BIG OPEN COCKPIT WEEKEND AT BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY

     In addition to the track’s regular divisions, there will be plenty of open cockpit excitement at the Bridgeport Speedway this weekend.

     The American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) wingless midgets return to the Bridgeport Speedway for their second race of the season as they join the 270cc and 600cc Micro Sprints and Four Cylinder Enduro cars in quarter mile action on Friday night.  Racing gets underway at 8pm.

     Brett Wanner of Shoemakersville, PA was the winner during ARDC’s previous Bridgeport appearance.earlier this season.  Ryan Greth and Tim Buckwalter each have three ARDC wins while Danny Stratton, PJ Gargiulo, Steve Buckwalter, Bruce Buckwalter, Jr., Jim Radney and Brenden Bright have one win each during the 2015 season.  Steven Drevicki is the current point leader over Trevor Kobylarz but neither driver has reached the Winner’s Circle so far this season.  Kobylarz has accumulated several runner-up finishes while it has been Drevicki’s consistent performance that has propelled him to the top of the points standings.  Ryan Greth, Brett Arndt and Bruce Buckwalter, Jr. round out the top five in points going into Friday night’s show. 

     Lee Nardelli grabbed his 8th wingless 600 Micro Sprint win during Sunday’s Hand #4 of the Poker Series on the quarter mile.  He leads the Friday night point standings for the 600s with Rob Vivona, Bill Thomas, Sam LaMothe and Jermain Godshall completing the top five ranking.  Tyler Reinhardt’s five wins have him sitting on top of the 270 Micro points followed by Sean Huesser, John Blanda, Colin Bustard and Billy Gray. 

     The ServPro 4 Cylinders have two time feature winner, Chris Sammons on top of the points followed by Keith McKinley, Art Knapp with four wins, Laura John and Mike Bentley.

     On Saturday night, the Bridgeport Speedway welcomes Quarter Midget competitors from various tracks as they show off their racers before the start of the night’s events.  These young racers who get their start at the age of five, will have the opportunity to take a few laps around the quarter mile track before the start of the Big Block Modified and Crate/Sportsman feature events. 

     Wade Hendrickson picked up his second win of the season last Saturday when he led the Spirit Auto Centers Big Block Modifieds to the checkered flag.  Rick Laubach holds on to first with his four wins over two time winner, Jamie Mills.  Richie Pratt, Jr. is third followed by David Hunt (2 wins) and Tommy Beamer. 

     It’s a tight battle in the Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman Division as Pat Wall moved into the lead last weekend with his fourth win of the season.  Just a few points separate him from CJ Jones (4 wins) and Jim Britt (4 wins).  Steve Kemery and Matthew Peck round out the top five.

     Jeramy Doerr and his seven wins lead the PennCo Tech Outlaw Stocks over Tom Wills, Sr. with three wins, Tom Wills, Jr. with two wins, Brian Ludwig with one win and 2014 Outlaw Champion, Jim Avery.

    Racing gets underway at 7pm on Saturday.

     If you haven’t been to the Bridgeport Speedway yet this season, now is the time.  The Bridgeport Speedway is a family oriented facility with lots of great food as well as family oriented activities.  Meet the Bridgeport Bandit and take a ride behind the scenes on the Bandit Bus!

Upcoming Events

Friday, September 4, 2015 – 270cc & 600cc Micro Sprints, 4 Cylinder Enduros and TSRS Sprint Cars – Race time at 8pm

Saturday, September 5, 2015 – Bike Night – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman and Twin 12s for the Outlaw Stocks – Racing at 7pm

 

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  FOURTH CARD DEALT IN POKER SERIES;        

ACES FOR NARDELLI, HENDERSHOT & KREIS

 

The fourth card in the poker series was dealt on Sunday night at the Bridgeport Speedway’s quarter mile.  Lee Nardelli, Jabob Hendershot and Andrew Kreis were all dealt Aces for their wins in the 600cc Micro Sprints, 270cc Micro Sprints and Slingshots.  Mike Bentley and Bill Dianella scored the wins in the ServPro Four Cylinder Enduro division and in the Stage-1 Modifieds.

 

Lee Nardelli added his eighth win of the season and is the first Bridgeport regular to gain an Ace for his efforts in the Poker series.  Bill Thomas led the opening five laps of the 600cc feature before Nardelli would assume command.  From that point, Nardelli remained unchanged as the laps counted down.  James Morris finished second, Jermain Godshall, Kyle Lick and Kyle Spence completed the top five in the 600cc feature.

 

Jacob Hendershot came on strong to collect his third Ace in the 270cc Micro Sprint Poker Series.  Pat Bealer led the opening five laps of the 270cc feature until Jay Hartman took command.  Hartman held the lead until Bealer retook the lead at the 15 lap mark.  Bealer then held off the advances of Hendershot until four laps remaining when Hendershot would take the lead for good.  Hendershot crossed the finish line ahead of Bealer, Hartman, Chris Locuson and Tyler Reinhardt.

 

Andrew Kreis extended his win streak to three in the Slingshot division.  Dillon Steuer grabbed the early only to be passed by Louden Reimert for the lead.  Steuer regained the lead but was unable to pull away as Kreis grabbed the lead for good on the fourth lap.  Reimert finished second follwed by Travis Beiber, Dylan Hoch and Jordan Knepp.

 

Michael Bentley earned his first ServPro Four Cylinder Enduro feature win by holding off Outlaw Stock regular Jeramy Doerr for the win.  Art Knapp finished third followed by Laura John and John Gray.  Billy Cropper was on hand with his Delaware Super Truck to shake down his truck for an upcoming event.

 

Bill Dianella made his first ever visit to Bridgeport Speedway a memorable one by earning his first career checkered flag by winning the 20-lap Stage-One Modified feature.  Joel Smith finished second with Jenna Schotskowiz third.

 

SUMMARY

 

WINGLESS 600CC MICRO SPRINTS (20 laps): 1. Lee Nardelli, 2. James Morris, 3. Jermain Godshall, 4. Kyle Lick, 5. Kyle Spence, 6. Bill Thomas, 7. Sam Locuson, 8. Brandon Azzalina, 9. Sam LaMothe, 10. Jay Hartman, 11. Joel Smith, 12. Bobby Butler, 13. Ernie Miles, Jr., 14. Steve Kemery, 15. Austin Bishop, 16. Pat Bealer, 17. Gary Bozowski, 18. Ed Barber, III, 19. Joe Kay, 20. Jim Tippin, 21. Jon Keller, 22. Mark Landwher, 23. Grady Johnston, 24. Rob Vivona, DNS – Rebecca LaMothe, Nick Havens, Pat Ely, Sal Tossano, Tyler DeVault, Mike Fillbrunn

 

270CC MICRO SPRINTS (20 laps): 1. Jacob Hendershot, 2. Pat Bealer, 3. Jay Hartman, 4. Chris Locuson, 5. Tyler Reinhardt, 6. Sam LaMothe, 7. John Blanda, 8. Rich Keller, 9. Roland Saxton, 10. Colin Bustard, 11. Jenna Schostkewitz, 12. Bill Gray, 13. Jimmy Potts, 14. Sean Huesser, 15. Brandon Pavel, 16. Luke Fogg, 17. R.J. Magyari

 

ACTION TRACK USA/OMS RACING SLINGSHOTS (20 laps): 1. Andrew Kreis, 2. Louden Reimert, 3. Travis Beiber, 4. Dylan Hoch, 5. Jordan Knepp, 6. Dylan Swinehart, 7. Austin Stufflet, 8. Richard Partite, 9. Dave McCullough, 10. Dillon Steuer, 11. Louie Partite, 12. David Galloway, 13. Dave Morrell, 14. William Mohring, 15. B.J. Antonia, 16. Steve Schenker

 

SERVPRO FOUR CYLINDERS ENDURO (20 laps): 1. Michael Bentley, 2. Jeramy Doerr, 3. Art Knapp, 4. Laura John, 5. John Gray, 6. Scott Miller, 7. Keith McKinley, DNS – Chris Sammons, Joe King, Jr.

 

STAGE ONE MODIFIEDS (20 laps): 1. Bill Dianella, 2. Joel Smith, 3. Jenna Schotskowiz, 4. Dylan Martin, DNS – John Comandini, Dylan Hoch

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HENDRICKSON, WALL & DOERR ADD TO BRIDGEPORT WIN TOTALS

 

 

Lawrenceville, NJ driver, Wade Hendrickson added another win to his list of career victories at the Bridgeport Speedway as he picked up his second win of the 2015 season in the Spirit Auto Centers Big Block Modified feature on All County Garage Door Night at the speedway.  Pat Wall was the winner of the Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman feature, his fourth of the season while Jeramy Doerr made it win number seven in the PennCo Tech Outlaw Stock feature event.

Hendrickson powered the Pondish No. 6 into the lead on lap four of the twenty-five lap Big Block Modified feature and pulled away from the competition to dominate the remaining laps of the event.  Not even a late race caution threatened the race leader who drove a Ford powered small block modified to the win.

Sarkisian had a strong outing, winning the battle for second over Richie Pratt, Jr.  Following Sarkisian & Pratt were 2013 Bridgeport Champion, Ryan Watt and Jesse Hill.

Hendrickson and his Pondish team have worked hard throughout the season to overcome mechanical issues that have threatened their performance on many race nights.  But on this night, the car and driver combination were flawless has Hendrickson moved another step closer to being third on the All Time Feature Winners list.

Chris Jenkins led the first three laps of the Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman feature event before Pat Wall took over on lap four.  Wall led the way to the finish with CJ Jones and Jim Britt racing behind him for second and third.  Jeremy Harrington picked up another top five finish in fourth.  Pete Visconti finished fifth after electing to start at the rear of the field for the start of the twenty lap feature event.

It was Wall’s fourth win of the season and put him on top of the leader board in the Crate/Sportsman Point Standings.

Jeramy Doerr took the lead in the PennCo Tech Outlaw Stock feature event just before the half way mark from race leader ,Jack Beaumont.  Doerr held off the challenges of Brian Ludwig to capture his seventh win of the season.  Ludwig finished second as Tom Wills, Jr. challenged for position as the field headed to the checkered flag.  Beaumont finished fourth with Tom Wills, Sr. fifth at the start/finish line.

 

SPIRIT AUTO CENTERS BIG BLOCK MODIFIED FEATURE (25 LAPS)
1. Wade Hendrickson, 2. Bob Sarkisian, 3. Richie Pratt, Jr. 4. Ryan Watt, 5. Jesse Hill, 6. Sam Martz, 7. Jimmy Horton, 8. Howard O’Neal, 9. Corey Anderson, 10. Ron Roberts, 11. Dave Shirk, 12. Tommy Beamer, 13. David Hunt, 14. Mike Franz, 15. Don Cogdill, 16. Jamie Mills, 17. Bruce Davis, 18. Rick Laubach, 19. Bucky Kell, 20. Shawn Ward, 21. Jimmy Chester, 22. Scott Irwin

STEWART STAINLESS CRATE/SPORTSMAN FEATURE (20 LAPS)
1. Pat Wall, 2. CJ Jones, 3. Jim Britt, 4. Jeremy Harrington, 5. Pete Visconti, 6. Bob Lilick, 7. Gary Hieber, 8. Chris Jenkins, 9. Matthew Peck, 10. Bob Lineman, Jr., 11. Steve Kemery, 12. David Crossman, 13. Scott Hulmes, 14. Justin Lilick, 15. Chuck Potts, 16. Dave Damiano, 17. Jeff Sargent, 18. Tom Holding, 19. Jeff Bubori, 20. Melissa Scarpatti, 21. Dave Banko, 22. Pete Serra, 23. Rich Deck

PENNCO TECH OUTLAW STOCK FEATURE (15 LAPS)
1. Jeramy Doerr, 2. Brian Ludwig, 3. Tom Wills, Jr. 4. Jack Beaumont, 5. Tom Wills, Sr., 6. Jimmy Avery, 7. Joe Meron, 8. Art Avery, 9. James Rader, 10. Mike Creamer

 

 

 

Upcoming Events

Friday, August 28, 2015 – ARDC Midgets plus 270cc & 600cc Micro Sprints and 8 Cylinder Enduros – Race time at 8pm

Saturday, August 29, 2015 – Quarter Midget Night – Plus Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman and TSRS Sprint Cars – Racing at 7pm

FRIESEN & KRESSLEY ARE WINNERS IN BRIDGEPORT CELEBRATION

     What a big night for the Bridgeport Speedway!

     The 10th Annual Friends of Mike, Race of Champions event for the Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds.  The 3rd Annual Bill Hill Memorial for the Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman.  It was the fourth hand in the 2015 Poker Series for both divisions.  And, if that wasn’t enough, the Bridgeport Speedway celebrated a huge milestone!

     Jordan Watson was honored as the winner of the 1,000 Modified Feature in the history of the Bridgeport Speedway.  Watson picked up the milestone win on Saturday night, August 15th but the event was celebrated during the Tuesday night show when past winners and champions were invited to the Speedway to participate in the celebration.  Kenny Brightbill, the winner of the first ever Modified Feature event was on hand as Bridgeport’s winningest driver, Jimmy Horton, Billy Pauch, Paul & Wayne Weaver, Ken Brenn, Sal DeBruno, Gary Gollub and Roger Laureno. 

     Stewart Friesen wrote his next page in the Bridgeport Speedway history book as being the first driver to win in the track’s second millennium when he picked up his second Friends of Mike victories.  Friesen won the 2014 event – his first ever win at the Bridgeport Speedway – and then did it again after only leading two of the fifty laps of the feature. 

     Ryan Watt and Wade Hendrickson were leaders in the early going before Craig VonDohren put the Dick Biever owned No. 14s out in front.  As the laps counted down, VonDohren appeared to be on his way to his first Bridgeport feature win since October of 2008 but with two laps to go, VonDohren’s mount started to sputter and he pulled off the track.  Second place Friesen ducked to the inside while third place man, Ryan Watt went to the outside to take the lead but the caution flag waved and Friesen led the field to the final two laps, holding Watt at bay to the checkered flag.  Danny Johnson finished third with David Hunt and Neal Williams completing the top five at the finish line.

      Brett Kressley was the big winner in the 28 lap Bill Hill Memorial Feature event for the Crate/Sportsman competitors.  Kressley took the lead from Brandon Grosso on lap six and raced to the checkered flag for his fourth consecutive Poker Series win and his fourth Ace.  It was Kressley’s fifth Bridgeport victory of the season.  Steve Davis finished second to Kressley followed by Jim Britt in third.  First year driver, Brandon Grasso finished fourth with Jermey Harrington completing the top five at the line. 

     Sam Martz was recognized during the evening’s events as being the only driver to compete in all ten of the Friends of Mike races.

FRIENDS OF MIKE -RACE OF CHAMPIONS – FEATURE (50 LAPS)

1. Stewart Friesen, 2. Ryan Watt, 3. Danny Johnson, 4. David Hunt, 5. Neal Williams, 6. Doug Manmiller, 7. Sam Martz, 8. Clay Butler, 9. Jamie Mills, 10. Jimmy Horton, 11. Mile Iles, 12. Bob Sarkisian, 13. Jesse Hill, 14. Craig VonDohren, 15. Billy Pauch, Sr., 16. Tommy Beamer, 17. Kyle Hieber, 18. Matt Jester, 19. Rick Laubach, 20. Wade Hendrickson, 21. Sammy Piazza, 22. Ryan Godown, 23. Anthony Perrego, 24. Mike Barone, 25. Tyler Dippel, 26. Jordan Watson

BILL HILL MEMORIAL RACE – FEATURE (28 LAPS)

1. Brett Kressely, 2. Steve Davis, 3. Jim Britt, 4. Brandon Grosso, 5. Jeremy Harrington, 6. Steve Searock, 7. Scott Hitchens, 8. Mike Lyons, 9. Rich Rutski, 10. CJ Jones, 11. Pete Visconti, 12. Mike Hendershot, 13. Steve Desmelyk, 14. Brett Ballard, 15. Gary Hieber, 16. David Crossman, 17. Clyde Cox, 18. Scott Hulmes, 19. Frank Venezia, 20. Jason Bittner, 21. Steve Kemery, 22. Chris Jenkins, 23. Matt Stangle, 24. Matthew Peck

A Walk Down Memory Lane

By: Jeff Ahlum

Bridgeport Speedway.  Those two words mean a lot of different things to a lot of people.   But two things always come to mind; competitive high speed racing and BIG BLOCK MODIFIEDS.  Bridgeport Speedway reaches a milestone August of 2015 that only a selected few speedways reach, presenting the 1000th race for their main headline division in track history.   Most of those tracks have been around longer than Bridgeport.

 

Over four decades of racing history have unfolded in South Jersey beginning in 1972:

 

 

The 1970’s saw most of Bridgeport’s star drivers arrive from the Reading Fairgrounds.   Drivers such as Kenny Brightbill (winner of the first race), Gerald Chamberlain, Dick Tobias, Kenny Weld, Gary Gollub and Dave Kelly were the top name drivers, winning most of the features in that decade.   But Bridgeport did produce some of it’s own stars with the emergence of young Jimmy Horton along with veteran Walt Olsen.   Track Champions in the 1970’s included, Brightbill (2), Horton (2), Olsen and Gollub.  It was a bumpy start for the new speedway with 6 different promoters from 1972 through 1979, but the track survived and hosted the top names in the Modified world, in an area that could well be called the best of Modified racing at the time. (PA & NJ)

 

The 1980’s started strong, now under George Wingate’s leadership (since 78), only to go through more leadership changes (Shivers family and the Kuhl family).  These changes brought with them changes in the racing talent. The beginning of the decade saw the top drivers in Jimmy Horton, Dave Kelly, Gary Gollub joined by new stars in Ronnie Tobias, Meme DeSantis and Roger Laureno who would win a bulk of the races.  The middle saw Horton and Tobias continue to win a lot joined by Bridgeport’s newest star in big winner Doug Hoffman.  The decade would end lead by Horton, first time regular Billy Pauch and the last season a variety of different winners.   Tracks champs in the 80’s included Horton (3), Laureno (2), Pauch (2), Doug Hoffman, Ronnie Tobias and Bobby Wilkins.

 

The 1990’s decade began with the Kuhl’s running Bridgeport and many different drivers visited victory lane in the first three years, with no real big winners.  1993 saw another change with the return of George Wingate under new track owner Ed Kelley,  The list of winners changed again. With an change again in race night it took a year or so to re-establish the driver list, with multiple winners again headlining the action.  Soon drivers returned to race and began winning big again in Horton, Pauch, Hoffman, Laureno joined by new faces in Jamie Mills, Craig Von Dohren and Steve Bottcher.  1990’s track champs included Laureno (4), Horton (2), Neil Kumernitsky, Tom Capie, Meme DeSantis, Jamie Mills, Doug Hoffman and Bucky Kell (fall 99).

The new century began with another new promoter in Bill Lincoln, before Jay James and Brian Ramey took control in 2004.   James became the person to run Bridgeport for more consecutive years than anyone in track history.  Jimmy Horton and Doug Hoffman continued to win a lot but new names arrived again to start winning big in Wade Hendrickson, Ricky Elliott, Duane Howard and Rick Laubach.  By the middle of the next decade more new names arrived in the winners circle in Richie Pratt Jr., Chad James and Ryan Watt.  Track champs in the 2000’s include Duane Howard (4) Wade Hendrickson (3), Jimmy Horton (2), Doug Hoffman, Billy Pauch, Mike Iles, Rick Laubach and Ryan Watt.

Doug Hoffman promoted the track in 2012, followed by the team including brother Keith Hoffman, Dave Adams and Danny Serrano in the following seasons.

Bridgeport has seen it’s ups and downs over the years, with different leadership changes, good and bad seasons, but through it all has outlasted other area tracks to continue to produce BIG BLOCK MODIFIED racing.  Had it not been for shortened seasons in 1977, 1986, 1991, 1992 and 1993, or the dropping of the Big Blocks in the 1974 and 2011 seasons, Bridgeport may have already reached the 1000 race milestone.  One thing is for certain, not many tracks can lay claim

to the 1000 race milestone, and have the storied list of drivers who have won those feature events.  Another amazing feat is that one driver has laid claim to more than 100 of these races in Jimmy Horton with 128 career wins.   Who will put their name into history by winning race number one thousand? Only time will tell. But it could very well be one of those storied names of BIG BLOCK MODIFIED racing history. 

‘Ladies Night’ this Saturday at Bridgeport highlighted by the Women’s Powder Puff Races

This Saturday night will see the usual suspects back in action at the 5/8 mile South Jersey speed plant. The mighty Spirit Autocenter Big Block Modifieds will compete in a 25-lap event. The Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman will battle it out for 20 laps, while the Pennco Tech Outlaw Stocks will continue to thrill the crowd in their 15-lap affair. All of our women race fans will receive half admission at the front gate! So gentleman, bring you wife, girlfriend, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, or just a female friend to Bridgeport this Saturday.

Saturday: The women in racing will be spotlighted on Saturday as the first of two Powder Puff Races this season will take place on the 1/4 mile track. Currently 15 of Bridgeport’s finest ladies have signed up for Powder Puff competition on Saturday. All three divisions will have their own race at the end of the night after the activity on the 5/8 mile is complete. Rolferry’s T-shirts and Awards of Brooklawn, NJ will be sponsoring this year’s Powder Puff Series. They will be supplying winner trophies for both races and the a best over all trophies for the best average of both races (Oct 3). The Ladies competing on Saturday will also receive a framed certificate for competing. Several of the Powder Puff drivers will be out front when the gates open signing autographs along with current Crate/Sportsman lady driver Melissa Scarpati on Ladies Night.

Racing Roundtable: Two former Big Block track champions are locked in a tight battle for the track title with only a handful of point races left on the 2015 schedule. Pa’s Rick Laubach and DE’s Jamie Mills sit atop the current point standings only separated by 11 points. Richie Pratt and Tommy Beamer are both coming off of great finishes last week, will be looking for their first victory of the season, while David Hunt will be looking to complete the trifecta going for his third win in a row!.

The Crate/Sportsman division is another class where the championship is up for grabs as three drivers have seemed to create some distance between themselves and the rest of the field. Multi-winners Jim Britt, CJ Jones, and Pat Wall are fighting tooth and nail for this year’s track title. This year’s D.A’s Auto Body Rookie champion Steve Kemery, who already has a win to his credit, sits fourth in the standings. Meanwhile last year’s Rookie champ Matt Peck currently holds the fifth spot and is looking for his first win of the season.

What can you say about the Outlaw Stocks? Once again they proved their worth by giving the fans one of the best features of the season in last week’s 15-lap contest. Tom Wills Jr. came out on top last week as he held off the two point leaders (tied) Jeramy Doerr, and his dad Tom Wills Sr. Terry Griffin and Jimmy Avery will be strong contenders as they are both in search of their first win of the season.

The Details: Adults are $20 (Ladies $10), Students (10-15) $10, Kids 9 and under FREE. Pits open at 4:30pm, Spectator gates 5:30pm, and racing begins at 7pm. ‘Crashing Saturn’ will be performing live under the pavilion before the races and during intermission. The children’s moon bounce by One Stop Party Stop is free of charge for all children as is the Bandit Bus Pit Tour Rides which are continuous throughout the evening.

Next Saturday Event: The Spirit Autocenter Big Block drivers will using Saturday’s racing program as a tune up for the big ‘Friends of Mike’ 50-lap Race of Champions sanctioned event next Tuesday, August 18. Many of the top stars are expected to invade Bridgeport for the $5,000 pay day. The Crate/Sportsman will also be dialing in their machines for their big race on Tuesday as the ‘Third Annual Bill Hill Memorial’ will take place with the event winner taking home a whopping $1,951. The 1,000 Modified Race in Bridgeport Speedway’s history will be celebrated in grand style on Tuesday, as many of the former racers that have made history at the facility will be in attendance. Drivers such as Garry Gollub, Roger Laureno, Kenny Brightbill, Newt Hartman, The Weaver Brothers, Ken Brenn Jr., Bobby Braxton, and more will be in attendance for this special occasion. Pit gates open 4pm, Main Grandstands 5pm, Racing begins at 7:15pm.

Friday Night Action: The Bridgeport quarter mile track gets the weekend started with 270 & 600cc Micro Sprints, 4 & 8 Cylinder Enduros and Slingshots this Friday night, starting at 8pm. The competition is always close on the Bridgeport quarter mile where many of Bridgeport’s drivers have gotten their start. Drivers like Richie Pratt, Jr. are Steve Kemery are graduates of the quarter mile competition. Race time on Friday night is 8pm.
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Bill Hill Memorial Race Returns to Bridgeport Tuesday, Aug 18

Bridgeport, NJ – On Tuesday, August 18, the 3rd Annual ‘Bill Hill Memorial’ for the Stewart Stainless Supply Crate/Sportsman will share the spotlight with the 10th annual ‘Friends of Mike’ two-division program.  Bill Hill, a fixture, a friend, and competitor for many years at the speedway, sadly passed away in the winter of 2012.   His two sons Jesse and Travis, along with the Hill family, will once again honor their late father come next week.

Delaware’s Jordan Watson and 2014 Bridgeport Speedway Crate/Sportsman champion Travis Hill were the winners of the first two Bill Hill Memorials in 2013 and 2014.  This year’s version will consist of a 28-lap feature for the Crate/Sportsman.  The #28 has significant meaning for the Hills as that is one of the car numbers that was driving by Bill Hill.  The 28-lap event, which is also Hand #4 for the 2015 Bridgeport Speedway Poker Series, will see the winner take home a nice pay day worth $1,951 (The year Mr. Hill was born).  The winners of each heat race winner will receive $50 and the leader of each lap in the feature will earn $20 while all 24 positions will pay more than the standard Poker Series purse.  $1,000 is reserved for second place, $750 for third, $600 for fourth, and $500 for 5th.  The driver finishing 10th will take home a very respectable $300 in a race that will see last place earning $150 with pay increase for each and every finishing position.

 

There are three $100 bonuses that include ‘Hard Charger’, ‘Tough Luck’, and ‘Highest Finishing Crate Engine’.

“This is a good way to remember our Dad, as well as giving back to the racers at a place that he really loved,” offered Jesse Hill.  Jesse and Travis will be accepting sponsors and donators up until race day.  You can reach Jesse at 856-981-3401 if you’d like to become a Bill Hill Memorial sponsor or contributor to the race.  The Hill Brothers have also expressed their gratitude towards all of the sponsors that have already helped with this year’s Bill Hill Memorial The family is also taking shirt orders for the event, as hundreds of sharp-looking t-shirts were designed and sold the last two years.
“We hope to see drivers from all over come to Bridgeport for a good time and to remember a great man,” stated Big Block modified driver Travis Hill.  Any questions in regards to the division rules should contact Danny Serrano at 609-433-4487.  Racing starts at 7:15pm on August 18 for the Spirit Dodge Big Blocks and the Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman.

 

 

 

 

 

What does “Friends of Mike” really mean?

 

“Friends of Mike”; what’s it all about?  What’s it really mean?  Some fans and drivers don’t really know, but I do think most people know the meaning behind the ‘race’.  While some, REALLY know how and why this annual event is now going on its 10^th year!

Ten years ago a very good friend of mine, Mike Rogie, was diagnosed with cancer in the fall of 2005.  I met Mike at New Egypt in ohh I’d say the year 2000.  We just happened to sit next to each other in the famous ‘Section 6’ and as they say the rest is history.

Mike was an avid race fan.  He grew up going to Flemington and East Windsor and traveled to many other tracks for special events.  As Mike and I became closer friends we traveled together along with our good friend Jim, who was from Illinois.  The three of us took trips to Syracuse, Hagerstown, Volusia, Williams Grove, you name it. 

Mike also loved sports, especially football (both college and pro).  On almost any given Sunday, you’d find the three of us at Mike’s house drinking some beers, eating from the bbq, and yelling at the television.  I might add, Mike was an excellent cook, he was our master chef at all our tailgates throughout the racing season.

So fast forward to the fall of 2005 and Mike just blurts out that the doctors told him he had cancer.  Mike was a pretty quiet guy and kept his business just that, his business…especially compared to the styles of myself and ‘Jimbo’.  He didn’t talk about the cancer much at all.  To this day I don’t know if he really knew how bad it was and didn’t want to tell anyone or, was he just in denial, or was he thinking ‘No biggie, I got this thing beat”.  I still don’t know that answer.

                           

 

As the winter and spring of 2006 progressed so did Mike’s cancer.  He was able to make to a few races in the spring but by the time June rolled around, Mike was in bad shape.  To be honest, it was sad!  I thought:  Here’s a guy that’s just an all-around good guy and there’s nothing anyone can do to stop this monster they call cancer.  I was feeling really down about Mike’s situation and I knew it was only a matter of time until he would dreadfully lose this battle.  I called Jim up one day out of the blue and said, “Hey meet me here for a drink, I wanna talk to you about something.”  Jim met me and as we made a toast to Mike, I told him what I wanted to do.

                        

I said, “I don’t know really what to do at this point but, what if we and a couple of our friends put some money together and give it to the drivers in Mike’s honor.”  I thought maybe it’s a stupid idea maybe it’s not but, if we could give the drivers a little something extra to race for while paying tribute to a friend, we might just be able to put a smile on Mike’s face for a little while.  The plan was to have Mike there and let him know that he was loved by many and that he wasn’t going through this journey alone.

Well, I got on the horn and talked to our fellow race fans and before you knew it, people were kicking in $20 here, $50 there, $100 here, $200 there.  I couldn’t believe it be honest.  While many new Mike personally, just as many didn’t but they were down with the cause.  Now I know what some people might be thinking.  How about some money for Mike or his bills, or his family right?  Well, I had a long talk with his parents and they wanted and needed nothing from us but were in full support of this race.

Now as July rolled around, Mike’s health took a turn for the worse.  The date was July 29 that we set for this race to pick Mike’s spirits up.  Two weeks prior, Mike’s condition even worsened.  At this point we knew     Mike wasn’t going to be able to attend his own race, but the race went on.

My good friend and track photographer Jim Brown said one day, “Why don’t we have an auction to try and raise some more money for the race?”  I thought he was     crazy,   I swear.  But I listened, and we put together one hell of an auction where fans won all types of prized (race orientated and things that weren’t).  The one             thing I do remember was there were tons of tailgaters, horseshoes were flying and it was well over 100 degrees that day!

We were having a good time but we were missing our friend.  And then we received a call as the cars were about to come out to pack the track in.  It was call that I       never thought would happen on this day.  Mike had passed away just a couple of hours before race time.  I truly believe that Mike had all intentions of witnessing         this race, his race, he was going to watch it come hell or high water.  And I can tell you he had the best seat in the house too!

We were able to raise just over $7,000 in just 4 weeks’ time!  It would be an injustice if I told you it was an extremely emotional day for me that day.  I just couldn’t believe that so many people would gather together for one person.  I couldn’t believe that we pulled off this spectacular race (keep in mind I was simply a fan at this point in time), and most of all I couldn’t believe that Mike was no longer with us.

No more racing trips, no more Sunday football bbqs (and I can tell you, I haven’t been into football at all since then either, it just doesn’t mean as much to me).  It just all-around sucked to be honest.

Well, I won’t bore you with the statistics of this race but, I will mention a few things:  Over $135,000 has been raised and all been given back to the drivers over the course of 9 years!  It’s been a total group effort and this race could not be possible without the generous givers that nowadays never even had the chance to meet Mike Rogie.  We’ve had Modified 30 lappers, 38 lappers, 50, 60, 100-lap races, Four 20’s you name it.  The one thing that I am extremely proud of is that in 2011 we were able to pay a whopping $20,000 to win.   We’ve had match races where it was winner take all for $1,000!  We’ve had $500 to win heats as well as $1,000 to win heats, races that paid $1,000 to for dead last!

The days of finding that kind of sponsorship are most likely past us but, the whole idea of this race is to remember a great person.  That’s the one thing that cannot and should not be lost in all of this hoopla.  No matter the purse, no matter the laps, no matter the winner…what really matters is that my friend Mike Rogie’s name lives on and he is remembered along with ALL the other racing family members that we’ve lost in these last nine years.

So if you love racing, or if you’ve lost someone close to you that you’d like to remember in your own way, then Bridgeport Speedway is the place to be on Tuesday, August 18.  Bring your friends, bring your own ‘Mike Rogie’ and have a beer with them…talk racing, stay connected, enjoy the moment, because we never know when that will be taken away from us.  Here’s to F.O.M. X.

 

 

HUNT & JONES PICK UP BACK TO BACK WINS

Wall & Wills, Jr. Add to Win Totals

 

Just one week after winning the fourth Bridgeport Speedway Big Block Modified feature of his career, David Hunt made a very strong statement as he picked up his second win of the season, coming from mid-pack to pick up the win in the Spirit Auto Center twenty-five lap feature event on First Responders Night at the Bridgeport Speedway.  CJ Jones was also a back-to-back feature winner with his win in the first of two fifteen lap features for the Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman.  Pat Wall added another win in the second fifteen lap event while Tom Wills, Jr. earned his second PennCo Tech Outlaw Stock feature win as he raced ahead of the competition to take the checkered flag.

 

In dramatic fashion, Hunt tracked down race leader, Richie Pratt, Jr. and took the lead with a move to the inside of turn three, taking the lead as he led the field to the two to go sign.  Ian Humphreys took the lead at the start.  The 2013 Bridgeport Rookie Champion, led the first four laps before Pratt raced into the lead from his ninth place start.  Pratt set a torrid pace and had started to pull away from the field when Hunt reached second just one lap later.  On several occasions, Hunt was able to close the gap on Pratt and even take a run at the leader but each time, Pratt prevailed.  Hunt had his hands full with a hard charging Tommy Beamer who took over second just after the half way mark but was forced to pit for a tire change with just ten laps to go.

 

Hunt led Pratt to the finish line followed by current point leader, Rick Laubach, Beamer, who rebounded to finish fourth and Jamie Mills who rounded out the top five.

 

CJ Jones captured the first fifteen lap feature event for the Crate/Sportsman competitors, taking the lead from Pat Wall with just four laps to go.  Steve Davis charged to a second place finish followed by Wall in third.  Pete Visconti and Bob Lineman, Jr. rounded out the top five.

 

The top nine finishers were inverted for the start of the second fifteen lap feature.  Chris Jenkins led the first six laps but the leader spun between turns one and two on lap seven.  Steve Kemery led the field to the restart but Wall had the lead by the time the field crossed the start/finish line the next time around.  Wall appeared to be his way to the win but a late race charge saw Davis go to the top of the track and take the lead as the field came to the white flag.  Davis led the way to the checkered followed by Wall, Jones, Gary Hieber, Jr. and current point leader, Jim Britt.  Wall was awarded the win when Davis’ No. 13 failed post race tech.

 

Tom Wills, Jr. raced his dad to the checkered flag to claim his second PennCo Tech Outlaw Stock feature of the season.  There were plenty of challengers in the closing laps of the fifteen lap main event but Wills, Jr. prevailed with Wills, Sr. finishing second.  Terry Griffen, who led the way for most the race, finished third with Jeramy Doerr and jack Beaumont rounding out the top five.

 

The 1,000th event will be celebrated during the Friends of Mike event on Tuesday, August 18th along with the Bill Hill Memorial for the Crate/Sportsman competitiors.  Many former track champions will be returning to celebrate this milestone at the Bridgeport Speedway on Tuesday night.

 

 

 

SPIRIT AUTO CENTER BIG BLOCK MODIFIED FEATURE (25 LAPS)
1. David Hunt, 2. Richie Pratt, Jr., 3. Rick Laubach, 4. Tommy Beamer, 5. Jamie Mills, 6. Dominick Buffalino, 7. Jordan Watson, 8. Mike Franz, 9. Scott Irwin, 10. Travis Hill, 11. Howard O’Neal, 12. Willie Osmun, 13. Rusty Smith, 14. Ian Humphreys, 15. Jimmy Chester, 16. Ron Roberts, 17. Wade Hendrickson, 18. Matt Hawkins, 19. Ricky DiEva, 20. Jesse Hill, 21. Bob Sarkisian, 22. Ryan Forte

STEWARD STAINLESS CRATE/SPORTSMAN FEATURE #1 (15 LAPS)
1. CJ Jones, 2. Steve Davis, 3. Pat Wall, 4. Pete Visconti, 5. Bob Lineman, Jr. 6. Steve Kemery, 7. Gary Hieber, 8. Brandon Watkins, 9. Billy Osmun, 10. Jason Bittner, 11. Scott Hulmes, 12. Jim Britt, 13. David Crossman, 14. Matthew Peck, 15. Melissa Scarpatti, 16. Steve Desmelyk, 17. Chuck Potts, 18. Matt Davis, 19. Chris Jenkins, 20. Dave Damiano, 21. Pete Serra, 22. Scott Hitchens, 23. Tom Holding, 24. Dave Banko

STEWARD STAINLESS CRATE/SPORTSMAN FEATURE #2 (15 LAPS)
1. Pat Wall, 2. CJ Jones, 3. Gary Hieber, 4. Jim Britt, 5. Pete Visconti, 6. Billy Osmun, 7. Jason Bittner, 8. Bob Lineman, Jr. 9. Steve Kemery, 10. Scott Hitchens, 11. Steve Desmelyk, 12. Scott Hulmes, 13. Dave Damiano, 14. Chuck Potts, 15. Matthew Peck, 16. Melissa Scarpatti, 17. Dave Banko, 18. Matt Davis, 19. Brandon Watkins, 20. David Crossman, 21. Ernie Miles, III, 22. Pete Serra, 23. Steve Davis

 

PENNCO TECH OUTLAW STOCK FEATURE (15 LAPS)

1. Tom Wills, Jr., 2. Tom Wills, Sr., 3. Terry Griffin, 4. Jeramy Doerr, 5. Jack Beaumont, 6. Art Avery, 7. Fred Tomarchio, 8. Jimmy Avery, 9,. Mike Creamer, 10. Brian Ludwig, 11. Ken Moren, 12. James Rader, 13. Draper Ellis, 14. Mike Vanimen, 15. Doug DeBray, 16. Rick Broschard

 

Upcoming Events

Friday, August 14, 2015 – 270 & 600cc Micros, 8 Cylinders and Slingshots – Racing at 8pm

Saturday, August 15, 2015 – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks & Powder Puff races -racing at 7pm

Tuesday,August 18, 2015 – Friends of Mike – Race of Champions – Hand #4 of the Poker Series – Big Block Modifieds, in 60 lap main event and 25 lap Bill Hill Memorial for Crate/Sportsman – racing at 7:15

 

                                JOE LORD CLAIMS FIRST BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY WIN;       

HARTMAN, REINHARDT AND KING RECORD WINS

 

Joe Lord scored his second win of the season with the TSRS 305 Sprints but earned his first career win on the Bridgeport Speedway 5/8th.  Jay Hartman did double duty winning the wingless 600cc Micro Sprint feature and the finish runner-up to Tyler Reinhardt in the 270cc Micro Sprint feature and Joe King, Jr. returned to win his seventh ServPro Four Cylinder feature of the season.

 

Joe Lord led from green to checkered flag in scoring his first win at Bridgeport Speedway.  Lord took command from his pole starting spot and immediately put distance on second running Ryan Stillwaggon.  Tim Tanner, Jr. held third through halfway before Mike Haggenbottom passed him and set sail for the leaders.  The race’s only caution came out with one lap remaining.  On the restart, Stillwaggon attempted an outside pass of Lord through the first and second turns but Lord held strong and went on for the win.  Stillwaggon finished second followed by Haggenbottom for third. John Barnett finished fourth after starting 15th on the grid with Tommy Carberry finishing fifth.

 

Jay Hartman won his first wingless 600cc Micro Sprint feature of 2015.  Rob Vivona led the first half of the feature event before Jeff Hartman took the lead on lap 11.  Vivona would fall to third on the next lap as Jay Hartman chased down his brother.  The Hartman brothers ran very different but fast line around the quarter mile with Jeff running the high groove and Jay completed laps around the inside barrier.  The pair traded the top spot several times before Jay took command for good with two laps remaining.  Jay raced under the checkered flag followed by Jeff.  Vivona held on for third with Ed Barber, III and Lee Nardelli completing the top five.

 

This week Reinhardt started tenth in the field, spun off turn three on the opening lap and then charged to the front in the closing laps to claim his fifth win of the season in the 270cc Micro Sprint division.  Sean Huesser and Steve Coslop traded the lead until Jay Hartman took control on lap 4. Hartman continued to lead the event until Reinhardt completed the pass for the lead with two laps to go.  Hartman held on for second followed by Coslop, Rich Keller edged out Huesser to finish fourth at the line.

 

Joe King, Jr. returned to Bridgeport Speedway after a two month absence to claim his seventh ServPro Four Cylinder Enduro event of the year. King led the entire 20-lap distance to claim the win.  Michael Bentley, Chris Sammons, Art Knapp and Scott Millers followed King across the line.

 

SUMMARY

 

TSRS 305 SPRINTS (20 laps – 5/8th mile): 1. Joe Lord, Jr., 2. Ryan Stillwaggon, 3. Mike Haggenbottom, 4. John Barnett, 5. Tommy Carberry, 6. Tim Tanner, Jr., 7. Adam Carberry, 8. Eddie Wagner, 9. Dave Brown, 10. Jeff Geiges, 11. Rick Stief, 12. Karl Freyer, 13. Joe Kay, 14. Randy Wilbert, 15. Keith Anderson, 16. Bryant Davis, 17. Samantha Lieberman, 18. Harris Kohen, 19. Pat U’Selis, DNS – Jason Rochelle

 

WINGLESS 600CC MICRO SPRINTS (20 laps): 1. Jay Hartman, 2. Jeff Hartman, 3. Rob Vivona, 4. Ed Barber, III, 5. Lee Nardelli, 6. Bill Thomas, 7. Steve Kemery, 8. Nick Havens, 9. Rich Mellor, 10. Doug Snyder, 11. Billy Murphy, 12. Dave Damaio, 13. Tony Hodgson, 14. Ernie Miles, Jr., 15. Sal Tossona, 16. Wayne Scott, 17. Gary Forsythe, 18. Mike Fillbrunn, 19. Jim Tippin, 20. Jermain Godshall

 

270CC MICRO SPRINTS (20 laps): 1. Tyler Reinhardt, 2. Jay Hartman, 3. Steve Coslop, 4. Rich Keller, 5. Sean Huesser, 6. John Blanda, 7. Colin Bustard, 8. Ryan Wozunk, 9. Roland Saxton, 10. Jimmy Potts, 11. Tyler Gnau, 12. Decker Morrow, 13. Joe Bednarik, 14. Brandon Pavel, 15. Jon West, 16. Gary Waegel, 17. Jonathan John, DNS – Chuck Palmucci, R.J. Magyari

 

SERVPRO FOUR CYLINDERS ENDURO (20 laps): 1. Joe King, Jr., 2. Michael Bentley, 3. Chris Sammons, 4. Art Knapp, 5. Scott Miller, 6. Keith McKinley, 7. Carly Rocap, 8. Cheri LaClaire, DNS – Bryan Olsen

Upcoming Events

Friday, August 14, 2015 – OPEN MODIFIEDS – 270 & wingless 600 Micro Sprints, Eight Cylinder Enduros and Slingshots, racing starts at 8pm

Saturday, August 15, 2015 – POWDER PUFF (on ¼ mile) – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman and Outlaw Stocks, racing starts at 7pm

Tuesday, August 18, 2015 – POKER SERIES #4 – 10^TH ANNUAL FRIENDS OF MIKE – RACE OF CHAMPIONS TOUR – BILL HILL MEMORIAL – Big Block Modifieds (60 laps) and Crate/Sportsman (25 laps), racing starts at 7:30pm