Category: News

Bridgeport, NJ – 2021 Bridgeport Motorsports Park Track Champion, Ryan Godown, closed out the 2021 season with a win in the fifty lap High Banks Classic for the Foley Cat Modifieds on Sunday afternoon. That made Godown’s win total nine for the season on the 4/10 mile Logan Township track.

After a disappointing outing in the Precision Hydraulics & Oil Invitational on Saturday, some burning of the midnight oil put Kemery in position to take his seventh Bridgeport victory of the season along with the $2,000 winner’s share of the purse on Sunday.

This may have been Godown’s most challenging victory to date as he took the lead but was then passed for the lead – something that hasn’t happened very often during the 2021 season. “Everybody was racing like it was the last lap on every lap,” Godown exclaimed. The track conditions offered some challenges as well, perhaps do to the cold temperatures. The drivers were searching around for different lines as the lines came and went throughout the race.

Jeff Strunk and Craig VonDohren led the field to the start of the fifty lap main event with VonDohren jumping out in front on the start. Strunk followed in second until Godown reached the top two on lap three. Ryan Watt was behind the wheel of car owner, Ron Roberts No. Z14 and he and WB James rounded out the top five with five laps scored.

Dillon Steuer raced by James on lap seventeen to break into the top five with VonDohren, Godown, Strunk, Watt just ahead.

As the field approached the halfway mark, the leaders were picking there way through lapped traffic which allowed Godown and Watt to close in on the leader. Godown challenged VonDohren for the lead on lap twenty-four but VonDohren led the way through the halfway mark over Godown, Watt, Strunk and Steuer.

It wasn’t until lap thirty that Godown was able to race ahead of VonDohren but VonDohren was back in front on the next lap. One lap later, Watt put the No. Z14 out in front to take the lead other VonDohren and Godown. Godown was able to work his way into second as Strunk closed the gap on the leaders.

Watt led the way through lap thirty-five and then held off Godown’s challenges on a lap thirty-six restart. Watt and Godown raced side by side on lap thirty-seven but Godown was out in front the next time around.

With ten to go, Godown led Watt, Strunk, VonDohren and Matt Stangle but VonDohren slipped out of the top five on a lap forty-one restart.

A multi-car incident on the homestretch brought the yellow and then the red because the track was blocked. Danny Bouc required a double hook and Cale Ross was also towed away from the incident. Most of the other cars involved were able to restart and some returned after a trip to the pit area.

Watt raced side-by-side with Godown on the restart with Godown maintaining the lead. Stangle raced into third by Strunk on the restart as Billy Pauch, Jr. joined the top five for the first time in the race.

Godown grabbed the win – a good way to start his trip to Louisiana to race this coming week. Watt had an outstanding outing in Roberts’ No. Z14 and the combined crews gave him a great car for the fifty lap duration. Stangle finished third followed by Strunk and Pauch, Jr. Dominick Buffalino finished sixth followed by Brandon Grosso, Frank Cozze, James and Neal Williams.

Steve Kemery was the first car out of the forty lap Precision Hydraulics & Oil Invitational race on
Saturday after he had an enging let go. After spending the rest of the night working on the car, Kemmery and crew returned to the track on Sunday, ready to compete with a new power plant installed under the hood of the No. 69K.

Kemery had already earned a redraw spot in Sunday’s $2,000 to win feature for the 602 Crate Sportsman when he was one of four drivers to set fastest times on Friday.

When Kemery took the checkered flag in Sunday’s feature event, it was worth all of the effort. The luck of the draw found Kemery starting up front in the feature event and leading from the start to the finish.

The leader raced through lapped traffic which allowed second place, Brian Papiez to cut into Kemery’s lead but Papiez was not able to challenge for the position.

Kemery took the win over Papiez who was behind the wheel of Dave Adams No. 90. Howie Finch finished third – his first checkered flag of the weekend and the first time that he didn’t require a wrecker to get back to the pit area. Ryan Simmons collected his second top five of the weekend to finish fourth while Justin Grosso finished fifth after a three car battle with Simmons and Travis Hill.

Hill finished sixth followed by Brandon Edgar, Craig Whitmoyer, Cole Stangle and Payton Talbot.

Jay Lowman raced to the win in the 4 Cylinder feature event. Joe Garey, Jr. finished second with Chris Carroll taking third after Jonathan Pitcher pulled to the infield in the final laps. Joe Garey, Sr. finished fourth with Chris Gall finishing fifth.

If you’re not ready for the 2021 season to end, remember that the Bridgeport Motorsports Park will feature action on both the high banks and the quarter mile next weekend along with the Garden State 100 for the USAC All Pro Speedsters.

Foley Cat Modifieds High Bank Classic (50 laps): 1. Ryan Godown, 2. Ryan Watt, 3. Matt Stangle, 4. Jeff Strunk, 5. Billy Pauch, Jr., 6. Dominick Buffalino, 7. Brandon Grosso, 8. Frank Cozze, 9. WB James, 10. Neal Williams, 11. Joseph Watson, 12. Davey Sammons, 13. Eric Kormann, 14. Rich Rutski, 15. Tommy Beamer, 16. Brett Ballard, 17. Mike Franz, 18. Craig VonDohren, 19. Cale Ross, 20. Danny Bouc, 21. Dillon Steuer, 22. Rick Laubach, 23. Kevin Hirthler, 24. Mike Maresca, 25. Wade Hendrickson, 26. Ryan Krachun, 27. Roger Manning

South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Crate Sportsman (20 laps): 1. Steve Kemery, 2. Brian Papiez, 3. Howie Finch, 4. Ryan Simmons, 5. Justin Grosso, 6. Travis Hill, 7. Brandon Edgar, 8. Craig Whitmoyer, 9. Cole Stangle, 10. Payton Talbot, 11. Bryan Brobst, 12. Billy Chester, 13. Ryan Godown, Jr., 14. Matt Ellery, 15. Daniel Morgiewicz, 16. Chad Sandt, 17. Ethan Bill, 18. Bobby Watkins, 19. Eric Kormann, 20. Dan Maher, 21. Kevin Borden, 22. Doug Snyder, 23. Ricky Wegner, 24. Johnny Bangs, 25. Ryan Krushinski, 26. Joe Brown, 27. John Micek, 28. Steve Davis, 29. Scott Hulmes, 30. Sammy Martz, Jr.

Four Cylinders: 1. Jay Lowman, 2. Joe Garey, Jr., 3. Chris Carroll, 4. Joe Garey, Sr., 5. Chris Gall, 6. Jim Tinnes, 7. Ed Ford, 8. Bobby Johnson, 9. Jonathan Pitcher

Bridgeport, NJ – For Allentown, PA driver, Briggs Danner, the 2021 season with the Rapid Tire USAC East Coast Nonwing Sprints Cars, ended the way it started – with a win on the high banks of the Bridgeport Speedway. Danner closed his first full season of sprint car competition with nine wins, Rookie of the Year honors and second place in points to champion Alex Bright.

Brian Papiez put his new ride into victory lane in the twenty lap Underdog 20 for the South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Crate Sportsman. Any driver who had not won during the 2021 season was eligible to compete in Friday night’s event. Lee Allen earned his second win of the season in the Bridgeport Motorsports Park Street Stocks.

Danner’s ninth win of the season was somewhat of an anniversary celebration for the nineteen year old hot shoe who just a year ago, climbed behind the wheel of the Gallagher No. 5G for his first ever race in a sprint car. Danner passed Bright for the win in the final laps that night to capture the victory in his sprint car debut.

Davie Franek and Bright led the field to the start of the twenty-five lap feature event with Franek leading the way on lap one. Bright raced to the outside to grab the lead on the second time around the high banks. Danner quickly raced from his row three start and into second, chasing Bright and then challenging for the lead. Bright led the way through lap five. Two laps later, Danner was the race leader.
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The caution waved just before halfway, putting Bright on Danner’s tail tank for the restart. Now it was Bright who was the challenger, pressuring Danner for the lead. Bright tried to slide Danner on several occasions but Danner prevailed to lead Bright, Franek, Damon Paul and Nash Ely through halfway.

With seventeen laps on the books, the caution waved for the second time as Joey Amantea got turned around between turns three and four. This time, Danner was able to pull away on the restart.

Danner raced through lapped traffic on his way to the checkered flag. Bright finished second followed by Franek. Kenny Miller III won the battle for fourth with Damon Paul. Nash Ely finished sixth followed by Christian Bruno. Brenden Bright finished eighth in his first race in a wingless sprint car. , Bruce Buckwalter , Jr. followed in ninth with Eric Jennings completing the ten.

Lee Allen raced to win his second win of the season on the high banks in the Bridgeport Motorsports Park Street Stocks. Allen led from the start, ahead of a four wide battle for second. Mike Creamer and Kyle Saylor battled for second for several laps.

Saylor took over second and then closed in on Allen to challenge for the lead. Allen took the crossed flags
at halfway. On lap eleven, the leaders raced into lapped traffic. Saylor took the lead when Allen got behind a lapped car. Saylor led the way for five laps but his race ended on lap sixteen after hard contact with the wall in turn one.

Allen reclaimed the lead and went on to take the win over Rich Stinson, Jeramy Doerr, Mike Creamer and Vern McLaughlin. Tom Wills, Sr. took the wheel of the No. 856 for the final race of the season and finished sixth followed by Jeff Dirkes, Spider Ensinger, Steve Kemery, in the Joslin No, 343, and Johnny Bush.

Brian Papiez put the Dave Adams owned No. 90 into Victory Lane in the Underdog 20.

Polesitter, Howie Finch led the race for the first seven laps before Papiez raced into the lead on lap eight. Papiez led Finch, Bryan Brobst, Ethan Bill and Ryan Stangle at halfway.

With Papiez out front, the positions in the top five were up for grabs right up to the checkered flag with Finch taking second over Joseph Brown, Bill and Johnny Micek. Stangle finished sixth followed by Bobby Bracall, Trent Willy, Eric McKinney and Doug Snyder.

With day one on the books, it was onto Day 2 of the High Banks Classic.

Rapid Tire USAC East Coast Wingless Sprints (25 Laps) 1. Briggs Danner, 2. Alex Bright, 3. Davie Franek, 4. Kenny Miller, III, 5. Damon Paul, 6. Nash Ely, 7. Christian Bruno, 8. Brenden Bright, 9. Bruce Buckwalter, Jr., 10. Eric Jennings, 11. Colin White, 12. Kyle Smith, 13. Ed Aiken, 14. Brian Spencer, 15. Thomas Radavoy, 16. Jermain Godshall, 17. Al Cheyney, 18. Carmen Perigo, 19. Joey Amantea, 20. Troy Betts

Bridgeport Motorsports Park Street Stocks (20 laps) 1. Lee Allen, 2. Rich Stinson, Jr., 3. Jeramy Doerr, 4. Mike Creamer, 5. Vern McLaughlin 6. Tom Wills, Sr., 7. Jeff Dirkes, 8. Spider Ensinger, Sr., 9. Steve Kemery, 10. Johnny Bush, 11. John Parker, 12. Kyle Saylor, 13. Jack Beaumont, 14. Mike Baldwin. 15. Daniel Harrison, 16. Nick Sandone, III, 17. Spider Ensinger, Jr., 18. Jeremy Zufall, 19. Mike Hughes

South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Crate Sportsman Underdog 20 (20 laps) 1. Brian Papiez, 2. Howie Finch, 3. Joseph Brown, 4. Ethan Bill, 5. John Micek, 6. Ryan Stangle, 7. Bobby Bracall, 8. Trent Willey, 9. Erik McKinney, 10. Ryan Conrac, 11. Shane Kassekert, 12. Bryan Brobst, 13. Billy Chester, 14. George Gareis, 15. Tommy Klimkowski, 16. Lee Nardelli, 17. Will Protinick, 18. Scott Maher, 19. Ryan Krushinski, 20. Anthony Sisco, 21. Pete Serra, 22. Scott Hulmes, 23. Ricky Wegner, 24. Sara Napora, 25. Erik Marrson, 26. Greg Reed, 27. Wayne Weaver, 28. Howard Huepful

Bridgeport, NJ – The 2021 season may be winding down but the Bridgeport Motorsports Park’s High Banks Classic is a big three day weekend that is sure to satisfy the tastes of any race fan!  At least three divisions of racing will be featured on each day of the weekend!

The big weekend gets started on Friday, November 5th when the Rapid Tire USAC East Coast wingless sprints return to the Bridgeport Speedway for another thrilling event.  It’s been the Bright and Danner show so far this season with Alex Bright and Briggs Danner battling for the win in each of the three Bridgeport events.  A flat tire cost Danner a win in the last race and Bright was able to capitalize for his 2nd Bridgeport win of the season.  

The Street Stocks will make their first appearance at the Kingdom of Speed since the Street Stock Nationals – a event that has already been included in the plans for next season.  The South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Crate Sportsman will compete in their first of three events this weekend with the Underdog 20 for all drivers that have not visited Victory Lane so far this season.  There will also be two sessions of timed hot laps for the 602 Crate Sportsman with four drivers earning starting redraw positions in Sunday’s feature event.  The USAC All Pro SpeedSTRs will have the opportunity to practice on the high banks during Friday’s program.

Saturday’s program will see the Capitol Renegade United Racing Club 360 winged sprint cars compete in their final race of the 2021 season.  A new champion will be crowned as Jason Schultz comes into this event with 147 point lead over Dallas Schott.  Andy Best and Adam Carberry are only a few points behind Schott

Saturday is also the day of the 2nd Annual Precision Hydraulics and Oil 602 Invitational with its $4,000 pay day.  Who can forget the race long battle between Steve Kemery and Steve Davis just a year ago!  There was plenty of rubbing is racing as the two competitors raced to the finish line with Davis taking the win.  Both drivers will return to this year’s event along with a host of drivers, each with their own plan to get to the checkered flag first!    Young Payton Talbot sat in third, right behind the leaders and waiting for his chance to steal the win last year.  Talbot will return to try again.  

In addition in the big purse for their main event, there are three special awards posted for Saturday’s 602 competitors.  $500 for the winner of the Cash Dash courtesy of Guaranteed Rate.  $250 Halfway Bonus offered by Candy’s Homemade Ice Cream and a $250 Hard Charger award presented by Fastline performance.  

The USAC All Pro SpeedSTRs will be featured in qualifying and a feature event.  The Foley Cat Modifieds will have timed hot lap sessions with two drivers locking into Sunday’s High Banks Classic.  

On Sunday, the Modifieds will compete in their final event of the 2021 Bridgeport season with the fifty lap, $5,000 to win, High Banks Classic.  The 602 Crate Sportsman will race in a twenty-five lap feature event with $2,000 going to the winner.  The Four Cylinder Stock Cars will round out Sunday’s program.

Last season, the High Banks Classic was captured by an invader in Pottsdam, NY’s Mike Maresca who is expected to defend his title.  Maresca backed up that first Bridgeport victory with another win on 2021 opening day.  

Pit gates open at 4pm on Friday and then at 1pm on Saturday and Sunday.  Grandstand gates will open at 5pm on Friday with grandstand access on Saturday and Sunday at 3pm.  Friday night’s warm-ups will get underway at 6pm to be followed by green flag racing immediately thereafter.  Warm-ups will hit the track at 4pm on Saturday and Sunday with racing action to follow.  

And just when you were ready to close the book on the 2021 season, Bridgeport’s Doug Rose adds another weekend on November 13th and 14th for the Garden State 100.  It will be an event of a different kind with action on both the high banks of the 4/10th mile speedway as well as the Spirit Auto Center quarter mile.  The 602 Crate Sportsman will go “topless” on both days.  The Four Cylinders will also compete on both days.   Saturday will see a Slinger Derby and SpeedSTR timed practice sessions on the big track with Wingless 270 and 600 Micro Sprints and Junior Slingshots on the quarter mile.  Sunday’s race will feature the Garden State 100 for the USAC All Pro SpeedSTRs – 100 laps and $10,000 to win in additon to the topless 602s and Four Cylinders.  The 600 Micros Sprints, Junior Slingshots and the Slingshot ROVAL will be featured on the quarter mile.

It’s not over yet!  You don’t want to miss it!

Add December 4th to your calendar for the Bridgeport Banquet.  And Opening Day 2022, another three days of action is scheduled to get the new season underway on March 25-27!

Be there!  The Kingdom of Speed is where its happening!

Friday’s racing gets underway at 6pm with warm-ups and the first green flag to wave immediately thereafter.  The USAC East Coast Wingless Sprints will head the action Friday as they will run qualifying events and a twenty-five lap feature event.  The 602 Crate Sportsman will compete in the Underdog 20 – a race for all drivers ois division who went winless during the 2021 season.  There will also be two rounds of practice for the 602s with four drivers being locked in for Sunday’s 602 feature event based on timed hot lap sessions. 

Bridgeport, NJ – The Bridgeport Motorsports Park presented the first Street Stock Nationals sponsored by Giels Automotive and the positive outcome will assure the future of this event on Doug Rose’s 2022 schedule.

“I’m pleased with the whole weekend,” Rose said of this new event, highlighting the Street Stock division. “I’m very happy!” The weekend saw great, close racing and gave the Street Stock division their turn in the limelight.

The starting line-up staged behind the grandstand for the command to “Start your engines!” Then Rose walked through the field and wished each driver well before the start.

Jimmy Blewett raced to the win in the $10,000 to win event and said that it was one of the hardest races that he’s ever won. After Rod Ormsbee suffered a non-racing injury during the week prior to the race, Blewett was asked to race Ormsbee’s No. 19 when it became clear that the driver would not be able to compete this weekend. “My years of racing experience were irrelevant in this race,” Blewett explained. “I have never, ever raced a Street Stock before. I grew up around the Street Stock racers. When I was a kid, I loved the Street Stocks – not the Modifieds. These cars are a handful. You have to drive the car every lap. These guys are real racers!”

And Jason Geesaman didn’t make it easy for Blewett. “It took me thirty laps just to find where I needed to run the car,” Blewett continued. “I didn’t know at that point if I was even going to be able to run with the leaders.”

Jeramy Doerr was the early race leader until mechanical issues sidelined him on lap thirty-two. Mike Walls had just taken the lead but he was forced to the pits with a mechanical issue. That put Jason Geesaman out in front when the green flag waved again. Geesaman lost the lead to Blewett on lap forty-four – just before the mandatory stop.

Geesaman never gave Blewett a minute to breathe during the second half of the race as he stayed on Blewett’s bumper, lap after lap. “I just couldn’t shake that guy,” Blewett said of Geesaman. Geesaman lost his brakes with about five laps to go. “This place is scary without brakes,” Geesaman remarked.

Blewett took the win over Geesaman, Ryan Smith, TJ Henry and Rich Stinson – two Bridgeport regulars finishing fourth and fifth. Chris Murray, Josh Bassino, Jeff Dirks, David Hunt and Spider Ensinger, Jr. round out the top ten.

Blewett was impressed with the competition. He marveled at the technology in some of the cars as well as the respect that was shown on the track. “That one car had more win stickers on it than I’ve seen in a long time,” Blewett related.

Ormsbee’s No. 19 is about twenty years old, complete with leaf springs. The beautifully prepared red, white and blue body had many thinking otherwise but diligent technical inspections negated any supposition. Ormsbee collected eleven feature wins at this home track this season.

WB James was the winner of the Underdog 20 for the Foley Cat Modifieds. James, a first year Modified competitor, took the lead from Roger Manning before the halfway mark and raced to the win over Rich Rutski, David Hunt, Brad Arnold, who was making his first Bridgeport start, and Frank Cozze. The race was sponsored by Training Tails and Prime Design Landscaping. Any Modified driver who had not won a feature this season was eligible to compete.

Steve Kemery had a very productive weekend, finishing second in Friday night’s South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Crate Sportsman feature and then picking up the win on Saturday. Kemery also jumped into the Joslin No. 343 for the Street Stock Nationals and after running closer to the front throughout the race, a late race incident saw Kemery finish eleventh in the 100 lap event.

On Friday night, Tom Princiotta was expecting something to happen on the final lap and it did. Kemery threw a slider at Princiotta in the final corner but the leader held on to take the win. Kemery finished second followed by Brian Papiez, Matt Ellery and Ryan Simmons.

On Saturday, Kemery improved his finish by one to take his sixth Bridgeport victory of the season. Travis Hill led the race for the first eighteen laps. Papiez challenged from the start but was able to put the Humphreys No. 90 out in front with just more than five laps to go. Papiez and Hill battled so intensely that Kemery was able to take advantage of the heated battle and drive into the lead with two to go. Papiez finished second followed by Bryan Brobst, Rookie Champion, Ethan Bill and Hill.

The Four Cylinders also competed on both Friday and Saturday night. Jonathan Pitcher picked up the win on Friday night over Scott Dunn and Joe Garey, Sr. who was followed by Bobby Johnson and Ricky Gergasko. On Saturday night, it was Joe Garey, Jr. who took the win over Pitcher who finished second. Bobby Johnson finished third followed by Shane Flaherty and Joe Garey, Sr.

Vintage stock car exhibitions were also a part of the racing program on both nights.
​

BRIDGEPORT MOTORSPORTS PARK

Friday, October 8, 2021

SOUTH JERSEY OVERHEAD DOORS 602 SPORTSMAN (25 laps)

1. Tom Princiotta, 2. Steve Kemery, 3. Brian Papiez, 4. Matt Ellery, 5. Ryan Simmons, 6. Howie Finch, 7. Will Protinick, 8. Ethan Young, 9. Brian Rogers, 10. Wayne Weaver, 11. Scott Hulmes, 12. Erik Mattson, 13. Shane Kassekert, DNS – Sara Napora, Mark Berzowski.

FOUR CYLINDER FEATURE (15 laps)

1. Jonathan Pitcher, 2. Scott Dunn, 3. Joe Garey, Sr., 4. Bobby Johnson, 5. Shane Flaherty, 6. Ricky Gergasko, 7. Ed Ford, 8. Joe Garey, Jr., 9. Jim Tinnes, 10. Kyle Hurley, DNS – Brendon Hires

Saturday, October 9, 2021

STREET STOCK NATIONALS SPONSORED BY GIELS AUTOMOTIVE (100 laps)

1. Jimmy Blewett, 2. Jason Geesaman, 3. Ryan Smith, 4. T.J. Henry, 5. Rich Stinson, Jr., 6. Chris Murray, 7. Josh Bassino, 8. Jeff Dirkes, 9. David Hunt, 10. Spider Ensinger, Jr., 11. Steve Kemery, 12. John Parker, 13. Mike Creamer, 14. Nick Sandone, III, 15. Ken Moren, 16. Sheldon Oberle, 17. Tom Wills, Jr., 18. Jeremy Doerr, 19. Andrew Fitzgerald, 20. Scott Hulmes, 21. Drew Brocklebank, 22. Kyle Saylor, 23. Kyle Deneen, 24. Brian Ludwig, 25. Walt Henry, 26. Vern McLaughlin, 27. Jeremy Zufall, DQ – Mike Walls, DNS – Spider Ensinger, Sr., DNQ – Joe Reed, Tom Princiotta, Tom Landwher, Mike Mann

SOUTH JERSEY OVERHEAD DOORS 602 SPORTSMAN (25 laps)

1. Steve Kemery, 2. Brian Papiez, 3. Bryan Brobst, 4. Ethan Bill, 5. Travis Hill, 6. Sammy Martz, Jr., 7. Matt Ellery, 8. Ryan Simmons, 9. Cole Stangle, 10. Kevin Borden, 11. Ryan Stangle, 12. Kyle Kania, 13. Will Protinick, 14. David Jenkins,15. Bryan Higgs, 16. Shane Kassekert, 17. Sara Napora, 18. Greg Nailor, 19. Brian Rogers, 20. Tommy Klimkowski, 21. Mark Berzowski, 22. Andy Walko, DNS – Howard Huepful

MODIFIED UNDERDOG 20 SPONSORED BY TRAINING TAILS (20 laps)

1. W.B. James, 2. Rich Rutski, 3. David Hunt, 4. Brad Arnold, 5. Frank Cozze, 6. Brett Kelly, 7. Blaine Bracelin, 8. Chris Jenkins, 9. Roger Manning, 10. Mike Franz, 11. David Crossman, 12. Troy Ale, 13. Brian Kuhl, DNS – Briggs Danner

FOUR CYLINDERS FEATURES (15 laps)

1. Joe Garey, Jr., 2. Jonathan Pritcher, 3. Bobby Johnson, 4. Shane Flaherty, 5. Joe Garey, Sr., 6. Ed Ford, 7. Mike Fox, 8. Kyle Hurley, 9. Scott Dunn, 10. Jared Hale, 11. Chris Gall

Bridgeport, NJ – The second annual Danny Serrano 100 weekend is history and Dominick Buffalino wrote the headline! After a less than stellar weekend prior to the main event, Buffalino raced from deep in the field to win the biggest race of his career. “Danny did a lot for me – he did a lot for racing,” Buffalino said from the Weaknecht Archery Victory Lane as he celebrated his win with family and friends. The weekend of racing was sponsored by John Blewett Scrap & Recycling and K&A Excavating.

It was said many times throughout the three day event – “Danny would be so proud!” “He should be here,” promoter, Doug Rose said before he sent the thirty-one car field to the start. “He should be here to see what we built here…We miss you, Danny!” And with that send-off, the field lined up for the start of the 100 lap event.

Matt Stangle grabbed the lead from his outside pole start and raced ahead of the field for the first six laps before Dillon Steuer raced ahead off of turn two on lap seven. Steuer was the class of the field for the first half of the race. He was one of the four drivers to set fast time on Friday night. That speed was evident as he immediately began to drive away from the field.

With Steuer out in front, there was plenty of action behind the leader. Stangle held down second as Neal Williams, 2021 Track Champion, Ryan Godown and Billy Pauch raced for position. Godown raced into second on lap fifteen. Stangle, Neal Williams and Ryan Krachun followed. With the first twenty-five laps on the books, Craig VonDohren replaced Krachun in the top five as the leaders caught up to the back of the field.

By lap thirty, Buffalino had a front row seat of the top five. The next five lap span found VonDohren take over third followed by Buffalino and Stangle. Billy Osmun III, Williams, Ryan Watt, Krachun and Billy Pauch, Jr. raced within the top ten.

As the field approached the halfway mark, Osmun replaced Stangle in the top five and the leaders again found themselves racing through lapped traffic. The traffic seemed to offer Steuer little challenge although Godown was able to close the gap on the leader from time to time but then Steuer would pull away once again.

Steuer led the way to the crossed flags and collected the $1,000 halfway bonus offered by Belmont’s Garage. Godown, Buffalino, VonDohren and Osmun followed the leader.

Two laps later, there was smoke coming from the No. 17z. Steuer slowed and the caution was needed on lap fifty-two with Godown the new race leader. Steuer’s great run was over.

When the racing resumed, the scene was a familiar one – Godown and Buffalino racing for the lead.

Buffalino pressured Godown for the lead as soon as the green flag waved. Behind the leaders, VonDohren, Osmun and Stangle raced within the top five with Watt, Pauch, Jr., last year’s winner, Alex Yankowski Krachun and Williams racing in the top ten.

Osmun took over third and became part of a three car battle for the lead on a lap seventy restart. Five laps later Buffalino was racing for the lead with Godown with VonDohren, Stangle and Osmun making up the top five.

Buffalino was the race leader on lap seventy-six with a lead of several car lengths over Godown.

Racing in the top five increased in intensity as Pauch, Jr. raced between VonDohren and Stangle. Godown regained the lead briefly on a lap eighty-one restart but Buffalino raced back with a crossover move out of turn two.

Pauch, Jr. raced in third behind Buffalino and Godown with fifteen laps remaining. Yankowski now raced in the top five. Yankowski challenged VonDohren and after a side-by-side battle, Yankowski took over fourth on lap eighty-eight.

Following a lap ninety-three restart, Pauch, Jr. staged his one and only shot at the lead. Pauch had a head of steam as he raced from turn three to turn four and threw a slider to end all sliders. As Duane Howard told Pauch after the race, “If you would have stuck that move, …” But drivers who race on the high banks weekly are more familiar with the moves that are made and Buffalino was prepared for the slider and blocked for hit. After some evasive action by Buffalino and Godown, Pauch, Jr. remained in third as the laps counted down.

Buffalino raced to the biggest win of his career followed by Godown, Pauch, Jr., Yankowski and VonDohren. Stangle, Tyler Dippel, Jordan Watson in the Blue Hen No. 30, Osmun and Brandon Grosso rounded out the top ten.

It ended up being a red-letter day for Buffalino who raced his way into the main event from the second Last Chance race. After an incident in his twenty lap qualifier on Saturday, Buffalino left the track on Saturday night without a starting spot in the 100 lap Serrano Memorial. But Buffalino was not worried. “I drove a bent-up race car on Saturday. That’s why we didn’t qualify not because we didn’t have a fast car. And I wasn’t worried about starting deep in the pack. You can race your way to the front here – that’s not always the case at other tracks,” the winner explained. “I did take it easy in the beginning.” Godown started one row in front of Buffalino so the race winner could see where he was throughout the race.

Godown was obviously disappointed after the wrong tire choice affected his performance. Pauch, Jr. felt that his slide job was the one and only chance he had at the win. “I have a pretty good feel about how close I can get from running the open wheel cars,” Pauch explained. “I had to go for it.”

The All American 40 for the 602 Crate Sportsman was the last race of the day.

Defending champion, Steve Kemery and Ryan Godown, Jr. battled for the lead in the early going. A lap five restart eliminated several cars from competition after a false start caused a chain reaction through the field.

A lap six restart saw a three wide race for the lead with Godown, Jr. taking the lead as the field headed down the backstretch. Track `champion, Sammy Martz, Jr. raced into second Steve Davis, Kemery and Peyton Talbot trailing the leaders. Davis took over second on lap eleven with Godown, Jr. and the lead on his radar.

After another restart and some side-by-side racing, Davis took the lead on lap fifteen with Travis Hill racing into second. Hill was able to apply some pressure on the leader as they raced to the halfway mark. Davis won the $500 halfway bonus offered by Belmont’s Garage followed by Hill, Martz, Talbot and Jim Dallett.

There was plenty of racing for position as the field raced through the second half of the race with the top five remaining unchanged until the final ten laps. Talbot won the battle with Martz for third and Godown, Jr. raced back into the top five after winning the battle with Kemery. Dallet’s efforts ended with mechanical issues just six laps from the finish.

Coming to the checkered flag, Martz was challenged by Adam White between turns three and four. Contact was made that sent both drivers spinning. Neither made it to the finish line after a very competitive forty lap event.

Davis raced to the $4,000 win over Hill with Talbot, Justin Grosso and Godown, Jr. completing the top five. Grosso rebounded to a top five finish after an incident earlier in the race. Kemery, Eric Kormann, Wayne Weaver, Anthony Tramontana and Frank Holmes rounded out the top ten.

Each of the qualifying heats for the 602 Crate Sportsman paid cash thanks to the support of Bicknell Racing Products, Penske Shocks, Jones Racing Products, Vahlco Racing Wheels, Precision Hydraulic and Oil ad Design for Vision.

Kormann received a 7th place bonus from Mancini Customer Homes. Paul Mancini picked up the $200 Hard Charger Award supported by Lineman Racing. A $500 bonus was also paid to the tenth place car at halfway sponsored by d&dkustomsl which was Howie Finch.

Danny’s 1 on 1 Match races were sponsored by Big Spring Car Wash & Storage for the top four finishers in each of the twenty lap qualifiers. Alex Yankowski won the first three matches for $150 defeating Howard, VonDohren and Grosso. Steuer then won against Yankowsk,i Stangle and Williams but a flat tire prevented for $150 in prize money but a flat tire eliminated him from further competition. Cale Ross won one round with Pauch, Jr. winning one. Pauch, Jr. had a single win. Then Ryan Krachun beat Pauch, Jr. and Pauch, Sr. for the ultimate prize.

Results 09.26.21:

FOLEY CAT MODIFIEDS DANNY SERRANO 100: 1. Dominick Buffalino, 2. Ryan Godown, 3. Billy Pauch Jr., 4. Alex Yankowski, 5. Craig Von Dohren, 6. Matt Stangle, 7. Tyler Dippel, 8. Jordan Watson, 9. Billy Osmun III, 10. Brandon Grosso, 11. Clay Butler, 12. Rick Laubach, 13. Ryan Krachun, 14. Jeff Strunk, 15. Cale Ross, 16. Tommy Beamer, 17. Jim Gallagher Jr., 18. W.B. James, 19. Rich Rutski, 20. Roger Manning, 21. Neal Williams, 22. Briggs Danner, 23. Ryan Watt, 24. Wade Hendrickson, 25. Dillon Steuer, 26. John McClelland, 27. Frank Cozze, 28. Billy Pauch, 29. Duane Howard, 30. Jimmy Blewitt, 31. Davey Sammons

SOUTH JERSEY OVERHEAD DOOR 602 SPORTSMAN ALL AMERICAN 40: 1. Steve Davis, 2. Travis Hill, 3. Payton Talbot, 4. Justin Grosso, 5. Ryan Godown Jr., 6. Steve Kemery, 7. Eric Kormann, 8. Wayne Weaver, 9. Anthony Tramontana, 10. Frank Holmes, 11. Ryan Higgs, 12. Paul Mancini, 13. Daniel Morgiewicz, 14. Kyle Belmont, 15. Will Protinick, 16. Sammy Martz Jr., 17. Adam White, 18. Howie Finch, 19. Billy Chester, 20. Chad Sandt, 21. Jim Dallett, 22. Ian Humphreys, 23. James Hill, 24. Joe Toth, 25. Ryan Stangle, 26. Joe Brown, 27. Sean Metz, 28. Ryan Simmons, 29. Nick Desantis, 30. Cole Stangle, 31. Matt Ellery, 32. Ethan Bill

4/8 CYLINDERS: 1. Tom Wolf, 2. Joe Garey Jr., 3. Chris Allen Sr., 4. Chris Gall, 5. Jim Tinnes, 6. Ricky Gergasko, 7. Joe Garey Sr., 8. Kyle Hurley, 9. Ed Ford, 10. Bobby Johnson

Bridgeport, NJ – Day two of the Danny Serrano 100 weekend offered plenty of great racing to entertain the huge crowd of race fans that were on hand for the big event sponsored by John Blewett Scrap & Recyling and K&A Excavating.

Alex Bright turned Briggs Danner’s misfortune into his tenth win of the season with the Rapid Tire Service USAC East Coast Wingless Sprints.

If anyone had questions about the longevity of Billy Pauch’s racing career, that question was answered, emphatically, by his performance in Saturday’s events. Pauch first went out and won the fifteen lap feature for the USAC All Pro SpeedSTRs in what was a four car battle for the win. Then Pauch picked up the win in the second 20 lap qualifier after a race long battle with Cale Ross. And last, but not least, Pauch picked up the $600 check in the Precision Hydraulic and Oil Cash Dash, sending the past champion to the Weaknecht Archery Victory Lane for the third time.

Ed Aiken grabbed the lead at the wave of the green for the twenty-five lap feature for the USAC East Coast wingless sprints. Aiken led for the first two times around the high banks before Damon Paul moved the Lou Ciccioni No. 57 into the lead. Briggs Danner started outside the third row but was quickly into the thick of the battle for the lead. Danner raced up the middle between Aiken and Paul to take the lead but the caution negated his efforts with three laps scored.

Danner had the lead on lap four, following the restart.

Danner led the way through halfway over Paul, Christopher Allen, Jr., Aiken and point leader, Alex Bright.

Bright worked his way by Aiken and then Allen to move up to third with about five laps remaining. When the caution waved again, Bright was in second. During the caution, the No. 5G had a right rear tire going down. Danner was forced to go into the work area for a tire change, turning the lead over to Bright.

Bright raced to his tenth win of the season over Paul, Allen, Aiken and Christian Bruno. Mark Bitner, Jonathan Swanson, Bruce Buckwalter, Larry Drake and Jason Cherry rounded out the top ten.

Pauch pulled a rabbit out of a hat with the win in the fifteen lap USAC All Pro SpeedSTR win. After leading the first lap, Pauch lost the lead to Alex Yankowski who was behind the wheel of the Bob Swavely owned No. 56. Yankowski led through lap nine but it was Pauch who was back in front with five to go. The top four were using all available lanes to battle right down to the checkered flag with Pauch taking the win over Yankowski. Briggs Danner was third followed by Tim Buckwalter and Tom Mayberry.

Craig VonDohren used speed and patience to win the first twenty lap qualifier after racing in third behind Brandon Grosso and Ryan Krachun for the first ten laps. Grosso and Krachun were absorbed in their battle for the lead. When the two drivers took it up the track in turn two, VonDohren raced into the lead on lap thirteen.

Krachun reclaimed the runner-up spot with Grosso finishing third. The three drivers won starting positions in the Cash Dash while Duane Howard, Wade Hendrickson and Jordan Watson collecting starting positions in Sunday’s one hundred lap event.

In the second twenty lap qualifier, Pauch grabbed the lead from Cale Ross on the start and then spent the next twenty circuits up on the wheel to collect the win.

Ross had his hands full with Matt Stangle in the early going. Stangle raced into second on lap five but Ross reclaimed the runner-up spot before the halfway mark.

Ross kept the pressure on through the final ten laps but Pauch never wavered as he drove to the checkered flag. Ross and Stangle followed with the top three going to the Cash Dash. After losing several spots on the original start, Ryan Watt raced his way back to fourth followed by Tyler Dippel and Jeff Strunk who won the battle for the final qualifying spot with Briggs Danner.

Davey Sammons battled with Dillon Steuer for the first laps of the third twenty lap qualifier until Neal Williams drove by both drivers to take the lead on lap three. Billy Pauch Jr. raced into second on a lap three restart. Pauch, Jr. tried several different angles off the corner to challenge Williams for the lead but it was Williams’s and the South Jersey Overhead Door No. 0 that went to Victory Lane. Williams, Pauch, Jr. and Steuer took the top three spots to transfer to the Cash Dash while the winner of the first Danny Serrano 100, Alex Yankowski finished fourth followed by Frank Cozze and Ryan Godown, each winning starting positions in the 100 lap main event.

Pauch drew the pole for the Cash Dash with Billy Pauch, Jr. to his outside. Pauch, Sr. left no cards on the table as he grabbed the lead and left the race for second behind him. Six laps later, Pauch collected his third win of the night followed by Matt Stangle, Pauch, Jr., Ryan Krachun and Cale Ross.

Travis Hill, Eric Kormann, Frank Holmes and Ian Humphreys were the fast timers in the four timed hot lap sessions for the 602 Crate Sportsman. Rookie Champion, Ethan Bill then earned his spot in Sunday’s All American 40 by being the best of all of the second place timers.

09/25/2021:

FOLEY CAT MODIFIEDS TRIPLE 20 #1: 1. Craig Von Dohren, 2. Ryan Krachun, 3. Brandon Grosso, 4. Duane Howard, 5. Wade Hendrickson, 6. Jordan Watson, 7. Rick Laubach, 8. Tommy Beamer, 9. Stan Frankenfield, 10. Ryan Forte, 11. John McClelland, 12. Mike Franz, 13. David Hunt

FOLEY CAT MODIFIEDS TRIPLE 20 #2: 1. Billy Pauch Sr., 2. Cale Ross, 3. Matt Stangle, 4. Ryan Watt, 5. Tyler Dippel, 6. Jeff Strunk, 7. Briggs Danner, 8. Jim Gallagher Jr., 9. Dominick Buffalino, 10. Clay Butler, 11. Jimmy Blewitt, 12. Troy Ale, 13. Tim Buckwalter

FOLEY CAT MODIFIEDS TRIPLE 20 #3: 1. Neal Williams, 2. Billy Pauch Jr., 3. Dillon Steuer, 4. Alex Yankowski, 5. Frank Cozze, 6. Ryan Godown, 7. Danny Bouc, 8. Billy Osmun III, 9. Davey Sammons, 10. Roger Manning, 11. W.B. James, 12. Rich Rutski, 13. J.R. Fulper

FOLEY CAT MODIFIEDS CASH DASH: 1. Billy Pauch, 2. Matt Stangle, 3. Billy Pauch Jr., 4. Ryan Krachun, 5. Cale Ross, 6. Dillon Steuer, 7. Neal Williams, 8. Brandon Grosso, 9. Craig Von Dohren

SPEEDWAY ENTERTAINMENT USAC ALL PRO SPEEDSTRS: 1. Billy Pauch Sr., 2. Alex Yankowski, 3. Briggs Danner, 4. Tim Buckwalter, 5. Tom Mayberry, 6. Mike Bednar, 7. Jason Musser, 8. Scott Houdeshell, 9. Nick Havens, 10. Tim Iulg, 11. Dillion Steuer, 12. Dustin Morris, 13. Nick Pecko, 14. Justin Thompson, 15. Ryan Krachun, 16. TJ Mayberry, 17. Louden Reimert

USAC EAST COAST SPRINT CARS: 1. Alex Bright, 2. Damon Paul, 3. Chris Allen Jr., 4. Ed Aikin, 5. Christian Bruno, 6. Mark Bittner, 7. Jonathan Swanson, 8. Bruce Buckwalter Jr., 9. Larry Drake, 10. Jason Cherry, 11. Al Cheyney, 12. Heidi Heidin, 13. Brian Spencer, 14. Colin White, 15. Briggs Danner, 16. Eric Jennings, 17. Aiden Borden, 18. David Swanson, 19. Nash Ely, 20. Joey Amantea, 21. Lee Kauffman, 22. Shea Wills

SOUTH JERSEY OVERHEAD DOOR 602 SPORTSMAN TIME TRIALS: SESSION 1 – Travis Hill, SESSION 2 – Eric Kormann, Session 3 – Frank Holmes, SESSION 4 – Ian Humphreys, SESSION 5 – Ethan Bill