Accord, NY- "Showtime" Danny Tyler Sails To Second Accord Speedway Triumph
By: Steve Pados, Accord Speedway Media
The Accord Speedway swung back into racing action on Friday as the deep warm rays of summer shone brightly through the pines surrounding the speedway. The talented roster of drivers were more than anxious to set their wheels in motion on the speedway as the racing season is dwindling down. Promoter Gary Palmer had the speedway in great shape and racing form as the captivating racing action spread across the speedway with at least four distinct racing channels for the drivers to work their magic. The racing action was excellent in the seven divisions offered and was completed at 11 PM. The evening of speed was sponsored by the good folks at Escape RV located in Branchville, New Jersey. Their website is: www.escaperv.com
The hotly contested events found "Showtime" Danny Tyler sailing to his second win of the season in the United Pump and Tank Modifieds. "Mr Excitement" Kevin Ward continues to surge as he arrived late in the season and after a series of good finishes scored his first win of the season in the Healey Brothers Group Sportsman event. Jim Kraus has been knocking on the door all season long and finally broke through all of the barriers to capture his first win of the season as he wired the field in the Ruge's GM Parts Center Rookie Sportsman feature event. Larry Ricci raced to his first win of the season in the Ruge's Performance Center NEWS Sprint Car finale. The WRWD Radio sponsored Junior Slingshot division found John Kendall finding the hot ticket to victory lane as he scored his fifth 2016 win at the speedway. Bob Sleight used a late rally to become the victor of the Arkel Motors Pure Stock encounter and it was his third win at the speedway for 2016. Derek Delaney added his name to the winners list as he claimed the Emmanuel's Marketplace Fireball 4-Cylinder night cap.
Chad Loiodice and Corey Lowitt brought the United Pump and Tank Modified field down for the start of the 30-lap headliner. Loiodice led the first two laps before a front stretch skirmish had point leader Mike Ricci suffering severe damage to his race car. On the restart, Loiodice yielded the lead to a high flying Danny Tyler and the Showtime kid wasted no time in stepping away from the field as he found the outer reaches of the speedway to his liking and began to distance himself from the rest of the field. "The Montgomery Missile" Anthony Perrego had himself a fast hot rod and was able to move his hot rod from ninth starting spot into the runner-up role by the midway point of the event. Tyler enjoyed a big lead but was entering into some slower traffic as the laps clicked off and Perrego was able to close down the deficit very quickly. Tyler was able to hold on to the lead even as Perrego showed the nose of his race car to him. The sprint to the finish had Tyler gaining his second win of the season over Perrego in a crowd pleasing performance. Scott Ferrier was third while Danny Creeden hustled to fourth place after starting tenth and Richie Eurich was steady throughout to complete the top five. Joe Judge, Chad Loiodice, Corey Lowitt, Jesse Marks and Ken Ferrier filled out the ranks of the top ten.
The Healey Brothers Group Sportsman headliner found youngsters Collin DuBois and Brandon McGill trading the lead back and forth for the first two laps before McGill settled into the lead for good on lap three. Before McGill could open up any daylight, he found reigning sportsman champion Kevin Ward breathing down his tailpipes. Try as he may, Ward threw everything he could at McGill but could not dislodge him from the top slot. Ward finally pulled even on lap-17 and became the new leader on one lap later. After he seized the lead, Ward stepped out to a five car length lead until a caution came out for a disabled McGill. On the restart, it would be Ward racing to the win in the final two laps with a strong running Chris Stevens finishing up in the runner-up slot. Point leader Jimmy Wells was third with the returning Joey Bruning in fourth place in a great return to the speedway. The reigning Spec Sportsman champ in 2015, Robbie Knipe, returned to action and completed the top five. Phil Goetchius, Corey Cormier, Nick Johnson, Connor Otten and Vinnie Gress completed the top ten.
The Ruge's GM Parts Center Rookie Sportsman feature main event found Chris Van Duser leading the first lap until a spin slowed the action. On the restart Jim Kraus grabbed the lead and Kraus would find clear sailing throughout the remainder of the race to go on and claim his first ever feature win at the Accord Speedway. Newcomer Brad Horton continues to impress with a strong runner-up finish while the returning Tighe Sherlock was third and Jason Feinberg fourth. Jake Granacker rounded out the top five with RJ Daley, Chris Van Duser and Mike DuBois Jr making up the remainder of the field.
The Ruge's Performance Center NEWS Sprint Car main found Larry Ricci the lone racer at the end of the first lap due to some mechanical problems haunting the rest of the starting field. Ricci would earn his first victory in 2016.
The WRWD Radio Junior Slingshot main event was all John Kendall as the young speedster fought off early challenges from Hunter Lapp and Jake Mason to cruise to his fifth win of the season. Jake Mason hustled to a fine runner-up run with Hunter Lapp third despite suffering from engine woes by the midpoint of the feature.
The Arkel Motors Pure Stock feature kicked off with "The Intimidator" Ray Tarantino grabbing the early lead. Bob Sleight from third starting place took up the chase and would pester Tarantino past the halfway point. On lap twelve Sleight found the needed room from the top of the speedway to slip past Tarantino to seize command of the lead and go to record his third win of the season. Tarantino was second with Tim Southard third while Steve Williams would use a borrowed ride to finish fourth and Gary Ronk completed the top five. Chris Kanuk, Joel Murns, Jim Smith and Harry Bachman would finish out the field.
The Emmanuel's marketplace Fireball 4 Cylinder Enduro event closed out the show with a special twist as the racers would find a reversal of fortune awaiting them at the start. The thirty car starting field ran in reverse and the drivers adapted to the change very quickly. Two time winner Dave Donovan and William Rabb engaged in a solid two car battle early on until Rabb had contact with a slower car and taking him out of contention. Donovan had the field covered up until he ran out of fuel and coasting to the infield. 18th starting Derek Delaney took command of the event at that point and would race to his first ever win at the speedway, albeit on three wheels at the end. George Barringer was the runner-up after starting 26th with early contender Willy Oates making it to the podium in third place.
GEMSTONES:
The Joe Barbagallo and his good friends from Escape RV were the headline sponsor for the evening and were on hand with literature and answered questions throughout the evening regarding the RV lifestyle.
The seven divisions who made their way into the speedway to do battle resulted in many exciting heat races that found Jim Kraus winning the Rookie Sportsman qualifier. Modified heats were claimed by Danny Tyler, Scott Ferrier and Brett Graham. Larry Ricci claimed the Sprint Car heat win. Ray Tarantino and Bob Sleight were victorious in the Pure Stock division heats. Collin DuBois, Jimmy Wells and Chris Stevens captured the Sportsman heat wins. Hunter Lapp claimed the Junior Slingshot heat event.
New cars and drivers that arrived for action last night included Mike DuBois Jr in the Rookie Sportsmen, Joey Bruning, Aaron Doolittle and Matt Hitchcock in the Sportsman, although Hitchcock was sidelined early on with mechanical problems. The Modified ranks were bolstered by the return of Dom and Dominick Roselli, Chuck and Tyler McKee and Donnie Elliott, who took over the controls of the Hudson Valley Diesel car. Mike Travis was a late addition to the Pure Stock ranks. Steve Williams gave the Livy Johnson 454 car a great ride in the feature to keep his points up. Former speedway announcer Joel Murns took his first ride of the season in his trusty number 21 Jr race car and it was great to see him return to the speedway.
The Enduro event was exciting with the new twist. The drivers were quick to the adaptation and really put on a great show for the fans.
Happy Anniversary wishes go out to George and Barbara Sawyer from everyone at the Accord Speedway. Birthday wishes go out to Rich Ricci III who was in the pit area assisting Jimmy Wells.
With only a few weeks left in the regular season, it is imperative those seeking a point championship be at their very best in the last remaining events to be able to be in a position to make a run for the title. These are the championship weeks as the racing intensifies and leads to the "Night of Champions" on September 9th, which will be presented by Taylor Rental as a special night for first responders.
RESULTS:
United Pump & Tank Modifieds: Danny Tyler, Anthony Perrego, Scott Ferrier, Danny Creeden, Richie Eurich, Joe Judge, Chad Loiodice, Corey Lowitt, Jesse Marks, Ken Ferrier, Brad Rothaupt, Mark Pullen, Chuck McKee, Ed Dachenhausen, Dominick Roselli Jr, Tyler McKee, Donnie Elliott, Brett Graham, Jeff Hoetzler Sr, Rob Rowe, Dom Roselli, Mike Ricci, Lenny Helmich, Kurt Hundeland (DNS)
Healey Brothers Group Sportsman: Kevin Ward, Chris Stevens, Jimmy Wells, Joey Bruning, Robbie Knipe, Phil Goetchius, Corey Cormier, Nick Johnson, Connor Otten, Vinnie Gress, Collin DuBois, Dana Carey, Brandon McGill, Winter Mead, Aaron Doolittle, Nick Plumstead, Ralph Ronk, Mike DuBois, Dave Demorest (DNS)
Ruge's Performance Center NEWS Sprint Cars: Larry Ricci, Brody Adamsky, Jesse James Bartleson (DNS), Eric Jennings (DNS), Zach Mead (DNS)
Arkel Motors Pure Stocks: Bob Sleight, Ray Tarantino, Tim Southard, Steve Williams, Gary Ronk, Chris Kanuk, Joel Murns, Jim Smith, Harry Bachman, Travis Brockner, Mike Travis, James Goetchius
Ruges Parts Center Rookie Crate Sportsman: Jim Kraus, Brad Horton, Tighe Sherlock, Jason Feinberg, Jake Grannaker, RJ Daley, Chris Van Duser, Mike DuBois Jr
WRWD Radio Junior Slingshots: John Kendall, Jake Mason, Hunter Lapp, Jaden Sleight (DNS), Ashton Dewitt (DNS)
Emmanuel's Marketplace Fireball 4-Cylinder Enduro: Derek Delaney, George Barringer, Willy Oates