BACHETTI HITS ON RIGHT ACCORD COMBINATION - WINS 358 MOD MAIN
By BRETT DEYO
ACCORD, NY - Andy Bachetti has found the right combination for Accord Speedway.
After a change in chassis manufacturer and engine builder over the winter months, the Sheffield, Mass. native has been a consistent frontrunner since the season opener. On Friday night, Bachetti parlayed an eighth place starting position to his first victory of the season in the 30-lap Pine Grove Dude Ranch 358 Modified headliner.
Over the off-season, Bachetti's Downes Racing team retired their Troyer for a Bicknell 2003x, then teamed up with Arnie Agar of A & C Performance to provide the power.
According to Bachetti, the changes have made all the difference.
"I'm really comfortable in this car," he said. "It's a little bit more versatile; Bicknell Racing Products makes good equipment and I'm able to adjust on it better because I'm more familiar with this type of car. I didn't have as much set-up knowledge of the Troyer car."
It took Bachetti just six laps to assume the lead. Veteran Barry Davis led the early portions of the event with Jimmy Johnson in tow. By lap five, Bachetti powered the No. 40 into third, then slipped by both second running Jimmy Johnson and Davis in one lap with a pair of inside passes.
Despite a rash of mid race caution flags, the race was for the runner up position for the remainder of the distance - Bachetti easily checked out on the field.
"I could run right on the bottom and get a good run off the corner," Bachetti commented. "Once I got the lead down there, I figured I stay down there, because I didn't know what kind of lead I had. I knew I could run the top if I had to, but I didn't want to open up the inside for somebody to get under me."
The event's most significant caution flew on lap 18 when the heated battle for second took its toll. Allen Shiffler, who had powered the Crackers Motorsports No. 73 into the lead pack from mid-field, made the move into the runner up position with a three wide move on the frontstretch, but got turned around in the second turn, collecting newcomer Kirk Horton and defending champion Mike Ricci.
The final eleven laps ran under green flag conditions, with Bachetti taking the $1,500 victory by a half straightaway. It marked his third career victory at the Ulster County, N.Y. quarter mile.
50-year old Barry Davis was second, his best regular season finish in nearly three years.
The Accord, N.Y. resident upgraded his arsenal with a 2003 Troyer over the winter months and has shown steady signs of improvement since the season lid-lifter.
"I'm getting used to my new car," Davis laughed. "Actually, this car reminds me of the Birosh car I raced here in the mid 80's - I'm really comfortable in it now. The first couple weeks we were off, but this week we finally got everything measured and set like Billy Colton told us it should be, and it worked out for us."
He concluded with a smile, "It's been a long time coming."
Rich Ricci, Jr. charged from tenth to third at the checkered in his No. 55 Dirt Wheels mount. Jimmy Johnson collected his best finish since making the jump to the 358 Mod ranks in fourth and Robbie Green rounded out the top five.
Heat races for the 25 cars in attendance went to Bachetti, Shiffler and Rich Ricci, Jr.
Mike Van Pelt overcame a first lap jingle, then patiently worked through traffic to win the 25-lap DIRT Sportsman feature. For the Pine Bush, N.Y. talent, it marked his first victory of the '03 campaign - much deserved after losing much of the front suspension of his Teo-Pro car in a hard incident on April 25.
Harry Baldwin, competing in a brand new Bicknell 2003x, led the majority of the event from his outside pole starting position. As the Willow, N.Y. veteran paced the field, Van Pelt quietly worked forward, taking over the runner up spot at the halfway point. He quickly erased Baldwin's lead and made a run to the inside on lap 15. The leaders ran side by side for several laps without contact, before Baldwin slid high in turn two with 19 laps in the books, handing thelead over to Van Pelt.
"I'll run with Harry (Baldwin) any day," Van Pelt said. "He's a clean racer; I tried to stay as low as I could so I wouldn't slide up into him. I don't even think we touched once."
Baldwin held on for a solid second place run, ahead of point leader David Towns, Go Kart graduate Keith Still and Kevin Duryea.
On opening night, Dickie Colesanti lost the Pro Stock feature when his right rear tire went flat while leading. The Poughquag, N.Y. veteran returned to the speedway on Friday night and made up for that loss by dominating the 20-lap event. Jim Langenback broke into the runner up position late in the event, but the 62-year old Pittsfield, Mass. chauffeur couldn't pull off a pass and settled for second, ahead of Elwood Hewitt, a returning Scott Liese and Noel Osborne.
John Matrafailo took over the lead from two time champion Peter Sindt on the first lap and never looked back, scoring a popular victory in the 15-lap 1200cc Mini Sprint feature. It was the first trip to victory lane of the season for the Milford, Pa. based talent.
Jeremy Quick made a bold move on the final lap to charge from fourth to second. Sindt was third, with Stephen LaPine and Geoff Quackenbush in tow.
William Landrum of Mt. Arlington, N.J. fought off a determined last lap charge by Todd Houghtaling to win the 15-lap Pure Stock feature. Chris Meola, Joe Judge and Pat Zimmer filled out the front five.
Burt Irwin, Jr. began racing in 1971, and until Friday night, had never visited victory lane. That all changed with the running of the 15-lap Vintage Modified feature, as the former 358 Modified regular from Middletown, N.Y. led from green to checkered for a wildly popular victory.
With tears in his eyes, Irwin was greeted by a thunderous applause from the grandstands.
"It's been a long time," Irwin said. "I have to thank all my family, friends and everybody that have helped me with this car. Without them, I wouldn't be here."
The pit area at the Ulster County, N.Y. facility was jammed to capacity with 25 358 Modifieds, 28 DIRT Sportsman, 24 Pro Stocks, 24 Mini Sprints, 22 Pure Stocks and 9 Vintage Modifieds.
Racers were treated with a smooth, tacky track surface after promoter Gary Palmer spent hours grooming the quarter mile oval's clay.
Racing resumes at the speedway on Wednesday, May 14 with the first Super Wednesday Small Block Shootout, featuring a 75-lap $3,000 to win 358 Modified feature, plus Pro Stocks and Pure Stocks. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 6:15 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m. For the 358 Mods, any 13 X 92 inch tire is permitted and starting line ups will be determined by a draw for position.
For further information, contact the speedway office at (845) 626-3478 or check out the official website: www.accordspeedway.com.
358 Modified Feature Finish: Andy Bachetti, Barry Davis, Rich Ricci, Jr., Jimmy Johnson, Robbie Green, Scott Ferrier, Larry Hendershot, Rick Mill, Jeremy Markle, Tony Kawalchuk, Allen Shiffler, J.R. Heffner, Bruce Leote, Mark Pullen, John Sanders, Fred Newkirk, Kirk Horton, Mike Ricci, Ken McGuire, Tom Hindley.
Did Not Qualify: Ryan Stortini, Marc Johnson, Bob Gaetenello, Ken Baker, John Finley.
DIRT Sportsman Feature Finish: Mike Van Pelt, Harry Baldwin, David Towns, Keith Still, Kevin Duryea, Henry Sherman, Jimmy Lord, Tommy Laner, Rich Oxford, Tom Tomasko, Jim Winchell, Kenny Moulton, Jr., Chris Grispin, Jimmy Fugel, L.D. Smith, Glenn Daley, Larry Badaracco, Jeff Hulseapple, George Johnson, Howard Jarvis.
Did Not Qualify: Ray See, Jr., Dave Coene, T.J. Pasko, Bill Van Inwegen, Paul Minton, Herb Gannon, Nicole Tracy, Tommy Byrne.
Pro Stock Feature Finish: Dickie Colesanti, Jim Langenback, Elwood Hewitt, Scott Liese, Noel Osborne, Butch Winnie, Don Williams, Leonard Brice, Tommy Kuck, Steve Murray, John Hynes, Chris Adams, John Odendahl, John Roese, Hank Morin, George Christiana, Anthony Vitale, Mike Manetta, Chris Bottge, Dave Colwell, Gene Temple.
Did Not Qualify: Chris DeCiel, Josh Henke, Don Palmateer, Terry O'Brien.
Mini Sprint Feature Finish: John Matrafailo, Jeremy Quick, Peter Sindt, Stephen LaPine, Geoff Quackenbush, Rich Sennett, James Tomlinson, Ed Burgess, John Wullum, Jesse Baum, Jeff Lamothe, Mark DuPuis, Louis DuPuis, Clint Roehrs, Marshall Gogg, Kyle Lucas, Steve Diffendorf, Woody Woodruff, John DeMarmels, Mark Rogers, John Parete.
Did Not Start: Gary Reyer, Kevin Kondelka, Todd Bernier.
Pure Stock Feature Finish: William Landrum, Todd Houghtaling, Chris Meola, Joe Judge, Pat Zimmer, Scott Kilmer, Sharon Byrne, Greg Meola, Kevin Krusewski, Paul Jordan, Mike DuBois, Bert Long, Shannon Cole, James Goetchius, Jay Smalley, Charlie Houghtaling, Joe Narok, Clint Morton, Tony Polemeni, Jim Baxter, Mike Deyo, Matt DuBois.