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Accord, NY- Accord Speedway Names 2015 Champions To Highlight Exciting Eight Feature Race Card By: Steve Pados, Accord Speedway Media




The warm, fall harvest breezes from the Catskills Mountains of New York State provided the perfect weather and backdrop for a great Friday evening as the Accord Speedway presented it's "Night of Champions" to a large crowd on hand. All track champions were crowned in the final evening of points at the speedway for the 2015 racing season. The co-sponsored event by Taylor Rental and Williams Lumber brought out a nice field of racing equipment as the event served a dual purpose for those drivers who will be entering the spectacular "King of the Catskills" events scheduled for September 18th. With six titles left to be decided coming into the evening of events, when the final checkered flag fell from starter Steve Otten, seven new champions were crowned for the 2015 racing season.

Heading up the list is "The Jeffer" Jeff Heotzler Sr who has enjoyed a fabulous 2015 season while steering the Mel Schrufer owned Academy Transmission hot rod. Heotzler finished third in the United Pump and Tank Modified feature to claim the title while Mike Ricci, who was a close second coming into the event, suffered driveline troubles that subjected him to a second place in the final standings. "Mr Excitement" Kevin Ward captured five wins on his way to his third Accord title in the Escape RV Sportsmen division. Connecticut driving stars Robbie Knipe and Ed Dachenhausen put on a great dual throughout the season with Knipe emerging as the speedway champion in the highly competitive Healey Brothers Group Spec Sportsman division. "Double D" Dave Demorest captured seven feature events during the season to lay claim to the speedway title in the Ruge's Performance Center Pro Stock division. Massachusetts hot shoe, Chris Streeter saved the best for last as he captured his first win of the season in the hotly contested Arkel Motors Pure Stock division to earn his first driving title in his first season of competition at Accord. Samantha Muller laid claim to the WRWD Radio Junior Slingshot title with steady performances throughout the season. Ashley Rogosich captured four feature wins during the season on her way to claim the Want AD Digest All Star Slingshot title at the speedway.

The racing action during the evening was hot and heavy on the speedway with some of the track titles on the line. "The Little Jeffer" Jeff Heotzler Jr has been strong all season at Accord and finally put all of the pieces together to dominate the racing action and claim his first ever feature win at Accord in the Modified division. Dave Werber had a fast set of wheels under him as he claimed his fourth win of the season in the Sportsman finale. Phil Johnson put an interesting spin on the evening with a solid wire to wire win in the Spec Sportsman feature. John Roese alerted the crowd and the competition he is back full force as he captured his second straight win in the Pro Stock feature. Roese missed many weeks of the season after suffering injuries from an off-track incident. Chris Streeter knew what he had to do coming into the final event and went out and did it as he won his first ever feature at Accord in the Pure Stock headliner. "The Junior Rock" Matt Shultz led all of the way to claim his seventh win of the season in the All Star Slingshot division. Hunter Lapp captured both ends of the Junior Slingshot feature events but his seven wins fell a bit short to the new champion Samantha Muller.

The United Pump and Tank Modified division title was on the line as the 30-lap event unfolded. Jeff Heotzler Jr took advantage of a front row starting spot to blast out front at the drop of the green flag and led all thirty laps to capture his first career win at Accord. Two veterans of many racing wars, Robbie Green and Jeff Heotzler Sr put on a great battle for the runner-up slot with Green just nipping a hard charging Heotzler Sr. "Tommy Gun" Tommy Johnson was fourth in a nice run with "DC" Danny Creeden borrowing Barry White's car for the evening to drive from 13th position to complete the top five. Richie Eurich, the returning Danny Tyler, Scott Ferrier, Joe Judge and Brad Rothaupt completed the top ten.

The Ruge's Performance Center Pro Stock event got off to a rousing start with Greg Sleight leading the first seven laps. Problems slowed Sleight's pace as John Roese took over in his Ford powered hot rod. Roese was up to the task at hand as he kept everyone behind him on his way to his third win of the season. Dave Demorest was second with Al Christiana, Wayne Taylor and Ron Rion completing the field.

The Arkel Motors Pure Stock finale proved to be quite a showstopper as Tanner Johnson led the first twelve laps of the event before spinning in front of the field. Johnson was through for the evening but when the race restarted it was Chris Streeter at the point and he led the final three laps to hold off a close knit five pack of driving stars to capture his ever win at the speedway. Bob Palmer was a close second making it a one-two sweep for the "Minutemen Connection." Ray Tarantino came back through the field twice to finish third in a great run with Bob Sleight and newcomer Jim Maher completing the top five. Olivia Johnson, Steve Williams, Mike DuBois Jr, "The Duker" John Cole and newcomer Fred Pavia completed the top ten. Five time winner in 2015, Gary Ronk, saw his chances for a title disintegrate when he was caught up in an early race incident.

Frank Smith III hustled his Putnam Energy sponsored hot rod to the point at the start of the Escape RV Sportsman feature and led one lap before giving way to his teammate Dave Werber. Werber led the remaining laps to claim his fourth win of the season and second in succession. Jesse Marks was second in a great run with Ray See Jr in third, Kevin Ward in fourth and Jeff Hulseapple rounding out the top five. The second five was headed up by newcomer Milton Mann, Joe Giachinta, Phil Goetchius, Frank Smith III and newcomer Brad Cicio.

Phil Johnson outhustled Patrick Murphy at the drop of the green and put the rest of the field behind him as he led all twenty laps to claim his first win in the Spec Sportsman feature. "The Bushkill Bullet" Kyle Rohner stayed close throughout the race to finish second with Ed Dachenhausen, Robbie Knipe and Kevin Ward filling out the top five. Kenny Hinsch, the returning Brandon McGill and Patrick Murphy completed the field.

Matt Shultz grabbed the lead at the start of the All Star Slingshot feature and led every lap to dominate the action. Ryan McCartney was the runner-up with new champion Ashley Rogosich and Corey Cormier completing the field.

In the Heldover Junior Slingshot feature, Samantha Muller and Hunter Lapp traded the lead back and forth for six laps before Lapp forged ahead on lap seven. He would lead the rest of the way to capture the win with Muller in second, John Kendall third, Jayden Sleight and Peyton Speedling completing the top five.

John Kendall used his pole position start to lead the first six laps of the regularly scheduled Junior Slingshot feature. Hunter Lapp blazed by him on lap seven to go on and capture his second win of the evening giving him seven wins for the season. Kendall was second in a great run for the first year driver with Samantha Muller third, Jake Mason, Jayden Sleight, Peyton Speedling, Ashton DeWitt and newcomer Roland Schoonmaker following.

GEMSTONES:

Under the tutelage of Promoter Gary Palmer, the talented roster of drivers tested the many racing channels of the speedway throughout the evening in preparation for the blockbuster "King of the Catskills" spectacular coming up this week and sponsored by Insinger Fuels. The speedway was in top form so a tip of the fedora is in order going out to the hard working Accord Speedway Promoters Gary and Donna Palmer.

The Accord Speedway racing season was good one with 21 shows being presented thus far. More than two hundred racers competed at Accord during the season through the eight divisions of racing but it is clear to see the growing economic woes in our country have definitely made an impact on how many competitors can make it out to the speedway on a regular weekly basis. Many of the loyal weekly competitors have been forced to sit out more than a few weeks during the season to re-group before they could return to action or sometimes deciding to sit out much of the season.

Heat race action in the Modifieds found Brad Rothaupt, Robbie Green and Richie Eurich capturing victories. Jesse Marks, Ralph Ronk and Joe Giachinta scored heat wins in the Sportsman action while Patrick Murphy and Kevin Ward found wins in Spec Sportsman action. Ward was steering the racer normally handled by Dan Speedling. The Pro Stock heat was won by Greg Sleight. The Pure stock heats went to Livy Johnson, Bob Palmer and Harry Bachman. John Kendall and Hunter Lapp were victorious in the Junior Slingshot heats while Matt Shultz captured the lone heat for the All Star Slingshots.

Newcomers and new cars continue to arrive at the speedway as the Friday show acted as a prelude to the mighty "King of the Catskills" weekend coming up this week. Danny Creeden made his third Accord start of the season aboard Barry White's potent Deka Battery sponsored racer. Jimmy Grippin brought out his Pro Stocker with a For Sale sign attached to it. Jimmy Maher, Fred Pavia, Tommy Pickel and Dan Knoth were first timers in the Pure Stocks. Sportsman newcomers included Mike Barrett, Brad Cicio and Milton Mann. Roland Schoonmaker made his first Slingshot appearance aboard one of the Sherlock hot rods.

Accord Speedway paid tribute to the First Responders last evening with a special ceremony honoring the anniversary of 9/11. All police, firefighters and EMT's were admitted to the speedway free with their ID badges. Through the efforts of security head Shawn Corcoran and track fire-chief Donnie Fredericks, representatives from Tillson, Accord, Port Ewan, Saugerties, NYPD, Ellenville, Esopus, Ulster, Orange Lake and Glasgow were on hand for the ceremony that included equipment from the groups pacing the speedway, the lowering of the US flag to half-staff, a heartfelt prayer offered by speedway announcer Steve Pados and the playing of "God Bless The USA" followed by a silent prayer for Fire Chief Eddie Miller who is undergoing cancer treatment. Sheriff Zelinski and his dog Sgt. Shawn Ferrell were also on hand for the occasion.

A mighty thanks goes out to the fine folks from Williams Lumber for the shirt and hat giveaways to the feature winners and for the loyal fans in the stands.

Robert and Amber Rolleri were on hand last evening from Kingston Nissan for the prize giveaway from their group. Winning the Razor Scooter was
Robert Day, the Red Wing Work Boots from Kenco to Shirley Perpetua and the Fishing Pole to Brian Bender.

A happy 33rd Anniversary is in order for speedway workers Kurt and Jan Cross.

Modified legend Gary Balough was back in the house last evening assisting the Halmar International Racing Team and while busy all evening working on the race car managed to spend some time in the tower with Gary Palmer.

RESULTS:

United Pump & Tank Modifieds: Jeff Heotzler Jr, Robbie Green, Jeff Heotzler Sr, Tommy Johnson, Danny Creeden, Richie Eurich, Danny Tyler, Scott Ferrier, Joe Judge, Brad Rothaupt, Mark Pullen, Dave Hinsch, Willy Auchmoody, Mike Ricci, Ken Ferrier, Corey Lowitt

Escape RV Sportsman: Dave Werber, Jesse Marks, Ray See Jr, Kevin Ward, Jeff Hulseapple, Milton Mann, Joe Giachinta, Phil Goetchius, Frank Smith III, Brad Cicio, Jimmy Wells, Mike Barrett, Ralph Ronk, Lenny Helmich, Dave Coene, Jimmy Halpin, Chris Daley

Healey Brothers Group Spec Sportsman: Phil Johnson, Kyle Rohner, Ed Dachenhausen,Robbie Knipe, Kevin Ward, Kenny Hinsch, Brandon McGill, Patrick Murphy, Collin DuBois, Michael Murphy, Nick Johnson (DNS)

Ruge's Performance Center Pro Stocks: John Roese, Dave Demorest, Al Christiana, Wayne Taylor, Ron Rion, Greg Sleight, Jimmny Grippin (DNS)

Arkel Motors Pure Stocks: Chris Streeter, Bob Palmer, Ray Tarantino, Bob Sleight, Jim Maher, Olivia Johnson, Steve Williams, Mike DuBois Jr, John Cole, Fred Pavia, Dan Knoth, James Goetchius, Tommy Pickel, Steve Kanuk, Jerry Craig Sr, Tanner Johnson, Harry Bachman, Gary Ronk, Alan Tarantino

Want Ad Digest All Star Slingshots: Matt Shultz, Ryan McCartney, Ashley Rogosich, Corey Cormier, Don Boonstra (DNS)

WRWD Radio Junior Slingshots: Hunter Lapp, John Kendall, Samantha Muller, Jake Mason, Jayden Sleight, Peyton Speedling, Ashton DeWitt, Roland Schoonmaker, Matt DeRitter (DNS)

Junior Slingshots: (Heldover) Hunter Lapp, Samantha Muller, John Kendall, Jayden Sleight, Peyton Speedling, Ashton DeWitt, Matt DeRitter, Ryan Auchmoody (DNS)