BUFFALINO DOMINATES 60 OVER SPECIAL DOUG HOFFMAN MEMORIAL FOR FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON
The Bridgeport Speedway swung open the gates on the 5/8 mile track and the 2016 season with the 60 Over Special Doug Hoffman Memorial Race and produced a show that would have made the past champion and promoter very proud.
Dominick Buffalino came away with the big win, dominating a field of some thirty-five Big Block Modifieds to win the big
gest race of his career to date!
Buffalino raced into the lead on lap three, taking over the point from Jimmy Horton, the most successful driver in th
e history of the Bridgeport Speedway. Horton, the race’s polesitter, was awarded the pole in a revenge draw – a position actually drawn by Bridgeport invader, Brett Hearn.
Buffalino dominated the race that ran for thirty-one laps without a caution flag. That caution was needed when Craig VonDohren and the Dick Biever owned, No. 14s came to a stop at the end of the backstretch.
On the restart, Ryan Godown raced into second, emerging from a three wide battle with Jesse Hill and Stewart Friesen. Hill raced to the high line around the track and retook second on the next lap. 2012 Bridgeport Champion, Rick Laubach raced into the top five to challenge Friesen.
New York invader, Anthony Perrego drew the caution with just seven laps to go and again the field was realigned for the double file restart. Godown made his way by Hill who had his hands full with a challenge from Laubach. 2013 Bridgeport Champion, Ryan Watt challenged Friesen for a top five position after racing his way from an eighteenth place starting spot.
Buffalino was flawless as he led the competition to the checkered flag after forty-four laps. Godown, the winner of last year’s event, finished second followed by Laubach. Friesen got my Watt at the end to finish fourth with Watt rounding out the top five. Jordan Watson, Brett Hearn, reigning Bridgeport Champion, J
amie Mills, Sam Martz and Doug Manmiller rounded out the top ten. After spending most of the event racing in second, Hill made hard contact in turn four on the final lap while the field raced to the finish.
The season opener was also the first race of the 2016 811 Dig Safely Poker Series – an event that Hoffman himself introduced to the Bridgeport Speedway. Buffalino’s win gave him an Ace to start this season’s competition.
The 60 Over event was the first race of four to be included in the pre-season point chase, sponsored by Oliver Construction Enterprises and Oliver Communications Group, Inc. The top three drivers in points during the four race pre-season in each of the three divisions – Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds, Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman and PennCo Tech Outlaw Stocks – will be rewarded for their efforts. The top driver in each division will receive $500, with $300 and $200 awarded to second and third, respectively.
Jeremy Harrington also earned an Ace as he picked up the season opener in the Crate/Sportsman main event. Harrington and Travis Hill, driving the Cogdill No. 98, put on quite a show as they ba
ttled for the lead throughout the twenty lap event but it was Brad Roberts who trailed Harrington at the checkered by virtue of a last lap pass for second. Hill finished third followed by Steve Davis and 2015 Rookie Champion, Steve Kemery.
Ron Frees resumed his winning ways at the Bridgeport Speedway. The 2014 Outlaw Stock Poker Champion, earned his first Ace with his win. Scott Dugan and Frees battled for the lead, lap after lap, until Dugan got tangled with TJ Henry while racing for position. Both Dugan and Henry restarted from the rear and as Frees took the checkered flag, both found themselves with top five finishes.
Frees led 2015 Poker Champion, Tom Wills, Jr. to the checkered with Henry taking third. 2014 Champion, Jim Avery finished fourth followed by Dugan at the finish line.
The Bridgeport Speedway and Spirit Auto Center Speedway will be open for a test and tune session on Saturday, April 2nd, starting at 5pm. Racing action returns to Bridgeport on Sunday, April 10th when the United Racing Club returns to the 5/8 mile track to open their 2016 season, joined by the Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks and the 2016 DA’s Auto Body Rookie Class. Racing will get underway at 4pm.
2016 811 DIG SAFELY POKER SERIES
SPIRIT AUTO CENTERS BIG BLOCK MODIFIEDS (44 LAPS) 1. Dominick Buffalino, 2. Ryan Godown, 3. Rick Laubach, 4. Stewart Friesen, 5. Ryan Watt, 6. Jordan Watson, 7. Brett Hearn, 8. Jamie Mills, 9. Sam Martz, 10. Doug Manmiller, 11. Billy Pauch, Jr. 12. Tommy Beamer, 13. Richie Pratt, 14. Jeff Strunk, 15. Brett Kressley, 16. Jesse Hill, 17. Ryan Krachun, 18. Mike Franz, 19. Jim Britt, 20. Ron Roberts, 21. Anthony Perrego, 22. Craig VonDohren, 23. Matt Sheppard, 24. Jerry Higbie, 25. David Hunt, 26. Jimmy Horton
STEWART STAINLESS CRATE/SPORTSMAN (20 LAPS) 1. Jeremy Harrington, 2. Brad Roberts, 3. Travis Hill, 4. Steve Davis, 5. Steve Kemery, 6. Scott Hitchens, 7. Frank Dorry, Jr., 8. Clyde Cox, 9. Brandon Grosso, 10. Dylan Betts, 11. Adam Cox, 12. Jeff Bubori, 13. Scott Hulmes, 14. Ernie Miles, III, 15. Tyler Hulmes, 16. Eric Hitz, 17. John Micek, 18. David Crossman, 19. Matt Budd, 20. Kevin Belmont, 21. Freddie Massey, 22. Pete Serra, 23. Frank Venezia, 24. Mike Mammana, 25. Matt Stangle
PENNCO TECH OUTLAW STOCKS (15 LAPS) 1. Ron Frees, 2. Tom Wills, Jr., 3. TJ Henry, 4. Jimmy Avery, 5. Scott Dugan, 6. Billy Wroble, 7. Jeff Dirkes, 8. Spider Ensinger, 9. Gary Klimeczak, 10. Joe Meron, 11. Bob Firth, 12. Vern McLaughlin, 13. Ken Watson, Jr., 14. Steven Land, 15. John Mayer, 16. Brian Ludwig, 17. Sean Smith, 18. Art Avery