Brad Rothaupt Rockets To Victory In Accord Speedway Modified Action

Story By: STEVE PADOS / ACCORD SPEEDWAY – ACCORD, NY – The Catskill Mountain area of New York offers many spectacular views and exciting things to do for vacationers. However, Fridays are reserved for the exciting action only exciting high level short track racing can provide. The Accord Speedway has been doing just that, giving the loyal racing fans some great racing action when Mother Nature does not rain on their parade.

Even though the week long rain created havoc among many in the Northeast, the Palmer Family were able to put Friday evening in the record books with another great roster of driving talent. The loyal fan base went away satisfied they had witnessed another great night of dirt track racing. The evening of speed was sponsored by Powder Tech Powdercoating from Duanesburg, New York. Their website is: www.powdertechinc.com.

When all was said and done, The “Rhinebeck Rocket” Brad Rothaupt displayed rocket power on his way to his first win of the season in the Insinger Fuels Modifieds. “The Bushkill Bullet” Kyle Rohner got back to his winning ways in capturing his second win of the season in the Arkel Motors Sportsman. Bob Sleight got back on track as he had the hot hand in capturing his first win in the Upstate Auto Pure Stocks. “The Travelin Man” Mick D’Agostino scored his first ever sprint car win in the WRWD Radio NEWS Sprint Cars. “The Angle” Cole Stangle scored his first ever Accord Speedway win in the WRWD Radio Rookie Sportsman. Jeff DeGroat captured another win in the Emmanuel’s Marketplace Fireball 4-Cylinder finale at the speedway. Dave Donovan closed the show with an impressive win in the Emmanuel’s Marketplace sponsored 4-Cylinder Enduro nitecap.

Rich Ricci III and Brad Rothaupt brought the Insinger Fuels Modified field down for the start of the 30-lap main event. At the drop of the green it was Rothaupt firing out of the blocks and grabbing up the lead and very quickly put plenty of space between he and the rest of the field. At the ten lap mark Rothaupt had a straightaway lead on the field. Finding room to work, defending track champion Danny Tyler moved into the runner-up slot and began to close a bit of distance. Tommy Johnson stayed close to Tyler in third as some of the heavy hitters began to make tracks to the front.

Anthony Perrego moved into contention but a jingling of racers ended his bid for the win even though he rallied at the end of the event. The action was hot and heavy as many drivers tried to punch their ticket into contention. Rothaupt would not be denied on this night as he withstood some late cautions to reign supreme to capture his first win of the season at Accord. Danny Tyler did an excellent job and finished in the runner-up role. Tommy Johnson hustled hard to a third place finish. Rich Ricci Jr was fourth and Danny Creeden finished fifth after starting in the 12th slot. Mike Ricci headed up the second five with the returning Allison Ricci, Joe Judge, Anthony Perrego and Rich Ricci III rounding out the top ten.

In the Arkel Motors Sportsman action, Nick Plumstead hustled into the lead at the drop of the green flag. Plumstead would race to daylight ahead of the field and built up a huge lead. Things would change quickly as the laps clicked off as a couple of cautions and some determined driving brought the defending track champion Kyle Rohner into the runner-up slot. After some hard battling between Plumstead and Rohner, Rohner was able to work his magic and wrest the lead away from the determined Plumstead. . Once in front, Rohner stepped away from the field to cash in on his second win of the season. Plumstead ran an excellent raced to finish second with Chris VanDuser third, Tyler Johnston fourth and Hunter Lapp completing the the top five. Leo Fotopolous headed up the second five followed by Anthony Recchio, Cole Hentschel, the returning Joe Bonetti and Matt Shultz.

Jared Miller led the first two laps of the WRWD Rookie Sportsman main event. He gave way to John Brown who would lead through lap six. Garden Stater Cole Stangle took over the lead on lap seven and was flawless in racing to his first ever win at Accord and his first in full-size division racing. Stangle came out of the Slingshot and Stage One Modified ranks and is right at home in his new division. Brian Durbin was second and a late skirmish at the end juggled the finish with Samantha Muller, Amanda Carson and Joe Coppola completing the top five.

Bob Sleight took the lead on the first lap of the Upstate Auto Pure Stock feature and enjoyed the view to the point where he led all of the way to claim his first win of the season. Sleight was on cruise control early on with Ray Tarantino finishing second, followed by Travis Brockner, Livy Johnson and Jay Smalley. Emerson Cargain headed up the group with Steve Williams, Amber VanOrden and Chris Kanuk following.

The WRWD Radio NEWS Sprint Cars found Mick D’Agostino starting up front and that was all he needed to carve up a huge lead early on and then fight off a last charge by Jeremy Quick to record his first ever win at Accord as well with a Sprint Car. D’Agostino was making his fourth start in the sprinter and the Taunton, Massachusetts traveler looked smooth as silk on his way to victory. Quick was the runner-up with Dan Malley, Corey Wood and Jordan Lawrence completing the top five.

In the Emmanuel’s Marketplace Fireball 4-Cylinder event, Willie DeGraw switched rides and would lead the first seven laps of the event. Jeff DeGroat started from twelfth but worked his way forward quickly and found his way into the lead on lap eight. DeGroat would go on to win the event with DeGraw in the runner-up role. Brandon Conklin was third while Ryan Heady and Jesse Torrens would complete the top five.

In the Emmanuel’s Marketplace Enduro encounter, Johnny Bankich took the early lead and threatened to run away with the event. Things changed for the worse for Bankich as just before the Midway point, Bankich was turned around by a slower car in deliberate fashion. When the race was restarted, Gene Helms grabbed up the lead for two laps until Dave Donovan zipped by him. Donovan would lead until lap-32 when Richard Smith worked his way into the lead. Smith would lead for a couple of laps until his left front sneaker deflated. Donovan regained the lead and would go on to capture the opening salvo for the Enduro clan. Johnny Bankich was second with Smith limping home in third, James Conklin fourth and CJ Tinnelly completing the top five.

Gemstones:

Heat races were run off quickly as Modified heats were captured by Joe Judge, Brad Rothaupt and Danny Tyler. Sportsman heat wins were claimed by Nick Plumstead and Leo Fotopolous. Mick D’Agostino claimed the NEWS Sprint heat win. Rookie Sportsman heats went to John Brown and Jared Miller. Pure Stock heats were captured by Jay Smalley and Ray Tarantino. Fireball heat winners were Dave Donovan and Jerry Kingeter.

The Powder Teach group was on hand for their sponsors night and really enjoyed the show and the fine hospitality offered to them. An interview with track announcer Steve Pados highlighted the many offerings of the company and the bright future ahead for them.

The speedway was once again very racy top to bottom and again kudos to Gary Palmer and staff for offering up a multi-channeled facility.

June 13th, a Wednesday evening, will find the Accord Speedway offering up a special night for 602-Crate Sportsman racers. The event will pay $1,000.00 to the winner with $100.00 for taking the green flag. The Pure Stocks and Fireball 4-Cylinders will round out the card. Gates will open at 5 with racing kicking off at 7 PM.

Midweek Madness returns to the speedway after a couple of years hiatus On June 20th with many divisions on racing invited including Pit Bikes, two divisions of Slingshots, Quads, Go-Karts, Stage One Modifieds, 600 Modifieds, Mini Sprints and Mini 3-Wheelers. Pits will open at 5 with racing slated to go at 7 PM.

RESULTS:

Insinger Fuels Modifieds: Brad Rothaupt, Danny Tyler, Tommy Johnson, Rich Ricci Jr, Danny Creeden, Mike Ricci, Allison Ricci, Joe Judge, Anthony Perrego, Rich Ricci III, Jesse Marks, Eddie Burgess, Richard Smith, Nick Johnson, Ed Dachenhausen, Mark Pullen, Alyssa Cody, Jimmy Wells, Scott Ferrier, Jerry Higbie, Kyle VanDuser

Arkel Motors Sportsman: Kyle Rohner, Nick Plumstead, Chris VanDuser, Tyler Johnston, Hunter Lapp, Leo Fotopolous, Anthony Recchio, Cole Hentschel, Joe Bonetti, Matt Shultz, Mike Senecal, Alex VanPelt, Danny Morgiewicz, Ryan Stortini, RJ Smith, Mike Murphy

WRWD Radio NEWS Sprint Cars: Mick D’Agostino, Jeremy Quick, Dan Malley, Corey Wood, Jordan Lawrence, Eric Jennings (DNS)

Upstate Auto Pure Stocks: Bob Sleight, Ray Tarantino, Travis Brockner, Livy Johnson, Jay Smalley, Emerson Cargain Jr, Steve Williams, Amber VanOrden, Chris Kanuk, John Hechinger, James Goetchius, Rich Scott

WRWD Radio Rookie Sportsman: Cole Stangle, Brian Durbin, Samantha Muller, Amanda Carson, Joe Coppola, Jason Armstrong, John Brown, Travis Green, Charles Loiodice, Jared Miller, Mike Travis

Emmanuel’s Marketplace Fireball 4-Cylinders: Jeff DeGroat, Willie DeGraw, Brandon Conklin, Ryan Heady, Jesse Torrens, Anthony Tarantino, Dave Bendell, Ken Barringer, Marisol Torrens, Ed King, Nicole Nelson, Dave Donovan, Mike Travis, Jerry Kingeter, Anthony Zecchino

Emmanuel’s Marketplace 4-Cylinder Enduro: Dave Donovan, Johnny Bankich, Richard Smith, James Conklin, CJ Tinnelly, Ted Byron, David White