Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – ACCORD, NY – As it has for most racing seasons since 2013, this Saturday’s ‘Gobbler’ event at Accord Speedway will bring to a close the Northeast 2022 dirt racing season.
This will be the eighth running of The Gobbler. It’s become quite a popular event over the years.
It’s one final time for competitors to grab a 2022 checkered flag. And it’s one final time for fans and friends to get together at the track for the 2022 season for a race.
It’s a busy schedule for Saturday at Accord. The Modifieds will race in the main event, 50 laps for a $5,000 payday for the winner. The Sportsman will be racing for a $1,500 winners purse. Also on the schedule are Pure Stocks, 4 Cylinders, Rookie Sportsman, All Star and Junior Slingshots.
There have been 5 winners in the previous 7 runnings of the Gobbler. Anthony Perrego and Andy Bachetti are each 2 time Gobbler winners with single wins recorded by Jackie Brown Jr., Danny Johnson and Jeff Strunk picking up single wins.
The event usually draws some invaders to do battle at the Ulster County bullring. But Accord has a top notch group of regulars that will all be looking to take the biggest slice of the Thanksgiving pie.
Danny Creeden, Jimmy Wells, Joe Judge, Danny Tyler, Scott Ferrier, John Ferrier and Mike Ricci were the regulars who scored Modified feature wins in 2022. Daniel Morgiewicz Jr., Rich Ricci Jr., Brett Graham and Randy Green all finished in the top 10 in points.
Some extra bonus money has been added to some of the divisions in competition Saturday.
Dave Farber and Accurate Collision of Pompano Beach, Fl., are adding $200 to the halfway leader of the Sportsman race. Dave and Accurate Collision are heavily involved in the Northeast racing scene. In addition to being a sponsor of Danny Creeden, Dave has for all season supported the Short Track Super Series with halfway bonuses along with supporting the Sportsman division at Orange County, various Eastern States Weekend awards and the Marky Traverse Memorial Race. A great supporter of local racers, we appreciate all that Dave and Accurate Collision does for the sport.
Bethel Motor Speedway is adding a $150 halfway bonus. A nice job done by the Sullivan County track,
Bash Boyz Racing is adding a $50 Hard Charger bonus. Well done by Bash Boyz Racing.
Kevin Berryman, Accord’s Track Photographer, has created some dynamite looking winner’s plaques for Saturday’s event. The Modified winner will receive a custom trophy. KB does great work at Accord all season and his work is most appreciated by the racers. Well done KB!!
As of this writing, the weather could not look better for late November. The forecast calls for temperatures in the 50’s with partly cloudy skies.
The track schedule has the pit gate opening at 10:30, spectator gates opening at 12 with hot laps scheduled for 1.
According to the track’s social media page. a famous guy wearing a bright red suit will be making an appearance at the Gobbler. He’s someone that the younger fans are always happy to see.
It is all set up for a great day of competition at Accord Speedway on Saturday. It’s always a great atmosphere and a fun day. Support your local speedway!!
