GODOWN CHARGES TO MODIFIED VICTORY, WHILE PECK BREAKS THROUGH FOR FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON AT BRIDGEPORT MOTORSPORTS PARK
SWEDESBORO, N.J. – Ryan Godown once again proved why he’s one of the toughest competitors in dirt modified racing, charging to a commanding victory in the Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz Modified feature, while Matt Peck finally broke through for his long-awaited first victory of the 2026 season in the Demers Heating & Cooling 602 Sportsman division during an exciting Saturday night at Bridgeport Motorsports Park.
The evening featured outstanding side-by-side racing across every division thanks to what many competitors called one of the best racing surfaces of the season, offering multiple grooves from the bottom to the cushion and allowing drivers to race hard throughout the field.
In addition to Godown and Peck’s victories, Nathan Smith collected his second Victory Fuel Wingless Sprint win of the season, Lee Allen earned his second Insta Signs Plus Four Cylinder victory, Richie Page continued his incredible hot streak with his third consecutive Straight Up Construction Street Stock triumph, and Ryan Higgs captured the Demers Heating & Cooling Sportsman second feature.
Modified rookie Luke Bunting continued to impress against one of the toughest fields in the Northeast, leading the opening thirteen laps while fending off relentless pressure from the veterans behind him.
A handful of early race cautions never rattled the young driver as he confidently paced the field before Ryan Godown found his opportunity.
Godown powered into the lead on lap fourteen from his 11th place starting position and immediately set a strong pace, demonstrating the speed that has made him nearly unbeatable this season.
“It’s just hard to beat Godown,” Bunting admitted after the race.
While Godown maintained a 5 car length distance, the battle for the remaining podium positions intensified. Richie Pratt, Jr. charged into second while Dominick Buffalino capitalized on an opportunity to move into third from eight place starting spot before the checkered flag as both Bunting and Ryan Krachun became trapped in heavy lapped traffic.
Godown cruised to his third Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz Modified victory of the season over Pratt, Buffalino, Bunting and Krachun.
HJ Bunting finished sixth followed by defending track champion Dillon Steuer, Sammy Martz, Jr., Stan Frankenfield, Jr., and Neal Williams to complete the top ten.
After knocking on the door for much of the season, Matt Peck finally put together the complete race he had been searching for.
Peck admitted afterward that the 25-lap feature felt much longer than usual after seeing several potential victories slip away earlier this season.
“We’ve led races and had chances to win, but something always happened before the checkered,” Peck explained. “We lost that engine earlier in the season, and we’ve been working hard to get better with this one.”
The Danny Sommerling team has continued sharing information between its Modified and Sportsman programs, and the hard work paid off Saturday night.
Tom Carpenter led the opening four circuits before Roberts assumed command on lap five. Peck methodically worked his way forward before making the winning pass on lap eleven and never relinquished the lead.
Peck drove the Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz No. 51 to Victory Lane (started 10th) ahead of Roberts, Jesse Hirthler, Charley Cossaboon and Matt Ellery.
Steve Kemery (started 21st) and the Lowell Sutton team battled through early mechanical issues to recover for a sixth-place finish, followed by Pete Serra, Brian Rogers, Ryan Simmons and Christopher Buffalino.
Ryan Higgs completed a perfect run in the Demers Heating & Cooling Sportsman second feature, leading every lap of the 15-lap event over Dylan Morris and James Allen.
Nathan Smith continues to impress in Wingless Sprint Cars after transition from 600 Micro Sprints to full-sized Wingless Sprints continues to gain momentum.
After starting third, Smith wasted little time charging to the front, taking the lead on lap three and controlling the remainder of the feature for his second victory of the season.
Despite the success, Smith knows there’s still room to improve.
“We’re still trying to figure things out,” Smith said after the race.
David Swanson finished second ahead of Stan Ploski III, Jonathan Swanson and Wayne Scott.
Nobody has been hotter in the Straight Up Construction Street Stocks than Richie Page.
Page survived a thrilling four-car battle for the lead before pulling away to capture his third consecutive victory and third win of the season.
Mike Baldwin crossed the stripe in second followed by Jeramy Doerr, Nick Sandone III and Mike Walsh.
Lee Allen continued his strong 2026 campaign by collecting his second Insta Signs Plus Four Cylinder victory of the season.
Allen held off previous feature winners Dale Mull and Joe Garey, Jr., who finished second and third respectively.
With spectacular racing throughout the evening, multiple racing grooves from top to bottom, and several memorable performances, another exciting chapter was written in the 2026 season at the Kingdom of Speed. Bridgeport Motorsports Park returns next Saturday night August 8 with another action-packed program featuring the region’s top dirt track competitors battling on the high banks.
Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz Modifieds
1. Ryan Godown, 2. Richie Pratt, 3. Dominic Buffalino, 4. Luke Bunting, 5. Ryan Krachun, 6. HJ Bunting, 7. Dillon Steuer, 8. Sam Martz Jr., 9. Stan Frankenfield, 10. Neal Williams, 11. Johnny Bangs, 12. Anthony Tramontana, 13. Bobby Butler, 14. Blaine Bracelin, 15. Davey Sammons, 16. Frank Cozze, 17. George Gareis, 18. Mike Franz, 19. Coleby Frye, 20. Kevin Hirthler, 21. Brian Papiez, 22. Billy Osmun, 23. Cale Ross
Demers Heating & Cooling Sportsman
1. Matt Peck, 2. Brad Roberts, 3. Jesse Hirthler, 4. Charley Cossaboone, 5. Matt Ellery, 6. Steve Kemery, 7. Pete Serra, 8. Brian Rogers, 9. Ryan Simmons, 10. Christopher Buffalino Jr., 11. Billy Chester, 12. Ethan Young, 13. Mike Hughes, 14. Ronnie Solomon III, 15. Duncan Molesworth, 16. Tim Borror, 17. Brayden Morrison, 18. Walter MacIntyre, 19. Hunter Ploski, 20. Tom Carpenter, 21. Dave Damiano, 22. Drew Ziegler, 23. PJ Bozowski, 24. Aiden Spencer, 25. John Scarpati, 26. Scott Hulmes, 27. Josh Allen
Victory Fuel Wingless Sprint Cars
1. Nate Smith, 2. David Swanson, 3. Stan Ploski III, 4. Jonathan Swanson, 5. Wayne Scott, 6. Shea Wills, 7. Craig Cuneo, 8. Aj Hunt, 9. Hiedi Hedin
Straight Up Construction Street Stocks
1. Richie Page, 2. Mike Baldwin, 3. Jeremy Doerr, 4. Nick Sandone III, 5. Mike Walsh, 6. Scott Freed, 7. Shane Grosso, 8. Petey Reynolds, 9. Mike Berkhieser, 10. Nick Killmer, 11. Jeff Handle, 12. Jeff Dirks
Insta Signs Plus Victory Lane
1. Lee Allen, 2. Dale Mull, 3. Joe Garey Sr, 4. John Parker, 5. Dan Stien, 6. Logan Mull, 7. Bri Stien
Demers Heating & Cooling Sportsman Modified Feature #2
1. Ryan Higgs, 2. Dylan Morris, 3. James Allen, 4. Chris Bergstrom , 5. Sarah Lynn, 6. Matt Blakeslee, 7. Melissa Scarpati
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