Accord, NY - Mel Schrufer Wires Accord Speedway Modified Field On Van Kleeck Tire Night
By Steve Pados, Accord Media

Great summer weather and a pit full of racing talent greeted the fans on Friday night as they poured through the gates of Gary Palmer's Catskill Mountain playground, the Accord Speedway. With the exciting racing season now having crossed the threshold of the halfway point, each succeeding event becomes more meaningful to the drivers who are hoping to land a championship title by the end of the current season. All point's battles have remained close and the tight knit side by racing action at the speedway have kept the faithful race crowd on the edge of the their seats throughout the season and Friday's racing card proved to be no exception to the rule.

New York State veteran campaigners Mel Schrufer and Nick Lapp brought the Rhinebeck Ford Modified field down for the start of the 30-lap headliner. Schrufer used the basement side in turn one to gain an advantage and quickly began to check out on the field in his Academy Transmission sponsored machine. With Schrufer in front, the focus of attention became the challenge for second place. The veteran Barry Davis, Nick Lapp, rookie Danny Tyler, Rick Mill and sophomore racer Jamie Yannone quickly became engaged in a dogfight that found them moving around on the raceway seeking the sweet spot that would propel them forward. Lapp broke away first and was comfortable riding in second place. The heated battle for third came to an end when Yannone wound up facing traffic in turn three.

When racing resumed a new player emerged with the high flying Andy Bachetti coming from 9th starting position to challenge the leaders. Quickly working his way through the densely packed traffic, Bachetti quickly disposed of Lapp and set his sights on the leader Schrufer. A caution for the tangled cars of John Lutes Jr, Danny Tyler and Jamie Yannone on lap-22 set the stage for the final sprint to the checkered flag between Schrufer and Bachetti. When the racing went back to green, Bachetti dove to the inside of turn-1 and pulled up alongside of Schrufer but couldn't make the pass stick and settled back while looking for Schrufer to make a mistake on the raceway. With three to go and Schrufer hitting his marks perfectly, Bachetti again attacked from the bottom only to find Schrufer having the needed power to keep the nose of his racecar in front. At the white flag Schrufer gave a bit of ground and Bachetti again stuck the nose of his racecar to the inside but Schrufer remained up to the task and crossed under Kenny Marshall's checkered flag to record his first win at the raceway since 2006. Bachetti was a close second and added some points in his run at the Modified title. Nick Lapp was third and Jackie Brown Jr was fourth. Scott Ferrier completed the top five. The second five consisted of Rich Eurich, John McGill, Rich Ricci Jr, Jerry Higbie, and David Bush.

The Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman race was exciting from beginning to end as Dan Conklin out dragged Tyler Odendahl into turn one to assume control of the lead. Conklin quickly established his authority on the track as he pulled away from the field. A few cautions slowed the on track action but once the racing settled in a mix of the established veterans versus the rookies came to the forefront. Rookie racer Kyle Rohner found the tacky track to his liking and the "Bushkill Bullet" used all of the racing lanes to drive from 12th starting position to challenge the veteran Conklin. The veteran Jeff Richardson worked his magic on the bottom of the raceway and from 11th starting position soon made the battle for the win a three car scramble. Conklin held his ground up until lap-19 when the constant pressure from Rohner was giving him fits. On turn three of the final lap, Rohner found the quick lane into turn-3 and pulled up even with Conklin. Conklin held a small advantage out of turn-4 but Rohner quickly pulled alongside going for the checkered flag. Conklin moved up to block Rohner and the pair touched with Rohner smacking the wall as the checkered flag fell. Conklin nosed out Rohner for the win with Richardson a close third. Greg Hastie was fourth and Tyler Boniface rounded out the top five.

Steve Krom took his Armistead Mechanical sponsored racer to the front at the beginning of the Camper's Barn Sportsman feature event and led the event through the first 16-laps and held off the challenges of Darrell Ford, Brian Krummel and Steve Meilleur. A late race tangle between Brad Rothaupt and Ken Ferrier set the stage for a tremendous finish to the event. When racing resumed. Krom slid up the race track off of turn-2 and Krummel took advantage of the situation and became the new leader of the event. Steve Meilleur also slipped by Krom at that time and tried all he could at wresting away the lead away from Krummel. Aty the checkered flag it was Krummel in for the win with Meilleur a close second place. Steve Krom recovered to finish third and Darrell Ford continued his great work to finish fourth. Howard Jarvis utilized a late race rally to complete the top five.

Larry Temple Jr took advantage of a front row starting spot to lead every lap and win the Enzo's Ristorante & Pizza Pro Stock 20-lap feature event. Bill Deak Sr was a close second with Jon Routhier racing to third. Defending champion Don Williams was fourth and John Roese completed the top five with his Ford powered Pro-stocker.

In the regularly held Bryant's Towing Pure stock feature event, it was the "Intimidator" Ray Tarantino taking advantage of a front row starting spot to take the lead at the drop of the green flag to score his second win of the 2008 racing season. Paul Aragon Jr remained close throughout to finish second and Mike Dubois raced to a third place finish. Joe Judge finished fourth and his Dad Bill Judge completed the top five running order.

A short field of racers in the Accord Mini Sprints didn't diminish from the heated action on the raceway. Scott Goodrich took the lead at the drop of the green flag and led through the first 11-laps of the event despite constant pressure from two-time defending champion Clint Roehrs. As the pair crossed the start-finish line, Goodrich exploded the motor on his race car and Roehrs with no place to go rode up over the right rear wheel of Goodrich and began a series of barrel rolls that finally stopped in turn one. Both drivers were okay from the scary incident. When racing resumed, Rick Russell jumped into the lead and led the remaining laps with first time in 2008 runner Dana Carey finishing second and Brian Collier in for third.

In the heldover Pure stock feature from July 11th, Mike Deyo led the first lap before yielding to the defending track champion Joe Judge. Judge wasted no time in opening up a lead that would remain to the end in an event that featured many cars overheating or popping tires from challenging the cushion. Judge was the winner with Tommy Johnson in second place. Johnson was later disqualified from the event and with it moved Mike Deyo into second place. Paul Aragon Jr was third with Mike Dubois in fourth and Rich Scott completing the top five.

MUDPLUGS:

Again the Accord faithful were treated to some additional cars making their way to the raceway. Mike Sabia, a former Spec Sportsman champion, made his second appearance of the season but encountered some problems during the feature event. A new 24X car with Russ Nuzzaro at the controls, made a big splash with a solid 6th place finish in the Pro Stocks. Danny Rose made his second appearance in the Pro Stocks and recorded a 12th place finish. Brian Collier and Dana Carey were some two of the new drivers in the Accord Mini Sprints. Mark Rogers had the misfortune of flipping his Mini Sprint in turn three during hot laps and causing conisderable damage to the racer. Rogers was ok from the hard ride he took.

Heat winners during the evening included Larry Temple Jr and Bill Deak Jr in the Pro Stock ranks. Pure Stock heats went to Mike Dubois and Paul Aragon Jr. and the sportsman heats were won by Brian Krummel and Darrell Ford. Spec Sportsman heats were won by Scott Mathews, Bobby Hassenmayer and Greg Hastie. The Modified heats were captured by Brian Davis, Andy Bachetti and Danny Tyler. Phil Recchio won the Spec Sportsman Consolation event.

The Pre-Race show featured Spec Sportsman young guns Kyle Rohner, Tyler Boniface, Ken Boniface Jr and Pure Stock teenager Tommy Johnson engaging in interviews with track announcer Steve Pados as the shows are continuously aimed at allowing the fans and the drivers to interact with each other. The Rohner team offered free giveaway tickets from their new sponsor Bushkill Falls for the fans to visit the Poconos and take in the breathtaking and picturesque Poconos paradise. More tickets will be available when the Camera and Photograph Session takes place for the racing fans on the August 22nd race event.

The Wednesday Night Mid Week Madness show was rained out but will find another 140 plus strong entrants ready to do battle this coming Wednesday night, July 30th. The quick hitting show has been a popular entity for those hoping to see the "stars of tomorrow performing for you today". Gates open at 5 PM and the Hot laps are scheduled for 6:15. Racing commences at right after hot laps and the admission is a very affordable $3.00.

The Van Kleeck Tire group was the headline sponsor for the evening's races and enjoyed their time at the facility. They gave hats away to the winners of the feature events in vicotry lane. The John Schneider family won a pace truck ride around the facility. Troyer Race Cars provided the $250.00 bonus for the Rhinebeck Ford Modified winner.

The final plans for the "King of the Catskills" event are quickly coming together. The big two-day race weekend will feature the ROC Modifieds in competition in a 75-lap feature that will pay a whopping $5,000.00 plus lap money to the winner of the prestigious event. Another division, yet to be dtermined, will also participate in the Friday night portion of the racing action. The Saturday Show will feature the remainder of the racing divisions at the speedway and a return engagement from the popular CRSA 305 Sprint cars. In the first appearance of the winged warriors, Kerhonkson's Jeremey Quick show the field the fast way around the quarter miler.The speedway is now accepting lap-sponsorship for the event and all of the paperwork should be in place on the website later this coming week. Lap Sponsorships have been placed at a minimum of $20.00 per lap with no limit designated as to how many laps or what denomination of dollars is put up per lap. Some of the laps for the event have already been taken and those with an interest to sponsor are encouraged to make plans to do at their earliest convenience. More information will follow as soon as it is available.

The Speedway Management is seeking information from anyone regarding the past history of the racing at the speedway. Pictures, stories and newspaper clippings would be greatly appreciated so the staff can add a "Back in the day" page to the Accordian program. All those who contribute will be credited in the Speedway Press Releases and Programs.


Rhinebeck Ford Modifieds: Mel Schrufer, Andy Bachetti, Nick Lapp, Jackie Brown Jr, Scott Ferrier, Rich Eurich, John McGill, Rich Ricci Jr, Jerry Higbie, David Bush, Kevin Duryea, Mike Ricci, Rick Mill, Danny Creeden, Barry Davis, Tom Demarmels, John Lutes Jr, Danny Tyler, Jamie Yannone, Mark Pullen, Jim Halpin (DNS)

Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman: Dan Conklin, Kyle Rohner, Jeff Richardson, Greg Hastie, Tyler Boniface, Scott Mathews, Phil Recchio, Danny Cross,
Sammy Dwy, Vinnie DeCicco, Anthony Perrego, Bobby Hassenmayer, AJ Williams, Jeff Hager, Ken Boniface Jr, Eric Moon, Steve Pinto, Tyler Odendahl, John Calcagni Jr, Mike Sabia

Campers Barn Sportsman: Brian Krummel, Steve Meilleur, Steve Krom, Darrell Ford, Howard Jarvis, Ray See Jr, Jesse Marks, David Coene, Tom Dakake, Mike Senecal, John Sundlof, Jeff Hulseapple, Jerry Craig, Joe Giachinta, Greg McCloskey, Carl Dawes, Mike McKerrell, Vinnie Gress, Brad Rothaupt, Ken Ferrier, Bobby Hentschel

Enzo's Ristorante and Pizza Pro Stocks: Larry Temple Jr, Bill Deak Sr, Jon Routhier, Don Williams, John Roese, Russ Nuzzaro, Bill Deak Jr, Emerson Cargain Jr, John Rood, Rob Rowe, Roy Williams, Danny Rose, Charlie Rose, Lenny Helmich, Al Christiana Jr, Torin Betterton, Steve Plumstead

Bryant's Towing Pure Stock: Ray Tarantino, Paul Aragon Jr, Mike DuBois, Joe Judge, Bill Judge, Tommy Johnson, John Woinoski, Gary Ronk, Rich Scott, Mike Deyo, Will Dietz, Bill Merton, Steve Smalley, Steven Kanuk, Clarence Smith Jr, Ryan Coon, Robert Ball, Joe Knoth, Richard Stickle, Phil Johnson, Andy Briggs

Accord Mini Sprints: Rick Russell, Dana Carey, Brian Collier, Scott Goodrich, Clint Roehrs, Rich VanDemark

Bryant's Towing Pure Stock: (Held Over) Joe Judge, Mike Deyo, Paul Aragon Jr, Mike DuBois, Rich Scott, John Woinoski, Ryan Coon, Phil Johnson, Joe Knoth, Robert Ball, Gary Ronk, Ray Tarantino, Chris Kanuk, Will Dietz, Steve Smalley, Bill Judge, Bill Merton, Clarence Smith Jr, Kyle Wright, Tommy Johnson (DQ), Richard Stickle (DNS), Don Coon (DNS), Bill Halstead (DNS)

For further updates and information regarding the great racing at the Accord Speedway, logon to the their newly constructed website at: http://www.accordspeedway.com or call the speedway hotline at: 845 626 3478

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