Accord, NY - Accord Speedway Racing Action Halted By Rain
By Steve Pados, Accord Media

The skies of the Hudson Valley let loose with a heavy torrential downpour of rain just as Promoter Gary Palmer was putting the finishing touches on his quarter mile racing playground in the Catskills and forcing him to cancel the six division show he had planned for this evening August 8th. Gaydo's Auto Body in nearby Kerhonkson was scheduled to be the headline sponsor for tonight's show and Makuen Machinery was to be the Rhinebeck Ford Modified bonus sponsor with their addition of the $250.00 bonus program in the Modified drivision.

The cancellation brought an end to eleven consecutive weeks of Friday night racing at the speedway. After two initial shows, the raceway suffered three consecutive rainouts and were then able to string together a very successful eleven weeks of exciting racing activity that has brought the fans out in large numbers to view the side and side, three wide and times four wide racing most raceways only dream about. The close competition in all divisions at Accord have produced not only great racing but emerging stars on the race track as well.

The many improvements the track has made during the off-season have proven to be true a bonus for the fans and the drivers. The great crowds have been following the tremendous racing action on the track and new Modified stars have risen to the podium with local talents rookie David Bush earning two wins already this season and "Showtime" Danny Tyler becoming a mainstay in the top five in the point rankings while still seeking his first win. Last year's "Rookie of the Year" the "Cyclone" Jamie Yannone recorded his first win in 2008 last week in a tough Modified battle and seems poised to continue with more of the same as the racing weeks wind down. The Modified battle between Andy Bachetti, Rich Ricci Jr and Jerry Higbie has caught the attention of the local press and the remainder of the divisions at the speedway are rock-rib solid with racing talent and tight battles of their own.

The Camper's Barn Sportsman division has been a tremendous dogfight all year long between a series of hopeful contenders including current leader Brian Krummel and the group chasing him including Steve Meilleur, David Coene, John Sundlof, Howard Jarvis and Darrell Ford. Jeff Richardson has rallied in the Heart Chevrolet Spec Sportsman to assume command of the lead with Phil Recchio remaining in contention to win the division title. This exciting division at the speedway has brought many new driving stars to the forefront with youngsters such as Bobby Hassenmayer, "Dynamite" Danny Cross, Tyler "The TO Express" Odendahl, Tyler "The Twister" Boniface, his brother "The Catskill Comet" Ken Boniface Jr and the "Bushkill Bullet" Kyle Rohner all taking their turns in entertaining the crowd with their exceptional driving ability.

Defending track Champion Don Williams seemingly has a lock on the Enzo's Ristorante Pro Stock division as he has shown the ability to come from deep in the pack on any given Friday to win or finish well. Larry Temple Jr, John Roese, the Deak family, Emerson Cargain Jr and Jon Routhier have all added to the great racing talent in the division. The Bryant's Towing Pure Stock ranks have seen exciting racing action all season long with defending track champion Joe Judge re-assuming control of the point lead with last week's show. Paul Aragon Jr, Mike Deyo, Mike DuBois, Ray Tarantino and "The Gun" Tommy Johnson have all remained in the hunt for the division title.

The "King of the Catskills" ROC Modified 75-lap feature will unfurl in a two day weekend event that will see the Modifieds, Pro Stocks and a special Slingshot event taking place on Friday night September 26th and the following day on the 27th, the remainder of the tracks divisions will headline the racing activity with the CRSA sprint Cars paying a return trip to the speedway and bringing their winged warriors excitement to the speedway. The last time the troupe did battle, Kerhonkson resident "Captain Quick" Jeremy Quick showed the rest of the CRSA gang he still knew his way around the Accord speed plant by securing a solid win in the feature event. More information regarding the event will be in place shortly including the opportunity to sponsor laps for the Modfiied race.

Next week, August 15th, will mark Hewitt's Matco Toll night at the speedway. Pit Gates at the speedway open at 4:30 and Spectator Gates open at 5 PM. Admission cost for the Adults are $12.00 and for 11years and under the cost is $3.00. Hot laps are at 6:30 and the racing gets underway at 7 PM.

The Palmer Family would like to thank all of the sponsors, competitors, fans and staff for making the racing at Accord so special, and look forward to the continuance of a 2008 racing season that has been spectacular right from the first green flag. All fans and businesses are encouraged to visit the newly constructed website often for continued updates and information on the great racing activity at the "Gem in the Catskills"

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

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