ACCORD SPEEDWAY NEWS

"Iron" Mike Ricci Dominates Field For Second Triumph Of The Season At Accord Speedway
By: Steve Pados, Accord Speedway Media

Accord, NY- Another hot summer day in the Catskill Mountains that found the temperature soaring to ninety degrees and the sights and sounds of good racing action brought out a great crowd to the Accord Speedway as the Palmer Family offered up seven divisions of racing at their Ulster County speedplant on Friday evening. The racing action on the speedway was phenomenal as once again the on track performances allowed the cream to rise to the top and allow the victors the spoils of victory in the Lucas Oil Products Victory Lane. The evening of speed was sponsored by the good folks at Tom's Repair Shop located in New Paltz, New York. The racing show was presented without a hitch and completed at 10:58 PM. The checkered flag bonus was supplied by ASI Trophies located in Accord, New York

When all was said and done, "Iron" Mike Ricci rebounded from a hard crash one week ago to drive his Halmar International/Backwoods Blends/Direct Fleet Service sponsored hot rod to his second win of the season as he completely dominated the action on his way to the win in the United Pump and Tank Modified headliner. "Jammin" Jimmy Wells left nothing to chance as he put forth a great drive to capture his ninth win of the season in the Healey Brothers Group Sportsman headliner. The Ruge's Performance Center NEWS Sprint Car feature found Doylestown, Pennsylvania's Heidi Hedin making her long trip worthwhile as she captured her second win of the season. Tim Southard scored his first win of the season as he wired the field in the Arkel Motors Pure Stock Division feature. The WRWD Radio Junior Slingshot feature found "The Hurricane" Hunter Lapp racing to his seventh win of the season. In the Ruge's GM Parts Center Rookie Sportsman finale, Chris Van Duser scored his first career win at Accord as he led from start to finish. Bobby Hassenmayer scored the win in the Want Ad Digest feature.

With the season funneling down quickly in the 2016 racing season, some of the point's battles are still very much alive and will reach a fever pitch in the next couple of weeks. The final weeks of the season are the final building blocks to the track championship as all of the drivers will have to be at their best should they have aspirations to wear a speedway crown in 2016. The night of champions at the speedway is scheduled for September 9th on Taylor Rental and Handsome Devil BBQ Night at the speedway.

The United Pump and Tank Modified event was a crowd teaser and pleaser as Brett Graham hustled out front to lead the first seven laps. Last week's feature winner "Showtime" Danny Tyler flexed his muscles and took over the lead on lap eight and would lead until lap ten when Graham came roaring back and took over the lead for the second time in the event. From seventh starting spot came Mike Ricci and he worked every seam and racing channel he could find and reeled in Graham. Ricci was able to slip past Graham on lap fourteen and from that point on Ricci was on cruise control. Anthony Perrego started ninth and hustled through the field and into second place on lap nineteen but by that time Ricci had built up a tremendous lead. Ricci would earn his second win of the season with Perrego in second. Danny Tyler put in a great run for third while Graham was fourth and Brad Rothaupt raced to fifth. five. Jesse Marks, Corey Lowitt, Scott Ferrier, Ken Ferrier and Joe Judge completed the top ten.

Brandon McGill led the first lap of the Healey Brothers Group Sportsman event and gave way to the high flying Jimmy Wells on lap two. Wells, who has owned the division in 2016, quickly raced out front and built up a huge lead with McGill chasing him around the speedway. Pockets of good, solid racing action would follow for the remainder of the event but the attrition rate would be high in the event as one by one a skirmish here and there throughout the race would send some drivers to the sidelines. It would be Wells leading all of the way for his ninth win with McGill in the runner-up role. The battle for third was a barn-burner all of the way with Phil Goetchius earning the slot while Chris Stevens raced to fourth and Connor Otten would complete the top five. A great run from Winter Mead found her heading up the second five with Corey Cormier, Kevin Ward, Ralph Ronk and Nick Johnson rounding out the field.

The Ruge's Performance Center NEWS Sprint Car encounter found Heidi Hedin hustling out front at the start of the feature and would hold the field at bay to garner her second triumph of the season at Accord. Andrew Davis finished second with the point leader Jesse James Bartelson third. Eric Jennings was contending early in the sprint car feature but would meet with the unforgiving boiler plate to end his evening. Jennings was unhurt in the crash.

Tim Southard hustled to the front in the Arkel Motors Pure Stock division feature event. Southard would feel pressure from Steve Williams early on but maintained his poise and remained at the point with Williams and point leader Bob Sleight close behind. Williams made a few late race attempts to slip past Southard but to no avail as Southard would gain his first win of the season at the speedway. Williams was second with Sleight third, Livy Johnson fourth and the veteran Harry Bachman fifth. Steve Kanuk, Jim Smith and Gary Ronk would complete the finishers.

Chris Van Duser had been running strong in recent weeks and picked a good night to grab up the lead on the first lap and would lead the rest of the way to secure his first ever win at the speedway. Jim Kraus put in a good run for runner-up honors while Matt Shultz was third, Jason Feinberg fourth and Ryan McCartney completing the top five. Mike DuBois Jr, Jake Granacker and Sarah Smith would complete the field.

The Want Ad Digest All Star Slingshot feature found Bobby Hassenmayer the lone entry and he would capture his first ever win at the speedway.

Hunter Lapp grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the WRWD Radio Junior Slingshot feature and that would be the pass he needed as he drove away from his competition to secure his seventh win of the season. Point leader John Kendall was second and Michael Corbin was third.

GEMSTONES:

New drivers that made their first appearances of the season included Bobby Hassenmayer in the All Star Slingshots. Ed Dachenhausen brought back to the speedway the car that he wrecked so badly on the front stretch a couple of months ago. The car was unlettered but a really sharp looking racer. Some drivers had a tough night as a few cars could not make it out for their respective feature events and some skirmishes kept the two truck busy during the evening.

Heat race wins went to Chris Van Duser and Matt Shultz in the Rookie Sportsman ranks. Connor Otten, Brandon McGill and Jimmy Wells claimed wins in the Sportsman heats. The Modifieds had three heat events with Brett Graham, Danny Tyler and Brad Rothaupt claiming the wins. Travis Brockner and Steve Williams grabbed up the wins in the Pure Stock encounters. Hunter Lapp captured the heat race win in the Junior Slingshot division and Bobby Hassenmayer won the All Star Slingshot heat. Heidi Hedin made it a clean sweep as she was victorious in the Sprint Car preliminary.

Speedway announcer Steve Pados went trackside to announce the starting line-up for the Sportsman feature that also included the tennis ball throw. All but one driver managed to clear the safety fencing but needless to say, no major league scouts opted on to the speedway grounds to see if they had the right stuff, even though there were rumors to that effect.

Special thanks to race director Dave Rocket for keeping the show moving quickly throughout the evening.

Kingston Nissan had their Festival of Zeroes promotion on hand at the speedway as they prepare to raffle off a new Nissan automobile and they will be back at the track this coming Friday.

RESULTS:

United Pump & Tank Modifieds: Mike Ricci, Anthony Perrego, Danny Tyler, Brett Graham, Brad Rothaupt, Jesse Marks, Corey Lowitt, Scott Ferrier, Ken Ferrier, Joe Judge, Ed Dachenhausen, Danny Creeden, Richie Eurich, Dominick Roselli Jr, Tyler McKee, Mark Pullen, Lenny Helmich, Chad Loiodice (DNS)

Healey Brothers Group Sportsman: Jimmy Wells, Brandon McGill, Phil Goetchius, Chris Stevens, Connor Otten, Winter Mead, Corey Cormier, Kevin Ward, Ralph Ronk, Nick Johnson, Mike DuBois, Collin DuBois, Raphael Carson, Dave Demorest, Vinnie Gress, Richie Smith, Nick Plumstead, Joey Bruning (DNS)

Ruge's Performance Center NEWS Sprint Cars: Heidi Hedin, Andrew Davis, Jesse James Bartleson, Eric Jennings

Arkel Motors Pure Stocks: Tim Southard, Steve Williams, Bob Sleight, Ray Tarantino, Livy Johnson, Harry Bachman, Steve Kanuk, Jim Smith, Gary Ronk, Dan Knoth (DNS), Travis Brockner (DQ), Ray Tarantino (DQ)

Ruges Parts Center Rookie Crate Sportsman: Chris Van Duser, Jim Kraus, Matt Shultz, Jason Feinberg, Ryan McCartney, Mike DuBois Jr, Jake Grannaker, Sarah Smith, Tighe Sherlock (DNS), RJ Daley (DNS)

Want Ad Digest All Star Slingshots: Bobby Hassenmayer

WRWD Radio Junior Slingshots: Hunter Lapp, John Kendall, Michael Corbin Jake Mason (DNS)

Racing is on tap every Friday night at Accord Speedway from April through September. Make note of a new starting time beginning with next week's show. Pit Gates open at 5:00; Spectator Gates open at 5:30; Hot Laps are at 7:00 and the racing begins at 7:30 PM. Admission for Adults $14.00; Seniors (65+) $12.00; Children $3.00 (11+ under) Indoor Seating $20.00; Family four pack special: 2 Adults + 2 Children and $20.00 in Accord Bucks for $44.00 (a savings of $10.00)

Special event shows do have an increase in admission.

Make plans now for the spectacular Labor Day event on September 2nd when all divisions will be in action and Santore's Famous Fireworks will light up the Catskill Sky with a Fireworks Extravaganza like no other. The Famous Chicken BBQ will be served up with all of the trimmings. Some special additions to the celebration will include four bicycles to be given away courtesy of Upstate Auto and balloon art.

For further updates and information regarding all of the news and additions to the Accord Speedway, log on to their well documented website at: http://www.accordspeedway.com or call the speedway hotline at: 845 626 3478.
At the Accord Speedway............................................

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