ACCORD, NY – Jeff Heotzler Sr. has enjoyed the spotlight on numerous occasions during his stellar racing career at the Accord Speedway
By Frank Catizone
Heotzler has won several track championships around the Ulster County bullring and Friday he pocketed his 49th career victory in the All American Ford Modified 30-lap main event on Taylor Rental and Orange County Fair Speedway Night. It was a win that earned the legendary driver a guaranteed starting spot for the Pioneer Pole Buildings-VP Racing Fuels Short Track SuperNationals on October 11 & 12th at Five Mile Point Speedway as well as a guaranteed starting spot at the 52nd annual Eastern States 200 on Oct. 27 at the Orange County Fair Speedway.
But another popular driver at the track took center stage this time around as Jackie Brown Jr. took advantage of his consistency throughout the 2013 season to capture the Modified point championship. It was the first title of Brown’s 25-year racing career.
“Wow, what a season this has been,’’ exclaimed Brown. “My wife just had a baby and now this. I’ve come so close at getting a championship in the past but just seemed to come up a little bit short. Finally, I got my first title…and winning it here before my hometown crowd at Accord just makes it that more special.’’
Brown won three times this season en route to collecting 866 points as he finished in the standings ahead of Tommy Meier (806). But it was his string of top five performances that made the difference.
“I only had two bad performances all season and they both happened on the same night,’’ said Brown. “I was able to finish in the top five the rest of the year and that consistency is why I won the championship. I’ve had a good car throughout the year, and my father and crew deserve all the credit in the world. I wouldn’t be here if if weren’t for all of their help.’’
Brown, who started ninth in the regular-season finale, stamped his title with another fifth-place effort as he prepares for this Friday night’s King of the Catskills 60-lap Race of Champions event at Accord.
Heotzler, settled in behind leader Andy Bachetti as the laps clicked off following a caution involving Mel Schrufer and Mike Doty with two laps completed.
Bachetti, after enjoying a comfortable lead, then began approaching lapped traffic and Heotzler was able to close in on the leader. The two drivers weaved in and out of their slower competition as Bachetti took the five-lap to go sign from Accord starter Steve Otten.
However, with lapped traffic looming ahead, Bachetti and Heotzler drove into the first turn battling for the lead. Their cars made contact through the turn and Heotzler was able to come out on top. Bachetti lost ground as he got mixed up with Ken Boniface Jr.
Heotzler then went on to grab his third visit to the Lucas Oil Victory Lane this season with Meier, Rich Ricci Jr., Anthony Perrego, Brown, Jerry Higbie, Mike Ricci, Danny Tyler, Scott Ferrier and Brad Rothaupt rounding out the top 10. Bachetti wound up finishing 12th and dropped to third in the final standings.
Kevin Ward slipped past Vinnie DeCicco on the final lap to score his fourth victory of the season in the Escape RV Sportsman 25-lap feature.
But all eyes were centered on Greg McCloskey and Dave Werber, who were embroiled in a heated battle for the track title. Werber finished second to Ward in the race, but fell two points shy of the championship to McCloskey (796). McCloskey locked up the crown with a fourth-place effort.
Ed Dachenhausen picked up his first career win in the Healey Brothers Spec Sportsman 20-lap feature as he finished ahead of track titlist Tyler Boniface, Rich Ricci III, Mike Sabia and Joe Judge.
Tyler Boniface, who paced the division with six triumphs in 2013, collected 948 points during the season. He was followed by Judge (868).
Another tight battle for season laurels took place in the Ruge’s GM Parts Center Pro Stock ranks as Ralph Ronk and John Roese locked horns right to the end. Ronk picked up his third win of the season in the 20-lap main event, but Roese drove away with the title.
Roese, who entered the night with a 16-point cushion, finished in fourth place behind Ronk, Tim McCarthy and Norbert Bracklow. The effort pushed his season total to 896 points – six better than Ronk.
Nick Johnson’s seventh victory of the season in the Arkel Motors Pure Stock 15-lap feature earned him the 2013 championship as he finished six points ahead of Ray Tarantino in the final standings. Johnson entered the night with only a two-point cushion.
Tarantino, after wrestling second place away from Ant Marguglio, took the checkered flag less than a second behind Johnson in his quest for the crown.
Shawn Maloney grabbed his second victory of the season in the Want Ad Digest Fireball Four Cylinder 15-lap feature and also claimed the track championship.
Maloney, who picked up his only other win on May 31, finished ahead of Walt Henry, Johnny Bankich, Barry Cargill and Brittney Curry.