J.R. HFFNER'S FIRST WIN COMES IN SPECTACULAR FASHION
By Brett Deyo
ACCORD, NY- J.R. Heffner of Averill Park, NY collected his first Accord Speedway victory in spectacular fashion last Friday night.. After a stirring late race duel with Rob Green in the 30-lap DIRT 358 Modified main, the personable Heffner came out on top in a photo finish by roughly two inches in his breakthrough victory at the tight quarter mile oval.
"I had no idea who actually won," commented the 29-year old Heffner in victory lane. "It was really close!"
"I was just trying to get my car slowed down so we would stop banging," he continued. That actually distracted me for a second. When I came around the second time and they gave me the flag, it really sunk in."
In only his third appearance at the speedway, Heffner started from the third position in his bright yellow Teo Pro Car. On the start, he advanced into the runner up spot behind Robbie Green, where he would remain for the majority of the race. Several caution flags in the early laps slowed the event, but on each restart it was Green, of Newburgh, NY, reclaiming his steady position at the front of the field.
The race's final caution flag flew with for a crash in the fourth turn involving Joe Winne, Jr. and Chris Moore on lap 21, bunching up the field for a dash to the finish. When the race resumed, Green, a five time winner this season, was not able to pull away from Heffner, who had his A Colarusso. No. 74 hooked up on the inside line.
With only two laps remaining, the lead duo approached the lapped car of Brian Cobb in the third turn, which caused Green to slow for a moment. Seizing the opportunity, Heffner made a bold move to the inside, and after some contact, was able to pull even with Green as the lead duo crossed the stripe with the white flag in the air.
While Heffner had the preferred inside line, Green fought back hard on the high side with his No. 69 as the leaders continued to make contact on the final lap. Heffner forged ahead in the third turn, while Green powered off the high side in turn four, setting up a drag race to the finish.
As the cars raced under the checkered flag, Heffner had a bumper ahead of Green for the hard earned victory as many in attendance stood in awe.
"I felt bad about getting into him (Green) on the last lap," Heffner commented. "I saw the hole there in lapped traffic and I knew that was my shot. Once we got together, it seemed like we couldn't separate...it was wild."
Green ended up a disappointing second, but was not at all displeased with Heffner. "He did what he had to do," he quipped. "It was just hard racing, but it's a tough way to lose."
Two time track champion Rick Mill of New Windsor, NY charged from ninth starting spot to third in his CV Machine No. 77, ahead of Mike Ricci and Jackie Brown, Jr.
Jeff Carr of Wingdale, NY picked up his first career Accord victory in an exciting 25-lap DIRT Sportsman feature. After being involved in a tangle midway through the race, Carr made a valiant charge through the field in his No. 5J, taking the lead on the final lap of the event.
Polesitter Jim Winchell led the first five circuits before multi time feature winner Scott Ferrier powered his WWF No. 20 to the point on the fourth lap. Ferrier was able to open up a sizable lead until, with nine laps complete, the caution came out for Carr in the third turn. On the restart, the two leaders made heavy contact and Ferrier spun in front of the field.
Winchell was then sent to the rear of the field for his involvement in the incident, putting Jeff Hulseapple in the lead with his No. 14H. While Hulseapple paced the field in search of his first win of the season, Carr was making his way back through traffic, taking over the runner up spot with nine laps remaining.
Carr, who made the switch from Lebanon Valley Speedway to Accord midway through the season, closed in quickly on Hulseapple. On the 23rd go round, Hulseapple slid high in turn one, giving Carr the room he needed, and after one circuit side by side, Carr edged ahead, taking a much deserved victory after a season full of bad luck.
Hulseapple was forced to settle for second, ahead of the consistent Chuck Thomaschek. Harry Baldwin and Steve Williams rounded out the top five.
Orange County Fair Speedway regular Danny Hedges of Middletown, NY won the 20-lap Street Stock feature after making a bold move through lapped traffic to grab the lead on the 16th circuit. He then cruised in front for his first ever Accord win. John Roese, who led the majority of the event, was forced to settle for second. Jackie Brown, Jr. was third, with a returning Jim Cronk in fourth with his No. 83. Jim Hewitt completed the front five.
Mahopac (NY) School Junior Steven Lapine picked up a popular win in the 15-lap Mini Sprint feature. Running a smaller 750cc engine against the other 1200cc cars, the rookie Lapine snatched the lead from veteran Pete Sindt on the first lap, then never looked back. Sindt was forced to settle for second, with John Lieto, Joe Sanfilippo and Dennis Fink in tow.
Joe Narok of Highland, NY took his first career victory in the 15-lap Strictly Stock main, leading from green to checkered. Mike Deyo was a solid second, ahead of gentleman Charles Rose, Jr., Carl Hornbeck and Randy Myers.
Bob Banks earned his first trip to victory lane of the season in the 15-lap IMCA Modified feature with a dominant performance.
The racing action for the season at Accord Speedway comes to a conclusion this Friday night, October 26th with a regular show of DIRT 358 Modifieds, DIRT Sportsman, Street Stocks, Mini Sprints, Strictly Stocks and IMCA Modifieds, plus a $1,000 to win Enduro. Gates open at 4:30 p.m., with hot laps at 6:15 p.m. and racing at 7:15 p.m.
DIRT 358 Modified Feature Finish: J.R. Heffner, Robbie Green, Rick Mill, Mike Ricci, Jackie Brown, Jr. Chris Moore, Rich Ricci, Jr., Joe Winne, Jr., Donnie Ackner, John Lutes, Jr., Phil Recchio, Brian Cobb, Hank Goranson, Steve Walsh.
DIRT Sportsman Feature Finish: Jeff Carr, Jeff Hulseapple, Chuck Thomaschek, Harry Baldwin, Steve Williams, KC McCoy, Mike Houghtaling, Scott Ferrier, Jim Winchell, Tom DeMarmels.
Street Stock Feature Finish: Danny Hedges, John Roese, Jackie Brown, Jr., Jim Cronk, Jim Hewitt, Don Palmateer, Rich Suiter, Steve Plumstead, John Rood, Scott Mill, Ray Williams, Ray See, Jr., TJ Pasko, Steve Murray.
Strictly Stock Feature Finish: Joe Narok, Mike Deyo, Charles Rose, Carl Hornbeck, Randy Myers, Chris Meola, Dan Rose, Craig Meola, Joe Distefano, Paul Jordan, George Baxter.
Mini Sprint Feature Finish: Steve Lapine, Pete Sindt, John Lieto, Joe Sanfilippo, Dennis Fink, Tony Montesi, Duby Woodruff, PJ Peworchik, Riki Likowski, Jared Fink, Rob Scaccio, Todd Lapp, Steve Boyd, Bob Lynt.