ACCORD SPEEDWAY NEWS

Accord, NY- Creeden Sizzles In Mod Win While Butler, Cormier, Mason And Kelly Score First Career Victories at Accord Speedway
By: Steve Pados, Accord Speedway Media

The crazy weather pattern surrounding the Catskill Mountain area and the Tri State region for the past three weeks finally settled down and offered superb weather under friendly skies last evening. With it, the Accord Speedway was able to resume their 2016 racing season. The three consecutive rainouts did not dim the spirits of the loyal Accord fans as the nice crowd on hand was very appreciative of the exciting racing action they were treated to in the blockbuster events throughout the evening. The evening of speed was sponsored by Powder Tech Powdercoating from Duanesburg, New York. Their website is: www.powdertechinc.com
The checkered flag bonus was sponsored by Backwoods Blends.

When all was said and done, The "DC Express" Danny Creeden captured the gold in the United Pump & Tank Modifieds, "Jammin" Jimmy Wells in the Healey Brothers Group Sportsman, "The Intimidator" Ray Tarantino in the Arkel Motors Pure Stocks, "The Conductor" Bobby Butler in the Ruge's Performance NEWS Sprint Cars, Marty Kelly in the Want Ad Digest All Star Slingshots, "The Cold Spring Kid" Jake Mason in the WRWD Radio Junior Slingshots, "The Otisville Outlaw" Corey Cormier claiming the win in the Escape RV Rookie Sportsman and George Zeininger capturing another win in the Emmanuel's Marketplace 4-Cylinder Enduro finale at the speedway.

Twenty Four hot-shoes brought the United Pump & Tank Modified field down for the start of the 30-lap main event. At the drop of the green it was Brad Rothaupt going topside and grabbing the lead coming out of turn two on the initial lap. Rothaupt would lead the event through lap six when on a restart he was out-powered by a strong running "Double J" Joe Judge. From fifth starting position Danny Creeden came calling and began to reel in both Judge and Rothaupt. Creeden was able to slip his Shackelton Auto Parts sponsored hot rod past Rothaupt before the midway point of the race and set sail for Judge.

Judge would lead until lap twenty when Creeden, who was working the baseline of the speedway to perfection, made his move as he pulled even with Judge in turn one and blasted by him coming out of turn two. Once in front, Creeden was able to keep his racer ahead of the field to claim his first win of the season at Accord. Coming on strong in the latter stages of the event was Anthony Perrego and he slipped past Judge at the end for runner-up honors. Judge enjoyed a solid third place run while Rothaupt and Danny Tyler completed the top five. Randy Green headed up the second five in his first appearance of the season while Ed Dachenhausen, Willy Auchmoody, Dom Roselli Sr and Chad Loilodice rounded out the top ten.

In the Healey Brothers Group Sportsman action, Nick Johnson hustled into the lead took the lead at the drop of the green flag with Conner Otten and Chris Stevens in hot pursuit. Johnson had the hot hand as he began to drive away from the field through the midway stretch of the event. Restarts slowed the pace on occasion and it kept erasing the lead Johnson enjoyed in each run under green. On lap-21, Jimmy Wells found the seam he needed and drove past Johnson to lead the final laps and claim his second win of the season. Johnson was second in an excellent showing with Chris Stevens, Greg McCloskey and Nick Plumstead rounding out the top five. Rich Ricci III, Collin DuBois, Ralph Ronk, Phil Goetchius and Justin Brewster completed the top ten.

Jason Feinberg led through the first nine laps of the inaugural Escape RV Rookie Sportsman main event. Feinberg spun while leading and on the restart it was Corey Cormier inheriting the lead. Cormier led the final laps to claim his first ever win at the Accord speedplant. Jim Kraus was second with Bobby Flood, Ryan McCartney and Keith Johannessen completing the top five. Mike DuBois from Above All Automotive added $200.00 to the initial purse for the Rookies in a fine gesture of sportsmanship. Mike has moved his business to 84 New Paltz Road in Highland, New York.

Livy Johnson led the six first laps of the Arkel Motors Pure Stock feature until a caution slowed the pace. On the restart, Johnson's car was hit from behind and the action caused a scramble on the front straightaway and knocked Johnson from the event. Ray Tarantino inherited the lead and drove away to victory with hard-riding Gary Ronk in second, Bob Palmer third, Bob Sleight fourth and Tim Southard fifth. Shawn Maloney, Harry Bachman and Tom Hausman completed the field of cars running at the end.

The Ruge's Performance NEWS Sprint Cars found Brody Adamsky leading the first lap and after that it was all Bobby Butler as he top-sided his Short Load Concrete sponsored racer to within inches of the Redi Rock barriers on his way to his first career win at Accord. Don Smith Jr was a strong runner-up with Don Smith Sr, Jesse James Bartleson, Brody Adamsky, Heidi Hedin and Larry Ricci completing the field.

Vermont's Marty Kelly led all of the way in driving his Domino Pizza Wagon to his first ever career win at Accord in the Want Ad Digest Outlaw Slingshot feature. Hard riding Jim Pollard was second with newcomers Dan Malley, Bryce Cherko and Spencer Cherko completing the top five.

Jake Mason was victorious in the WRWD Radio Junior Slingshot event and he did it the fast way in holding two-time winner Hunter Lapp at bay for the entire distance. For Mason it was his first ever triumph at Accord. Lapp finished second with Michael Corbin, John Kendall, Ryan Auchmoody and Ashton DeWitt completing the field. With the win Mason will add $50.00 to his bank account courtesy of bonus dollars put up by David Torchio of Torch Performance.

George Zeininger took a Friday night drive in the Emmanuel's Marketplace Enduro event. It wasn't easy though as Dave Donovan traded the lead back and forth with Zeininger until mechanical problems placed him on the sidelines. Zeininger led the final 27-laps to claim yet another victory at the speedway. Matt Curry and Ryan Brockner were second and third.

Gemstones:

Modified heats were captured by Ed Dachenhausen, Brad Rothaupt and Danny Creeden while Sportsman heat wins were claimed by Nick Johnson and Collin DuBois. Bobby Butler claimed the NEWS Sprint heat win. Rookie Sportsman heats went to Jason Feinberg and Corey Cormier. Pure Stock heats were captured by Mike DuBois Jr and Livy Johnson. Samantha Muller captured the All Star Slingshot heat event while Hunter Lapp was victorious in the preliminary for the Junior Slingshots.

New cars and drivers galore were on hand for the evening and included Tim Southard and Shawn Maloney in the Pure Stocks, Bobby Butler, Heidi Hedin and Larry Ricci in the NEWS Sprints. Spencer Cherko, Bryce Cherko and Jim Pollard were new additions to the Slingshots and all were sporting Dunkin Donuts sponsorship. Justin Sleight was slated to compete in the Junior Slingshots but problems prevented him from taking a lap. Randy Green, Dom Roselli Jr, Kurt Hundeland, Richard Smith, Lenny Helmich and Willy Auchmoody were new entries for the Modifieds. Justin Brewster, Mike DuBois Sr, Ralph Ronk and Keith Coulter made their first starts in the Sportsman.

Rookie Sportsman for the inaugural event included Jim Kraus, Ryan McCartney, Sarah Smith, Jake Grannacker, Bobby Flood, Corey Cormier and Keith Johannessen. McCartney, Flood, Cormier and Grannacker are former Slingshot stars at the speedway with Flood being a former Champion.

Former Legends Champion at Accord, "The Flying Dutchman" Richie Van Orden was taking in the races and informed announcer Steve Pados he was putting the finishing touches on a new Sportsman car for the speedway. Justin Brewster was another of the former Slingshot stars who took the step into the Sportsman ranks. Brewster borrowed the Ryan Wood hot rod for the evening and did an admirable job considering it was his first ever ride in a full size racer.

Two former Hamlin Speedway competitors were in the Sprint car field. Butler is a former Champion at Hamlin and Heidi Hedin competed in the 600 Sprints. "The Big Unit" Randy Johnston was to drive the second Lapp racer but problems shut him down early in hot laps. Jordan Lawrence escaped injury when his car got upside down in front of the grandstands.

"The Mighty Man from Mertztown" Barry White was on hand to watch his son in law Danny Creeden race to victory.

Butch Distal and Dylan Curso took in the races last evening and Tim Adams put Curso to work in the Lucas Oil Products victory lane in handing out the driver awards.

Marty Kelly not only captured a win at the speedway last evening but once again lent his assistance in the tower announcing races and he did his always great job.

RESULTS:

United Pump & Tank Modifieds: Danny Creeden, Anthony Perrego, Joe Judge, Brad Rothaupt, Danny Tyler, Randy Green, Ed Dachenhausen, Willy Auchmoody, Dom Roselli Sr, Chad Loilodice, Dan Humes, Corey Lowitt, Mike Ricci, Ken Ferrier, Rich Ricci, Richie Eurich, Kurt Hundeland, Robbie Green, Allison Ricci, Lem Atkins, Lenny Helmich, Scott Ferrier, Jesse Marks, Rich Smith (DQ)

Healey Brothers Group Sportsman: Jimmy Wells, Nick Johnson, Chris Stevens, Greg McCloskey, Nick Plumstead, Rich Ricci III, Collin DuBois, Ralph Ronk, Phil Goetchius, Justin Brewster, Dave Demorest, Conner Otten, Keith Coulter, Mike DuBois, Brandon McGill

Ruge's Performance Center NEWS Sprint Cars: Bobby Butler, Don Smith Jr, Don Smith Sr, Jesse James Bartleson, Brody Adamsky, Heidi Hedin, Larry Ricci

Arkel Motors Pure Stocks: Ray Tarantino, Gary Ronk, Bob Palmer, Bob Sleight, Tim Southard, Shawn Maloney, Harry Bachman, Olivia Johnson, Steve Williams, Mike DuBois Jr, James Goetchius, Jimmy Sykes, Travis Brockner (DQ)

Rookie Crate Sportsman: Corey Cormier, Jim Kraus, Bobby Flood, Ryan McCartney, Keith Johannessen, Jason Feinberg, Sarah Smith, Jake Grannacker

Want Ad Digest All Star Slingshots: Marty Kelly, Jim Pollard, Dan Malley, Bryce Cherko, Spencer Cherko, Samantha Muller

WRWD Radio Junior Slingshots: Jake Mason, Hunter Lapp, Michael Corbin, John Kendall, Ryan Auchmoody, Ashton DeWitt

Emmanuel's Marketplace 4-Cylinder Enduro: George Zeininger, Matt Curry, Ryan Brockner

Racing is on tap every Friday night at Accord Speedway from April through September. Pit Gates open at 4:30; Spectator Gates open at 5:00; Hot Laps are at 6:30 and the racing begins at 7 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.

May 27th brings Williams Lumber Night to the Accord Speedway for seven divisions of great racing excitement.

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