RPW Exclusive: Danny Tyler Earns The King of the Catskills Crown on Friday Night at Accord

Exclusive By: JOE PHILLIPS / RPW – ACCORD, NY – On Friday evening at Accord Speedway, they hosted the biggest racing event of the season, the “King of the Catskills”, which is a 75 lap modified race with the winner taking home $7000.

Friday’s race featured tough competition, side by side battles and a lot of emotions.

Starting up front were the #5 car of Tyler Johnston with Danny Creeden alongside in the #76 machine. Creeden led from the drop of the green, and was quickly into lap traffic. The race was caution free for most of the first third of the race. Then, the yellows came.

As the race went on, Danny Tyler was methodically slicing his way to the front. To coin track announcer Rip Ryder, “he was slicing through traffic like a Ginsu knife cutting through hot butter.” Tyler quickly became a contender in the closing laps.

Also making moves through the pack were Cody Higbie and Anthony Perrego. After Creeden dropped out due to mechanical issues, Tyler took the lead and never looked back. But the big battle was brewing behind him as Higbie, Perrego and Johnston were battling for the remainder of the podium spots.

At the checkers, it was Danny Tyler, Cody Higbie, Tyler Johnston and Anthony Perrego finishing in the top five in precisely that order.

Creeden’s modified featured a special scheme in tribute to Mike Ricci, while fellow competitor Richard Smith Jr also had his car specially done in tribute to All-Time Accord winner Rich Ricci.

With Orange County Fair Speedway running a limited schedule, veteran driver Richie Eurich has made Accord Speedway his home. Richie has been making the show but is still trying to find his old rhythm. Eurich brought it home in the 17th position in the feature.

After disappointment in the modified feature, the night quickly turned into a memorable one for Creeden, as his daughter Sadie won her first ever feature in the Jr Slingshots.

Young Sadie was in tears while in victory lane, thanking her Mom and Dad. Honestly, family is what makes this sport great.

Briana Reynolds was the All Star Slingshot winner. The Pure Stock feature was won by Walt Henry in the 171 car.

Former modified standout Jackie Brown Jr was the Sportsman feature winner, while the Limited Sportsman winner was Donnie Campbell.

The Vintage Modifieds closed out the evening. They were up against the curfew, but were able to get their feature in. Jackie Brown Jr was victorious with his 80’s flashback class car. Danny Tyler also returned to victory lane for a class win with his Retro Classic car, which is a replica of a car driven by his grandfather. The True Vintage Class was won by Mike Brown.

The Vintage Modifieds are a class conceived by driver Larry Ricci. The class features sensible engine rules in cars with vintage sheet metal bodies. The class makes for exciting racing, as these cars are not true antique cars, and thus can be replaced.

Next week on August 22nd, longtime track announcer Ric Ryder will be promoting a special Dash for Cash race for the Limited Sportsman division. The purse is over $2600 dollars for the special event, which is being held in honor of his wife Patti Ryder, who lost her battle with cancer ten years ago. Patti was a fixture at whatever track Ric was at, selling 50/50 tickets and supporting her husband with his work. Drivers, fans, and local businesses have gladly stepped up in support of this race. Rumor has it that some limited cars are staying in the class through next week, just to have a crack at the money.

All in all, The King of the Catskills was one for the memory books. Competition was intense, and the support classes also had good racing. At the end, it was Danny Tyler who got to wear the cape and crown.

Accord Speedway’s season is quickly wrapping up for 2025. Be sure to take some time and check the racing out. New fans or old fans, nobody will leave disappointed!

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RACE RESULTS:

1. Danny Tyler (308), 2. Cody Higbie (97H), 3. Anthony Perrego (4), 4. Tyler Johnston (5J), 5. Shane Jablonka (44x), 6. Hunter Lapp (60), 7. Kevin Stevens (k38), 8. Brian Krummel (A1), 9. Ken Ferrier (24), 10. Scott Ferrier (20F), 11. Dan Morgiewicz (15m), 12. Richard Smith (55R), 13. Ryan Behrent (R3), 14. Chris Stevens (83), 15. Kevin Ward (98), 16. Steve Young (187), 17. Rich Eurich (10), 18. Danny Creeden (76), 19. Craig Mitchell (93x), 20. Johnny Kendall (55k), 21. Bobby Hackel (97B), 22. Joe Judge (3J), 23. Darrell Quackenbush (53), 24. Brad Rothaupt (24), 25. Jimmy Wells (831), 26. Jared Miller (45J)