BIG TRACK CHANGES COMING TO BRIDGEPORT IN 2026!
Over the first few years of Doug Rose’s ownership, tire wear was an early concern at Bridgeport Motorsports Park. That issue was addressed quickly with the required 53 RR tire. While teams were initially skeptical, within just a few weeks the feedback shifted dramatically. Still, Rose wasn’t satisfied with simply managing tire wear, he wanted to eliminate it altogether.
Prior to both the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Bridgeport brought in pure white clay, effectively solving the problem. Tire wear became virtually nonexistent, even for Sprint Cars on the softer tires.
Another long-standing stigma surrounding Bridgeport was that it was “hard on engines.” The high banking produces some of the most intense racing in the Northeast, but it also keeps speeds up and the engines sustaining RPM. As the left side panhard and coil packages emerged, teams found themselves with plenty of mechanical grip and started searching for additional speed through engine RPM. Some teams pushed spec engines to 8,600–8,700 RPM, well beyond their intended limits.
To protect engine longevity, Bridgeport implemented an 8,000 RPM rev limiter for the 2025 season. The result was improved reliability across the board. Once again, problem solved.
When Bridgeport was originally built, Action Track USA partner Rich Tobias often said, “The top should be the preferred lane on every race track.” The philosophy is simple: when a track develops a dominant lane, which they all do, it is better off being at the top. Drivers are far more likely to leave the preferred groove and take the shorter route versus trying to go around the outside.
Over time, however, Bridgeport faced criticism for being “too top dominant.” In response, changes were made for the 2025 season. Transition was reduced entering turn one, and some of the steepness and curl was taken out of the top. Combined with the new clay, racing shifted to the bottom half of the track. Slide jobs faded, and passing became more traditional.
As the season progressed, the feedback shifted again. Drivers noted the difficulty of running the top like before, the lack of confidence entering high, and the reduced ability to throw sliders despite the banks still standing 20 feet tall.
For 2026, Bridgeport will restore the transition into the entrance of turn one. Drivers need their ass to squeeze into the seat to feel secure entering at a high speed just feet from the wall. That confidence comes from a proper transition. Additional material will also be added to the top to restore the curl that once existed.
Once the track is reshaped, Bridgeport will also approach track preparation differently in 2026. While the new clay eliminated tire wear, it initially increased dust. Throughout 2025, priority was placed on driver safety and fan experience. Visibility is critical for racing, and maintaining proper moisture early in the season was necessary.
As the year progressed, dust control improved as the new clay integrated with the existing surface. By season’s end, the track prep team began testing for 2026 by allowing the surface to evolve more naturally, with less aggressive work during intermission.
These tests proved to be successful. During the Danny Serrano weekend the track slicked off well during the 70 lapper and it was let go for the Sportsman feature. The track held up well, racers were running from top to bottom, and positive strong feedback was received. Test two was the 305 Nationals they had two 50 lap feature events and a 25 lap on the demanding schedule of features. The surface held up well with minimal dust and no tire wear concerns. Then came the Dirty Jersey Finale which had the track crew nervous with three Sprint Car events on the docket after intermission. No prep between any events, yet the surface remained Racey with zero rubbering and only normal feathering of tires after the last Sprint Car feature. The results confirmed the direction for 2026.
With the planned track changes and refined prep strategy, Bridgeport is confident racers will have multiple options across the surface. Fans can expect exciting, multi-groove racing with cars swarming top to bottom.
Most importantly, we look forward to everyone getting back to doing what matters most—having fun on Saturday nights at Bridgeport Motorsports Park.
Great racing great racetrack
Not a racer just a hardcore fan . I stopped coming to the dirt races for along time , life happened you know, I came back after over a decade to Bridgeport and right away I knew something was way different. I loved sitting on top my uncles Rv in turn 1 . Had to hold pizza box in front of your face when modifieds went by or you would get blasted with chunks of clay , it was awesome! Now with the high banks I immediately loved it , my uncle Bill would’ve loved it . Thanks for making this track awesome and I pray you can keep it going with all the tracks in jersey closing up Dirt , asphalt, drag strips . Love what your doing and the fans appreciate, good luck in upcoming season
Doug has done wonders with the reconfiguration of the big track to the smaller one. Racing has been much more exciting and I’m grateful as hell.
But I have to be honest, the low car counts and loss of premier area drivers near the time of the RPM limit in the Modified division took me away from my home track, Bridgeport. I had to go to NES or Grandview to see a full field. I hate that !
And now, with the real possibility of NES remaining closed, the idea that Bridgeport is going to two Modified shows a month is wrong-headed. Modifieds have been the premier division there for over 50 years and relegating them to part timers- and this push for Sprint Cars there all the damned time- does nothing for this long time Modified fan. When you have the possibility of becoming New Jersey’s version of Grandview, the time to cut back on 2 a month Modified races (God forbid rain outs!) is NOT NOW ! Unless there’s known movement in keeping NES open by Doug, take advantage of the gift you’ve been given !
Personally, I’ll never warm up to Sprint Cars as the top division, even if 410’s are not regulars on a weekly basis. I’m effectively forced to travel to Grandview weekly, just as I did years ago to the Reading Fairgrounds. I’d rather come to Bridgeport every week.
Please reconsider taking charge and make Bridgeport the premier Modified track is has been for decades ! Thanks !
As a relatively new dirt racing fan, I appreciate your constant efforts to improve.
A big thank you to the track crew for trying to get that High Limit race in. For me eleven laps instead of nothing was great