BRIDGEPORT’S FOLEY CAT MODIFIEDS TO BE BIGGER AND BETTER
Bridgeport, NJ – Since the first green flag waved on the new Bridgeport Motorsports Park two seasons ago, area race fans have experienced a new level of competition that had fans on the edge of their seats from the start to the finish. The high banks and the wide track allowed slide jobs, slingshot moves and crossovers in all divisions in all types of race cars from open wheeled to full fender racers. That excitement is building as we move closer to the start of the 2022 season with announcement of what the new year has in store for the Foley Cat Modifieds.
Nine races will pay the race winner at minimum of $5,000 during the 2022 season. It will all get started with the Kingdom of Speed Weekend and the Doug Hoffman Memorial – sixty laps for $6,000 to win and $600 to take the green. One week later, the Modifieds will race in a fifty lap main during the Ron Faison Memorial Weekend with $5,000 on the line. The King of the Big Blocks Super DIRTcar race follows in May ($7,500), a Rumble in the Kingdom show in June and again in August ($6,000) The Triple 40 show in July will feature the Modifieds($10,000) , Super Late Models and USAC All Pro SpeedSTRS. The Short Track Super Series comes to Bridgeport in late July ($6,000). The Danny Serrano Weekend returns in late September ($10,000) and then the season finale in November with the fifty lap High Banks Classic ($5,000).
In addition to the special events, Bridgeport offers a strong weekly purse and point fund that can be accessed on the track’s website under Competition Info.
“There is a lot of money on the line at Bridgeport this season,” Doug Rose asserted. “We have come a long way in just two seasons and I am very proud to give back to all of the drivers in all of the divisions!”
Bridgeport didn’t forget the Families either, the Modifiesds have 5 Saturday Nights off to get some needed family time and to help keep their equipment at top level – 4/2, 4/30, 5/28, 7/2, 7/23.
Rose’s efforts during the last two seasons have not gone unnoticed. “Doug has put together a schedule that has caught my eye,” says Billy Pauch, Jr. “He has gone above and beyond to give back to the racers. It’s a great time to be a modified driver!” Pauch raced several events last season in the Joel’s Technologies No .19 and contended for the win in the season finale. Look for Pauch and Rick Holsten to make the move to Bridgeport for the 2022 season.
Jimmy Blewett has put Bridgeport on his schedule for the new season. “To see what Doug and his family have done with the Bridgeport Speedway is great! They brought excitement back to Saturday night racing,” Blewett expresses. “And with that, they are also giving back to the racers – seeing the schedule, the payouts and the fire-suits for their champions just adds to the excitement! Doug understands what it takes and what we all sacrifice to get to the races week in and week out. It’s nice to have someone who gets that part of racing,” Blewett adds.
Danny Bouc is ready to call Bridgeport his Saturday night home this season. “I’m really excited for Bridgeport this year,” Bouc states. “After burning myself out last year, it’s really refreshing to see a solid Saturday night pay at a local race track and not having to race as much during the workweek – I’m all for it! Those $6,000 to win Saturday night shows mid-season are really nice to see.” Bouc will be behind of the wheel of the Bouc No. 32 on Saturday nights
Jordan Watson will add his name to the roster with the family-owned No. 18. “We’re looking forward to racing weekly at Bridgeport against a stout field of cars at one of the best facilities in the Northeast” Watson stated. Watson’s brother, Joseph and the Blue Hen Racing Team are Bridgeport regulars, picking up a win last season.
Craig Whitmoyer will be making the trip south to become part of Bridgeport’s starting line-up on Saturday nights this season. “We already planned to come to Bridgeport every week before they even announced those races (9 bonus features),” Whitmoyer explained. “We ran some races at the end of the year and decided to try something different.”
Mike Barone reappeared at the end of the 2021 season after stepping away from racing for nearly five years. He liked what he saw and will return to action with a new Bicknell with Lombardo power under the hood. “A lot of things have changed since I last raced,” Barone explained. “One thing I know for sure is this schedule is going to produce a stacked field of talented drivers and exciting racing. I’m looking forward to battling it out with everyone and having my brother alongside of me.” Mike’s brother, Donald will also be returning to Saturday night action.
Donald Barone raced at Bridgeport from 1998 – 2008. He stopped racing when he married and started his family. He brought his eleven year old daughter to a race last year and she enjoyed the races. “My old crew chief approached me last year to talk about getting back into racing,” Barone related. “I missed competing and I missed the people.” Like Mike, Donald will race a Bicknell chassis with Lombardo power. The brothers haven’t decided who will race the family number – No. 267. It was their dad’s number when he raced snowmobiles and both Donald and Mike have used the number in the past. “It’s going to be fun. I’m really looking forward to it,” Donald Barone added.
Davey Sammons will be behind the wheel of his own Modified this season – the No. 79 to be revealed at Motorsports Race Car and Trade Show this coming weekend. “Bridgeport is doing great things for local Modified racing and we want to support them as much as possible. Last season, we ran all of the special shows and had some good runs,” Sammons continues. “This year, we look forward to running all the big races plus weekly events in hopes to pick up our first victory in a Modified at Bridgeport!”
Delaware’s Sean Metz will make Bridgeport his Saturday night home this season. “Doug has done an awesome job on the schedule for Bridgeport this year,” Metz stated. “We are looking forward to the new challenge of moving up to the Modifieds but we still plan to run our family-owned crate car as much as we can.”
And if you heard the rumor – it’s true. “Last Lap”, Richie Pratt, Jr. will make his return to Bridgeport this season.
Stop by the Bridgeport Motorsports Park display at Motorsports for your 2022 schedules. Pit passes and season passes will be available for purchase both days of the show.
Let the countdown begin to the start of the 2022 season!