J.R. HEFFNER TAKES DRAMATIC ACCORD 358 MODIFIED VICTORY
By BRETT DEYO
ACCORD, NY- A veteran of the larger tracks in the region, J.R. Heffner has adjusted well to the tight confines of Accord Speedway.
Heffner, of Averill Park, N.Y., charged to an impressive victory Friday night in the D&J Racing Collectibles 358 Modified 30-lap main at the quarter mile oval. Starting from 11th position the popular 30-year old driver worked methodically through the field before squeezing past Rick Mill on the 23rd lap for the lead.
He went unchallenged for the remainder of the distance.
"I was fortunate to be able to move around a little bit out there," Heffner commented. "I came up through traffic using the outside-it helped me a lot to be able to run out there."
Defending track champion Rick Mill led the solid 23-car field to the green flag, and held the number one spot comfortably early on in the race. Mill and a strong running Donnie Wilson broke away from the field by nearly a full straightaway when the caution flag flew on the lap 11 for a spin by Kenny Baker off of turn four.
On the restart, Wilson made a charge up the outside off of turn two for the lead, but Mill shut the door and Wilson's No. 7 slammed the boiler plate, bringing out another caution.
Mill then led Ed Strada, Jr. and an emerging J.R. Heffner. An exciting three car battle quickly ensued at the front of the field. Lap after lap, Mill and Strada ran a tight inside line while slowly Heffner began to build momentum in the track's high groove.
On the 18th go round, Heffner powered his A Colarusso & Sons No. 74 to the outside of Strada for second and set his sights on Mill.
A caution on lap 22 bunched the field once again, and one lap later, Mill slipped from the inside groove off of turn four, opening the door for Heffner, who pulled a slingshot move to take the lead away. The two cars made slight contact in the first turn, and Heffner was able to gain the position.
From that point on, he pulled away to a sizable lead in his '00 Teo Pro car, and picked up his second career victory at the Ulster County oval, worth $1200.
"The No. 77 was running pretty good on the bottom," Heffner analyzed. "He slipped up and I saw the hole. If you see openings here you have to go for it so I went."
Ed Strada, Jr. aboard his Ron's 590 Diner No. 42 made a bold last lap move to secure the runner up spot after starting seventh. "I don't think I had anything for J.R. tonight. He was a lot better of the corners than me. It was a good run for us though."
Mill, suffering from a loose condition in his No. 77 Troyer, fell to third ahead of opening night victor Mike Ricci and Robbie Green.
Tim Hindley of Monticello, NY charged to the victory in a caution-marred 25-lap DIRT Sportsman main. Hindley, who failed to qualify for the season opener, started on the pole in his No. 1H and led every lap of the feature.
Several cautions early in the race thinned out the field and Hindley, a former Sportsman champion at the speedway was in control of the race until, on lap 15, talented young rookie Tony Kawalchuk charged into the runner up spot.
Kawalchuk who started in 19th position, made contact with Hindley entering turn one on the 19th lap, then made a bold move for the lead entering turn three on the same circuit and lost the handle on his car, spinning into the infield.
Still, it was an impressive performance for the former Go Kart racer in only his second start behind the wheel of his former Kenny Tremont car.
Hindley then powered away from the field for the win. Mike Trautschold was a career best second, narrowly edging Mike Van Pelt at the line. Pete Booth and Jimmy Winchell were fourth and fifth. Winchell, however, was disqualified for being too light in post race inspection.
Elwood Hewitt of Saugerties, N.Y. made it two straight victories in the 20-lap Pro Stock main. After starting the event in tenth position, Hewitt charged through traffic before taking over the lead on the 17th circuit. Larry Temple, Jr was a career best second ahead of Michael Dutka, Gene Temple and Noel Osborne. Osborne later came up light on the scales and was disqualified.
John Lieto of Mount Kisco, N.Y. picked up a dominant victory in the 15-lap Mini Sprint feature. Lieto grabbed the lead on the first lap with his Bob Lynt owned No. 77L then powered away from the field, taking the popular triumph by nearly a half track.
Opening night victor Rob Scaccio was second, ahead of young gun Steven Lapine. Fourth position went to a returning Darrell Quackenbush and newcomer Doug Norrie was fifth.
Dave Gerard of Ardonia, NY took the win in the 15-lap Pure Stock main. Gerard started the event in fourteenth position and worked steadily forward before taking the lead from a much improved Greg Meola on the thirteenth lap.
Joe Narok was a solid second, while Meola faded to third. Mike Deyo came from 18th to finish fourth and George Decker was fifth.
John Arturi of D&J Racing Collectibles presented each of the night's winners with a twill NASCAR jacket along with one fan from a drawing.
It was a record night at the speedway, as the largest number of competitors in the history of the oval signed in for a regular show.
The five division card, which was completed by 11 p.m. consisted of 24 358 Modifieds, 28 DIRT Sportsman, 20 Pro Stocks, 21 Mini Sprints and 22 Pure Stocks.
Racing resumes at the Action Track this Friday night May 3rd with a $1,000 to win Pure Stock 50-lapper plus a full regular program presented by Brice Discount Beverage. Gates open at 4 p.m. with hot laps at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.
For more information, contact the track office at (845) 626-3478.
358 Modified Feature Finish: J.R. Heffner, Ed Strada, Jr., Rick Mill, Mike Ricci, Rob Green, Rich Ricci, Jr., Ed Haenelt, Tom Hindley, Barry Davis, Jeremy Matthies, Mark Pullen, Jackie Brown, Jr., Andy Bachetti, Donnie Elliott, Keith Shoemaker, Joe Winne, Jr., Mike Kolka, Scott Ferrier, Kenny Baker, Donnie Wilson, Jeremy Markle, Mike Murphy, Hank Goranson.
Did Not Start: Don Goodrich.
DIRT Sportsman Feature Finish: Tim Hindley, Mike Trautschold, Mike Van Pelt, Pete Booth, Jim Winchell (DQ), Kevin Duryea, Ladd Yeommans, Tony Kawalchuk, Pete Gardiner, K.C. McCoy, Bill Liese, Wayne Hommel, Jr., Jeff Hulseapple, Larry Badaracco, Howard Jarvis, Lem Atkins, Henry Sherman, Larry Ricci, Tom Byrne, Duane Koskey, Rich Oxford, Harry Baldwin, Jay Haviland.
Did Not Qualify: Eddie Redner, Steve Williams, Jimmy Lord, Bobby Knipe, Vinnie Bartholomew.
Pro Stock Feature Finish: Elwood Hewitt, Larry Temple, Jr., Mike Dutka, Gene Temple, Noel Osborne (DQ), Don Palmateer, Norbert Bracklow, Scott Liese, Mike Menetta, Henry Van Houten, Hank Morin, Don Williams, Charlie Swartz, Steve Murray, Jim Clark, John Odendahl, George Christiana, Kevin Radzik, Bob Hoar, Chris Bottge.
Mini Sprint Feature Finish: John Lieto, Rob Scaccio, Steve Lapine, Darrel Quackenbush, Doug Norrie, Rich Sennett, Peter Sindt, Jack Arute, Dave Tonic, Joe Pravia, Matt Norrie, Bruce Brown, John Wullum, Jesse Baum, Joe Sanfilippo, Bob Lynt.
Did Not Start: PJ Peworchik, Wally Kurn, Mark Rogers, Jeremy Quick, John Parete.
Pure Stock Feature Finish: Dave Gerard, Joe Narok, Greg Meola, Mike Deyo, George Decker, William Landrum, Joe Distefano, Lee Gallant, Bobby Brown, Randy Meyers, Sharon Byrne, Kevin Krusewski, Mike DuBois, Pete Warren, Scott Hornbeck, Chris Meola, Trevor Waterman, Doug Chase, Charlie Rose, Jr. Lars Petri, Jay Smalley. DNS: George Baxter.