ACCORD SPEEDWAY OPENS FOR THE 2017 SEASON
Story By: STEVE PADOS / ACCORD SPEEDWAY MEDIA
Photos By: DAVE DALESANDRO / RACERSGUIDE.COM
Accord NY.- April 20, 2017- The Tri-State area saw many of the speedways open their new seasons last week. Accord Speedway hosted what would be their lone practice session last Friday evening with close to ninety cars showing up to test and tune and prepare for the 2017 racing season ahead. Promoters Gary and Donna Palmer will now focus their attention to opening night at their pristine quarter mile speedway this coming Friday evening, April 21st with all six divisions headlining the racing activity. The evening of speed will be sponsored by Fast Signs from Kingston, New York www.fastsigns.com
The crazy weather of late has the speedway staff logging in some extra hours in preparation to meet and the greet the drivers, sponsors and fans who will see the first glimpse of the race cars in racing trim as the speedway opens it’s gates officially for the first time in 2017, the seventeenth season of ownership and promotional reigns at the speedway for the Palmer Family.
The Accord facility was built back in 1962 in the area that at one time was dubbed the “Borscht Belt” by the many vacationers who traveled into the Catskills Mountains from New York City and New Jersey. Such grand resorts as Grossingers, The Concord, Kutshers and Brown’s Hotel were famous for the great entertainers of the golden era of entertainment such as Milton Berle, Martin and Lewis, Rodney Dangerfield and Jayne Mansfield entertained to always sell-out crowds. With the quick-start of the transportation and hotel industry gaining momentum into the seventies, the famous resorts died off one by one but the Accord Speedway remains a solid focal point for the area for fans seeking to enjoy a weekend of affordable entertainemt and good fun. 2017 is destined to be another great season at the “Gem in the Catskills” facility.
The Palmer Family is coming off an excellent 2016 racing season and is looking forward to another successful season at Accord. Six divisions of racing will greet the fans on Friday evening with the United Pump & Tank sponsored Modifieds, Arkel Motors Sportsman, Upstate Auto Pure Stocks, Want Ad Digest Junior Slingshots, WRWD Radio Rookie Sportsman and the WRWD Northeast Wingless Sprint Cars. Much interest has centered around the fledgling sprint car series as the division was introduced two seasons ago and has gained considerable attention for drivers who are seeking their entry into open wheel competition but doing so in an affordable fashion.
Drivers will utilize the division as a stepping stone into their future and one such driver is “The Young Outlaw” Jesse James Bartleson. Bartleson, from Rio Grande, New Jersey, is 13 years old and has captured 16 National titles and 5 championships in the quarter midgets and captured the championship honors last season at Accord through two wins and consistency throughout the season. Doylestown, Pennsylvania hot shoe Heidi Hedin captured three wins last season in limited runs and is expected to challenge for the title in 2017.
The all-important task of manicuring and grooming of the raceway track surface and grounds falls into the very capable hands of Promoter Gary Palmer. Palmer spent a tremendous amount of time over the winter months to improve the facility and basically balance the speedway surface all around to give all of the competitors an equal surface to race on. Fresh paint and newly landscaped parking areas will greet the drivers and fans as they make their way onto the speedway grounds. New lights have been added to the pit area and new lighting in on the list of new things slated for the speedway.
The 2017 Memberships, Parking Permits and Season and Indoor Seating Tickets are available. The culinary talents of the Accord Speedway Chefs will once again be offering some relishing new entrees to the menu as specialty items for the fans as the speedway concession staff offers up an abundant variety of hand-crafted sandwiches and some of the finest race track cuisine in the entire country.
Six 4-Cylinder Fireball Enduro events will take place at the speedway in 2017 with the first event taking place on April 28th with $2,000.00 going to the winner based on a fifty car minimum. Emmanuel’s Marketplace will be the sponsor for the popular six event series. The racing in the past has been wild and zany as the fireballers cowboy up when the green flag drops. George Zeininger has been at the head of the class for many of the Enduro events as he captured three wins in 2016. Dave Donovan captured two wins in 2016 and is expected to return in hopes of more paydays at Accord. Derek Delaney captured his first career win at Accord last year and hopes to add more to the total in 2017.
Racing is on tap every Friday night from April through September. Pit Gates open at 5:00; Spectator Gates open at 5:30; Hot Laps are at 7:00 and the racing begins at 7:30 PM. The Palmer Family in keeping true to their racing fans will show no increase in admission at the gate with admission for Adults $14.00; Seniors $12.00 (65+); Children $3.00 (11+ under) Indoor Seating $20.00; Family four pack special: 2 Adults + 2 Children and $20.00 in Food Vouchers for $44.00 (a savings of $10.00). Special Shows will have an increase in admission prices.
For further updates and information regarding all of the news and additions to the Accord Speedway, log on to their very well documented website at: http://www.accordspeedway.com or call the speedway hotline at: 845 626 3478. At the Accord Speedway.
A TRAIL OF DIRT LEADS RIGHT TO OUR DOOR
