Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – ACCORD, NY – It’s going to be another action packed season at the Accord Speedway.
The picturesque bullring at the southern edge of the Catskill Mountains has released their 2023 schedule. There are many returning favorites and some new events on this year’s schedule.
The first scheduled activity at the track is a practice scheduled for Friday, April 28th. There’s a rain date of Saturday, April 29th for the practice.
The racing action will really heat up in May, starting on Friday, May 5th with Opening Night. In a new addition this season, the Accord Speedway Vintage Modified division will be in action on Opening Night. The vintage division is on the schedule for twice a month events, 8 total this season.
After opening night, action at Accord is quickly back on Tuesday, May 9th as the Short Track Super Series will be having the Battle of the Bullring. It’s always a great event as some of the biggest names in northeast dirt racing take their turn at the bullring.
The North East Wingless Sprints make their first of several appearances on Friday, May 12th.
After 2 more Friday night events in May, the track is in action on Saturday, May 27th for an AMA Motorcycle Racing event. There are 3 AMA events on the 2023 schedule with the others occurring on Saturday, August 12th and Saturday, September 16th.
With the month of June having 5 Fridays, it will be another busy month. June is capped off with the annual 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza. The fireworks shows at Accord are some of the best that you will find in the Hudson Valley. If you are a fireworks and racing aficionado, this is a must see.
Two special races will be happening the first two Fridays in July. The Phil Goetschius Memorial Sportsman Race occurs on July 7th. July 14th will be the Ron Van Etten Memorial/King of the Catskills race.
One of the favorite night’s of the season for fans is the Camera and Autograph Night on August 4th. It is always quite the sight to see nearly every car in competition that evening on the frontstetch and seeing the younger fans getting to meet the drivers.
On August 11, the Modified division will be competing in the Joe Winne & Vinnie DeCicco 55 Modified Memorial.
After a summer break on August 18th and 25th, action returns for 2 more Friday night events on September 1st and 8th. The September 8th event will be First Responders Night. It’s always a great ceremony done by the speedway as we remember the events of September 11, 2001.
The points season wraps on on September 8th and champions will be crowned.
The first of 3 season ending Saturday events occurs on Saturday, October 7th with the Joe G.’s Great Crate race, a huge event for the Sportsman division, On October 28, it will be Halloween Havoc at Accord, a fun day for fans of all ages.
The northeast dirt racing season winds up as Accord Speedway presents The Gobbler on Saturday, November 25th. Forget about doing some Christmas shopping that day and head to Accord. It’s a great way to wrap up a season.
So there you have it. A great season is lined up for Accord Speedway. Gary Palmer and crew have been hard at work with a new backstretch layout. The facility just keeps getting better.
The Palmer’s are an awesome family who cares about racing and they pour their heart and soul into their track. A great way for a racing fan to kick off their weekend is a Friday night event at Accord.
Bring a friend and support your local track!!
