JORDAN WATSON STEERS TOWARDS BRIDGEPORT IN 2016

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               After giving it some thought once the 2015 racing season concluded, the ‘First State’ racer Jordan Watson will be calling Bridgeport Speedway his new home in 2016.  Actually, Watson is no stranger to Bridgeport, as he’s been a track regular before.  However, this will be his first full season behind the wheel of a powerful Big Block touring the 5/8 mile oval.

               Watson was quick to point out that he’s looking forward to racing weekly at the South Jersey facility.  “We talked it over with my family and everyone and we just feel Bridgeport is where we need to be this year.  We came up last summer and had a blast.  We struggled at first but then we were able to visit victory lane (Bridgeport’s historical 1,000th Big Block feature) which made it all jordan 2worth it.”

               Watson has had plenty of success in his home state of Delaware where he’s recorded three Crate championships at Delaware International Speedway along with a 2014 Big Block track title as well as the ’13 Sportsman American Racer Cup.   Last year Watson conquered the Beach Blast at Georgetown and he closed his season out with a victory at the Delaware State Championships.  Jordan also owns a Crate Sportsman championship at Bridgeport along with a couple of prestigious victories coming in the Bill Hill Memorial and Friends of Mike races.

               “I’m honestly looking forward to running with the drivers that race at Bridgeport.  There’s some stiff competition and when you win there you’ve done something.  Guys like Jamie (Mills), Rick (Laubach), Watt, Pratt.  Their all tough there and a lot more.  I just feel Bridgeport is real racey.  There’s multiple grooves and you can move around and search for your line.  It’s definitely a place where I feel I can sharpen my skills this season.”

               Surprisingly, one of Jordan’s main reasons for making the switch didn’t pertain to the actual track or racing on it, although he expressed his fondness to the racing surface.  “What really excites me when I come to Bridgeport is all the things they do on the fan’s side over there.  I mean these kids are our next generation of fans   or drivers and Bridgeport keeps them excited and entertained.  A lot of these tracks need to do that kind of stuff like they do because it matters more than people think.  My wife, Alison and some friends came to a race this year there and had a blast there.  Listening to the band, seeing the cars up close, and watching the kids do all kinds of activities.  I’m glad I’m going to be part of that great atmosphere they’ve got going on up there.”

               Even thoujordan 1gh running up front at Bridgeport and hopefully a track championship will be Watson’s main focus, he does have a busy schedule planned this 2016      campaign.  “I’m going to run the whole South Region of the Short Track Super Series along with all of Georgetown’s races.  Some specials at Delmar and maybe even a  couple of races in New York.  Currently, we’re in the process of building an open-small block for some of these shows too.  I’d say we have close to 45 races penciled in  already this season.”

               Jordan’s very thankful for the people that are backing his racing efforts.  The 27-year old, State of Delaware equipment operator from Milford, De driver will be driving a ’13 and a ’15 Bicknell chassis in 2016 powered by a Larry Lombardo engine.  One will be owned by Glenn and Donna Watson while the other comes out of well-known Delaware owner Will Brown’s stable.  Some of the sponsors that make it all happen include Remax Twin Counties, Regan Watson Auction, Will Brown Truck Repair, Courtland Manor Nursing Homes, Miller Metal Fabrication, Delmarva RV, Swain’s Excavation, and Perfect Finish Powder Coating.  “Like I said, I have a lot of people that help me and we enjoy going to the races as a family.  That’s why Bridgeport is a perfect fit for me and my team this coming season.  I can’t wait ‘till March 26!”

WELCOME TO THE NEW SPIRIT AUTO CENTER SPEEDWAY

                     
                              

       The Bridgeport Speedway Reintroduces the Quarter Mile!

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   Following the announcement at the Bridgeport Speedway Awards Banquet in December, plans are moving forward for the Spirit Auto Center Speedway for the 2016 season.

     Spirit Auto Center of Swedesboro, NJ has shown their support for the Bridgeport Speedway since the start of the 2013 season.  As announced in December, Spirit has now decided to join forces with the Bridgeport Speedway to promote the quarter mile track and as a result, give it it’s own identity.  A new website, newsletter and Facebook page will be put into place with other social media outlets to follow.

     Bridgeport Speedway Marketing Manager, Kolby Ramey has been working on this project throughout the course of this past season.  Ramey felt that it was necessary to separate the identity of the two tracks in order to create a new marketing platform for the quarter mile track.   “We have seen an issue with the promotional efforts of the 1/4 mile track since I fully took Marketing over a year ago,” Ramey explains.  “We just weren’t sure what we were going to do to make it better.  We approached Spirit Auto Center whom we already had a relationship with and offered them the sponsorship package to re-brand the track.  They were excited about the opportunity to get their company out to more potential customers and we were excited to have an all new platform for the 1/4 mile track.”

     Sebastian Carpenter of Spirit Auto Center stated, “We’re excited about what we can bring to the table for Bridgeport.”  Spirit Auto Center has been a sponsor of the Bridgeport Speedway for several seasons, supporting the Big Block Modified division for the last two seasons.

     The Spirit Auto Center Speedway will continue to offer 270cc Micro Sprints, Wingless 600 Micro Sprints, 4 and 8 Cylinder Enduros on Friday nights with other divisions like Slingshots, 600 Xcel Modifieds, Open Modifieds being added for special events throughout the season.  The popular Poker Series will return in 2016.

     The Spirit Auto Center Speedway will open its gates on March 19 and April 2 for practice sessions with the first green flag of the season set to wave on Friday, April 8 when the Slingshots and 4 Cylinder Enduro cars will join the 270cc and 600cc Micro Sprints.    The first Poker Series event of the season is set to go on May 14.

     The Spirit Auto Center Speedway will be represented at the upcoming Motorsports Racecar & Trade Show event on January 22-24 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA.

   

 

BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY’S ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET RETURNS TO BRIDGEPORT FIRE HALL

 

 

 

 

 

Bridgeport, NJ (November 26, 2015) – Bridgeport Speedway’s much anticipated annual awards banquet is set for next Saturday, December 5. For the fourth consecutive year, the festivities will take place at the Bridgeport Fire Hall located at 4 Steelman Road, which is located just a few miles from the speedway. Many of the speedway staff will be on hand along with numerous drivers, teams, and fans to celebrate yet another successful racing campaign this past season. An estimated 350 attendees have already signed up for the year-ending gala.

Jamie Mills, the 2015 Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modified champion for the second time in his career, will be the top honoree of the evening along with the entire top 10 in the final point standings. Pat Wall will be celebrating his ’15 Stewart Stainless Supply Inc. Crate/Sportsman championship with his fellow top 10 racing competitors as well. Tom Wills Sr. will be closing the final chapter in his racing career as he caps of the 2015 season with the Pennco Tech Outlaw Stock Car championship (top 10 will be recognized).  The D.A.’s Auto Body Championship will be celebrated by the top three rookies including champion Stephen Kemery.

Lee Nardelli will represent the top 10 in the Friday night 600 micro sprint division after his dominating 2015 season. Tyler Reinhardt will be standing atop the podium for the third straight year come banquet time as he will lead the top 10 in the 270 micro sprint class. Chris Sammons earned his first championship in the Servpro Four-Cylinder division as the top four in points will be honored come next Saturday. Young Andrew Kreis will see all eyes on him, as he conquered the first ever OMS Racing/Speedway’s All Star Bagel Stop Slingshot point championship. A whopping top 20 will be recognized next Saturday evening regarding the slingshots. Chris Allen Sr. Was the top dog in the Gasko & Son Farm & Greenhouses 8-Cylinder Enduro Series in 2015 (top 4 recognized).

The top three/four finishers in the Poker Series for Big Block Modifieds (Neal Williams), Crate/Sportsman (Brett Kressley), John Blewett Inc. Outlaw Stocks (Tom Wills Jr.), 600 Micros (James Morris), 270 Micros (Jacob Hendershot), Four-Cylinders (Chris Sammons), Jeffrey Hogue/Action Track USA Slingshots (Andrew Kreis), and Bethman Auto Center/Bruce’s Speed Shop/Thayer Performance TSRS 305 sprint cars (Eddie Wagner) will all be recognized and honored on Dec. 5. Several specialty awards will be distributed among the different racing classes as well.

On Saturday, December 5, the doors to the Bridgeport Fire Hall will swing open at 6:00 p.m.  A delicious buffet dinner will be available soon after. The awards ceremony will followdinner and will be led by track announcers Jeff Ahlum and Bill Sasser. The night will conclude with entertainment and dancing provided by Dee Jay Erick Santana who many knowfrom his performances at the 31st Lap during Eastern States Weekend. All drivers, crew members, car owners and fans are encouraged to attend this event. Banquet tickets are $60 per person and they include dinner, beer, and entertainment. The ticket order form for this year’s awards banquet is available at www.bpspeedway.com under the link ‘forms’. Thelast day to order tickets with proper payment will be Dec 1. If you have any questions about the banquet please call Danny Serrano at 609-433-4487.

WATT CLOSES OUT BRIDGEPORT SEASON WITH BIG WIN

WATT CLOSES OUT BRIDGEPORT SEASON WITH BIG WIN

                                      Williams, Kressley and Wills, Jr. Collect Poker Series Titles

     Ryan Watt picked up his fourth win of the season with his win in the Gone but Not Forgotten Big Block Modified Feature event to close out the 2015 season at the Bridgeport Speedway.  Bobby Lileck picked up his first win of the season in the Stewart Stainless Crate Sportsman feature event while Jeramy Doerr earned his eighth win of the season in the John Blewett III Poker Series finale for the Outlaw Stocks.
     The Wildcard Weekend wrapped up the competition in the 2015 Poker Series with Neal Williams clinching the Poker Series Championship title for the Big Block Modifieds with three Queens for his three third place finishes.  Brett Kressley’s four Aces (wins) clinched the title for Kressley even before he dropped out of the Crate/Sportsman feature with mechanical issues.  Tom Wills, Jr. had three of a kind to win the Poker Series Championship for the Outlaw Stocks.
      Doug Manmiller paced the field to the start of the forty lap Big Block Modified main event and led for the first eight circuits before Watt raced to the front on lap nine.  Manmiller stayed with Watt for several laps before Neal Williams moved to the outside to takeover the runner-up spot as Manmiller exited with mechanical problems.  Williams kept the pressure on Watt.  Tyler Dippel made it a three way race for the lead as he made his way by Williams to take over second on lap twenty-one.  
     Dippel and Williams kept the pressure on as Dippel pulled even with Watt on several occasions but each time,  Watt was able to pull ahead of the young challenger.
     Watt raced to the checkered flag followed by Dippel with his best Bridgeport finish to date after making just three starts on the 5/8 mile track.  Williams finished third.  Billy Pauch won the battle for fourth with Jimmy Horton finishing fifth.
     Bobby Lilick led from the green to the checkered to capture his first Stewart Stainless Crate Sportsman feature event of the season.  Brett Kressley, who won five times at Bridgeport this season, made his way into second behind Lilick before he was sidelined from the event.  Jim Britt trailed Lilick at the finish line with Kevin Sockriter, Steve Searock and Frank Dorry rounding out the top five. 
     TJ Henry was well on his way to picking up his second win of the weekend in the John Blewett III Poker Series event for the Outlaw Stocks when he developed problems with his No. 57 with just two laps to go.  Jeramy Doerr went on to pick up his eighth win of the season.  Ken Watson and Ed Bischoff crossed the finish line in second and third but were disqualified when they failed post-race tech.  Jack Beaumont finished second followed by Jeff Dirkes, Mike Creamer and Jillian Long who was competing in only her second race on the Bridgeport 5/8 mile track. 
       
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN SPIRIT AUTO CENTERS BIG BLOCK MODIFIED FEATURE (40 LAPS)
1. Ryan Watt, 2. Tyler Dippel, 3. Neal Williams, 4. Billy Pauch, 5. Jimmy Horton, 6. Wade Hendrickson, 7. Ryan Anderson, 8. Jamie Mills, 9. Ryan Grim, 10. Billy VanInweggen, 11. Ryan Krachun, 12. Lou Cicconi, 13. Clay Butler, 14. Bucky Kell, 15. Jesse Hill, 16. Mike Franz, 17. Jerry Higbie, Jr., 18. Richie Pratt, Jr. 19. Dominick Buffalino, 20. Rick Laubach, 21. Bob Sarkisian, 22. Ian Humphreys, 23. Doug Manmiller, 24. Scott Ambruster, 25. Ron Roberts, 26. Eric Kormann
STEWART STAINLESS CRATE/SPORTSMAN FEATURE (25 LAPS)
1. Bob Lilick, 2. Jim Britt, 3. Kevin Sockriter, 4. Steve Searock, 5. Frank Dorry, 6. John Micek, 7. Dave Damiano, 8. Clyde Cox, 9. Frank Holmes, 10. Mike Butler, 11. Matt Stangle, 12. Brett Ballard, 13. Brandon Watkins, 14. Jason Bitner, 15. Jason Neidlinger, 16. Dylan Betts, 17. Joe Nappi, 18. Chuck Potts, 19. Steve Young, 20. Steve Kemery, 21. Joe Reid, 22. CJ Jones, 23. Ryan Lilick, 24. Brett Kressley, 25. Ryan Simmons, 26. Pete Visconti, 27. Brad Roberts
JOHN BLEWETT III POKER SERIES FOR OUTLAW STOCKS (20 LAPS)
1. Jeramy Doerr, 2. Jack Beaumont, 3. Jeff Dirkes, 4. Mike Creamer, 5. Jillian Long, 6. Tom Wills, Sr., 7. Pete Ellis, Jr., 8. Tom Wills, Jr., 9. Jimmy Avery, 10. Sean Smith, 11. TJ Henry, 12. Todd Ahner, 13. George Ramos, 14. Joe Meron,   DQ – Ken Watson, Ed Bischoff
DNS – Fred Tomarchio, Rick Broschard, Steve Land

  PAUCH CHARGES TO BRIDGEPORT SMALL BLOCK MODIFIED WIN

                                    

      Billy Pauch charged to the feature win in the 358 Small Block Modified feature event in the Bridgeport Speedway’s Wild Card Weekend.  It was Pauch’s sixteenth career win in Bridgeport Speedway small block modified competition – a track where he sits third on the Big Block Modified All Time Feature Winners List with fifty-eight victories.  “I thought Wade (Hendrickson) had it won,” Pauch commented.  “I don’t know what happened to him.  With a couple of laps to go , I thought the hell with it – we came here to win!”

     TJ Henry earned his second win of the season in the John Blewett III PennCo Poker Series Outlaw Stock Feature event while 2015 Champion, Mike Haggenbottom put an exclamation point on his championship season with the win in the twenty lap Tri State Race Savers Sprint Car feature. 

  

     At the wave of the green flag, it was polesitter, Wade Hendrickson who jumped into the lead in the thirty lap small block modified feature event.   Hendrickson dominated the first nineteen laps of the race before Craig VonDohren used lapped traffic to make the pass for the lead on lap twenty.  With VonDohren out in front, Hendrickson ran second for four laps before mechanical woes sidelined his C&S Equipment No. 6. 

     

     VonDohren led Pauch, Rick Laubach, Ryan Krachun and Ryan Watt with five laps to go.  Pauch made a run on the leader on a lap twenty-six restart but VonDohren prevailed.  The field was realigned for a single file restart with just two laps to go when Watt drew the caution in turn four.  On the restart, Pauch made another run to the inside, pulling even with VonDohren.  As the leaders raced through turns one and two, Pauch used a slide job to propel his K&A Excavating No. 1 into the lead and then pulled away as they raced out of turn two.  The caution waved again with just one lap to go but Pauch prevailed to take the $3,000 payday followed by VonDohren, Laubach, Krachun and Richie Pratt, Jr. 

     2014 Outlaw Champion, Ron Frees looked to be on his way to his second win in the John Blewett II Poker Series for Outlaw Stock feature event when his plans went up in smoke on lap thirteen.  TJ Henry took over the lead and went on to claim the victory over second place finisher, Rick Broschard.  2015 Champion, Tom Wills, Sr. finished third with Mike Creamer and Tom Wills, Jr. completing the top five at the finish line.

     Mike Haggenbottom closed the 2015 Tri State Race Saver Sprint Car season with a flag to flag win in the 20 lap TSRS feature event.  Adam Carberry and rookie, Eddie Strada, kept the pressure on the leader all the way to the checkered flag to finish second and third.  Rick Stief and Karl Freyer rounded out the top five at the checkered flag.    

    

WILDCARD WEEKEND – 358 MODIFIED FEATURE (30 LAPS)
1. Billy Pauch, 2. Craig VonDohren, 3. Rick Laubach, 4. Ryan Krachun, 5. Richie Pratt, Jr., 6. Brett Kressley, 7. Lou Ciconi, 8. Frank Cozze, 9. Ryan Grim, 10. Ron Roberts, 11. Craig Whitmoyer, 12. Bob Sarkisian, 13. Ryan Watt, 14. Mike White, 15. Pete Visconti, 16. Shawn Wood, 17. Neal Williams, 18. Wade Hendrickson, 19. Jerry Higbie, 20. Scott Ambruster, 21. Rusty Smith, 22. Dominick Buffalino, 23. Brad Roberts, 24. Jim Britt

JOHN BLEWETT III POKER SERIES FOR OUTLAW STOCKS (20 LAPS)
1. TJ Henry, 2. Rick Broschard, 3. Tom Wills, Sr., 4. Mike Creamer, 5. Tom Wills, Jr., 6. Jimmy Avery, 7. Ed Bischoff, 8. Jillian Long, 9. Todd Ahner, 10. Spider Ensinger, 11. George Ramos, III, 12. Jeramy Doerr, 13. Nate Hill, 14. Ron Frees, 15. Kenny Watson, 16. Jack Beaumont, 17. Jeff Dirkes, 18. Joe Meron, 19. Pete Ellis, Jr.  DNS – Vern McLaughlin, Darren Cox

HILBORN TRI STATE RACE SAVER SPRINT CAR FEATURE – (20 LAPS)
1. Mike Haggenbottom, 2. Adam Carberry, 3. Eddie Strada, 4. Rick Stief, 5. Karl Freyer, 6. Sam Lieberman, 7. David Bonner, 8. Ryan Stillwagon, 9. Keith Anderson, 10. Randy Wilbert, 11. Pat U’Selis

Wildcard Weekend at Bridgeport Speedway

Bridgeport, NJ (November 3, 2015) – Even though the 2015 racing season is quickly coming to an end, in less than two short weeks, Bridgeport Speedway will be hosting their annual year-ending Wild Card Weekend.  An action-packed two-day racing program is planned for the final events of the 2015 racing season at the South Jersey oval. Three different Poker Series titles will be claimed once the final checkers fall on Saturday night.  Friday, November 13 – 358 The Small Block Modifieds headline Friday’s three-division program as they will battle in a 30-lap feature paying $3000 to the victor, $500 for tenth and $225 to start the main event.  Some of the drivers who plan on starting their weekend off by claiming a Friday night victory include Rick Laubach, Ryan Watt, Richie Pratt, Wade Hendrickson, Mike Iles, Ryan Godown, Jerry Higbie, Neal Williams, Jimmy Horton, Craig VonDohren, H.J. Bunting, and many many more.

The Outlaw Stocks will compete in Hand #5 of the John Blewett Inc. 2015 Poker Series paying $500 to the victor.   The The Hilborn-TSRS 305 Sprint Cars will round out the first night of action with a 20-lap main event.  At the conclusion of theFriday’s events, there will be a an “after-race” party under the pavilion behind the main grandstand. All drivers and fans are encouraged to stop and visit under the pavilion once the races have been completed. There will be live entertainment, as well as complimentary food and beverages available. Attendees are also welcome to bring their own food and beverages.

*There will be two separate practice sessions for the Big Blocks as well as the Crate/Sportsman on Friday evening. The fastest driver of the night in either session will receive an automatic redraw spot for Saturday’s races (one for the Modifieds and two for the Crate/Sportsman-one for the fastest 602 crate and one for the fastest 358 open sportsman). The fast timers must pass a quick tech inspection (weight, gear, chip, wheels, tires, ect.) in order to receive the automatic redraw incentive.

The Big Block Modifieds take center stage on Saturday with the ‘Gone But Not Forgotten’ race. This 40-lap Poker Series finale will pay homage to Doug Hoffman, the late promoter and all-time great driver.  The top finisher of this extra distance event will receive $4000, $500 will go to the tenth place finisher, while $300 will be given take the green. The top thirteen place finishers in each Poker Series race will be awarded a playing card starting with an Ace going to the victor and ending with a Deuce going to the thirteenth place finisher. Entering the final event Jesse Hill leads the way with three ‘Dueces’. Rick Laubach sits in second with a pair of Aces while Duane Howard holds onto third place with a pair of Kings.  Neal Williams, Jamie Mills, Ryan Anderson, Ryan Watt and Ryan Godown are still mathematically alive to better their hands.

Also on Saturday, the sixth hand of the Crate/Sportsman Poker Series will be contested with $1000 going to the winner of the 25-lap affair and $100 to start. With four Aces Brett Kressley has it all but locked up for the first place prize.  However, Mike Lyons, Jim Britt, CJ Jones, and Pat Wall would all like to improve their Poker Hands.

The annual Friends of Mike Outlaw Stock feature which is also Hand #6 will see $600 go to the winner. After four races, Ron Frees leads the way a pair of Kings.  Looking to finish with three of a kind are Tom Wills Jr. and Jimmy Avery which would knock Frees from having the best hand in 2015. Saturday’s four-division race card will be completed by an exhibition race by the Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club.

Plenty of other incentives are available for competitors throughout the Wild Card Weekend. Non-qualifiers in the Small Block Modified, Outlaw Stock, Crate/Sportsman, and Big Blocks will receive tow money through lap sponsorship. Lap sponsorships start at $20 and interested parties can contact Danny Serrano at 609-433-4487 for further information.

On Friday, November 13, the pit area opens at 4 p.m. with the grandstand gates opening at 5:30 p.m. Hot laps get underway at 6:45 p.m. with racing starting at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, November 14, competitors can begin to enter the pits at noon with grandstands opening at 1:30 p.m. Warm-ups will start at 3:15 p.m.and the first green flag waves at 4:00 p.m. Adult (16 and older) admission will be $25 with a two day grandstand wrist band available for $45. Students (12-15) will be admitted for $10 per day. Kids 11 and under are free. Pit admission is $35 per day. In case of inclement weather on either Friday or Saturday,Sunday, November 15 has been reserved as a rain date.

Bridgeport Speedway provides a safe and secure family atmosphere, free parking, giveaways, and fan participation games. Free moon bounces  and bandit bus rides will be available all throughout the weekend.  As a premier racing complex, Bridgeport Speedway is a banked 5/8th mile dirt oval, featuring a dirt 1/4 mile oval embedded in the center, and is located in Southern New Jersey — just minutes from Pennsylvania and Delaware at exit 14 off of I-295.

IT’S ACES FOR LAUBACH, JONES AND FREES IN BRIDGEPORT POKER SERIES ACTION

 

     Rick Laubach, CJ Jones and Ron Frees capitalized on an opportunity when they picked up Aces as the result of their feature wins in the Bridgeport Speedway’s Bonus Hand for the 2015 Poker Series.

 

For 2012 Bridgeport Champion, Rick Laubach the win in the thirty lap Spirit Auto Centers Big Block Modified event was his sixth win of the 2015 season on the 5/8 mile track but this win came behind the wheel of Glenn Hyneman’s No. 126.  It was Laubach’s first outing in Hyneman’s Big Block Modified.  “This was a driver’s track tonight,” Laubach stated after his win.  “I just want to thank Glenn and Bonita Hyneman for this opportunity to run their car.”

 

By virtue of the luck of the draw, Rocco Infante and Laubach led the field to the green flag.  Laubach quickly jumped into the lead but Infante wasn’t giving up as he gave chase, keeping his JR1 in the tracks of Laubach and the No. 126.  Mike Iles put the Active Environmental No. 711 into second following a lap seven restart for the disabled car of Ryan Krachun.

 

Laubach began to pull away from the field but the caution waved again with twelve complete when a chain reaction incident sent Richie Pratt, Jr. to the pits with the Overhead Door No. 0.  Laubach chose the inside on the restart and Iles raced side by side with the leader when the race went back to green flag racing.  As the field exited turn four on lap thirteen, Iles was the new race leader.

 

With ten to go, Iles led Laubach, Infante, Jordan Watson and Neal Williams but Laubach was closing fast.  Laubach powered by Iles on lap twenty-one to regain the lead as Williams moved up to third.  With just five laps to go, Ryan Watt drove into the top five with a pass by Watson.  Watt had driven from 24th to fifth, powering his small block into the top five after engine problems sidelined his big block entry.

 

Laubach drove to the checkered without further challenge as Iles led Williams across the line for second and third.  2015 Modified Champion, Jamie Mills finished fourth with Watt rounding out the top five.

 

Steve Searock led the first two laps of the Steward Stainless Crate/Sportsman main event before young Brandon Grosso took the lead on lap three.  Gross led the way for three circuits before CJ Jones took the lead on lap six.  It was all Jones to the checkered flag as Jones drove to his Ace at the checkered flag.  Grosso had another strong outing to finish second followed by 2015 Champion, Pat Wall, Dave Damiano and Frank Dorry.

 

Ron Frees returned to competition on dirt after competing on the asphalt for much of the 2015 season and quickly found his way into Bridgeport’s Victory Lane in the PennCo Tech Outlaw Stock feature event.  Jeramy Doerr finished second with pressure from TJ Henry at the finish.  Jeff Dirkes finished fourth with Tom Wills, Jr. rounding out the top five.

 

Kristina Pratt (Modified), Courtney Picken (Crate/Sportsman) and Shanan Lea (Outlaw Stocks) picked up wins in the Powder Puff feature events on the quarter mile track.

 

 

 

 

Spirit Auto Centers Big Block Modified Feature (30 laps)

 

  1. Rick Laubach, 2. Mike Iles, 3. Neal Williams, 4. Jamie Mills, 5. Ryan Watt, 6. Jordan Watson, 7. Doug Manmiller, 8. Eric Kormann, 9. Jimmy Horton, 10. Ryan Godown, 11. Wade Hendrickon, 12. Dominick Buffalino, 13. Ian Humphreys, 14. Bob Sarkisian, 15. Howard O’Neal, 16. Ronnie Roberts, 17. Dale Hawkins, 18. Mark Bitner, 19. Scott Ambruster, 20. Rocco Infante, 21. Ryan Anderson, 22. Sam Martz, 23. Richie Pratt, Jr., 24. Mike Franz

 

Steward Stainless Crate/Sportsman Feature (20 laps)

 

  1. CJ Jones, 2. Brandon Grasso, 3. Pat Wall, 4. Dave Damiano, 5. Frank Dorry, 6. Bob Lilick, 7. John Micek, 8. Brad Roberts, 9. Mike Lyons, 10. Brian Lilick, 11. Clyde Cox, 12. Kyle Lilick, 13. Kevin Sockriter, 14. Chuck Potts, 15. Steve Searock, 16. Steve Loorak, 17. Dave Banko, 18. David Crossman, 19. Steve Kemery, 20. David Jenkins, 21. Will Dupree, 22. Connor King, 23. Pete Visconti, 24. Chuckles Stone, 25. Brian Lilick

 

PennCo Tech Outlaw Stock Feature (15 laps)

 

  1. Ron Frees, 2. Jeramy Doerr, 3. TJ Henry, 4. Jeff Dirkes, 5. Tom Wills, Jr., 6. Darren Cox, 7. Tom Wills, Sr., 8. Mike Creamer, 9. Joe Meron, 10.  Jack Beaumont, 11. Jimmy Avery, 12. Pete Ellis, Jr., 13. Spider Ensinger, 14. Steve Land, 15. Sean Smith,, 16. James Rader, 17. Matthew Peck, 18.  Kenny Watson, 19. Fred Tomarchio

 

 

Powder Puff – Outlaw Stocks

  1. Shanan Lea, 2. Beth Beaumont, 3. Kristy Hicks, 4. Autumn Gobrick

 

Powder Puff – Crate/Sportsman

  1. Courtney Picken, 2. Renee Crossman, 3. Maryann Ecret

 

Powder Puff – Modifieds

  1. Kristina Pratt, 2. Shirley MacNair, ,3. Olivia Ingersol, 4. Fay Lancaster, 5. Alina Lockhoff

 

 

Upcoming Events

Friday, November 13, 2015 – WILD CARD WEEKEND, 358 Small Block Modifieds, TSRS 305 Sprints, Outlaw Stocks plus Practice for Saturday, Racing at 7pm

Saturday, November 14, 2015 – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks & Garden State Vintage Cars. Racing at 4pm

POKER SERIES BONUS HAND & ROMP IN THE SWAMP HEADLINE BRIDGEPORT ACTION

     Racing action returns to the 5/8 mile Bridgeport Speedway this weekend with two full nights of racing action!

 

     On Friday night, the Poker Series Bonus Hand takes the green flag with the Spirit Auto Centers Big Block Modifieds, Steward Stainless Crate/Sportsman and PennCo Tech Outlaw Stocks taking the first green flag at7:30pm.  Competitors will have the opportunity to pick up a bonus card that can only help their hands for the Poker Series competition.

 

     While winless so far in the Poker Series competition this season, Duane Howard has a pair of Kings to show for his efforts.  Ryan Godown, Rick Laubach, Ryan Watt and Stewart Friesen each hold an Ace in their hand for their Poker Series wins.  Brett Kressley is undefeated in Crate/Sportsman competition with four Poker Series wins.  Jeramy Doerr, 2015 Champion, Tom Wills, Sr. and Scott Dugan have Poker Series wins in the Outlaw Stock division.

 

     Action moves to the quarter mile track for Saturday night’s events as the $10,000 to win, Romp in the Swamp takes to the track, sponsored by Colonial Pipeline Call Before You Dig. The Xcel 600 Modifieds will join the Open Modifieds on the quarter mile for Saturday night’s competition.Check_IG

 

     Bobby Drayton, Mike Iles and Bob Sarkisian each captured a single victory in Friday night Open Modified competition on the quarter mile in preparation for the Romp in the Swamp.  The Bridgeport Speedway’s All Time Feature Winner, Jimmy Horton captured two wins in the Friday night action – his first ever on the quarter mile track.  Horton also claimed the track title in the Friday night events and earned a guaranteed starting spot in the Romp on the Swamp. 

 

     Racing action gets underway on Saturday at 5pm.  The Open Modifieds will race against the clock in time trials and then move onto qualifying events. 

 

     While the end of the 2015 season nears, there is still plenty of racing action at the Bridgeport Speedway!RompSwamp-Oct-31Jpeg

 

 On Saturday, October 31st, the long awaited $10,000 to win Romp in the Swamp comes to the Bridgeport quarter mile.  The Romp in the Swamp is sponsored by Colonial Pipeline Call Before You Dig.

 

     The Romp in the Swamp is a forty lap main event for Open Mods.  Time trials and qualifying events will be used to determine the starting line-up in the feature event.  The 600 Xcel Mods will also be in action on the quarter mile, competing in qualifying events before their twenty-five lap feature. 

 

     Racing gets underway at 5pm.

Upcoming Events

Friday, November 13th – Wild Card Weekend – 358 Small Block Modifieds, Hilborn TSRS Sprint Cars, Outlaw Stocks in Friends of Mike event and practice for all Saturday divisions, racing starts at 7pm

Saturday, November 14th – Gone But Not Forgotten Poker Series #5 – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks and Garden State Vintage Cars, racing at 7pm

BILL THOMAS NATIONAL WEEKEND AT BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY 

 

  The Bridgeport Speedway will host three days of racing on the quarter mile speedway for the annual Bill Thomas National Weekend.  Bill Thomas was an integral part of quarter mile racing at the Bridgeport Speedway prior to his untimely death during the 2010 season.  Thomas maintained the web site, wrote press releases, sought sponsorships and provided many other means of support to the Micro Sprint divisions.  This is the fifth year that the Bill Thomas Nationals have been presented in his honor.  Racing action gets underway on Friday evening with wingless 600 Micros, 270 Micros and 4 Cylinder Enduros.  Racing will get underway at 7:30pm.  There will also be practice sessions for the divisions that will be competingon Saturday or Sunday – Winged 600 Micros, Xcel Modifieds, Slingshots, Stage 1 Modifieds and the Delaware Trucks.

The wingless 600s, 270s and 4 Cylinder Enduros will each compete in a twenty lap main event.  On Saturday, the winged 600 Micros, Xcel Modifieds, Stage 1 Modifieds and Delaware Trucks will see action on the Bridgeport quarter mile.  The winged 600s will compete in a forty lap main event while each of the other three divisions will run twenty lap feature events.  Racing gets underway on Saturday at 6pm.  The third day of the Bill Thomas Nationals will get the green flagged on Sunday afternoon at 4pm.  The wingless 600s will compete in a forty lap feature event while the 270s will race to the checkered flag after thirty laps.  Sunday will also feature the “King of the Sling” event – a forty lap feature event for the Slingshots.  The 8 Cylinder Enduro cars will also compete in a forty lap main event. 

     The racing action moves to the 5/8 mile track to close out the month of October.  The Poker Series Bonus Hand will be run on Friday, October 30th with the Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman and Outlaw Stocks competing.  Racing gets underway at 7:30pm on Friday.  On Saturday, October 31st, the long awaited $10,000 to win Romp in the Swamp comes to the Bridgeport quarter mile.  The Romp in the Swamp is sponsored by Colonial Pipeline Call Before You Dig.  The Romp in the Swamp is a forty lap main event for Open Mods.  Time trials and qualifying events will be used to determine the starting line-up in the feature event.  The 600 Xcel Mods will also be in action on the quarter mile, competing in qualifying events before their twenty-five lap feature.   Racing gets underway at 5pm.

Upcoming Events 

Friday, October 30 – Poker Series Bonus Hand – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman & Outlaw Stocks – racing at 7:30pm

Saturday, October 31 – Romp in the Swamp – $10,000 to win Open Mods on Quarter Mile & Xcel Modifieds – racing at 5pm

Friday, November 13 – Wild Card Weekend – 358 Small Block Modifieds, TSRS Sprints & Outlaw Stocks – racing at 7pm

Saturday, November 14 – Gone But Not Forgotten – Poker Series #5 – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks & Garden State Vingtage – racing at 7pm

Everything You Need To Know About Bridgeport Speedway’s Bill Thomas Memorial Weekend Nationals

 

 

 

 

BRIDGEPORT, NJ (October 14, 2015) The format and schedule for the quickly approaching 5th Annual Bill Thomas Memorial Weekend is now set for the three-day October 23-25 extravaganza.  The Bridgeport ¼ mile program last saw action back on September 18 as their champions were crowned for the 2015 season (600s-Lee Nardelli, 270s-Tyler Reinhardt, 4 Cylinders-Chris Sammons, 8 Cylinders-Chris Allen Sr.).  The focus has now shifted towards, what will certainly be a jam-packed weekend full of many different racing divisions along with excellent purses.

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The Thomas Family has been such strong supporters of the ¼ mile program at Bridgeport Speedway over the years, as the speedway will once again honor the late Bill Thomas  “There’s no doubt that this event has gained momentum each and every year that it’s taken place,” expressed track manager Danny Serrano.  “The racing has been tremendous, especially in all of our Poker races this season.  We wanted to not only honor the Thomas Family with a BIG weekend, we wanted to give the drivers a marquee event here at Bridgeport.”  9 different divisions have been inked onto this year’s B.T. ¼ mile Nationals Weekend over the course of the three days.

 

Friday:  With cancellations and rainouts over the past few weeks, Bridgeport has altered its Friday portion of the B.T. Weekend.  “Originally on the docket, we were going to have a Winner’s Classic for the 600s and 270s but with us losing the B.T. qualifiers we thought it made more sense to hold those races instead on Friday night,” Serrano explained.  Friday’s show will consist of three 20-lap main events:  one each for the wingless 600s, winged 270s, and the Servpro 4 Cylinders.  The winners of the two micro divisions will not only be guaranteed starters for Sunday’s races but, will be locked into Sunday’s A-main redraw.  There will be open practice throughout the night for winged 600s, 600 Xcel mods, super trucks, stage-1 mods, and slingshots.  The winged 600s and Slingshots will have a little extra on the line on Friday as the fast timer during the night will receive a $100 bonus and be locked into the main event redraw.

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Gates Open: 4:30

Warm Ups: 6:45

Racing Starts: 7:30

 

Saturday:  Saturday’s racing card will see a four-division show that consists of the Winged 600s, 600 Xcel Modifieds, Delaware Super Trucks, and the Stage-1 Mods.  The 600 micro sprints will see their first race in over a year using their wings.  “Even though we’ve enjoyed the wingless action here at Bridgeport all year long, we still feel there’s a need to have a big ‘winged’ race for the 600s as well.  Hopefully by bolting on the wing, we’ll attract some new faces and some drivers that normally run tracks like Path Valley, Lanco, and Greenwood Valley,” Serrano elaborated.  The 600s will run 40 laps for $1,500 to win with a healthy $150 being posted to start the event.

 

Doug Borger’s Xcel Modifieds will be making their second appearance of the season, who have also been added to the Oct. 31 Romp in the Swamp.  The fast-growing and exciting class will be racing for a $1,000 pay day.  In their one and only appearance back in April, recently crowned champion Brian Carber was able to nail down the victory.  Carber has already confirmed that he’ll be doing double duty on Saturday in both the Xcel mod and the winged 600.

 

The Delaware Super Trucks will be making their first appearance of the season after competing in a handful at the speedway in 2014.  Courtesy Chevrolet of Salisbury, Md has posted a whopping $1,000 for first place for the trucks.  This could possibly be the biggest purse in the division’s history.  The very similar trucks from I-88 Speedway are welcomed to compete in this event (as long as they make weight requirements).  The trucks will run in a 40-lap Enduro feature.

 

Rounding out Saturday’s racing program will be the Richie Smith created Stage-1 Modifieds.  The Stage-1 Mods have had five appearances thus far in 2015 producing three different winners in their visits.  Several new drivers are planning on making their first visit to Bridgeport’s ¼ mile for this final event.

 

Any drivers that are interested in shaking their cars down for Sunday’s show that include the 270s, Wingless 600s, and Slingshots will take place after the final checkered on Saturday night.

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Gates Open: 2:00

Warm Ups: 5:00

Racing Starts: 6:00

 

Sunday:  In the third and final day of the 5th Annual Bill Thomas Weekend, will feature the Wingless 600s, Winged 270s, OMS Racing/Action Track USA/Speedway All Star Bagel Stop Slingshots, and Gasko & Son Farm & Greenhouses 8 Cylinders.  The start time for Sunday’s events have been moved up to 4pm from its original start time of 5pm.

 

Fresh off of his 2015 Poker Series Championship, James Morris was the only driver to duplicate a ‘Poker Series’ victory.  2015 track champ Lee Nardelli, Action Track champion Tim Buckwalter, and 2014 Bridgeport champion Luke Thomas were able to add $1,000 Bridgeport victories to their resumes earlier this season.  These four drivers along with many other traveling 600 micro stars will be battling it out for the $1,500 first place prize on Sunday.  The 40-lap event will also pay a very respectable $150 to start.

 

The Winged 270s will race for their largest pay day of the season at the south Jersey facility.  $1,000 will go to the winner of this 30-lap race.  Top drivers such as Jacob Hendershot (4 Poker Series wins), Jay Hartman, Tyler Reinhardt, Logan Diehl, Pat Bealer, and many others are expected to tow into town in search of Bridgeport glory.

 

The Tobias Slingshots basically have EVERYTHING on the line come Sunday, Oct. 25!  In the first annual ‘King of the Sling’, the always exciting Slingshots will be racing a race within a race within a race if that’s even possible.  For starters the 40-lap ‘King of the Sling’ event will paying a cool $1,000 to the first driver across the finish line.  What’s even more remarkable is that the event will see each starter of the race walk home with at least $125!  Then there’s the 2015 point championship on the line that will see the champion pocket $500 for their year-long efforts.  The OMS Racing/Speedway All-Star Bagel Stop point series will pay an unheard of top 20 in the final point standings.  If that’s not enough incentive to get the blood pumping, there’s still the 2015 Jeffrey Hogue Action Track USA Poker Series finale which will be decided on Sunday.  Three drivers have a shot at the $500 championship.  They include, Andrew Kreis, Travis Beiber, and defending ’14 Poker Series champion Dave McCullough.  Second and third place are wide open as a dozen other competitors have a legitimate shot at earning the second and third best hands.  Needless to say, there will be a ton riding on the line for each and every slingshot chauffer in the pits come day three of the B.T. Memorial Weekend.

 

Rounding out the Bridgeport ¼ mile Nationals will be the 8 Cylinders.  The Gasko & Son sponsored division has seen five different winners in six races throughout the 2015 season.  The ‘Old Bridge Outlaws’ team has claimed four of the six events while 2014 champion Tom Wolf has conquered the last two Enduros.  The 40-lap event will put conclude, what you can bet will be, an extremely exciting weekend of racing on the Bridgeport ¼ mile.

 

Gates Open: Noon

Warm Ups: 3:00

Racing Starts: 4:00
Free camping is offered for the weekend (no hook ups) at the speedway for all racing teams and fans.  The Holiday Inn located four miles south of the speedway at exit 10 off of Rt. 295 has extended a racer’s rate for the weekend.  Rooms can be reserved by calling 856-467-3322.  All entry forms can be found under the forms section at bpspeedway.com.  Any other questions can be answered if you call the speedway at 856-467-4408.

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