Saturday August 6
MODIFIEDS – Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz
SPORTSMAN – Precision Hydraulic and Oil
STREET STOCKS
4 CYLINDER STOCK CARS
4:00 Pits
5:00 grandstands
6:15 Cars on track
Bridgeport, NJ – Records were broken on Saturday night as Ryan Godown raced to his sixth win in a row on the high banks of the Bridgeport Motorsports Park in the Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz Modified feature event. EZ Work Trucks sponsored the night of racing as history was being made.
Matt Ellery raced to the first win of his career in the Precision Hydraulic & Oil 602 Sportsman feature after being so close on several occasions. Jeff Dirkes raced to his third win of the season in the Triple R Truck Parts Street Stocks. Kevin Nagy raced to second win of the season in the Delaware Auto Exchange Mid Atlantic Sprint Series.
The previous Bridgeport record was for five consecutive wins shared by both Kenny Brightbill and Wade Hendrickson. Of course, those records were set on the old 5/8th mile track while Godown’s mark was made on the new track configuration. Six wins in a row will not only be the new mark in Bridgeport history but the mark to beat in the current Bridgeport record book for the 4/10 mile track.
The Modified feature saw Mike Franz jump into the lead on the start. The caution waved with one lap on the books and Roger Manning raced by Franz to take the lead on the restart. Manning led the way through lap ten but Neal Williams raced into the lead on a lap eleven restart.
Williams led the way through halfway with Godown, Billy Pauch, Jr., Manning and Billy Osmun III trailing the leader.
Williams was closing in on the back of the field. As he raced his way through the lapped traffic, Godown raced by to take the lead on lap twenty-two. “I got a little free on me,” Williams explained. “I could feel the right rear getting out from under me when I got to the lapped traffic,” Williams added.
Pauch raced into second one lap later. Williams, Ryan Watt and Manning made up the top five as the field headed into the final five laps.
Godown raced to the checkered for his tenth Bridgeport win of the season over Pauch, Williams, Watt and Manning. Osmun finished sixth followed by Ryan Krachun, Richie Pratt, Jr., Cale Ross and Sammy Martz, Jr.
“I race one race at a time,” Godown commented. “This crew works hard every week. We keep making small changes to get better.”
It was a successful night for the R&M Team with Godown and Ellery taking feature wins and Ryan Godown, Jr. finishing second.
F&L Door heat races were won by Osmun, Watt and Williams with Sammy Martz, Jr. picking up the win in the consolation.
After many close finishes, Matt Ellery raced to his first Precision Hydraulic &Oil 602 Sportsman feature of his career. A former micro sprint competitor, Ellery is in just his second full season in the 602 Sportsman. He picked up a win in a non-winner’s race at the end of last season.
“I was waiting for the caution to come out,” Ellery stated following his win. “That’s what usually happens when I am leading a race.” But on this night, there weren’t any late race cautions and Ellery raced to the checkered first.
Brian Papiez and Ethan Bill were racing for second as they dealt with heavy lapped traffic. Ryan Godown, Jr. took advantage of the situation and dove to the bottom of the track to take second late in the race. Papiez finished third with Bill taking fourth. Howie Finch rounded out the top five.
Brandon Shipley finished sixth followed by Travis Hill, Trent Willey, Wayne Weaver and Brian Rogers to complete the top ten in the running order.
Hoffman Discount Parts heat races were won by Ryan McKinney, Ellery and Hill.
Jeff Dirkes raced to his second win in a row and third win of the season in the Triple R Truck Parts Street Stocks. Dirkes led all fifteen laps to take the win over point leader and five time feature winner, Lee Allen. Jeramy Doerr finished third followed by Mike Hughes and TJ Henry.
Mike Hughes picked up the win in the TW Metals heat race.
A full field of 305 sprint cars were on hand for the Delaware Auto Exchange Mid Atlantic Sprint Series (MASS). Their feature event saw Kevin Nagy return to the Weaknecht Archery Victory Lane for his second win of the season.
Nagy was a big winner in MASS events at Bridgeport last season and captured the 2021 MASS Championship but the 2022 season has been a challenge for the defending champion. “This is the best I’ve felt so far this season,” Nagy explained. “I have speed early in the night but something happens later in the night.”
Nagy led from the green to the checkered as he raced ahead of Jon Brennfleck for the win sponsored by EZ Work Trucks. Aidan Borden and Brennfleck had traded the runner-up spot during the feature. Current MASS point leader, Buddy Schweibinz seemed to get better as the race progressed, challenging Borden for third. Schweibinz won the spot in the end with Borden and Mike Melair finishing fourth and fifth.
Dave Grube, Eddie Wagner, Tim Iulg, Rick Stief and Mark Bitner rounded out the top ten.
EZ Finance Trucks/Cornell H&E heat races were won by Borden, Jason Dunn, Wagner and Rich Janney. Joe Kay was the winner of the consolation.
Racing returns to the Kingdom of Speed on Saturday with Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Street Stocks and 4 Cylinders. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for Thursday, August 25th when the All Star Circuit of Champions makes their first ever appearance at the Bridgeport Motorsports Park.
DANNY’S PIZZA PIZZAZZ MODIFIED FEATURE – 30 LAPS
1. Ryan Godown, 2. Billy Pauch, Jr., 3. Neal Williams, 4. Ryan Watt, 5. Roger Manning, 6. Billy Osmun, III, 7. Ryan Krachun, 8. Richie Pratt, Jr., 9. Cale Ross, 10. Sammy Martz, Jr., 11. Mike Frantz, 12. Davey Sammons, 13. Joseph Watson, 14. Sam Martz, Sr., 15. Jim Gallagher, Jr., 16. Dominick Buffalino, 17. Ron Roberts, 18. Ryan Forte, 19. Howard O’Neal, 20. Tom Maccherone, 21. Brad Roberts, 22. Matt Peck, 23. Tommy Beamer, 24. Matt Stangle, DNQ – Jim Britt, Don Barone, Mark VanVorst
PRECISION HYDRAULIC & OIL 602 SPORTSMAN – 25 LAPS
1. Matt Ellery, 2. Ryan Godown, 3. Brian Papiez, 4. Ethan Bill, 5. Howie Finch, 6. Brandon Shipley, 7. Travis Hill. 8. Trent Willey, 9. Wayne Weaver, 10. Brian Rogers, 11. Bryan Brobst, 12. Stephen Yankowski, 13. Thomas Prychka, 14. Pete Serra, 15. Ethan Young, 16. David Jenkins, 17. Ryan McKinney, 18. Matt Luzi, 19. Billy Chester, 20. David Miloszar, 21. Danny Hulmes, 22. Aaron Weaver, 23. John Scarpati, DNS – Daylton Strohl
BRIDGEPORT MOTORSPORTS PARK STREET STOCKS – 15 LAPS
1. Jeff Dirkes, 2. Lee Allen, 3. Jeramy Doerr, 4. Mike Hughes, 5. T.J. Henry, 6. Nick Sandone, III, 7. Mike Creamer, 8. Chris Lane, 9. Ken Moren, DNS – Bobby Johnson,
Jeff Belh
DELAWARE AUTO EXCHANGE MID-ATLANTIC SPRINT SERIES FEATURE – 25 LAPS
1. Kevin Nagy, 2. Jon Brennfleck, 3. Buddy Schweibinz, 4. Aidan Borden, 5. Mike Melair, 6. Dave Grube, 7. Eddie Wagner, 8. Rick Stief, 9. Tim Iulg, 10. Mark Bitner, 11. Dave Brown, 12. Larry McVay, 13. Rich Janney, 14. Cory Hunsberger, 15. Jeff Paulson, 16. Dale Eggert, 17. D.J. Tanner, Jr., 18. Cory Cornell, 19. Keith Anderson, 20. Bobby DeVault, 21. Dan Leaper, 22. Kristina Pratt, 23. Jason Dunn, 24. Joe Kay, DNQ – Kenny Laureno, Josh Bricker, Ryan Neil, Darren Cox, Justin Nowlen, Andy Mahan, Rory Janney, Shelby Kelly, Justin Mills, Dirk Rimrott
Bridgeport, NJ – Defending Bridgeport Motorsports Park Track Champion, Ryan Godown defended his “kingdom” when the Short Track Super Series invaded the Kingdom of Speed on Tuesday evening for the South Jersey Shootout sponsored by Liberty Kenworth.
Godown came into Tuesday’s night event with the points lead in the Bob Hilbert Sportswear
Short Track Super Series (STSS) fueled by Sunoco. Godown went home after adding a few more points to his lead in the Hurlock Auto & Speed South Region in addition to a payday in excess of $5,000.
Godown led all but six of the fifty laps but don’t assume that this win came easy. Godown romped into the lead on lap seven of the fifty lap main event and then wrote the book on how to race Matt Shepperd on restarts when the pair of drivers lined up side by side for at least five restarts while they ran first and second.
“He’s so good at what he does,” Godown said of Shepperd following his fifth win in a row on the high banks. “The hard part was knowing what to do – if I start late, he’s good at that. If I start early, he timed that right too. There were a couple of times that he timed it just right. I kept moving around – about a half of a lane – top, bottom, middle and that seemed to work.”
Polesitter, Cale Ross led the first three laps around the 4/10th mile surface until outside polesitter, Danny Bouc moved out in front on lap four. By lap six, Bouc and Godown were racing side-by-side for the lead with Godown moving out in front on the next lap.
When Godown moved into the lead, it was Jordan Watson who was the first to close in on the leader. Godown led Watson, Ryan Krachun, Sheppard and Bouc through lap ten. Sheppard moved up to third on the lap twelve as Watson closed in on the back bumper of the Camp Out sponsored No. 26. Watson’s race ended prematurely when he drew a caution on lap thirteen with what appeared to be a flat but Watson was not able to return to action after going to the attention of his pit crew.
The lap fourteen restart was Godown’s first with Sheppard running in second. This situation came again on lap eighteen, twenty-one, twenty-eight and lap thirty. The results were always the same but Sheppard kept the pressure on and was a threat to the leader at every juncture.
With less than twenty laps to go, Krachun raced by Sheppard to take second, using the bottom of the track to make his move. “Every car I passed tonight I passed on the inside,” Krachun commented later. Krachun picked up where Sheppard left off by keeping close to the leader and challenging Godown every chance he got.
Krachun had two restarts as the runner-up to Godown. On every previous restart, Godown restarted from the inside. On the lap thirty-six restart, Godown first indicated that he would restart from the outside. “I couldn’t believe it,” Krachun said. “I thought wow, you’re really going to give me the inside?” Krachun added. But Godown rethought his decision and moved back to the pole before the restart.
Krachun was able to get a nose under Godown at one point but the leader never actually saw him even though he did hear Krachun.
Godown raced to his second STSS victory of the season with Krachun chasing him to the checkered in the Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz Modifieds. Sheppard finished third.
Defending Shootout winner, Ryan Watt finished the fifty lap distance in fourth after winning the B Main. A poor draw saw Watt start scratch in the first heat where he finished just one spot out of a qualifying position – a heat race that was won by Sheppard. Watt started in seventeenth after Anthony Perrego was forced to scratch from the main event. By lap fifteen, Watt had raced his way into the top ten where he continued to pick off positions one at a time. Watt’s efforts were worth an additional $200 for the Hard Charger award sponsored by BRD Speed.
Danny Bouc finished fifth after leading several early laps.
Alex Yankowski was able to race the Stankiewicz No. 2s into sixth after restarting in the rear twice following racing incidents. Mike Gular, like Watt, qualified through the consolation and finished seventh. Polesitter, Cale Ross finished eighth after several trips to the pits. Richie Pratt, Jr. probably passed the most cars – some several times after a multi-car incident took Pratt out of the top five contention on lap eighteen. Pratt finished ninth while Davey Sammons raced ahead of Max McLaughlin to round out the top ten.
The F&L Door heat races were won by Sheppard, Brandon Grosso and Krachun with the consolation win going to Watt.
The Precision Hydraulic & Oil 602 Sportsman competed in a twenty-five lap main event.
Tom Sherby led the field for the first lap before Brian Papiez took over on lap two. Papiez raced away from the field and looked to be on his way to a STSS victory in the twenty-five lap feature event. Papiez led the way through the crossed flags followed by Sherby, Joe Toth, Matt Ellery and Steve Davis.
As the laps counted down, Papiez caught the back of the field. As he picked his way through the lapped traffic, his competition was closing in. Papiez took the five to go sign but by now, Toth had raced by Sherby and was closing in on the leader quickly. With just two laps remaining, Toth made his move to the inside of turn three. Papiez and Toth crossed the start/finish line side-by-side. Toth had the lead on the next lap in spite of Papiez executing a cross-over move to regain his position.
Toth took the win over Papiez, Sherby, Matt Ellery and Steve Davis. Ryan Godown, Jr. finished sixth followed by Scott Hitchens, Steve Kemery, Ethan Bill and Sammy Martz, Jr.
The win was Toth’s second STSS victory of the season.
The Hoffman Discount Parts heat races were won by Martz, Toth, Tom Princiotta and 2022 Dave’s Auto Body & Repair Rookie Champion, Thomas Prychka with Dylan Swinehart and 2021 Rookie champion, Ethan Bill winning the consolation events.
SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES MODIFIEDS 1. Ryan Godown, 2. Ryan Krachun, 3. Matt Sheppard, 4. Ryan Watt, 5. Danny Bouc, 6. Alex Yankowski, 7. Mike Gular, 8. Cale Ross, 9. Richie Pratt Jr., 10. Davey Sammons, 11. Max McLaughlin, 12. HJ Bunting, 13. Brandon Grosso, 14. Billy Osmun III, 15. Ryan Riddle, 16. Anthony Tramontana, 17. Matt Stangle, 18. Billy Pauch Jr., 19. John Willman, 20. Neal Williams, 21. W.B. James, 22. Mike Mahaney, 23. Jordan Watson, 24. Clay Butler, 25. Sam Martz Sr., 26. Michael Trautschold
DNS: Anthony Perrego
SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES 602 SPORTSMAN: 1. Joe Toth, 2. Brian Papiez, 3. Tom Sherby, 4. Matt Ellery, 5. Steve Davis, 6. Ryan Godown Jr., 7. Scott Hitchens, 8. Steve Kemery, 9. Ethan Bill, 10. Sammy Martz Jr., 11. Sean Weiss, 12. Dylan Swinehart, 13. Stephen Yankowski, 14. Tom Princiotta, 15. Eric Kormann, 16. Will Dupree, 17. Tom Moore Jr., 18. Thomas Prychka, 19. Matt Yoder, 20. Nick Van Wickle, 21. Rick Wegner Jr., 22. Brian Rogers, 23. Ethan Young, 24. Billy Chester, 25. Greg Humlhanz, 26. Michael Ballestero, 27. Ryan Simmons
‼️ SOUTH JERSEY SHOOTOUT RETURNS TUESDAY NIGHT JULY 26. Short Track Super Series ‼️
🗓 Tuesday July 26 – presented by Coopersburg Kenworth & Liberty Kenworth
🌟 MODIFIEDS – Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz
🌟 SPORTSMAN – Precision Hydraulic and Oil
🏎 3:30 Pits
🎟 5:00 grandstands
🚦 6:15 Cars on track
Bridgeport, NJ – With the Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz Modifieds and Precision Hydraulic & Oil 602 Sportsman taking the night off to prepare for Tuesday’s Short Track Super Series South Jersey Shootout, the Capitol Renegade United Racing Club (URC) and North East Wingless Sprints (NEWS) stepped in to headline the Saturday night action that also included Four Cylinder Enduros and Vintage Racers.
Both sprint car feature events were decided on the final lap at the checkered flag for another exciting evening of racing on the high banks of the Bridgeport Motorsports Park.
Defending URC Champion, Jason Shultz won the race to the checkered over Tyler Ross for his third URC win of the 2022 season. Rich Mellor had to hot foot it to the checkered to beat Eric Jennings who pressured Mellor in the final laps.
Shultz and Todd Gracey led the field to the start of the twenty-five lap URC feature event. Shultz grabbed the lead on the start and immediately began to pull away from the field. Cameron Merriman out of College Park, MD was making his first Bridgeport start and quickly moved into second. It was Shultz, Merriman and Tyler Ross throughout the race.
Shultz raced into lapped traffic in the final ten laps. The lapped traffic allowed Merriman and Ross to close in on the leader as the laps counted down. With five to go Shultz still held the lead over Merriman, Ross, Kyle Smith and Troy Betts.
On lap twenty-two, Ross took over second and set his sights on the leader. Coming to the white flag, with lapped cars all around, Ross went low to take the lead. Shultz came back and the two drivers raced side by side. When they headed to the checkered, it was again Shultz out in front.
The twenty-five lap feature event ran non-stop from green to checkered with Shultz taking the win over Ross, Merriman, Betts and Smith. Smith picked up the Hard Charger Award made in the memory of former URC competitor, Scott Pursell. Josh Weller finished sixth followed by Dallas Schott, Gracey, Mike Thompson and Joe Kata.
The NEWS competitors were making their first appearance on the high banks of the Bridgeport 4/10mile track. Fair to say that the drivers found the track very much to their liking!
Brian Spencer and Rich Mellor made up the first row for the start of the twenty lap feature event. The two drivers raced side by side until Mellor put the 02 out in front as they exited turn two on the first lap.
With Mellor out in front, Eric Jennings raced by Spencer on lap seven to take over the runner-up spot. Mellor led Jennings, Spencer, Mark Bitner and Brendan Hires through the crossed flags.
Two laps later, the leaders raced into lapped traffic and Jennings really began to pressure Mellor for the lead. A two car tangle in turn one brought out the caution and again gave the leaders a clear track ahead.
Jennings was all over Mellor as he kept the pressure on right to the checkered with Mellor taking the win. Jennings, Bitner, Spencer and Stan Ploski made up the top five. Heidi Hedin finished sixth followed by Duane Nixon, Charles Weslowski, Rick Rutt and Ken Nealis.
Bitner was behind the wheel of Brad Schaale’s No. 13, making his first start in NEWS competition. Ryan Godown, Jr. made his sprint car debut and qualified in his heat race but was then sidelined from the feature with mechanical issues.
Joseph Waters was the winner of the Four Cylinder Enduro feature over Jay Lowman and Justin Dunn. Lowman grabbed the lead at the start but Waters took over on the second lap and led all the way to the checkered.
Tim Jones and Scott Dunn completed the top five at the finish.
Action returns to the high banks with the South Jersey Shootout on Tuesday and then a regular show on Saturday night with the Modifeds, 602 Sportsman and Street Stocks returning to action
UNITED RACING CLUB 360 SPRINT FEATURE (25 LAPS):
1. Jason Shultz, 2. Tyler Ross, 3. Cameron Merriman, 4. Troy Betts, 5. Kyle Smith, 6. Josh Weller, 7. Dallas Schott, 8. Todd Gracey, 9. Mike Thompson, 10. Joe Kata, 11. Jake Karklin, 12. Ryan Stillwaggon, 13. Brandon McGough, 14. Brian Krummel, 15. Larry McVay, DNS – Andy Best, Adam Carberry
NORTH EAST WINGLESS SPRINT FEATURE (20 LAPS):
1. Rich Mellor, 2. Eric Jennings, 3. Mark Bitner, 4. Brian Spencer, 5. Stan Ploski, 6. Heidi Hedin, 7. Duane Nixon, 8. Charles Weslowski, 9. Ricky Rutt, 10. Ken Nealis, 11. Eric Miller, 12. Shea Wills, 13. Walt Fletcher, 14. Brendan Hires, 15. Zach Brown, 16. Larry Drake, 17. Frank Lorenzi, 18. Al Cheney, DNS – Ryan Godown, Jr., Curtis Sodano
FOUR CYLINDER FEATURE (20 LAPS):
1. Joseph Waters, 2. Jay Lowman, 3. Justin Dunn, 4. Tim Jones, 5. Scott Dunn, 6. Ed Ford, 7. Joe Garey, Jr., 8. Joe Garey, Sr., DNS – Bobby Johnson
‼️ BACK ON TRACK WITH THE United Racing Club 360 SPRINT CARS ‼️
🗓 Saturday July 23 – Specialty Rigging Company
🌟 SPRINT CARS – United Racing Club
🌟 NEWS WINGLESS SPRINT CARS
🌟 4 CYLINDER STOCK CARS
🌟 VINTAGE MODIFIEDS
🏎 4:00 Pits
🎟 5:00 grandstands
🚦 6:30 Cars on track
‼️ TRACK PREP TEAM SCORES BIG WIN. The team of John, Leroy, & Eddie had an amazing surface Saturday night. We would like to thank these guys for putting in the countless hours to get us back to where we needed to be. Their efforts are greatly appreciate by Doug and Brittany Rose along with all of our amazing drivers. This will continue to be a work in progress to have the best surface in the country. Doug would also like to thank the team of Port Royal Speedway for their time and insights. Steve Stimely and Steve O’Neal were kind enough to be of assistance when asked upon.
‼️ HOWIE FINCH PARKS HIS ICE LESS #4 IN Weaknecht Archery VICTORY LANE
📌 We are off July 16 for a Monster Truck event.
🗓 Saturday July 23 – Presented by Specialty Rigging Company
🌟 URC SPRINT CARS – United Racing Club
🌟 NEWS WINGLESS SPRINT CARS
🌟 4 CYLINDER STOCK CARS
🌟 VINTAGE MODIFIEDS
🏎 4:00 Pits
🎟 5:00 grandstands
🚦 6:30 Cars on track
Bridgeport, NJ – It was Ryan Godown’s fourth win in a row in the Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz Modifieds at the Bridgeport Motorsports Park on a night of racing sponsored by EZ Finance Trucks. It was Godown’s seventh Bridgeport win of the season.
Ryan Godown, Dominick Buffalino and Billy Pauch, Jr. have finished 1-2-3 in the last two Saturday night events and up until two laps to go, it looked at Saturday night’s race might be the third in a row. But Ryan Watt had other ideas. When Buffalino and Pauch were absorbed in their battle for second, they left the inside open. Watt was quick to put the No. 14w into that hole and then succeeded in claiming second on the final lap.
Most of the drivers seemed to echo Godown’s assessment of the racing surface when he declared, “The track was awesome!” “My guys gave me a flawless car tonight,” Godown added.
Howie Finch raced the Ice Less No. 4 to victory in the Precision Hydraulic & Oil Sportsman while Jeff Dirkes earned his second win of the season in the Bridgeport Motorsports Park Street Stocks. Eddie Wagner raced to victory in the Delaware Auto Exchange Mid Atlantic Sprint Series – his second win of the season and his first on the high banks this season.
Ronnie Roberts and Mike Franz raced for the lead as the Modified feature event got underway. Roberts put the No. Z14 out in front as the field raced out of turn two on lap one with Sam Martz taking over second with the Izzy Trucking No. 3. Roberts led the first four laps with Martz taking the lead on lap five.
Dominick Buffalino had the Big Spring Car Wash No. 126 in second on lap seven as Godown raced into third one lap later.
Neal Williams drew the first caution as he slowed on the track and then headed to the pits for a tire change. Martz led the way to the restart but Godown had the lead for lap nine, making quick work of the twelve cars that started in front of the Camp Out No. 26.
Godown led the way over Buffalino and Pauch, Jr. through halfway – a familiar sight on Saturday nights. Ryan Watt raced in fourth with Sam Martz, holding off the challenges of Sammy Martz, Jr. for fifth.
With less than ten laps remaining, the leaders caught the back of the field as lapped traffic loomed ahead. Godown raced through the lapped cars without incident but the traffic enabled Buffalino, Pauch and Watt to close the gap on the leader.
With less than five laps to go, Pauch dove into turn three, looking to the inside for a shot at second but Buffalino prevailed. It looked like another Godown, Buffalino, Pauch finish but then the caution waved with just two laps to go. Jordan Watson got into the wall between turns one and two and needed an assist to get to the pits with a flat tire.
Godown took the green flag with Buffalino and Pauch battling for second and Watt right behind the top three. Coming for the white flag, Buffalino and Pauch were embroiled in the race for second, with both cars sliding up the track in turn four and opening the bottom. Watt saw the opening and quickly slid into position. Watt raced to the inside of Buffalino and Pauch as they headed to the white flag.
Continuing to use the bottom of the track, Watt raced into second as he moved to the top of the track in front of Buffalino and Pauch as they raced through turns one and two. Godown raced to the checkered followed by Watt, Buffalino, Pauch and Martz. Sammy Martz, Jr. finished sixth followed by WB James, Richie Pratt, Jr., HJ Bunting and Mike Mahaney.
F&L Doors heat races were won by Sammy Martz, Jr., Neal Williams and Mike Franz.
Eddie Wagner raced to his first Bridgeport win of the season in the Delaware Auto Exchange Mid Atlantic Sprint Series (MASS) feature after racing first year competitor, Jeff Paulson for the lead.
Buddy Schwiebinz, who came into the race as the MASS point leader, grabbed the lead on the start with Paulson and Dale Eggert trailing the leader. Paulson challenged Schwiebinz and then took the lead following a lap four restart. Wagner moved into second on the same restart.
Paulson led through lap eight but it was Wagner who was out in front one lap later with the Buds R Us No. 70.
Frequent caution flags kept the field tight right down to the final laps.
With five laps to go, Wagner led the way over Paulson, Schweibinz, Aidan Borden and CJ Fasion. Schweibinz made contact with the wall in turns one and two with a tire issue and retired from the race with less than five laps remaining.
With the final caution waved for Schweibinz with four to go, Wagner led the way as Borden charged into second. When the checkered waved, it was Wagner, Borden, Paulson, Faision and Tim Iulg who completed the top five. Bobby DeVault, Cory Hunsberger, Joe Kay, Dan Leaper and Keith Anderson completed the top ten at the checkered.
“I made a ton of changes to the car before the feature,” Wagner explained. “Every race, I found myself racing for whatever position I started in – not going forward or backward. I made so many changes, we were either going to go forward or backward. I even used two shocks that I haven’t used that we had in the trailer!” Obviously, Wagner’s instincts were spot on.
The EZ Finance Trucks heat races were won by Aidan Borden, Larry McVay and Jeff Paulson.
Brian Rogers led the first lap of the Precision Hydraulic & Oil Sportsman feature before Matt Ellery raced the Ellery Pug & Grill No. 29 into the lead.
A caution just before halfway, brought the field back together and erased Ellery’s advantage. Finch, who had been running second, took the lead on the restart after a side-by-side battle with Ellery.
Finch was able to pull away from the field as he raced to his first win of the 2022 season. Ellery finished second followed by Ryan Godown, Jr., Stephen Yankowski and 2021 Rookie Champion, Ethan Bill. David Jenkins finished sixth followed by Tim Tillman, Brian Papiez, Brian Rogers and Brandon Shipley.
Finch credited Jim Ramm with his win. “He’s the reason I’m here. I wouldn’t get to the track if it weren’t for him getting the car ready every week.”
Hoffman Discount Parts heat races were won by Tim Tillman, Matt Ellery and Brandon Watkins.
Jeff Dirkes picked the win in the EZ Truck Finance Street Stock feature in what proved to be a while fifteen laps.
Dirkes grabbed the lead on the start but was quickly challenged by Jeramy Doerr who dogged the leader lap after lap.
Mike Hughes challenged Dirkes for the lead on lap three. Hughes had the No. 18 out in front briefly but Dirkes reclaimed the lead as the two drivers raced down the backstretch.
Hughes, Lee Allen and Tom Wills, Jr. were racing for position as they headed through turns one and two. Hughes got sideway, squeezing Allen against the wall. Allen rode the wall. Wills was left nowhere to go and made hard contact with the two other cars.
It was hard to believe but Allen, who took a wild ride, was able to continue while Hughes and Wills retired to the pits.
Dirkes held off Doerr’s challenges to pick up the win followed by Doerr, current point leader, Lee Allen, Nick Sandone III and Daniel Harrison.
Tom Wills, Jr. picked up the win in the EZ Leasing Trucks heat race.
There will be no racing at the Bridgeport Motorsports Park this week. Racing will return on Saturday, July 23 with the United Racing Club, NEWS Sprints, 4 Cylinders and Vintage Stock Cars. The Modifieds and 602 Sportsman return on Tuesday, July 26th for the Short Track Super Series.
DANNY’S PIZZA PIZZAZZ MODIFIED FEATURE (30 laps):
PRECISION HYDRAULIC & OIL 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE (25 laps):
BRIDGEPORT MOTORSPORTS PARK STREET STOCK FEATURE (15 laps):
DELAWARE AUTO EXCHANGE MID-ATLANTIC SPRINT SERIES FEATURE (25 laps): 1. Eddie Wagner, 2. Aidan Borden, 3. Jeff Paulson, 4. C.J. Faison, 5. Tim Iulg, 6. Bobby DeVault, 7. Cory Hunsberger, 8. Joe Kay, 9. Dan Leaper, 10. Keith Anderson, 11. Josh Bricker, 12. Darren Cox, 13. D.J. Tanner, Jr., 15. Kenny Laureno, 16. Andy Mahan, 17. Buddy Schweibinz, 18. Dave Brown, 19. Rick Stief, 20. Larry McVay, 21. Dale Eggert, 22. Cory Cornell, 23. Rory Janney, 24. Dave Graber, 25. Samantha Lieberman
DANNY’S PIZZA PIZZAZ MODIFIEDS: 1. Ryan Godown ($2500), 2. Ryan Watt ($1200), 3. Dominick Buffalino ($1000), 4. Billy Pauch Jr. ($900), 5. Sam Martz Sr. ($650), 6. Sam Martz Jr. ($600), 7. W.B. James ($575), 8. Richie Pratt Jr. ($550), 9. HJ Bunting ($525), 10. Mike Mahaney ($500), 11. Davey Sammons ($400), 12. Billy Osmun III ($300), 13. Tommy Beamer ($300), 14. Roger Manning ($300), 15. Clay Butler ($300), 16. Mike Franz ($300), 17. Matt Peck ($300), 18. Howard O’Neal ($300), 19. Mark Vanvorst ($300), 20. Jordan Watson ($300), 21. Ron Roberts ($300), 22. Neal Williams ($300), 23. Brad Roberts ($300), 24. Don Barone ($300), 25. Ryan Krachun ($300)
PRECISION HYDRAULIC & OIL 602 SPORTSMAN: 1. Howie Finch ($500), 2. Matt Ellery ($300), 3. Ryan Godown Jr. ($225), 4. Stephen Yankowski ($175), 5. Ethan Bill ($150), 6. David Jenkins ($120), 7. Tim Tillman ($115), 8. Brian Papiez ($110), 9. Brian Rogers ($105), 10. Brandon Shipley ($100), 11. Ricky Wegner ($80), 12. Ryan McKinney ($80), 13. Pete Serra ($80), 14. Ethan Young ($80), 15. Bubba Hughes ($75), 16. Luke Bunting ($75), 17. Zac Weller, ($75) 18. Greg Reed ($75), 19. Brandon Watkins ($75), 20. Mason Magee ($75), 21. Thomas Prychka ($75), 22. Bobby Watkins ($75)
DELAWARE AUTO EXCHANGE MID-ATLANTIC SPRINT SERIES: 1. Eddie Wagner, 2. Aiden Borden, 3. Jeff Paulson, 4. CJ Faison, 5. Tim Iulg, 6. Bobby DeVault, 7. Cory Hunsberger, 8. Joe Kay, 9. Dan Leaper, 10. Keith Anderson, 11. Josh Bricker, 12. Darren Cox, 13. DJ Tanner Jr., 14. Shelby Kelly, 15. Kenny Laureno, 16. Andy Mahan, 17. Buddy Schweibinz, 18. Dave Brown, 19. Rick Stief, 20. Larry McVay, 21. Dale Eggert, 22. Cory Cornell, 23. Rory Janney, 24. Dave Graber, 25. Samantha Lieberman
DNS: Cole Stangle
STREET STOCKS: 1. Jeff Dirkes, 2. Jeramy Doerr, 3. Lee Allen, 4. Nick Sandone III, 5. Daniel Harrison, 6. Terry Channey, 7. Ken Moren, 8, Lee Taylor, 9. Mike Hughes, 10. Tom Wills Jr.
DNS: Mike Creamer, Jeff Bell
Bridgeport, NJ – Rick Eckert, Ryan Godown and Billy Pauch, Jr. were the big winners in the Bridgeport Motorsports Park 4th of July Spectacular that featured forty lap feature events for the Super Late Models, the Modifieds and the All Pro SpeedSTRS in a holiday event sponsored by Millville Glass & Door.
It was the first appearance of the Super Late Models on the high banks of the Kingdom of Speed but the racers found the track to their liking. “This place is awesome,” said race winner, Rick Eckert at the end of forty laps. “I love watching the races from here!”
Coleby Frye put up the fast time of 15.816 seconds that will stand as the one lap record for the Super Late Models until another competitor is able to beat that time.
Andrew Yoder and Donny Lingo led the field of Super Late Models to the green flag for the start of their forty lap feature. Lingo quickly moved out in front to lead the first two laps. Coleby Frye moved into second and began to challenge Lingo for the lead. Frye led the way on lap three.
Frye led the way over Eckert, Tyler Hershey, Andrew Yoder and Trevor Collins at halfway.
Lap twenty-seven saw the field realigned for a restart. As before, Frye elected to start from the outside the front row with Eckert on the inside. As the leaders came into turn four, Frye and Eckert came together with Frye’s No. F1 going over. The red flag was thrown. Eckert was able to drive away but Frye left the track on the back of a tow truck.
Tyler Hershey was the new race leader as Eckert picked his way through the field to once again run in second with about ten laps to go. Hershey continued to lead the way. Eckert closed the gap on the leader several times but Hershey was able to pull away again. Coming for the white flag, Hershey got a little out of shape coming through turn four. That was all the help that Eckert needed as he raced to the inside of Frye in turn one and exited turn two with the lead.
Eckert took the win over Hershey, Andy Haus, Trevor Colins and Jim Bernheisel.
The Hoffman Discount Parts heat races for the Super Late Models were won by Rick Eckert and Bryan Bernheisel.
The Danny’s PIzza Pizzazz Modifieds were the next race on the schedule. Ryan Godown and Matt Stangle made up the front row of the line-up and led the field to the start. It was Stangle who raced to the outside to grab the lead. Ryan Watt raced into second on a lap four restart.
Stangle led Watt, Godown, Richie Pratt, jr. and Craig VonDohren through lap ten but another caution and subsequent restart rejumbled the field one lap later as Pratt moved up to second over Godown, Pauch and Watt.
While under the caution with eleven laps scored, Stangle suddenly exited to the pits with mechanical issues. Pratt led the way to the restart but Godown immediately went to the inside of Pratt in turn three to take the lead.
Godown led Watt, Pratt, Cale Ross and Pauch at halfway.
After a side-by-side battle with Ross, Pauch raced into fourth. With six laps to go, Pauch raced by Pratt to trail Godown and Watt who raced out in front of the field. A single file restart with five laps to go put Pauch on Watt’s back bumper and the two drivers raced for second for several laps.
Godown raced to the win and the $10,000 winner’s share after taking the Gambler’s Challenge, doubling his winnings. Pauch finished second followed by Watt, Pratt and Ross. Rick Laubach finished sixth with Danny Bouc, Duane Howard, Sam Martz, Sr. and Clay Butler completing the top ten at the checkered.
The F&L Doors Modified heats races were won by Richie Pratt, Jr., Sam Martz, Sr. and Dillon Steuer with Jeff Strunk winning the B Main in one of the Blue Hen No. 30s,
Billy Pauch,Jr. added another win in the Speedway Entertainment All Pro SpeedSTRS, racing into the lead in the final laps of the forty lap, $4,000 to win feature event.
Steve Drevicki was filling in for Steve Buckwalter and was behind the wheel of the Bob Swavely No. 56. Drevicki started from the pole but it was Jason Musser to took the lead on the start. Musser led the way over Drevicki, Pauch, Ryan Krachun and Louden Reimert through lap six. On lap seven, Musser slid high in turn four, allowing Drevicki and later Pauch, get by.
Briggs Danner was on the move, taking over fourth and looking for more on lap twelve.
Drevicki had the lead through the halfway mark over Pauch, Danner, Mike Bednar and Reimert.
A single file restart in the final laps erased Drevicki’s lead and had the cars nose-to-tail going for the green. Pauch shot to the inside of Drevicki but the leader came back with a crossover move to maintain the lead. One lap later, Pauch made the pass stick to take the lead with Danner moving up to second. Drevicki mounted a late race challenge as the field headed to the checkered but his effort fell short. Pauch took the win over Danner, Drevicki, Reimert and Steuer. Mike Manieri, Tim Buckwalter, Rich Tobias, Cale Zangli and Jack Helget completed the top ten.
Glick Fire Equipment heat races were won by Dillon Steuer and Mike Bednar.
The John Blewett Scrap and Recyling Four Cylinders were won by Justin Dunn. Dunn took the win over Scott Dunn and Bobby Johnson with Ed Ford and Joe Garey, Sr. rounding out the top five.
Tim Jones was the heat race winner.
BRIDGEPORT MOTORSPORTS PARK 4TH OF JULY SPECTACULAR PRESENTED BY MILLVILLE GLASS & DOOR
SUPER LATE MODEL FEATURE (40 laps) presented by Precision Hydraulic & Oil
DANNY’S PIZZA PIZZAZZ MODIFIED FEATURE (40 laps)
ALL PRO SPEEDSTRS FEATURE (40 laps) presented by Speedway Entertainment
FOUR CYLINDERS FEATURE (15 laps) presented by John Blewett Scrap & Recycling
