Accord, NY - Accord Speedway Closes Out 2007 Season With Bryant's Towing "Wreckage in the Catskills"
By Steve Pados, Accord Media


Accord Speedway closed out it's 2007 racing season on Saturday with a variety racing program that featured exciting Quad Racing action that kicked off the final program. The Quads were in for their final racing action that had been heldover from the September 22nd program and provided the large crowd on hand some exciting wheel to wheel and side by side action.

The three weekly racing divisions that didn't complete their racing events on September 28th as part of the "King of the Catskills" program, followed with three feature events that provided two drivers their first time in victory lane in 2007 at Accord.

The Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman kicked off the big car action with a 20-lap feature that already had four laps scored in the books. Danny Cross, the teenage rookie from Stone Ridge, New York picked up where he left off as he drove his Swelha Contracting machine into the lead at the outset and led the remaining 16 laps of the feature to score his first win of the season at the Accord speedplant. Cross, who enjoyed a tremendous second half of the racing season, was more than up to the task as he held off the advances of one-time winner Jason Thew early on. When Thew faded from contention, Jeremy Quick took up the chase for the race lead and even though pulled up alongside of Cross on occasion, Cross powered his way back in front. At the finish line it was Cross in for his first win in the Spec Sportsman ranks. Cross, a graduate from last season's Midweek Madness Quad racing action, was a jubilant victor in the Winner's Circle when interviewed by Announcer Andy Crane. Jeremy Quick ran a fine race to garner second position, and Jim House stayed in contention during the race despite fighting a push in the race car that developed early on to finish third. "MVT" Mike Van Tassel finished fourth in the event and was contneding before getting turned around in turn four. Van Tassel recovered well to rebound to fourth place. Greg Plumstead ran his best race of the season to round out the top five.

The Camper's Barn Sportsman followed with a 25-lap headliner and pole starting Steve Meilleur jumped into the early lead with his Pelletier Brothers Old School Plumbing mount and led the first five laps of the event. Justin Holland took over the lead with his Rock Busters mount on lap 6 with an outside power move and the hard charger tried to distance himself from the field. A ninth lap restart had Larry Hendershot threading the needle from his third place and got by Meilleur off turn two and got a better run off of four than Holland to assume command of the race lead. Hendershot then drove his Hendershot Excavating machine to a comfortable lead the remainder of the race to score his second win of the season. Justin Holland held on for second and track champion Danny Tyler raced through the pack twice from spins to finish a strong third. Late season arrival Danny Hedges was impressive as he scored a fourth place finish in his best effort since joining the Accord ranks a month ago. The crafty veteran Sparky Lowe, making his first start of the season at Accord, rounded out the top five after he too recovered from a spin that had him race from the back in a great run.

The Bryant's Towing Pure Stocks went to the post for a 20-lap feature event. Bill Rion was the early leader in the feature event with Ralph and Gary Ronk providing an early challenge. Wayne Hajek watched intently from fourth place as the three cars battled it out. One by one Hajek was able to slip by both of the Ronk's and battled it out with Rion for the lead. Coming off of turn four around the midway point, Hajek was able to power his Creative Cutters mount around ion off of turn four to assume command of the lead. Once in front, Hajek was able to drive to comfortable advantage for his first win of the season at Accord. Gary Ronk finished a solid second with Steve Smalley racing to a great third place run from 11th starting place. Mike Deyo was steady in his run to finish fourth. Fourteen year old Tommy Johnson continued to impress as he drove to fifth place finish in the curtain closer.

Once the heldover events were completed, the Bryant's Towing "Wreckage in the Catskills" took center stage for the remainder of the racing program. The 4, 6 and 8 cylinder Enduro racing and the 4, 6 and 8 cylinder Demolition Derby action proved to be quite popular with the fans as they were treated to some fun racing for the rest of the day. Quite an assembly of cars came through the gates to take part in the action that included some of the regular Friday night competitors taking part in the popular attractions.

Seventy-Two years young Bert Long overhauled early leader Sammy Owen and raced to the win in the 50 lap Four Cylinder Enduro event. Long chased Owen for half of the race before taking over for good. Owen fell out of contention when his car suffered some motor difficulties, but Scott Grasso was up to the task as he challenged Long up until the final red flag with about ten to go. Long got a great restart and blazed to a comfortable win. For the popular Long, who has been racing since 1960, the win came in the third division of the speedway Long competed in past season. Scott Grasso was a solid second in the race and Harry Davis used a let rally to collect the podium finish of third.

In the 6 and 8 cylinder Enduro portion, Mike Dubois, donned his Pure Stock race car with street tires and went out and lapped the entire field as Dubois was able to thread the needle through the pack early on to capture the win. Paul Harding drove to fine second place run and Paul Aragon Jr rounded out the top three.

The Demo Derby boys then took to the Accord Square, an area set-up by promoter Gary Palmer, for the wild destruction process. Dave Doly was the last man running in the four cylinder portion when Starter Kenny Marshall checkered the event. Sammy Owen made some changes on his Enduro car and then came out and proceeded to wreck it to finish in the runnerup slot, and Bob Bonomo finished third. The action was highlighted by a car getting upside down in the square arena.

Robert Thomas outlasted Pure Stock runner Don J Williams to win the six cylinder Demo action. Leonard Dodd was thris in the final tally.

In the eight cylinder nightcap, Anthony Rivera drove to victory in the knockdown-dragout finish. Harry Davis finished second and Geraldo Hernandez completed the top three.

MUDPLUGS:

The Accord surface was again in tip top shape for the day's racing activities. A tip of the hat to Promoter Gary Palmer for providing the competitors a great track to race on. The chilly but sun-warm weather brought out a great crowd to witness the final action of the season.

Jim Donelli brought out his vintage racer to the event. Not only did Donelli cut out out some hot laps during the day, but both Gary Palmer and Gary Palmer Jr tried their hand at getting the Troyer Chassied/Gremlin skinned race car around the Ulster County bullring.

The popularity of the Enduro/Demolition Derby action was well received by the enthusiastic crowd on hand, paving the way for the possibility of more such events in the future.

The Palmer Family would like to thank all of the sponsors, competitors, fans and staff for making the 2007 racing season at Accord the best season to date since they took over the reigns at the facility seven years ago. The Palmer family looks forward to the 2008 season racing season and encourage everyone to visit the newly constructed website often for continued updates and information on the great racing and at the "Gem in the Catskills"

Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman: Danny Cross, Jeremy Quick, Jim House, Mike Van Tassel, Greg Plumstead, Scott Mathews, John Geszteci, Tom Stevens, Jason Thew, Harry Baldwin, Eric Moon, Jeff Richardson, Danny Sherlock, Jeff Hager, Kyle Cicio

Campers Barn Sportsman: Larry Hendershot, Justin Holland, Danny Tyler, Danny Hedges, Sparky Lowe, Mike Senecal, Joey Giachinta, Steve Meilleur, John Sundlof, Erik Holmgren, Darrell Ford, Dave Slate, Carl Dawes, Ken Ferrier, Kenny Moulton, Steve Krom, Tom Dakake, Clinton Mills, Randy Banks Jr,
Greg Hocking

Bryant's Towing Pure Stocks: Wayne Hajek, Gary Ronk, Steve Smalley, Mike Deyo, Tommy Johnson, Joe Judge, Paul Aragon Jr, Chris Kanuk, John Woinoski, "Smokin" Joe Narok, Charlie Rose, Bill Rion, Kyle Plumstead, Ralph Ronk, Hank Morin, Jay Smalley

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The 2007 Accord Speedway Awards Banquet date has been changed due to a scheduling conflict at the Hudson Valley Resort. The price of $55.00 for Adults and $22.00 for Children remains intact until October 17th. The new date for the Banquet is November 3rd and the times and schedule of the Banquet event remains intact. For further information regarding directions to the Hudson Valley Resort and the special room rates for the event logon at: http://www/hudsonvalleyresort.com

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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