By Steve Pados, Accord Media
Accord Speedway opened it's gates last night to a standing room only crowd as Gary Palmer and his Family welcomed the start of a new racing season at the totally refurbished speedway. While some of the cosmetics remain to be groomed in and around the speedway, the large off-season construction project will prove to be the ticket for the great racing and side by side racing action speedway is noted for. Due to the many delays caused by the unpredictable winter weather, the new racing surface proved to be a handful for the drivers as Palmer and his Staff continously tried to groom the race track right up until the beginning of the racing card. Due to the late start, the two feature events scheduled for the Camper's Barn Sportsman and the Bryant's Towing Pure Stock division were curfewed and will be rescheduled for a later date
The opening Terra Nova Four Seasons Pizza night sponsored races were dedicated to former track announcer Scott Harvey, who passed away just after the 2007 racing season began. Clergyman Don Lee was on hand to offer a memorial prayer to Harvey who was the track announcer at the speedway for 16-years. Town Supervisor Carl Chipman from the Town of Rochester, where the speedway resides, unfurled the first green flag to get the racing action underway. Later, Casey Van Voris, a nephew to steel contractor Bob Winne, flagged another heat race event.
In racing action,10-time track champion Rich Ricci Jr showed his expertise at the Accord speed plant by winning the opening night feature event. Ricci fell behind at the start of the 30-lap Rhinebeck Ford Modified feature only to find the sweet spot of the track early on at the top side of the raceway as he fought back into contention. Ricci took over the lead from Scott Ferrier on lap-3 and dominated the event the remainder of the way to lay claim to the victory and the cool $2,000.00 he was awarded at the payoff window. Jackie Brown Jr used a collection of great racing moves to remain with the front running Ricci and used a late rally to finish in the runnerup slot. Andy Bachetti finished third with a solid run and Ferrier used the top side of the raceway to reel in a fine fourth place finish. John McGill used his many years of track experience to make the moves when he needed them to complete the top five feature finish. McGill, who is in his final year of competition at the speedway, was honored as the "Driver of the Week" in the new Accord racing program dubbed "The Accordian".
In the Enzo's Ristorante and Pizza Pro Stock feature event, Scott Mill led the field for the first lap of the event only to have something break on the car coming off turn four of the second lap and collecting Canaan, Connecticut's Jon Routhier in the process. Both cars had to be towed to the pit area and were through for the evening. On the restart, John Roese raced to the lead and was soon to be hounded by the 2007 Pro Stock Champion Don Williams as Williams tried every line of the racing surface in his attempt to oust Roese from the top spot. Roese kept his cool and raced to a close win over the determined Williams. Larry Temple Jr raced from his12th starting position to claim third at the feature's end and the Deak Family, Bill Sr with a fourth place run and Bill Jr in fifth, completed the top five, Bill Jr raced from his16th position to truly earn his fifth place finish.
The Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman feature event proved to be a two car race between race track savvy veterans Phil Recchio and Jeff Richardson. Richardson brought the field down for the start of the event and led unti lthe fourth turn of the first lap when he hooked a bump allowing Recchio to slip by on the inside and take the lead. Numerous bumping incidents and spins ran the feature past the allotted time for the event and after 10-laps of racing Recchio was declared the winner with his new Teo-Pro racer. Richardson, who has gone with a new color black and yellow color scheme this year for his new Bicknell race car, was second in the shortened event. Greg Hastie, the defending Spec Sportsman Champion, raced from his 11th starting position to finish third in a fine driving performance. Jason Thew was fourth. Newcomer Richard Smith, who lives just a few couple of minutes from the Accord track, was impressive in his opening night performace as he remained in the hunt throughout the event to claim fifth when the race was stopped. John Lieto, taking over the controls of the City Line Auto Body sponsored mount was a solid sixth.
For the opening night event, one hundred and thirty race-cars poured through the gates to have their first go at the new racing layout. Modified heat winners included Danny Creeden, Rich Ricci Jr and Andy Bachetti with Modified rookie David Bush winning the consolation event. Sportsman heat winners included David Coene, Justin Holland, and Ray See Jr with Larry Hendershot winning the consolation. Pro Stock heat winners were Scott Mill and John Roese. Sammy Dwy, Phil Recchio and Richard Smith were the Spec Sportsman heat winners and Joe Judge, Tommy Johnson, and John Woisnoski captured the Pure Stock qualifiers.
While the new speedway surface may have had some opening night flaws, the widened racing channels all around the raceway gave a good indication the racing will be absolutely awesome when Palmer and his crew can work on the trouble spots and perform their magic. The new lighting at the track was very impressive and a tremendous addition over the winter months. The true race fan will understand the committment and dedication the Palmer Family has put into the vast construction project over the winter months.
Next Friday evening, Mombaccus Excavating will sponsor the evening's racing card as the Accord Mini Sprints will make their first appearance of the new racing season. Pit Gates will open at 4:30 with Spectator Gates opening at 5. Hot laps are scheduled for 6:30 with the racing slated to begin at 7. Admission remains at $12.00 for Adults and $3.00 for Children 11 and under.
MUDPLUGS:
Many new cars and drivers made their way to the opening night event. Most drivers have indicated they will be regulars for the 2008 season. The Modified ranks included 2007 Sportsman Champion Danny Tyler who utilized his last year's car to earn a 15th in the feature. David Bush, another sportsman convert vying for Rookie of the Year honors, was 18th in his maiden voyage in the Modifieds. John Dixon and Dave Oswalt brought their talents to Accord from the Garden State and Dixon was impressive as he earned a 7th place finish in his initial outing and Ostwald finished 18th for the two-car team. Bill Papula ran a solid 8th in his sharp looking family owned machine. Mike Trautschold had an 11th place finish in his new mount. Additional drivers in the Modified ranks included Chris Kervatt, Brett Graham, Dennis Dietrich, Tom DeMarmels, Rick Yetter and Brian Malcolm. Malcolm, the veteran wheel twister from lake Ariel, Pennsylvania, suffered a blown motor in warmups as his Sharkey's Fuel Service/Mike Chapman Trucking sponsored mount spewed huge clouds of smoke over the entire raceway. "The Negotiator" Rick Yetter took advantage of an off night to make the tow to Accord from his Bethlehem, Pennsylvania residence and came away with a 21st place finish in the final rundown. Yetter indicated he will be making the trip to Accord whenever he has an open racing date. Jerry Higbie, while running fourth in the main event, had a brake seize up causing the rotor to flame up and catch the car on fire. Higbie was sidelined for the remainder of the event and was credited with a 14th in the final rundown. Richie Eurich was involved in a hard crash with a couple of cars that did severe damage to his Collier Motorcar sponsored Bicknell mount.
All divisions were embraced with new entries. New Sportsman cars included Brian Krummel, Mike McKerrell, Brad Rothaupt, Kevin Smith, Ken Boniface, Shane Jablonka, and Larry Badaracco. New Pure Stock entries included Clarence Smith Jr, Phil Johson, Dan Knoth, and Rich Scott. Ray Tarantino the veteran campaigner from the Orange County Fair speedway, has indicated he will be a regular at the track in 2008. Bill Hallstead, the fomer pavemnt campaigner had a new car at the track and was impressive in his initial outing with the new equipment.
To go along with the new division sponsor, Enzo's Ristorante and Pizza, the Pro Stock division also enjoyed some new faces. Pete Pollender, Torin Betterton. Don J Williams, and Kyle Plumstead were among the new entries. The Spec Sportsman division was not to be outdone as new entries included Tyler Odendahl, Bobby Hassenmayer, John Calcagni Jr, Richard Smith, Kenny and Dave Hinsch, Tyler Boniface, Al Archiere, Jack Skerrit and the maiden voyage for the "Bushkill Bullet" Kyle Rohner as the Slingshot Superstar gave a good performance in his first ever outing in the big car ranks. While maneuvering over one of the ruts, the floor pan of his race car became unglued rendering the bullet to the sidelines.
The Palmer Family would like to thank all of the sponsors, competitors, fans and staff for their support of the Accord Speedway. While the 2008 racing season marks the 8th year the Palmers have owned and promoted the speedway, the winter construction project was the largest undertaking the family has made since taking over the reigns. More work remains to be done at the track, but being able to open the speedway on schedule was a monumental task in itself. The new season, given a bit of time, will prove to be the best season to date since the Palmers took over the reigns at the facility, aptly named the "Gem in the Catskills"
Rhinebeck Ford Modifieds: Rich Ricci Jr, Jackie Brown Jr, Andy Bachetti, Scott Ferrier, John McGill, Danny Creeden, John Dixon, Bill Papula, Mark Pullen, Rick Mill, Mike Trautschold, Brett Graham, John Lutes Jr, Jerry Higbie, Danny Tyler, Rich Eurich, Chris Kervatt, David Bush, Donnie Elliott, Dave Ostwald, Rick Yetter, Dom Roselli
Enzo's Ristorante & Pizza Pro Stocks: John Roese, Don Williams, Larry Temple Jr, Bill Deak Sr, Bill Deak Jr, Al Christiana Jr, Emerson Cargain Jr, Don J Williams, Torin Betterton, Charlie Schwartz Jr, Jim Langenback, Jon Routhier, AScott Mill, John Rood, Pete Pollender, Steve Plumstead
Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman: Phil Recchio, Jeff Richardson, Greg Hastie, Jason Thew, Richard Smith, John Lieto, Bobby Hassenmayer, Danny Cross, Scott Mathews, John Calcagni Jr, Tyler Odendahl, Dave Hinsch, Steve Pinto, Dan Conklin, Sammy Dwy, Jacke Skeritt, Vinnie DeCicco, Tyler Boniface, Kenny Hinsch, Al Archiere, Kyle Rohner, Eric Moon
Campers Barn Sportsman: Curfewed
Bryant's Towing Pure Stocks: Curfewed
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
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