By Steve Pados, Accord Media
The Hudson Valley roared back to life on Friday night with the throaty sounds of Modified race cars as the Palmer Family hosted it's Fall Classic, the "King of the Catskills" event that featured five of the track's divisions doing battle. The evening was highlighted by the Rhinebeck Ford Modifieds racing for a purse that would pay the winner a cool $5,000.00 for his efforts at the end of 75-lap feature event. Rich Ricci Jr, who recently won his tenth track Championship at the Ulster County speedplant, showed the standing room only crowd his Championship form as he sped past his older brother Mike on lap-22, to lead the final 53-laps on his way to a healthy paycheck worth $5,623.00 with his lap money included.
The day's events began with dark clouds hovering over the grounds of the facility. The clouds opened up to a passing shower that did nothing to dampen the spirits of the long lines of eager racing fans waiting to make their way into their seats for the much anticipated side to side and bumper to bumper racing they're accustomed to at Accord. While the short storm added some moisture to the already impeccably groomed racing surface, the pit area was jumping with activity and being filled to capacity with a bumper crop of driving talent, all hoping to find a bit of gold at the end of the rainbow. At the same time, a Pre-Race Show was taking place behind the grandstand area featuring driver interviews with some of the top names who would be battling it out for the lucrative purse posted by Promoter Gary Palmer.
With 140 cars cramming the pit area, including 45 of the top short track Modified specialists on the East Coast, five heats were needed for the Modifieds to determine the starting field. With just three cars qualifying from each heat, each of the heats took on the look of a mini-feature event, and some top names were relegated to running the three consolations events. Included in the consi list were top name runners Brett Hearn, Danny Johnson, Kirk Horton, Brian Weaver, Alan Rudalavage, JR Crouse, and Chuck McKee. Three time feature event winner Jamie Yannone set the stage for the Modifieds as he captured for the first heat event, followed by Southern Tier star Jeremy Smith and Danny Creeden, who was utilizing Big Block power to qualify for the feature. The second heat featured a strong run by outside invader Joey Grammes, as the short track specialist found himself at home with the great "race to the walls" layout at Accord. Rich Ricci Jr and another outside invader Joey Barbagallo also made the transfer into the feature event.
The third Modified heat showed 2006 track champ Mike Ricci flexing his muscles, as he easily outdistanced track regulars Mark Pullen and Jackie Brown Jr on his way to victory.
The fourth heat had Jerry Higbie riding on rails as he charged into the lead high, wide and handsome as he utilized his Big Block power to the max and won over Sportsman convert David Bush, who turned in a great performance, and veteran Modified wheel-twister Robbie Green. The fifth heat found the "Wild Child" Andy Bachetti turning in a superb performance as he overhauled early race leader Alan Rudalavage and won going away over Scott Ferrier and Richie Eurich.
The first of three consolation events was won by track regular "Jumpin" John McGill with Sportsman convert Danny Tyler turning in a great run to finish second and the "Dream" Brian Weaver also making the transfer. The second consolation had the "Doctor" Danny Johnson performing some quick surgery on the field. Alan Rudalavage and Donnie Elliott also made their way into the event with great runs. The third consolation found the "Jet" Brett Hearn finding the quick way around the track as he easily outdistanced Mel Schrufer and Rick Mill on his way to victory. With the 24-car Rhinebeck Ford Modified field completed, the stage was set for the running of the event that would be run as 75-laps, but featuring a fuel stop after the first 50-laps of racing to accommodate the Alcohol burning cars to refill their fuel tanks.
The "Cyclone" Jamie Yannone, and "Iron" Mike Ricci brought the Rhinebeck Ford Modified field off of turn four for the start of the event. Yannone, drove hard into turn one and had the lead heading down the backstretch. Ricci followed and allowed the young Modified rookie to set the pace. Following a restart on lap-6 for a disabled Andy Bachetti, Mike Ricci drove off to the lead and opened up some distance between he and Mark Pullen, as Pullen found himself in the hunt for the big prize. Yannone began to fall off of the pace as he jumped the cushion on three consecutive laps to fall out of contention. Rich Ricci Jr moved into third and a few laps later overhauled Pullen whose car would come to a halt later between turns one and two. Following a restart on lap-21, Rich Ricci Jr raced into the lead with older brother Mike now playing catch-up. While the racing upfront was spectacular, the tooth and nail action behind the Ricci Show was as exciting as well. Close confine racing and quick race cars resulted in some skirmishes along the way that sidelined such top runners as Bachetti, Smith, Rudalavage, Eurich, Hearn, and Higbie. As the infighting was taking place, a couple of drivers were able to break into the clear to move into the top five. Jackie Brown Jr and Danny Tyler were able to stay close to the front running Ricci's. Danny Johnson, who was forced to pit for a bent front wheel around the 30-lap mark, began an assault from the back of the pack as the field was stopped at the 46th lap for the fuel break.
When the racing resumed, Rich Ricci Jr held off brother Mike lap after lap to remain in control of the event. From the back of the pack came the "Doctor" as DJ found a special line between turns three and four to work his way back to the front and challenge the top five. After a heated battle with Donnie Elliott for sixth, another battle ensued with Robbie Green for fifth as the "Doctor" was putting on a driving clinic much to the delight of the standing room only crowd. The battle raged on upfront as Mike Ricci tried to constantly change lanes in hopes of finding a quicker way around brother Rich who fended off all advances. Johnson quickly disposed of Danny Tyler and moved around the stout running Jackie Brown. Time was a factor and the upcoming lapped traffic appeared to play in the hands of those behind Ricci Jr. Entering the lapped traffic, Mike Ricci was able to close the gap right behind his younger brother, but couldn't find the winning move in his bag of tricks to pull off the win. Rich Ricci Jr crossed under the checkered flag victorious in a popular win for the 10-time track champion. Mike Ricci would finish second in a great run and Danny Johnson finished third in a tremendous abck to the front drive that will have the Accord racing rans talking about for some time. Jackie Brown Jr was fourth in an excellent performance and Danny Tyler showed why he has stardom written all over him with a strong run from 19th starting position to complete the top five.
The triumphant celebration that followed in victory lane for the Ricci family lasted more than an hour as both cars were escorted to the winners circle for the awards ceremony dubbing Rich Ricci Jr as the "King of the Catskills." Ricci Jr thanked his family and sponsors, Apple Greens Golf Course, Dean Ale Excavating, Gary's Action Collision, and Moutainview Skullworks for their support and assistance in regaining the championship he lost one year ago to his older brother Mike.
The Amsoil Pro Stock feature was the only other feature event completed in the long night of racing. The features for the Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman, which was halted by curfew after three laps with young Danny Cross leading the way, the Bryant's Towing Pure Stocks and the Camper's Barn Sportsman events will be completed on October 13th, when the "Wreckage in the Catskills" Demolition Derby takes center stage. Some divisions of the Fall Mid Week Madness Nationals September 22nd event will also be completed with the running of the event.
Bill Deak Sr and Rob Rowe brought the 22-car Amsoil Field down for the start of the 25-lap event. Deak would lead the first four laps before giving way to Rowe on lap-5. The "Walden Warrior" would lead the event until a caution flag on lap-8. On the restart, 2007 Amsoil Pro Stock champion Don Williams used the inside line off of turn two to grab the lead in the event. Charlie Schwartz Jr, a two time winner at the speedway in 2007, chased Williams the remainder of the race, but Willams had the Hewitt's Fabrication car honking as he raced to the win that offered $400.00 to the winner. Schwartz Jr was in for the runnerup spot. Jim Langenback raced from scratch starting 22nd position to finish a strong third, and Mark Lathrop continued his strong late season surge to finish fourth. Lenny Brice, the 2006 Pro Stock track champion, made his first start of the season a successful one as he drove the Larry and Gene Temples Service Center machine to a top five finish.
MUDPLUGS:
Many new faces joined the long list of driving talent that have entered the racing events this year at Accord in an attempt to wrest the lucrative prize money from the Accord regulars.
While Johnson had the best showing among the outside invaders, Brett Hearn, Joey Grammes, Alan Rudalavage, and Brian Weaver made their way to the starting field. Such notables as Grandview Speedway Forest Rogers feature winner Jason Hamilton made the long trek from his Erwinna Shop and had the misfortune of being helped around and crashed during the first heat of competition. The Fluerers Machine sponsored mount suffered too much damage to be repaired resulting in an early departure for the popular driver.
Jeff Hoetzler Jr, JR Crouse, Chuck McKee, Kirk Horton and Mike Sabia found the sledding tough and didn't transfer into the feature event.
Sportsman drivers David Bush and Danny Tyler were both impressive in their jump into the Modified division with Tyler finishing 5th and Bush 18th for their evening's work. Other Sportsman stars, Ken Ferrier, Howard Jarvis, and Spec Sportsman notable Vinnie DeCicco failed to make the strating grid. Albany Saratoga Sportsman Champion Dustin Delaney
made his Modified debut at Accord and failed to make the starting field. Delaney, who has been doing some ARCA racing this summer, is another young driver who has a bright future ahead of him in racing.
New Sportsman competitors included Kyle Cicio, Chuck Allen and the return of veteran wheel twister Sparky Lowe. Harry Baldwin took over his former mount that was raced to the Spec Sportsman Championship by Greg Hastie and seemingly was at home in his old ride as he captured one of the heat races for the division. Bill Rion took over the controls of the Al Christiana mount and drove it to a 15th place finish. Al drove the car normally handled by brother George and finished 13th. Al was also kept busy stumping for political office as he is running for Highway Supervisor in the town of Marbletown in the upcoming local election on November 6th. Jim Hewitt, Pete Polander, and Steve Zajonc were new faces that filled the Pro Stock ranks to capacity.
Randy Myers, Chad Arsenault, Dan Knoth, "Smokin" Joe Narok, Hank Morin, Tony Polemini, and Jessie Murphy were Pure Stock newcomers and Bill Deak Jr returned to race his last year's championship car as he showcased the car in hopes of finding a buyer for the fine running race car.
The Pre-Race Show proved to be a hit for the fans as Announcers Joel Murns and Steve Pados took the interviews ground level so the fans could get up close and personal with the great list of drivers and media friends who were on hand for the interviews. Modified talents Jason Hamilton, Brett Hearn, Andy Bachetti, Chuck McKee, John McGill and Danny Tyler all took part in the show that lasted more than an hour. Former track PR Media/Announcer Brett Deyo was on hand for the event as he was making an AARN swing that took him to Oswego on Thursday night, to Accord for Friday and the Victoria 200 at Fulton today. Hamlin Speedway Photographer Jimmy Young was on hand for the event and took part in the interview session as he brought the newest version of the Accord theme song along with him for the debut. Slingshot star Zach "Z-Man" O'Connell and his family took in the event as the 13-year old driving star will be joining the driver's ranks at Accord in the near future.
Loralyn Brinster, Miss Accord in 2007, interviewed and alerted the racing fans she would be representing Accord Speedway in the 2008 Miss Motorsports competition to be held in Atlantic City in January. Miss Brinster did a marvelous job during the 2007 season at Accord in helping with the PR and the giveaways, and doing her usual great job in her singing of the National Anthem.
A total of $933.00 was collected from the racers and fans for lap sponsorship for the event. All of the money collected went right back to the drivers after the event for their efforts. Escape RV, TriState Studios, Team 3-D, Elliott's Automotive, HigFab, Accurate Contracting, Mid Hudson Concrete, KBs Racing Photos, D&J Racing Collectibles, Phil Beesmer/Monster Energy, ZTO Motorsports, and the great Accord fan base deserve a huge thank you for their efforts with the lap sponsorship.
A special thanks to Jim Murdoch from Rhinebeck Ford for his full support of the racing activity going on at Accord. With special friends in racing such as Rhinebeck Ford and the entire list of loyal Accord sponsors who made the 2007 racing season such a successful one, the racing at Accord steps into the future knowing the "Gem in the Catskills" will continue to be the hotbed of shortrack racing in the Southern Tier.
The next event for the Speedway will be the "Wreckage in the Catskills" featuring a Demolition Derby, Midweek Madness Racing, and the Spec Sportsman, Pure Stocks and Sportsman on the 13th of October. An updated Press Release will follow for the times of the event.
Results:
Rhinebeck Ford Modifieds: (75 Laps) Rich Ricci Jr, Mike Ricci, Danny Johnson, Jackie Brown Jr, Danny Tyler, Robbie Green, Donnie Ellitt, Jamie Yannone, Rick Mill, Scott Ferrier, Joey Grammes, John McGill, Joe Barbagallo Jr, Mark Pullen, Danny Creeden, Brian Weaver, Jerry Higbie, David Bush, Brett Hearn, Andy Bachetti, Richie Eurich, Alan Rudalavage,
Jeremy Smith, Mel Schrufer (DQ)
Amsoil Pro Stocks: (25 Laps) Don Williams, Charlie Schwartz Jr, Jim Langenback, Mark Lathrop, Lenny Brice, Emerson Cargain Jr, Charlie Houghtaling, Bill Deak Sr, Jon Routhier, Bill Kaapp, Adam Douglas, Edgar Hedges, Al Christiana, Jim Grippin, Bill Rion, Pete Polander, Jim Hewitt, Matt Curry, Steve Zajonc, John Roese
For further updates and information regarding the great racing racing at the Accord Speedway, logon to their newly constructed website at: www.accordspeedway.com
or call the speedway hotline at: 845 626 3478.