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Written by Chris Moore
ACCORD, NY – A decade in the ring.
On Tuesday, May 9 (rain date: May 10), the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco will invade Gary Palmer’s Accord Speedway for the 10th running of the ‘Battle of the Bullring.’
The ‘Big A’ hosts Round No. 2 of the River Valley Builders North Region for the STSS big-block/small-block Modifieds with a $6,000 top prize up for grabs after 50 laps, with $1,000 reserved for 10th place and $500 to take the green flag.
‘Battle of the Bullring’ No. 1 took place as an unsanctioned event in 2013 when Wurtsboro, N.Y.’s Danny Creeden defended his home turf and claimed the checkered.
The following season – during the inaugural STSS campaign – Middletown, N.Y.’s Anthony Perrego won his first of three ‘Battle of the Bullring’ titles.
Perrego claimed his other two STSS wins at Accord in ‘17 and ‘21. The ‘Ant-Man’ is still the only driver with multiple ‘Battle of the Bullring’ triumphs to his credit.
The ‘15 edition went to an underdog as Hurley, N.Y.’s Jackie Brown Jr. took home his only career STSS victory.
Accord Speedway has been a thorn in the side of Sprakers, N.Y.’s Stewart Friesen, but the talented driver tamed the bullring in 2016, one of his now series-leading 37 victories.
Middletown, N.Y.’s Jerry Higbie – like Brown Jr. – recorded his one and only STSS victory at Accord. Higbie thwarted Perrego’s attempt at a second consecutive win in the event to take the checkers.
The ‘19 edition went to Sheffield, Mass., driver Andy Bachetti in what turned out to be a wild event. Bachetti held off hard charging Mike Gular – who was in a Jimmy Wells backup car after his car lost an engine in hot laps – to claim the win.
Following the COVID-19 year of 2020 (the race was not run), Perrego returned to Accord glory, this time, in honor of his father. The ’21 edition paid $5,440 to win in memory of the late Tom Perrego, Anthony’s father.
The most recent ‘Battle of the Bullring’ saw St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada’s Mat Williamson take his first career Accord checkered flag over previous winners Creeden and Bachetti.
The ‘23 ‘Battle of the Bullring’ has a new look, as Accord Speedway has undergone renovations to widen the backstretch, lower the banking and bring in the corners, making the speedway into a sweeping D-shape more conducive to side-by-side racing.
The STSS Crate 602 Sportsman join the Tuesday night affair to launch the 2023 Precision Hydraulic & Oil North Region. The 25-lap feature event pays $1,500 to win and $100 to take the green flag.
Four Cylinders under Accord weekly rules, round out the tripleheader program.
For the ‘Battle of the Bullring’ all gates open at 4 p.m. Penske Racing Shocks hot laps begin at 6:15 p.m. and racing at 7:15 p.m.
Admission is $28 for Adults, $25 for Seniors (ages 65 and up). Kids 11 and under pay $3. Outdoor Reserved Seating is available at $2 upgrade and Indoor Reserved Seating is available for $35.
Call 845.626.1494 or e-mail accordspeedway@outlook.com to reserve.
Pit admission is $45 (no license required) and $10 for Kids and 10 and under.
Complete ‘Battle of the Bullring’ event information has been posted on the series website at: https://shorttracksuperseries.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BotBGeneralInfoSheet.pdf
Accord Speedway is located at 299 Whitfield Road Accord, N.Y. 1240 and can be reached by phone at 845.626.1494, via e-mail accordspeedway@outlook.com, or on the web at www.accordspeedway.com.
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook or @ShortTrackSS on Twitter or Instagram.
