Column By: MIKE TRVERSE / RPW – ACCORD, NY – After racing the past few seasons at the Thunder Mountain Speedway, some factors will see Hunter Lapp racing in the Sportsman division at Accord Speedway in 2023.
“We are going to be running Accord on Friday nights. We saw that they were doing all the improvements, moving the wall out and other stuff. And that is the main reason for us coming back.”
Hunter is very glad to see the attention to that backstretch wall.
“With the way the wall was, it was too tight and you could risk tearing stuff up too easily.”
It wasn’t because of performance that Hunter and the team are racing Accord instead of Thunder Mountain. His 2022 season was quite successful.
“Running Thunder Mountain weekly, with the DIRTcar Sportsman, we won the championship. Every race I ran there, I finished in the top 5. Every finish was in the top 3 except one.”
But Hunter explained that it wasn’t a hard decision to switch tracks for 2023.
“The main reason that we are going back to Accord is just because me, my father, my mom, we’ve been going to Thunder Mountain every race weekend for the last 6 years. It’s a 2 1/2 hour ride each way. It has kind of worn us out. It has nothing to do with anything with Thunder Mountain or the racetrack. I love Thunder Mountain. The folks there were always really great to us. I would just like to thank them too for everything that they did.”
Living just 8/10ths a mile from Accord Speedway, it’s easy to understand that decision, especially with Hunter busy with college studies.
Coming back to race at Accord regularly, Hunter has set goals that considering his experience and success, seem quite attainable.
“My main goal for 2023 is to get my first win at Accord. It’s my home track, I grew up there. I won there in a Slingshot. And I won in the Rookie class, but I’ve never won in the Sportsman class at Accord. And I’d like to get a top 5 or even a top 3 in points.”
As Hunter was thinking about the changes at Accord, he thinks back to when Rich Ricci had so much success when the track was a little less banked.
“That’s how he made his money, on the flat track at Accord.”
Hunter will be in his 10th season of racing in 2023.
“I got started because my father raced in the 80’s and 90’s. He raced Street Stocks and Modifieds. It’s just always been in my family. For graduating elementary school, I got the surprise of a Slingshot. That was the start. After a few years, we moved into the Sportsman and have been at it ever since.”
As does many in the sport, Hunter really enjoys the racetrack atmosphere.
“You get to meet and be around so many other people with the same interests. You probably make some of your best friendships, lifelong friendships at the racetrack.”
As far as future goals in racing, Hunter wisely has his eyes on the whole picture.
“For now, I’m going to be more focused on school and getting a job. That’s another reason that I’m staying close to home. I’d like to move up to Modifieds, but if it doesn’t work out, I’m fine with racing in the Sportsman. I’d always be open to the opportunity to drive one.”
Sponsors for 2023 on Hunter’s car are 209 Storage Vault, Pinks Links Golf Simulators, Metal Roofing, Dave Smith Construction, Arnold Construction, Hig Fab Chassis, Dig Race Products, Henry’s Exhaust, Adam from Enders Engines and VP Fuels.
Crew members include Mom and Dad, Aunt Christa, Uncle Tim, his Grandmother and any other family and friends that want to lend a hand.
The team says they have a 2018 Hig Fab roller for sale. The number to call is (845) 399-1376, Nick Lapp.
With everybody starting fresh on a reworked track for 2023, Hunter Lapp and his team are looking forward to racing at Accord in 2023. It will not be surprising to see his awesome looking #60 driving into Victory Lane sometime this season. Good luck Hunter and team!!