RPW Column: The ‘New Look’ Ulster County Bullring; Accord Speedway Holds Open Practice
News Director 
Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – ACCORD, NY – Accord Speedway held a practice session Friday which saw racers take their first laps on the new configuration.
Extensive off season work has resulted in a much different looking Accord. The banking in the turns has been reduced, the backstretch wall has been replaced and the whole backstretch has been widened. And new clay has been added to the surface.
“A lot of people showed up, a lot of cars”, said Accord Speedway owner, Gary Palmer. “I’m happy with the track too. Lots of cars on it and it held up pretty well.”
Several racers that RPW talked to gave the new layout good reviews.
“The track’s a little bit different”, said Modified racer Joe Judge. “Once it gets smoothed out, it’s going to be awesome. I was able to go high, I didn’t think that I was going to. It stuck great. But it could also go well down low. Gary did a good job with the track.”
“It’s not bad, definitely different”, said Sportsman racer, Jared Miller. “When it gets smoothed out, it will definitely be better than before.”
“It’s going to be real racey”, said Modified driver, Richard Smith. “there’s going to be a lot of 2-groove racing. I love it.”
It wasn’t a great night for Sportsman racer, Eddie Owens. He had some engine trouble in his first session. But he added his thoughts on the new layout.
“It’s definitely different. But it’s going to be great. I was too loose in 3 & 4. We’ll be out a few weeks here while I work on getting an engine.”
Young racer, Bentley Thomsen, made his on track debut in the Rookie Sportsman at the practice. Bently looked good out there, picking up speed and confidence every session. It’s reported that he told his parents, Garry and Jody Thomsen, that his Go Kart career is over.
Best of luck to you in the 2023 season at Accord Bentley.
Accord’s regular season opens up next Friday, May 5th. And the track will be quickly back in action on Tuesday, May 9th for the Short Track Super Series event, The Battle at the Bullring. Support your local speedways!!
