Story By: CHRIS MOORE / SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES – ACCORD, NY – Back to the bullring. The Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco prepares for another trip to Accord Speedway on Tuesday, May 14 for the ‘Battle of the Bullring.’
The ‘Ulster County Bullring’ hosts the opening round of the River Valley Builders North Region and Round No. 4 of the Ollie’s Overall Championship.
Gary Palmer’s pristine venue will host the STSS for the 10th time next month with extra cash on the line as the series, and track, honor former speedway regular Barry Davis.
The 50-lap affair will pay $9,090.90 paying tribute to Barry Davis’s No. 9D from his successful racing days at Accord Speedway and beyond. Numerous cash awards and bonuses will be in place for further reward competitors.
Walden, N.Y.’s Anthony Perrego remains the only multi-time winner of the ‘Battle of the Bullring,’ having won on three occasions. Perrego won the inaugural event in 2014 and again in 2017.
In ’21, the event paid tribute to Perrego’ late father, Tom Perrego, and it was Anthony taking home the victory for his third STSS win at Accord Speedway.
In 2015, Jackie Brown Jr. got his first, and still only, STSS victory, avenging his runner-up finish in 2013. Wurtsboro, N.Y.’s Danny Creeden was the ’13 winner, in a non-sanctioned ‘Battle of the Bullring’ promoted by BD Motorsports Media LLC.
Sprakers, N.Y.’s Stewart Friesen claimed his lone ‘Battle of the Bullring’ victory in ’16, outlasting two all-timers, Danny Johnson and Jimmy Horton, for the thrilling victory.
Newburgh, N.Y.’s Jerry Higbie, like Jackie Brown Jr., got his only STSS victory in ’18 at the ‘Battle of the Bullring.’ Jerry now looks to guide his son, Cody Higbie, to STSS victory lane in the ‘Battle of the Bullring.’
Sheffield, Mass. native Andy Bachetti won arguably the most dramatic of the ‘Battle of the Bullring’ affairs in 2019. Bachetti took the lead on a wild restart and held off a hard charging Mike Gular, who was coming from the consolation in a borrowed ride for the event.
After a year off due in ’20, St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada’s Mat Williamson showed off his bullring prowess, winning at Accord in ’21 in dominant fashion.
The most recent of the ‘Battle of the Bullring’ affairs went to Savannah, N.Y.’s Matt Sheppard who had finally nabbed his first career Accord win after years of trying.
Now the STSS Modifieds head to Accord for their 10th anniversary and a top prize of over $9,090.90 on the line.
The STSS Crate 602 Sportsman join the affair for the opening round of the Madsen Overhead Doors North Region. The 25-lap affair pays $1,500-to-win in the North Region opener.
The Pure Stocks, under Accord Speedway rules, will round out the program.