ACCORD, N.Y. – The Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series fueled by Sunoco honored the late Tom Perrego on Tuesday night at Accord Speedway with the Battle of the Bullring 8 presented by Land Hoe Maintenance.
After 50 laps around the quarter-mile dirt oval, Tom Perrego’s son, Anthony Perrego, was standing in victory lane, holding the big check with an image of him and his father.
“Dad was definitely riding with me there at the end,” proclaimed an excited Perrego after his $5,440 payday driving the Brian Smith-owned Superior Remodeling No. 44.
The win for Perrego was his third in the Battle of the Bullring event at Accord, joining conquests in 2017 and 2014. Perrego now owns seven STSS Modified victories.
A field of 50 STSS Modifieds signed in at the Ulster County facility for the Hurlock Auto & Speed Supply North Region opener.
Five heat races and three consolation events set the 27-car starting field.
Shane Jablonka and Bobby Hackel occupied the front row after the Beyea Custom Headers redraw. Andy Bachetti was scheduled for the outside pole, however a broken water pump sent him to a back-up car for the feature. Bachetti started at the tail of the field.
Tyler Dippel was quickly on the move from his fourth starting position, driving to second in the opening four laps, and running down early leader Bobby Hackel, the Vermont driver who plans to chase STSS North Region points in 2021.
After a lap-four restart, Dippel used the bottom lane to take the lead away and paced a large portion of the event in the Bill Pascual-fielded No. 3. The race behind Dippel was where the action was happening.
Hackel, Jablonka and Scott Ferrier were in a heated battle for second, while a host of others battled at the back half of the top-10.
Following a lap-23 yellow, a long green-flag run played into the hands of Perrego and Canadian Mat Williamson. Slower traffic slowed Dippel’s pace and the remainder of the top-five began closed in.
On lap 42, Jablonka sensed an opportunity as he and Perrego caught Dippel.
Jablonka drove hard into turn three but unfortunately tangled with a lapped car and spun, ending his chance at an upset victory.
Perrego lined up next to Dippel on the restart with Williamson in tow.
When starter Joe Kriss waved the green flag, Perrego cleared Dippel for a lead he would not relinquish.
“A lot of experience here at Accord Speedway was the key to that restart,” Perrego said. “Tyler (Dippel) spun the tires a little bit and I was able to get a nose ahead of him into one.”
Despite a pair of restarts in the final eight laps, Williamson could not make the final pass, ending up second in his Behrent’s Performance Warehouse-owned No. 3.
“If I were ever happy to be second, I’m glad it was to Anthony tonight with this race in honor of his Dad,” Williamson said.
Mike Mahaney spent the entire race near the top-five, coming to life late to grab another STSS podium finish in his George Huttig-owned No. 35. Dippel faded late but held on for a fourth-place finish, with Scott Ferrier recording a fifth-place finish.
The Crate 602 Sportsman kicked off the Precision Hydraulic & Oil North Region on Tuesday night. Joey Bruning was declared the winner after apparent victor Kreg Crooker was disqualified following post-race inspection due to a carburetor spacer issue.
Robert Beach topped the accompanying 15-lap Four Cylinder feature.
The finish:
Anthony Perrego, Mat Williamson, Mike Mahaney, Tyler Dippel, Scott Ferrier, Jeff Strunk, Mike Gular, Matt Sheppard, Andy Bachetti, Billy Decker, David Schilling, Bobby Hackel, Alan Johnson, Joe Judge, Brian Malcolm, Shane Jablonka, Brett Haas, Jesse Marks, Brett Tonkin, J.R. Hurlburt, Billy Van Pelt, Dan Creeden, Danny Tyler, Nick Rochinski, Justin Holland, Jimmy Wells, Rich Ricci Jr.