J.R. HEFFNER BECOMES FIRST REPEAT ACCORD WINNER
By BRETT DEYO
ACCORD, NY- J.R. Heffner made the most of an opportunity Friday night.
Heffner, of Averill Park, N.Y. took advantage of a mid race restart to grab the lead, then powered to the victory in the DIRT 358 Modified feature at Accord Speedway.
"I saw an opening, and I knew it was shot," said the popular Heffner. "I knew the leader was fast and it would have been tough to pass him, so I went for it."
Tom Hindley used his outside pole starting position to take the lead on the start of the 30- lap Spectro Oils main with a strong running Jeremy Markle in tow. The lead duo quickly opened up a healthy advantage while the rest of the field battled for position.
Benny Rizzo spun with six laps in the books, bunching up the field for a restart. Hindley was able to get the advantage back with the drop of Randy Filipowski's green flag, while eighth starter Heffner began to work his way to the front. On the ninth circuit, Heffner muscled his A. Colarusso and Sons No. 74 into third spot, but was nearly a straightaway behind the leaders.
Defending champion Rick Mill spun after contact from Rich Ricci Jr. with twelve laps in the books, bringing out the caution.
That gave Heffner the break he needed.
On the restart, Hindley and Markle made contact and slid up the track, allowing Heffner to drive inside of both and take the lead away.
Three more cautions slowed the event, but no one could seriously challenge Heffner who became the first repeat winner of the season at the quarter mile oval in his '00 Teo-Pro car.
"The slick track set up has been our weak point," Heffner noted. "But we worked hard this week to make the car work and it did. As long as you can stay on the bottom and get a bite you can pass here. Our car was good enough to do that tonight."
Hindley, of Fair Oaks, N.Y. won out in an exciting battle with Mike Ricci for second spot in the final laps. It was his best performance of the season in the Feder's Auto Group mount.
Ricci, of Rosendale, N.Y. came from the 21st starting position to a strong third.
After an incident in his heat race damaged the rear suspension on his Gen Plus Teo-Pro mount, Ricci was added to the field as a guaranteed starter. The second generation driver made an impressive charge through the field for third, inches behind Hindley.
Andy Bachetti came from 16th spot for fourth in the Downes Racing No. 40 and Jeremy Markle held on for fifth in the Steve Krum-owned Tobias No. 22.
Ed Haenelt, Hindley and Markle took the heats for the 25 cars in attendance. The 8-lap consolation went to Bachetti.
After an early season string of terrible luck, gentleman racer Mike Van Pelt picked up a much deserved victory in the 25-lap DIRT Sportsman main. Starting in fourth position, the Pine Bush, N.Y. driver took over the lead on the 12th lap then held off Kevin Duryea in the final laps for his first win of the season.
Lem Atkins led much of the race's first half. Starting from the outside pole, Atkins was able to burst out to the early lead, running the high line with his No. 6. However, he appeared to lose the handling on his car as the race went on, and by the eighth lap, Van Pelt closed in for the lead, making it an exciting two car battle for the top spot.
Atkins slipped high in turn two with twelve laps in the books, and that gave Van Pelt the opportunity he needed to take the lead away.
Kevin Duryea emerged from deep in the field as a contender for the victory with five laps remaining, but time ran out before the young driver could make a serious run for the lead.
Van Pelt took the checkered for the $600 victory over Duryea, who ended up a solidly in the runner up spot with his Troyer Four Link No. 99K. Peter Booth had a fine run for third spot, his best run of the season, ahead of Atkins and Jeff Hulseapple.
John Parete of Stone Ridge, NY won the 15-lap Mini Sprint feature in an impressive flag to flag run. Starting from the pole, Parete jumped into the lead on the first lap, then powered the No. 20 to a comfortable lead for the remainder of the distance. Steven Lapine crossed the stripe second, ahead of Rob Scaccio, John Matrafailo and Joe Sanfilippo.
William Landrum raced to his first career victory in the 15-lap Pure Stock feature. The Mt. Arlington, N.J. driver came from thirteenth to the lead in nine laps, then held on for the win, in only his sixth career Accord start. Scott Hornbeck was second in the No. 47H, ahead of the consistent George Decker, newcomer Bob Gibson and Sharon Byrne.
Ray "Pee Wee" Checke of Waldwick, N.J. won the 15-lap Vintage Modified main.
Due to a rain shower at 6 p.m. that delayed the start of the program, the feature for the Pro Stock division was postponed due to the curfew. It will be made up at the beginning of this Friday's card with a prompt 7 p.m. start.
On the schedule for Friday night, May 31st will be a full program of DIRT 358 Modified, DIRT Sportsman, Pro Stocks, Mini Sprints and Pure Stocks. Gates open at 4 p.m. with practice at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m. For more information, call (845) 626-3478.
DIRT 358 Modified Feature Finish: J.R. Heffner, Tom Hindley, Mike Ricci, Andy Bachetti, Jeremy Markle, Jackie Brown, Jr., Ken Baker, Jeremy Matthies, Robbie Green, Donnie Wilson, Ed Strada, Jr., Ed Haenelt, Hank Goranson, Rich Ricci, Jr., Mark Pullen, Scott Ferrier, Benny Rizzo, Joe Winne, Jr., Mike Murphy, Rick Mill, Barry Davis.
Did Not Qualify: Ken McGuire, Don Goodrich, Rich Hansen, Bob Gaetenello.
DIRT Sportsman Feature Finish: Mike Van Pelt, Kevin Duryea, Peter Booth, Lem Atkins, Jeff Hulseapple, Rich Oxford, Howard Jarvis, KC McCoy, Larry Badaracco, Tim Hindley, Pete Gardner, Steve Williams, Tom Byrne, Henry Sherman, Tony Kawalchuk, Bill Deckelman, Ladd Yeommans, Jay Haviland, Ken Moulton, Larry Ricci.
Did Not Qualify: Duane Koskey, Eddie Redner, Jimmy Lord, Poover Daley, Wayne Hommel, Bill Liese.
Mini Sprint Feature Finish: John Parete, Steven Lapine, Rob Scaccio, John Matrafailo, Joe Sanfilippo, Jeremy Quick, Dave Tonic, Keith Still, John Wullum, Todd Lapp, Ed Burgess, Joe Pravia, Peter Sindt, Mark Rogers, Jesse Baum, Mike Bosco, Rich Sennett, Bob Lynt, Tony Montesi.
Pure Stock Feature Finish: William Landrum, Scott Hornbeck, George Decker, Bob Gibson, Sharon Byrne, Chris Meola, Bob Brown, Joe Distefano, Lee Gallant, Mike Deyo, Larry Ball, Joe Narok, Greg Meola, Larry Pregent, Jr., George Baxter, Paul Harding, Kevin Krusewski, Dave Gerard, Lars Petri, Paul Jordan, Joe Judge.