By Steve Pados, Accord Media
Singer BJ Thomas probably said it best with his great rendition of the Bacharach/David classic "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" and no better words could be used to describe the somber feeling at the Accord Speedway. For the second consecutive week Promoter Gary Palmer has had to cancel the plans to go racing tonight at his refurbished raceway. This evening's five division racing program was to have been sponsored by the great folks at Heart Chevrolet, but with rain falling early and expected to continue throughout the afternoon and evening, Palmer decided to cancel the show early and allow the drivers and fans to make alternative plans to spend their Friday evening. With the sour economic picture that faces the American people, every ounce of fuel not used for a trip in vain is a bonus for the fans, drivers and owners alike.
Promoter Palmer was disappointed in having to make the decision to cancel the show as he has had the opportunity over the past weeks to work on the few troublesome areas left with the new racing surface. The determined Palmer has spent countless hours working on the surface and grooming the track to his liking as being a former driver himself he wants to make sure he gives the drivers the best possible racing surface to play on. It is hoped in the near future Mother Nature will finally give in and allow the talented field of racers competing at Accord to truly test the new surface from the bottom to the top just the way the fans like to witness the action.
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 special appearances this season, the first being on May 30th, and later in the season they will return 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". In recent shows at Susquehana Speedway, the ARDC club has been averaging a car count in the mid-30's range and Randy Monroe and Steve Buckwalter have emerged victorious in the first two outings at Susquehana, proving the parity among the ranks with the resurgent racing organization
Next week, May 16th, will mark Powers NAPA 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