Accord Speedway ‘Gobbler’ Postponed Until Spring 2015 Despite Valiant Effort By Speedway Management To Complete The Post-Thanksgiving Event; Robust Crowd, 134 Race Cars Were On Hand; Refund Information Announced
ACCORD, NY – Despite a valiant effort by management, racers and fans, the second edition of the ‘Gobbler’ fell to Mother Nature’s wrath.
A winter storm that blanketed the area with snow on Wednesday did not stop hard-working Accord Speedway owner Gary Palmer from attempting to complete the unique, post-Thanksgiving ‘Gobbler’ co-promotion with Brett Deyo of BD Motorsports Media LLC. Palmer, his family and a number of volunteers removed the snow from the speedway and grandstand areas, in addition to plowing the pit area and parking lot in advance of Saturday’s scheduled program.
The event was deemed “a go” after a final look-over of the track and grounds on Friday at the Ulster County venue.
With a robust crowd on hand and jam-packed pit area of 134 race cars, track conditions ultimately claimed the day’s activities. A surface that had been packed hard and solid prior to – and following – the snowstorm took a drastic turn as routine race-day preparations were underway. Speedway equipment including packer trucks, a skid steer and grader, were all commissioned to work in an extremely wet surface.
However, as conditions worsened, the decision was made by 2 p.m. to postpone the event until April 2015. The exact date will be announced once it is approved by the town board.
“On behalf of Gary and Donna and the entire Accord Speedway staff, I offer a sincere apology to all those who came out on Saturday,” co-promoter Deyo said. “I feel badly for all those who spent time, money and fuel to be part of the event. I feel even worse for Gary and Donna who sacrificed their Thanksgiving and spent countless hours fighting Mother Nature to get the facility ready for our event.
“The track took a dramatic turn from hard-packed to overly wet in a short period of time. This turn of events hours before the race was something we could never have predicted or even imagined. We thank all those who were patient and supportive during a rough day.”
Gary Palmer echoed the disappointment.
“I hate to quit, but we got to a point where we knew the track wasn’t coming around,” Palmer said. “It was so disgusting personally for all the hours we put into getting the place ready and for everybody that came out to be part of the show.”
The event in its entirety will be run in the spring, headlined by the big-block/small-block Modifieds paying more than $7,117.11 to the winner for 50 laps, plus Open vs. Crate 602 Sportsman ($1,500-plus to win), Street Stock/Pure Stocks offering more than $650 to the winner plus bonuses and the Slingshots in a 20-lap, $350-plus-to-win main.
At the time of the postponement, 38 Modifieds, 41 Sportsman, 28 Pure Stocks/Street Stocks and 27 Slingshots had registered for the event.
The draw for position from Saturday will be maintained in ’15, as-is. Any new competitors will have to start from the rear of a heat-race field.
Fans and racers were asked to hold onto their ticket stubs and wristbands for use in the spring. Those unable to attend the make-up date should mail their ticket stub or wristband to Accord Speedway 299 Whitfield Road Accord, NY 12404 prior to Dec. 13 for a refund.
All lap money, bonus money, contingency awards, etc. will be retained over the off-season and will be distributed on the make-up date.
Car entry money and “gambler’s fees” posted by drivers certain they will not be able to return in April will be refunded. Contact Brett Deyo at bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com for a refund. All non-refunded “gambler’s fees” will be applied toward the pool on the event’s make-up date.
All 50/50 tickets purchased during the day should be saved and brought back on the make-up date. The ticket roll and money has been set aside and selling will pick up where it left off with a drawing to be held that night.
The rescheduled ‘Gobbler’ will be a shake-down for the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek ‘Battle of the Bullring 3’ to be held Tuesday, May 19 (rain date: May 20) during the 2015 season. The ‘Battle of the Bullring 3’ will feature a 53-lap event paying a minimum of $5,300 to win and will offer lucrative points toward the ’15 Short Track Super Series
To learn more about the postponed ‘Gobbler’ or other BD Motorsports Media LLC events, contact Brett Deyo by phone at 845.728.2781 or via e-mail at bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com. BD Motorsports Media is on the web at www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com. “Like” BD Motorsports Media on Facebook or follow @BrettDeyo on Twitter.
Accord Speedway, a neat-and-tidy quarter-mile clay oval nestled in the hills of Ulster County, is located at 299 Whitfield Road Accord, NY 12404. The speedway is on the web at www.accordspeedway.com.
The Gobbler is presented by Sowle Trailer Repair, Above All Auto Repair, ASI Trophy & Awards, American Racer/Lias Tire, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Crane Golf, DMJ Racing Photo’s, Dwy’s Automotive, Hunt’s Machine, Jay’s Pool Service, Par 5 Landscaping, Rock Fantasy Hard Rock, Metal & Classic Rock and Smoke Shop, Shiley Fabrication, Simplicity Design, United Pump & Tank and Zubi’s Racing.
Sources: BD Motorsports Media