By Steve Pados, Accord Media
With the constant threat of rain throughout all of New York State, Accord Speedway Promoter Gary Palmer has cancelled the five division racing program set for tonight, May 5th. The race night to be sponsored by Foamco, had established a $2,250.00 pay day for the Rhinebeck Ford Modified Division.
With two weeks under it's belt, the new speedway track surface has been knitting together well and Palmer was hoping for favorable weather to really put the new surface to test this week as three divisions at the speedway have make-up races on their schedule. The Bryant's Towing Pure Stock Division has a race to make up from the opening night race card and the Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman and Camper's Barn Sportman have races to make up from last week's racing card that was hindered by the Ambulance leaving the grounds for an extended period of time and the massive 21-car pile-up in the Modified main event. As time permits these races will be added to the evening's racing card with no increase in admission at the ticket gate.
The many improvements the track has made during the off-season have proven to be true a bonus for the fans. Great crowds have been following the tremendous racing on the track and with many more drivers now finishing up their new equipment and waiting to do battle, the side by side and three wide track action will become even better. The new lighting at the speedway, the widening of the racing channels and the new homestretch fence have given the speedway a new look and attitude as the "Gem in the Catskills" races into the future.
Special events will highlight the racing later in the season when the CRSA 305 Sprint Cars make their first appearance at the speedway on June 13th. Vintage Modifieds will make two apperances this season, the first on May 16th, and later in the season on August 8th. The Accord Mini Sprints will be back in action on May 23rd. Promoter Gary Palmer has booked the popular ARDC Midget Club to come in for a special show on July 11th and along with the ARDC has booked the ACOT Oldtimers racing group to join them for a look at racing from another era. The ARDC, blessed with a solid history of 69 years, will be making their first appearance at the speedway since the Palmer Family has taken over the reigns of the facility. The event 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 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, six-time Champion Ray Bull and the opening night ARDC winner at Susquehana Speedway, Randy Monroe. Among the new breed of talent include the ARDC Rookie of the Year Ryan Smith, PJ Gargiulo, Nick Wean, 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 remain underway to land a Midget ride for popular 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, made a successful debut in the Midgets at the 22nd running of the Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals held in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Higbie captured a heat race win at the Chili Bowl and was given high marks for his performance there by the best of the best he competed against in the event. It is hoped that Corey Tucker and his CTR Racing Team, will be providing a racer for Higbie for the July 11th Accord event. Tucker is a former Wallkill, New York resident who is currently working for Penske Racing as the Car Chief for Kurt Busch. It is also hoped a Midget or two may be found for additional Accord drivers looking to dice it up with the ARDC crowd.
Next week, May 9th, will mark Heart Chevrolet night at the speedway with a five division card set to unfold. Pit Gates at the speedway open at 4:30 and Spectator Gates open at 5 PM. Admission cost for the Adults are $12.00 and for 11years and under the cost is $3.00. Hot laps are at 6:30 and the racing gets underway at 7 PM.
The Palmer Family would like to thank all of the sponsors, competitors, fans and staff for making the racing 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"
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
A TRAIL OF DIRT LEADS RIGHT TO OUR DOOR