Bridgeport, NJ – The much anticipated 2019 racing season is just weeks away here in the Northeast. Bridgeport Speedway will host their annual open practice on Saturday, March 23 for both 5/8 and 1/4 mile layouts. A special 3/8 practice will be held on Friday night May 10, while the first race will take place on Saturday, March 30 for the 7th Annual 60over Special – Doug Hoffman Memorial event which will also be Hand #1 for the track’s ’19 Poker Series.
After much consideration and deliberation, the weekly qualifying format will be totally different than in years past which was based on the last three ‘point’ shows of money earned. In 2019 a weekly draw for heat race and feature starting spots will be held just as it is for the micro sprint Friday program. Drivers will draw each week for their heat race starting spots. The drivers who make the ‘handicap’ will then redraw for their feature starting positions. Just like Friday’s format, the only thing that will ‘carry over’ to following point show is if the winner from the previous point show makes the handicap they will start last amongst the handicapped cars. If 2 heats are run, the top 5 from each heat race will redraw, where 3 heats will see the top 4 from each heat make the redraw. Should the winner from the previous week make the redraw they would start 10th or 12th respectively just for that week.
All shows (15 Saturdays, 2 Poker, World of Outlaw show) starting on Saturday, May 4 through Saturday, September 7 will carry traditional points towards the 2019 track championship in the South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Crate Sportsman division. “We usually have a couple of ‘show up’ point races during the year, but since everything will be a draw this season, it only makes sense to incorporate as many point shows as we can,” offered track manager Danny Serrano. “There are 18 scheduled points shows this season. Hopefully the weather won’t affect us like it did last year.”
There have been over a dozen new engines sealed this off-season by the authorized Bridgeport shops. After a very successful ‘year one’ with the ‘Crate-Lock’ program, the future is extremely bright for Bridgeport’s 602 division. “Last year we had 13 different winners, and I think we can easily match that number this season,” Serrano added.
The D.A.’s Auto Body Rookie Division is also seeking participants for the 2019 season. Since 2013 the rookie class has produced champions such as Ian Humphries, Matt Peck, Steve Kemery, Chuck Sayres, Jim Gallagher Jr., and most recently Sammy Martz Jr. $500 awaits the champion while second and third place will also place in the money. Drivers that are interested in competing in the ’19 Rookie Series should call Danny Serrano (609-433-4487)to register.
For all the latest news and happenings at Bridgeport Speedway you can visit the track’s website at www.bpspeedway.com, call the track at 856-467-4408, or follow them on social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
