RPW Exclusive: Fireworks & Bike Raffle Highlights Accord Speedway’s Program This Friday

Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – ACCORD, NY – After two weeks of those pesky thunderstorm rainouts, the forecast is favorable for Accord Speedway to get back into action this Friday, June 28th.

It’s going to be a great night at the Ulster County bullring.

Accord will be having their Fireworks Extravaganza. If you have never been to an Accord fireworks event, you are missing out on one of the top fireworks shows in the Hudson Valley.

And for the younger fans, there will be a free bike raffle. Race teams, businesses and fans are donating bikes that the younger fans will have a chance to win. What can be a better thing to see at a racetrack than the smile of a youngster going home with a shiny new bike.

In action on Friday will be Modifieds, Sportsman, Pure Stocks and Slingshots.

The program is presented by Eager Beaver Stump Grinding.

Although there is plenty of racing still to come in 2024, some of the point champion contenders are beginning to emerge.

In the Modifieds, 39 points separate the top 7 and it’s a mix of experienced veteran racers and young drivers in their first full season in the Modifieds.

Rich Ricci Jr., wheeling Allison Ricci’s #55, is on top of the point standings by 28 markers over Danny Tyler and Hunter Lapp, tied for 2nd. Ricci Jr. has one feature win on the season while Tyler and Lapp are looking to jump onto the 2024 winners list.

Chris Stevens has had some good runs this season and is in 4th place, trailing by 32. Andy Bachetti has had mixed results at Accord this season, 2 feature wins but also some tough weeks. Still, he is in the mix, currently 5th in points, trailing by 34.

Cody Higbie recorded his first ever Modified win at Accord on May 31st and is 6th in points, 38 behind Ricci Jr. Tyler Johnston is 7th 41 behind.

Randy Green 8th, Scott Ferrier 9th and Craig Mitchell 10th complete the current top 10 in Modified points.

Jared LaBagh, with two 2024 feature wins, currently sits at the top of the Sportsman point. Nick Plumstead, with a feature win, trails LaBagh by only 8 points.

There is a bit of a gap back to Mike Travis, who also has a feature win in 2024. Travis trails by 31. Eddie Owens has moved into 4th place with two consecutive top 5 finishes. Owens is 34 behind the leader. Jackie Brown Jr. is 5th, trailing by 47.

In the Pure Stock division, 2023 Co-Champion Jayden Sleight is the current frontrunner. Sleight has two feature wins so far this season.

Shawn Williams recently won his first ever Accord Speedway Pure Stock feature victory and sits in good shape, trailing Sleight by only 6 points.

Although he’s still looking for win #1 at Accord this season, Walt Henry is a threat to win at any time and trails Sleight by 16.

Tom Campfield and John Rood are tied for 4th, 44 points behind the leader.

Walter Henry IV is well out in front of the All Star Slingshot points standings as he leads Rob Charmello by 78 points. Walter recorded his first two All Star feature wins this season.

Brayden Marks, with a feature win, leads the Junior Slingshot points by 36 over 4 time 2024 winner, Brianna Reynolds.
The 4 Cylinder standings among the top 5 racers is extremely close. Tim Degrote and Jeff DeGroat are currently tied at the top. Brandon Conklin is 3rd with Ivan Guerra and George Barringer tied for 4th. The top 5 only have a 12 point separation. Degroat and Conklin have 2024 feature wins.

With a single event held so far this season, Joe Kata, with his feature win, has a slight lead over Wesley Gomez and Dan Malley.

It’s all set up for a great night of racing and fireworks at Accord this Friday. And throw in the bonus of the bike giveaway. Get out and support your local track!!