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ACCORD, NY – Tommy Meier starting to settle in at the Accord Speedway.



By Frank Catizone
Meier, in the midst of his first full season at the racing facility, said it took some time to adjust to a smaller track, but he thinks he finally knows the best way to get around the quarter-mile bullring.
“We had the small block here tonight and that’s the way to go,’’ said Meier, following his second victory of the 2013 season in the All American Ford Modified 30-lap feature. “I also had the small block here in the first win. You just don’t need all the power with the big block to get around here.’’
Meier, who has been a regular at the much bigger Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown throughout his racing career, caught a break at the start of the race when Ken Boniface Jr. broke in the second turn. That elevated Meier to the outside pole and he was able to get the quick jump on Brad Rothaupt.
Meier, despite several cautions, was able to maintain his lead over the starting 24-car field. But Andy Bachetti was making a charge through the field and was able to slip past both Danny Tyler and Rich Ricci Jr. for second place following a 14th-lap restart.
Bachetti started inside of Meier for the restart, but Meier held his ground and was able to remain out in front. Bachetti made several charges at Meier to the finish, but faded a little in the end and had to settle for a second place finish.
“I don’t know what would have happened with the big block,’’ admitted Meier. “You need to be able to advance here because it’s just so much tighter than a place like Middletown. I just seem to spin my tires here with the added power. The small block is the better choice and it definitely made all the difference because I was able to carry my momentum through the turns.’’
Ricci, who enjoyed his best finish of the season, followed in third place with Jackie Brown Jr., Tyler, Gary Quick, Scott Ferrier, Bobby Hentschel, Mike Ricci and Danny Creeden rounding out the top 10.
Kevin Ward picked up an impressive victory in the Escape RV Sportsman division 25-lap feature with Vinnie DeCicco, Greg McCloskey, Dave Werber and Jeff Hulseapple following.
Ward, after starting fourth, took over first place from Ken Ferrier between the third and fourth turns on the fifth lap and never looked back to the finish.
Mike Sabia was in control of the Healey Brothers Spec Sportsman ranks as he drove to a convincing victory over Tyler Boniface, Ed Dachenhausen, Rich Ricci III and Joe Judge in the 20-lap feature.
Sabia was able to move ahead of Rich Ricci III following a third-lap restart and was never challenged to the finish.
Dave Demorest stole a victory over Jim Sykes in the Ruge’s GM Parts Center Pro Stock division. Sykes, after leading most of the event, got out of shape on the 17th lap an Demoest was able to power ahead while racing off the fourth turn. Sykes settled for second place with Paul Aragon Jr., Pat Zimmer and Norbert Brachlow rounding out the top five.
The Arkel Motors Pure Stock class was dominated by Nick Johnson, who secured a pair of wins in the 15-lap feature races. Johnson took the held-over race from June 28 to kick off the racing program and capped his evening with another trip to the Lucas Oil Victory Lane a few hours later.
Johnson passed John Woinoski for first place in the held-over event on the fifth lap and then went on to finish ahead of Woinoski, Ray Tarantino, Joe Knoth and Ant Marguglio.
Johnson had the lead by the third lap in the second 15-lapper as he finished ahead of Woinoski, Tarantini, Marguglio and Tom Hausman.
Matt Curry was victorious in the Wabt Ad Digest Fireball Four-Cylinder 15-lap feature.