Accord, NY- "Prime Time" Scott Ferrier Superior In Triumphant Return To Accord Speedway Victory Lane
By: Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media
The Catskill Mountains in New York State offers breathtaking views, historic landmarks, great waterways and a rich history that takes us back to our forefather's fight for freedom. For racing fans, Friday's are race days at the Accord Speedway and a chance to end the work week and head out to the pristine quarter mile speedway at Accord nestled in the pines and oaks. Promoters Gary & Donna Palmer were hard at work on Friday night providing another great evening of racing entertainment for the nice crowd on hand. Sponsoring the evening of speed was Dreaming of the Mouse Disney Vacations headed up by Sara Fredericks. For further information check out her website at: www.dreamingofthemouse.com The Checkered Flag Bonus sponsor for the evening was American Racer. It was also Bike Night at the speedway and a nice selection of bikes were donated by various sponsors and race teams.
The final outcome for the excellent evening of racing action found "Prime Time" Scott Ferrier shaking off a recent string of not so great finishes to romp to his first Accord win in 2016 in the United Pump & Tank Modifieds. Unheralded Scott Vishinski IV made his second start at Accord pay off as he made charge to overhaul early leader Chris Van Duser to go on and claim his first career win at Accord in the Ruge's Parts Center Rookie Sportsman. "Jammin" Jimmy Wells continues to own the division as he laid claim to his seventh win of the season at Accord in the Healey Brothers Sportsman headliner. Pennsylvania based Sprinter Heidi Hedin dominated the racing action to drive to her first career victory at Accord in the Ruge's Performance Center NEWS Sprint Car Division. In a night of firsts, Calicoon, New York hot rodder Travis Brockner withstood a strong challenge to claim his first career win in the Arkle Motors Pure Stock finale. Samantha Muller raced away from the field at the start of the event and proceeded to wire the field in the Want Ad Digest All Star Slingshot main event. The race was an Empire Regional event for the All Star Slingshots. John Kendall was on the hammer early and went to capture his second consecutive win of the season in the WRWD Radio Junior Slingshot finale.
The United Pump and Tank Modified field saw Scott Ferrier jumping out front at the start of the 30-lap headliner and just as quickly found Anthony Perrego nipping at his heels in search of his first win of the season. With Ferrier and Perrego vying for real estate, Danny Tyler and Richie Eurich became players in the exciting racing challenge. A 13th lap front stretch accident found Ed Dachenhausen, Dominic Roselli Jr and Mark Pullen getting together in a grinding crash that eliminated all three drivers. No one was injured in the scary incident.
After the restart, Ferrier had himself a fast hot rod and wasted no time in opening up a bit of distance on the field while Perrego gave way to both Danny Tyler and Mike Ricci. Tyler gave a another great Showtime performance as he tried the landscape high and low to wrest the lead away from Ferrier. Ferrier would have none of it as he raced to his first win of the season with Tyler a very close runner-up and Mike Ricci third. Perrego held on for fourth place while Richie Eurich completed the top five.
The second five consisted of Jesse Marks, Dom Roselli Sr, the returning defending track champion Jeff Heotzler, Brad Rothaupt and Rich Ricci.
The Healey Brothers Group Sportsman headliner found Ralph Ronk jumping out front with Connor Otten and Brandon McGill taking up the chase. Ronk had himself a fast racer as he was able to put some distance between he and the rest of the field. A couple of scrambles tightened up the field and by lap twelve Jimmy Wells had moved into the runner-up slot. One lap later Wells would seize the lead and he would drive away from the field to secure his seventh win of the season. Ronk enjoyed a great run to nail down second with Rich Ricci III starting from 16th starting position and driving to a hard fought third place finish. Brandon McGill was solid with a fourth place finish and Cole Hentschel rounded out the top five. The second five included Connor Otten, Phil Goetchius, Chris Stevens, Vinnie Gress and Collin DuBois.
The Ruge's Parts Center Rookie Sportsman feature event found Chris Van Duser taking the lead on the first lap and withstood some pressure from Jim Kraus and Tighe Sherlock early on to lead the way. On the 13th lap of the event Van Duser slid up the raceway, got a bit out of shape and in a flash Stan Vishinski slipped underneath and assumed command of the lead. Vishinski would lead the rest of the way as he raced to his first career win at the speedway. Jim Kraus. Jason Feinberg, Jake Granacker and Tighe Sherlock completed the top five.
Heidi Hedin encountered some problems a few weeks ago when she made her first visit to Accord. She returned on Friday night and had a much better idea of what to do. As the race began Jesse James Bartleson jumped out front for the first three laps, but bobbled coming off of turn two and it opened up the door for Hedin as she was working the baseline and found lots of real estate opening up in front of her to take command of the event. Once in front, Hedin put a ton of daylight between herself and the rest of the field to go on to claim her first win at the speedway. Bartleson was the runner-up with Quad convert Eric Jennings doing great work in third, Don Smith Jr in fourth, Brody Adamsky fifth and Don Smith Sr sixth. Adamsky flipped past the mid point of the event but was not injured in the rollover.
The WRWD Radio Junior Slingshot main event found John Kendall zooming away from the field at the start and leading all of the way to race to his second straight win of the season at Accord. Hunter Lapp was second with Michael Corbin third, Jaden Sleight fourth and Ashton Dewitt in fifth.
The Arkel Motors Pure Stock feature found Travis Brockner working his racer out front at the drop of the green flag. A group of racers took up the chase but Brockner was excellent at the top of the raceway and was able to meet every challenge with Steve Williams all over him at the end but Brockner parking his racer in the Lucas Oil Products Victory Lane. Williams was second with Bob Sleight, Gary Ronk and Ray Tarantino in a borrowed car for the evening completing the top five.
The Want Ad Digest All Star Slingshot main event for the track and the Empire Region Slingshot points found Samantha Muller grabbing the lead at the drop of the green flag and showing the remainder of the field the short way around Accord as she raced to her fifth win of the season. Current Empire Region points leader Bryce Cherko was the runner-up in a close battle with third place finisher Brian Tobey Jr in third and Vermont's Marty Kelly in fourth.
GEMSTONES:
The good folks from Dreaming of the Mouse sponsored the evening of speed and even though a late notice sponsor, many details of their services were provided to the crowd.
Heat races were run off quickly and Sportsman heat wins went to Dave Demorest and Ralph Ronk. Chris Van Duser and Jim Kraus were victorious in the Rookie Sportsman qualifiers. Modified heats were claimed by Anthony Perrego, Scott Ferrier and Richie Eurich. Jesse James Bartleson claimed the heat win in the NEWS Sprints. Steve Williams and Bob Sleight claimed wins in the Pure Stock division. The Junior Slingshot heat win was captured by John Kendall. All Star Slingshot heats found Samantha Muller and Jimmy Pollard sharing wins.
New cars and drivers added to the evening as the Rookie Sportsman ranks were bolstered by RG Daley, Kyle Plumstead and Stan Vishinski. Kenny Hinsch and David Coene were new additions for the Sportsman ranks however Coene was an early departure in his heat event. Jeff Heotzler made his return to the speedway aboard a new racer and with on-track driver introductions announcer Steve Pados made mention of "The Jeffer" being nominated for the DIRT Hall of Fame and the crowd gave him a rousing ovation. Danny Creeden broke his Modified in heat racing action and was able to secure a ride in the Chad Loidice Modified.
The Bike giveaway was a successful venture and the speedway would like to thank Tarantino MS, Adamsky MS, Upstate Auto, Dave & Joanne Rocket, Kelly Ricci, Barbara and George Sawyer, Skatetime 209, Jody Servo, ASI Trophies and Dreaming of the Mouse Travel.
Michael Hatzistergos was on hand at the speedway on Friday evening and did some great balloon art for the children before the racing action began.
John McGill filled in for Tim Adams with the victory lane presentations.
A big weekend is on tap for Friday night, July 1st as the speedway ushers in Independence Day with a huge show that includes seven feature events and heats for the racers, Fireworks from Santore's and the "Famous" Chicken BBQ from Handsome Devil BBQ. Music will be provided by the Black Dirt Bandits. The evening is also designated for the Sparrow's Nest Charity. The evening will be sponsored by Saugerties Lumber. To all racing fans, come early, stay late as Accord Speedway hosts one of their biggest nights of the season.
A special thanks goes out to all of the fans in attendance for their patience in sitting out a short delay while some track maintenance was being done.
RESULTS:
United Pump & Tank Modifieds: Scott Ferrier, Danny Tyler, Mike Ricci, Anthony Perrego, Richie Eurich, Jesse Marks, Dom Roselli Sr, Jeff Heotzler Sr, Brad Rothaupt, Rich Ricci, Ken Ferrier, Danny Creeden, Joe Judge, Brett Graham, Lenny Helmich, Mark Pullen, Ed Dachenhausen, Dom Roselli Jr
Healey Brothers Group Sportsman: Jimmy Wells, Ralph Ronk, Rich Ricci III, Brandon McGill, Cole Hentschel, Connor Otten, Phil Goetchius, Chris Stevens, Vinnie Gress, Collin DuBois, Corey Cormier, Kenny Hinsch, Nick Plumstead, Dave Demorest, RJ Smith
Ruge's Performance Center NEWS Sprint Cars: Heidi Hedin, Jesse James Bartleson, Eric Jennings, Don Smith Jr, Brody Adamsky, Don Smith Sr
Arkel Motors Pure Stocks: Travis Brockner, Steve Williams, Bob Sleight, Gary Ronk, Ray Tarantino, Steve Kanuk, Harry Bachman, Mike Travis, Lenny Helmich III, Jimmy Sykes (DNS)
Ruges Part Center Rookie Crate Sportsman: Stan Vishinski IV, Jim Kraus, Jason Feinberg, Jake Granacker, Tighe Sherlock, Chris Van Duser, Kevin Stevens, RJ Daley, John Dewitt, Kyle Plumstead, Ryan McCartney
Want Ad Digest All Star Slingshots: (Empire Region Tour)Samantha Muller, Bryce Cherko, Brian Tobey Jr, Marty Kelly, Jim Pollard, Spencer Cherko (DNS)
WRWD Radio Junior Slingshots: John Kendall, Hunter Lapp, Michael Corbin, Jaden Sleight, Ashton Dewitt