Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – ACCORD, NY – Accord Speedway made it’s return to racing Friday night with a large crowd eager to watch the track’s famous fireworks show and to see some racing.
Dillon Steuer made the most of his night at the track as he scored his first ever Modified win at the Bullring in a race that was checkered after 26 laps due to the backstretch lights going dark and the late hour.
Justin Holland was the first leader as he led the first 3 circuits until yellow was out for 3 cars together in turn 2. Randy Green took the lead as the caution flew with both 5 and 6 laps down.
Steuer was able to pass Green on the restart and Randy slowed in turn 1 to bring out the caution.
Steuer again led on the restart as at halfway, Danny Creeden moved into 2nd. With 10 to go, Steuer opened up a bit more distance on Creeden as he was moving well through lapped traffic.
With 26 laps down, Ken Ferrier stopped in turn 2 after contact. Second place Creeden pitted at this point, moving Holland into the runner-up spot. Before the next lap was scored, caution was back out with Ken Ferrier stopped on the tires in turn 2.
It was at this point that the lights went out on the backstretch and with time a factor, the race was checkered with Steuer the winner over Holland. Corey Cormier finished 3rd with Allison Ricci 4th and Will Dietz 5th. Craig Mitchell was 6th, Jerry Higbie 7th, Charles Loiodice 8th, Mike Ricci 9th and Chris Stevens 10th.
Cody Higbie got the jump from the outside pole in the Sportsman feature and he flawlessly handled 7 restarts as he went on to victory.
As Higbie took the early lead, it was Travis Green and Jared LaBagh having a great race for 2nd as they swapped the spot several times through the middle laps of the race. On the final lap, both LaBagh for 2nd and Hunter Lapp for 3rd got by Green as Travis settled for 4th. Corey Cormier finished 5th with Mike Doty 6th, Roger Hummer 7th, Joey Bruning 8th, Tighe Sherlock 9th and Kyle Smith 10th.
Walt Henry is the hottest driver on the local Pure/Street Stock circuit as he led the entire way to take the win in Friday’s Pure Stock win. A couple of cautions failed to slow down Henry as he pulled out to comfortable leads on the restarts. At the finish, it was Henry the winner with a 2.7 second margin of victory over Gary Ronk. Hank Morin was 3rd, Robbie Williams 4th and George Van Ardsall Jr. 5th.
The Slingshots, Rookie Sportsman and 4 Cylinders were not able to run their features due to the late hour. Their features will be made up at a later date.