star when he won the 1963 URC Championship driving for Sam Venezia. His legendary win over AJ Foyt at Williams Grove in 1963 is still still talked about by the railbirds today as one of the greatest open wheel battles of all-time. The loss of his arm in a 1964 accident at New Bremen, Ohio, put McGuire out of racing for more than a year. Undaunted, McGuire came roaring back into action, first driving TQ Midgets to much success and then launching an ARDC Career that would find McGuire winning 14-times before hanging up his helmet. His determination led him to a great career in racing and Accord Speedway is honored to have McGuire serve as the Gand Marshall for the event.
Negotiations are also underway to land a Midget ride for Modified star Jerry Higbie to join the ranks when the ARDC comes to town. Higbie, a two-time winner last year in the Modified ranks at Accord to go along with his sixth place in the final points, will be making his Midget debut at the 22nd running of the Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals held in Tulsa, Oklahoma from January 9th to the 12th. Corey Tucker and his CTR Racing Team, will be providing a racer for Higbie for the Chil Bowl and it is hoped the cars can be made available for the July 11th Accord date as well. Tucker is a former Wallkill, New York resident who is currently working for Penske Racing as the Car Chief for Kurt Busch.
The interest remains extremely high for the projected 2008 racing season at Accord. Even though the bulk of interest continues to center around the Modified Division, the other Divisions at the facility will be bolstered by new faces entering the Accord racing scene. Once such driver who will be making his debut in the Spec Sportsman division in 2008 will be the "Bushkill Bullet" Kyle Rohner. Rohner enjoyed a stellar season in 2007 as he scored 10 wins racing in the Slingshots. His family has purchased a Bicknell car for him to begin his first season in the full size cars, while keeping the Slingshot for Midweek Madness Racing and other selected venues.
The Palmer Family would like to thank all of the sponsors, competitors, fans and staff for making the 2007 racing season at Accord so special, and look forward to the 2008 racing season that promises to be bigger and better yet. All fans and businesses are encouraged to visit the newly constructed website often for continued updates and information on the great racing activity at the "Gem in the Catskills"
The photos from the recent Accord Banquet remain onsite. To obtain pics from the event go to: http://www.kbsracingphotos.com
For further updates and information regarding the great racing at the Accord Speedway, logon to their newly constructed website at: http://www.accordspeedway.com or call the speedway hotline at: 845 626 3478
Your Weekend Begins At Accord