BACHETTI BREAKS OUT OF ACCORD BAD LUCK WITH 358-MOD WIN
by Brett Deyo
ACCORD, NY-Breaking out of a recent string of bad luck, Andy Bachetti returned to victory lane Friday night at Accord Speedway. Bachetti, of Sheffield, Mass., inherited the lead on the second circuit of the Trackside Magazine DIRT 358 Modified 30-lap feature, then outdistanced point leader Mike Ricci for the popular victory, worth $1,200.
"We needed this one," quipped the Bachetti, 26, after the hard earned triumph. "It seems like I've had a lot of bad luck, not only here but at Lebanon Valley, too. Hopefully, this will build some momentum for the rest of the year."
Indeed, good fortune did play a part in Bachetti's second triumph of the season at the Ulster County, N.Y. oval.
Several early cautions slowed the event, the most significant of which took place on the third try for lap one when contact from behind sent leader Joe Winne, Jr. spinning in turn one. Several drivers who started near the front of the field were collected in the aftermath and the lead was handed to eighth-starter Bachetti.
The three time Orange County Fair Speedway track champion immediately opened up an advantage on the restart, running a tight inside line aboard the Donnie and Rene Downes owned No. 40 Troyer. As Bachetti inched away from the field, Mike Ricci was making a patented charge through traffic. The Rosendale, N.Y. chauffeur took over the runner up position with six laps in the books and set his sights on the strong-running Bachetti.
The leaders approached lapped traffic on the eleventh circuit, but Bachetti was able to carefully pick through the slower machines without losing any ground to Ricci. However, the caution lights flickered on for an incident in turn two with fifteen laps complete, bunching the field for a restart.
Only one more incident slowed the event, and on this night, no one could catch Bachetti, who pulled away from the field for his fourth overall triumph of the 2002 season. He is also a two-time feature winner at Lebanon Valley (N.Y.) Speedway in the 358 Modified division.
"The car was good," Bachetti commented. "I had to be careful in lapped traffic because the outside was so slick. I really didn't know who was behind me, so I didn't want to get myself stuck up high and open up the bottom for someone else."
Bachetti noted that he will run the track's Fall Series, an eight race point series beginning on September 6th and running through the end of October. He will also return to the seat of the Downes Racing mount for the 2003 season at the speedway.
"I'm having a lot of fun here," he said. "So I'll be back next year to do it again. The Downes give me good equipment, so I'm looking forward to staying with them."
With double points on the line, Mike Ricci solidified his status as the point leader with a second place run after starting tenth. Robbie Green charged from 15th to a fine third place run, ahead of J.R. Heffner. Jeremy Matthies of Germantown, N.Y. had a strong run in the No. 99 for fifth.
Rick Mill, Tommy Meier, Rich Ricci, Jr., Jackie Brown, Jr. and Ed Haenelt completed the top ten.
A solid field of 24 358 Modifieds signed into the pit area with heat race victories going to Heffner, Scott Ferrier and Mike Ricci. Rich Ricci, Jr. won the consolation.
In the holdover 50-lap DIRT Sportsman feature from August 2nd, Bill Deckelman of Freemont Center, N.Y. powered to the victory. Deckelman, who started fourth, grabbed the lead early on and pulled away for the much deserved triumph, worth $1,000.
Deckelman and Lem Atkins waged an exciting side by side battle for the first fifteen laps of the event, slicing through lapped traffic with not so much as making contact. Finally, as the field came around to complete the 17th circuit, Atkins slid high and Deckelman powered his Deckelman Trucking No. 4 Teo-Pro car to the lead.
Once in front, he never relinquished the top spot and pulled away for his second win of the season at the quarter mile oval.
"The car was really good," Deckelman gushed. "It was hooked up, especially with the track being tacky like it was. With the way the last few weeks went, I was just happy to have a good clean race...and the money never hurts."
Tony Kawalchuk authored an impressive performance for second, ahead of Jeff Hulseapple, Ladd Yeommans and Kevin Duryea.
In the regularly scheduled Sportsman main, Kenny Moulton of Rock Hill, N.Y. raced to his first career open wheel victory. A three time Pro Stock winner at the track, Moulton grabbed the top spot at the start of the 25-lap feature, then pulled away with his Ford-powered No. 22.
"Man this is great," the elated 35-year old driver exclaimed. "We've had so much bad luck in Sportsman, I thought about going back to Pro Stock. I needed this."
Moulton was never seriously challenged and took the win a full straightaway in front aboard his Tesa Tape Olsen mount. Poover Daley was a career best second, ahead of Henry Sherman in his season-best performance. K.C. McCoy and Chuck Thomaschek completed the front five.
After four years of trying, Gene Temple of Lamontville, N.Y. raced to his first career Pro Stock victory. Temple took over the top spot on the fourteenth circuit after a torrid battle with Don Palmateer, then pulled away for the win in an accident marred 20-lap main.
Palmateer settled for second at the finish, ahead of John Roese, Mike Manetta and Jim Langenback.
Rebounding from a first lap spin, young Steven Lapine of Mahopac, N.Y. charged through the field to win the 15-lap Mini Sprint feature. Lapine took over the top spot on the ninth lap, then cruised in front for his second victory of the season.
P.J. Peworchik made the long tow from Binghamton, N.Y. pay off with a second place finish, ahead of Peter Sindt, Jeremy Quick and Richard Sennett.
George Decker of Accord, N.Y. won the 15-lap Pure Stock feature, besting Sharon Byrne, who had a career best second place finish, Chris Meola, Scott Hornbeck and Mike Deyo.
The regularly scheduled 15-lap Pure Stock main went to Joe Narok. Andrew Briggs was second, ahead of Dave Gerard, Lee Gallant and Mike Deyo.
Jeff Richardson won the 15-lap Northeast Vintage Dirt Modified feature event.
Racing resumes at the Number One Action Track this Friday night with the second annual Joe Winne Memorial Night, featuring a 55-lap, $2,000 to win feature event for the DIRT 358 Modifieds. Joining the extra-distance affair will be the DIRT Sportsman, Pro Stocks, Pure Stocks and Mini Sprints.
Gates open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m. For more information, contact the track at (845) 626-DIRT or check out the website: www.accordspeedway.com.
DIRT 358 Modified Feature Finish: Andy Bachetti, Mike Ricci, Robbie Green, J.R. Heffner, Jeremy Matthies, Rick Mill, Tommy Meier, Rich Ricci, Jr., Jackie Brown, Jr., Ed Haenelt, John Finley, Donnie Wilson, Mike Murphy, Fred Newkirk, Barry Davis, Mark Pullen, Scott Ferrier, Kenny Baker, Joe Winne, Jr., Jeremy Markle. Did Not Qualify: Jim Halpin, Keith Shoemaker, Burt Irwin, Jr., Rich Hansen.
Heldover DIRT Sportsman Feature Finish: Bill Deckelman, Tony Kawalchuk, Jeff Hulseapple, Ladd Yeommans, Kevin Duryea, Chuck Thomaschek, Pete Gardner, Mike Van Pelt. Henry Sherman, Harry Baldwin, Joe Worner, Tommy Perrego, Poover Daley, Kenny Moulton, Jr., Jim Winchell, Tom Byrne, K.C. McCoy, Rich Oxford, Howard Jarvis, Frank Doty, Eddie Drake, Randy Banks, Jr., Lem Atkins, Don Johnson.
DIRT Sportsman Feature Finish: Kenny Moulton, Poover Daley, Henry Sherman, K.C. McCoy, Chuck Thomaschek, Ladd Yeommans, Jim Winchell, Bill Deckelman, Kevin Duryea, Harry Baldwin, Mike Van Pelt, Tom Perrego, Steve Williams, Rich Oxford, Tom Byrne, Pete Gardner, Jim Barrett, Tony Kawalchuk, Don Johnson, Jeff Hulseapple. Did Not Qualify: Frank Doty, Randy Banks, Jr., Shan Brueckner, Howard Jarvis, Eddie Drake, Lem Atkins, Joe Worner.
Pro Stock Feature Finish: Gene Temple, Don Palmateer, John Roese, Mike Manetta, Jim Langenback, George Christiana, Rich Suitter, Josh Henke, Jerry Craig, Ray See, Jr., Larry Temple, Jr., Tom Kuck, Hank Morin, Steve Murray, Henry Van Houten, John Odendahl, Elwood Hewitt, Mike Dutka, Scott Liese, Rob Hoar. Did Not Qualify: Ken Hartshorn, Noel Osborne, Chris Bottge, Jim Potter, John Rood, Larry Ball, Bryan McElheny.
Mini Sprint Feature Finish: Steven Lapine, P.J. Peworchik, Peter Sindt, Jeremy Quick, Richard Sennett, John Wullum, Bob Lynt, Mark Rogers, E.J. Douville, Tom Richard, Rodney White, Joe Pravia, John Matrafailo, Gary Reyer. Did Not Start: Joe Sanfilippo, John Parete.
Heldover Pure Stock Feature Finish: George Decker, Sharon Byrne, Chris Meola, Scott Hornbeck, Mike Deyo, Joe Narok, Jay Smalley, William Landrum, Andrew Briggs, George Baxter, Peter Warren, Lee Gallant, Lars Petri, Mike DuBois, Joe Judge, Charlie Rose, Matt Curry, Dave Gerard.
Pure Stock Feature Finish: Joe Narok, Andy Briggs, Dave Gerard, Lee Gallant, Mike Deyo, Jay Smalley, Sharon Byrne, Scott Hornbeck, Chris Meola, Peter Warren, Kevin Krusewski, Bert Long, George Baxter, Greg Meola, Lars Petri, Matt Curry, Mike DuBois, George Decker, Pat Zimmer, Charlie Rose, Joe Judge. Did Not Start: William Landrum.