BRIDGEPORT & URC PAY TRIBUTE TO MIDGE MILLER THIS WEEKEND
The Bridgeport Speedway joins forces with the United Racing Club to present the URC Big Track Classic with support from Michalski Heating & Air when the cars take to the 5/8 mile speedway on both Friday and Saturday evenings, November 4th and 5th.
The URC/360 sprints will compete in qualifying events and a twenty-five lap feature event on both days with a very special trophy to be presented to the driver with the best point average for the two day event.
Midge Miller was a second generation racer who competed with URC after a very successful career racing midgets – a passion that he inherited from his father, Carl Miller, Sr. The son prepared his father’s rides until he was old enough to get into the cockpit and race himself at the age of twenty-one. Miller collected several midget championships before moving into sprint car competition in 1985.
Miller was well liked and respected by his fellow competitors. He served as an officer with URC and then later became a tech inspector for the organization. According to nine time URC Champion, Curt Michael, Miller performed his official duties the same way he raced – “very prepared.”
“I always had a lot of respect for Midge and the way he ran is race team,” Michael explained. “He always had one of the best looking cars. Midge and his team took pride in having his car prepared and very clean-looking” – something Michael aspires to do with his own team.
“On the track, Midge was a clean driver that tried to finish all of the races so that he could come back and race again next week,” Michael added. He was usually successful.
Cold Hard Art has been charged with creating the trophy for this event – the Midge Miller Memorial Trophy to be presented on be half of Pioneer Auto Body.
A full field of cars is expected for this two day event. 2014 Champion, Davie Franek hopes to secure his second URC title with a strong showing at Bridgeport where he opened the 2016 season with a win. Curt Michael has always run well at Bridgeport and looking for a good weekend to complete his 2016 season. For the first time in many seasons, Michael will be joined by his brother and former URC Champion, Sean Michael who will climb behind the wheel for the first time since 2009.
Josh Weller has had an outstanding 2016 season and has collected a Bridgeport victory during the Three for All program. Ryan Stillwaggon, who has seen considerable success in 305 Sprint Car action at Bridgeport, will be driving the Fred Kennedy No. 89 while his brother continues to recuperate from an injury sustained earlier in the season. Troy Betts, Chris Coyle, Davey Sammons, Justin Barger, Dave Brown, Mark Smith and Lucas Wolfe are just a few of the drivers who are expected to compete for the Midge Miller Memorial trophy.
The Stewart Stainless Crate Sportsman will be part the weekend’s race card. Multiple timed hot lap sessions will be held for the Crate/Sportsman on Friday evening with the fastest Sportsman and fastest Crate competitor being locked into the redraw for Saturday night’s twenty-five lap main event that will pay $1,250 to the winner with $200 to take the green. Qualifying races will be completed during Saturday’s competition to determine the starting line-up.
A special event has been added to Friday night’s race card – The Underdog 20. This race is open to any non-winning Crate Sportsman driver who has not won a feature event at any speedway during the 2016 season.
Racing action gets underway at 7:30pm on Friday with a 5pm start for Saturday’s events.
In addition to the racing action, the Bridgeport Speedway provides plenty of activities for the entire family. There’s the Bounce House, basketball and volleyball. There will be musical entertainment before and during the racing program. All of the Bridgeport Speedway concession stands will be open to provide everything from cool beverages to snacks or a full meal. Take home a Bridgeport Speedway t-shirt or pick up a copy of the Bridgeport Bullet – the official Bridgeport Speedway program and catch up on the action. Take a ride with the Bridgeport Bandit on the Bandit Bus and get to see the drivers and crews prepare for the night’s racing action.
Upcoming event
Saturday & Sunday, November 4 & 5 – URC/360 Sprints Big Track Classic plus Crate/Sportsman Showdown
Friday, November 11 – Wild Card Weekend – 358 Small Blocks, TSRS Sprint Cars, Outlaw Stocks plus practice for Saturday
Saturday, November 12 – Gone But Not Forgotten – 811 Dig Safely Poker Series Hand #5 – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman & Outlaw Stocks