Andy Bachetti Outduels Mike Ricci To Take First Career ‘Gobbler’ Win At Accord

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – ACCORD, NY – It was a perfect November day at the Accord Speedway. With the sun shining and the race track looking to be in fantastic shape, we knew we were in for a great day of racing at the fifth annual ‘Gobbler,’ and at the end of the day, Andy Bachetti was the happiest as he sat in victory lane.

With a packed house, both in the stands and in the pits, the only question was who would be taking home all the fixing at the end of the day. There were 39 Modifieds in the pit area and the drivers had better be coming to fill their plates to get a shot to be seated at the head of the table.

There were five 10-lap heat race’s for the mighty Modifieds with three cars to qualify. Winners of the heats were Anthony Perrego, Alan Barker, Kevin Ward, Ryan Godown and Danny Creedon. Two consolations were run with four from each getting the last seats at the table. Winners were Mike Maresca and Danny Tyler.

Rocky Warner, driving Jake Spraker’s 1j, was in qualifying position late in a consi only to have something break in the front end ending his bid to make the main event.

The feature was set with 24 cars taking there place for the ‘Mashed Potato’ 50 lapper and the drivers were ready to dish up everything that they brought to the table to share.

Andy Bachetti and Mike Ricci brought the field down to the green flag and with the #4 of the ‘Wild Child’ taking the early lead. Ricci was in hot pursuit followed by Perrego and Ward.

Cautions came out on lap 15 and 18 giving Ricci a shot at the leader. Bachetti chose the high side each time on the restart and it was the right choice as he led the pack into the first turn. However, the veteran Ricci was not letting up on the pressure,

Meanwhile, Ward in the Montgomery Car Wash 211 moved into third with Perrego dropping back to fourth and into the clutches of Ryan Godown who was riding in fifth.

Bachetti, who has turned many laps at the Ulster County bullring and is a former track champion, was starting to get into a rhythm, pulling away from the pack. But, caution flew at the halfway mark bunching the field back up and letting the #17 of Ricci get another chance at the leader.

This time on the restart, Ricci had something for Bachetti as the two swapped position four a good lap and a half. Seems they were changing positions in every corner they approached. ‘Iron Mike’ prevailed on the low side and claimed his seat at the head of the table.

Ward’s good run would came to a end on lap 29 as he headed pitside bringing out another caution.
At the drop of the green, Ricci, who now moved to the top side, took the lead over Bachetti with Perrego and Godown following. A battle was heating for the fifth position between Mike Gular, who started 18th and Joe Judge #3j.

The top cars remained in their positions with Ricci having a good run going. Then, a caution came out on lap 37 giving everyone a chance to catch their breaths.

When the green flag dropped, Bachetti worked his way to the inside, side-by-side with the leader Ricci, giving him a nerf bar as the two made contact. The Garrity Asphalt-sponsored #4 got the edge on the low side and retook the lead. Ricci looked to come back at him to no avail. With no lap cars would to help out, and the race going green the rest of the way, Bachetti took home his first Gobbler and the $5,500 top prize.

Ricci had to settle for second with defending champion Perrego coming home third. Judge and Godown rounded out the top 5.

“My strategy was my right side bar,” Bachetti said after the race. “It’s great racing with
Mike and the track, fans and this entire day were awesome.”

Ricci wasn’t satisfied with second, but knew it was a great race between him and Bachetti.

“He thought his car was faster but on that restart, there was contact and with the closing laps, it was every man for themselves,” he said. “We raced hard together no doubt.”

The ‘Sweet Potato Sportsman’ 25-lapper had 49 competitors trying to get their seat at the table, running five heats. Winners were Louden Reiment, Tommy Collins, Corey Cormier, Greg McCloskey and Kyle Rohner. Consolation races went to Tyler Johnston, Chris VanDuser and Daniel Morgiewicz

Rohner, the 2017 Accord track champion and multi-time feature winner, was able to fend off all challengers and take the event win. Cormeir came in second followed by Kevin Stevens, Cole Hentschel and Reimert.

Ryan Godown won the ‘Whipped Cream’ Wingless Sprint feature with Greg Sleight taking home the ‘Pumpkin Pie’ Ron White Memorial Pure Stocks. Brandon Conklin won the four-cylinder enduro.

It was a Great day of racing and I need to give a shout out to the announcer’s for the day as they were spot on! They were very informative on all the drivers. Great job!

It was super seeing the racing gang at the track for the Gobbler as it was a fun day with family and friends. It felt good having a little dust flying around. It’s been a while since I’ve had this but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I would like to also say thank you to all of our Troops who make this possible…who fight and protect our freedom and our flag.
I’ll be looking forward to the New Year pretty soon and can’t wait. Happy Holidays to you all and be SAFE in your travels.

‘GOBBLER’ RACE SUMMARY – ACCORD SPEEDWAY NOVEMBER 25, 2017

‘Mashed Potato’ Modified Feature Finish (50 laps): ANDY BACHETTI, Mike Ricci, Anthony Perrego, Joe Judge, Ryan Godown, Mike Gular, Jerry Higbie, Tyler Siri, Brian Malcolm, Jimmy Wells, Scott Ferrier, Rich Ricci Jr., Dom Buffalino, Allison Ricci, Alan Barker, Charles Hendrickson Jr., Colton Wilson, Ray See Jr., Kevin Ward, Mike Maresca, Dan Creeden, Danny Tyler, Eldon Payne Jr., Boyd MacTavish.

Did Not Qualify: Kyle Van Duser, Corey Lowitt, Heath Metzger, Paul Rooney, Kurt Hundeland, Mark Pullen, Kenny Ferrier, Rob Rowe, John Ferrier, Roger Henion Jr., Rusty Smith, Rocky Warner, Nick Joy, Michael Wahl, Harold Humphrey.

‘Sweet Potato’ Sportsman Feature Finish (25 laps): KYLE ROHNER, Corey Cormier, Kevin Stevens, Cole Hentschel, Louden Reimert, Tommy Collins, Rocky Warner, Joe Bonetti, Greg McCloskey, Jamie Yannone, Geoff Quackenbush, Hunter Lapp, Daniel Morgiewicz, Carl Bittenbender, John Aumick, Mike Bull, Michael Coffey Jr., Tony Kawalchuk, Phil Goetschius, Tyler Johnston, Chris Van Duser, Tyler Thompson, James Fadden, David Demorest.

Did Not Qualify: Nick Plumstead, R.J. Smith, Michael Talmadge, Brian Durbin, Jerry Curry, Ricky Thompson, Lou Torres, Ryan Macartney, Shane Henion, Devin Willis, Chris Lynch, Brad Horton, Lenny Helmich, Robbie Knipe, Jesse Leiby, Matt Curry, Jimmy Wells, Michael Corbin, Jimmy Leiby, Rich Ricci III, Matt Shultz, Michael Murphy, Lem Atkins, Jimmy Johnson.

‘Whipped Cream’ Wingless Sprint Feature Finish (20 laps): RYAN GODOWN, Bob Tersillo, Corey Wood, Jeremy Quick, Heidi Hedin, Larry Drake, Larry McVay, Mark Connely.

‘Pumpkin Pie’ Pure Stock Ron Wright Memorial Feature Finish (20 laps): GREG SLEIGHT, Travis Brockner, Steve Williams, Jay Smalley, Ryan Brockner, Walt Henry, Joel Murns, Bob Sleight Jr., Jim Maher, Nate Hill, Mike Vigiletti, Jon Woinoski, Steve Kanuk, Mike Arrizoni, Zach Seyerlein, Ray Tarantino, Jim Hajkowski, Chris Murphy, Joey Sheffold, Kyle Welsch, David Cook, Wayne Keyes, James Goetschius, John Hechinger.

Did Not Qualify: Corey Stanton, Curt Ayers, Gary Gamble, Nick Reilly, Andy Fox, Scott Gumaer.

Four Cylinder Enduro ‘Pudding’ Finish (Top-5, 51 cars participated): BRANDON CONKLIN, Dave Donovan, Jeff DeGroat, Johnny Bankich, George Zeininger.