Category: News

Lucas Wolfe picked up right where he left off a year ago as he drove to victory in the first night of the Capitol Renegade United Racing Club (URC) Big Track Classic action at the Bridgeport Speedway sponsored by BRB Construction of King of Prussia, PA.

Wolfe was the Saturday night winner in last year’s event after a fifth place finish during Friday night’s action won by Curt Michael.

Kevin Nagy and ten time URC Champion, Michael led the field to the start of the twenty-five lap feature event.  Nagy jumped in the lead on the start followed by Michael, JJ Grasso and Wolfe.  By alp five, Nagy had caught the back of the starting line-up but a caution flag on lap six, cleared the track for the race leader.  The lap six restart proved to be the key to the race as Wolfe moved up to third on the restart.  “Everyone was pretty locked into the same speed on the original start,” Wolfe explained.  “I was in a better position on that restart and I was pretty good everywhere on the track.”

Nagy led lap six with Michael racing into the lead on lap seven.  Nagy was back out in front on the next circuit as Wolfe moved into the runner-up spot.  Wolfe took it three wide into turn three to take the lead from Nagy on lap twelve.

Grosso moved up to third at the half way mark but Michael reclaimed the spot on the next time around.  Josh Weller was on the move through the top ten.  Weller was forced to make the starting line-up through the consolation after a flat tire sidelined him from a qualifying spot in his heat race.

The leaders were again in lapped traffic just before the five to go sign.  Michael challenged Nagy for second and took the spot as the two drivers raced through lapped traffic.

Wolfe led the way to the checkered flag followed by Michael, Nagy, Robbie Stillwaggon and Weller.  Stillwaggon battled with Grasso throughout the race with Grasso fading in the closing laps.  Weller moved into fifth on the final lap.

Kris Lilick led from the green flag to the checkered to capture the Underdog 20 Crate/Sportsman feature.  Any driver who had not won during the 2017 season was eligible for this special race.

John Micek raced into second from his seventh place start to trail Lilick to the checkered.  Chris Jenkins held off the persistent challenges of Jesse Landis to finish third with Tom Moore rounding out the top five after starting deep in the pack.

Both Lilick and Micek earned guaranteed starting spots in the Crate/Sportsman portion of Saturday night’s program by setting fast time for the Sportsman and Crates, respectively, during timed hot laps.

URC Feature (25 laps) – 1. Lucas Wolfe, 2. Curt Michael, 3. Kevin Nagy, 4. Robbie Stillwaggon, 5. Josh Weller, 6. JJ Grasso, 7. Adam Carberry, 8. Steve Buckwalter, 9. Davey Sammons, 10. Troy Betts, 11. Jimmy Stitzel, 12. Chris Coyle, 13. Bill Unglert, 14. Tom Carberry, 15. Tim Higgins, 16. Larry McVay, 17. Brandon McGough, 18. Mark Sasso, 19. JR Berry, 20. Zack Burd, 21. Justin Whittal, 22. Jonathan Swanson, 23. Christopher Allen, 24. Mark Bitner

 

The Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) fueled by VP South Region returned to the Bridgeport Speedway for the Dirty Jersey 5 on Saturday night.  Ryan Watt has been on a hot streak during the 2017 season and Saturday night was no exception as Watt raced to the win in the forty lap STSS event, collecting the $5,000 winner’s check in addition to several contingency awards.  Matt Stangle earned his tenth Bridgeport win of the season, racing to the win in the Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman feature while Jeramy Doerr picked up win number seven in the Pennco Tech Outlaw Stock main event.

The luck of the draw put Watt on the pole for the feature event and he quickly jumped into the lead on the start but a very persistent Jordan Watson wasn’t about to let the Watt get out of his sight.  Watson moved past Ryan Godown to take over the runner-up spot at the end of the first lap and kept his radar on Watt and the No. 14w.

Watt led the way, lengthening his lead over Watson, Godown, Billy Pauch, Jr. and Sam Martz through halfway.

With just ten laps to go, David VanHorn broke into the top five after starting in the thirteenth position.  A few laps later, VanHorn was feeling the challenge of twelfth place starter, Craig VonDohren

Watson’s night came to an end about two laps later when a mechanical failure brought the Delaware driver to a stop.  With five laps to go, the caution waved as Richie Pratt headed to the pits for service, setting a five lap shootout for the finish.  Martz and Godown battled it out for the runner-up spot and were soon joined by VonDohren who made it a three car race for second while Watt pulled away.  Martz held off Godown but lost the battle to VonDohren who had the Dick Biever owned No. 14s humming in the closing laps.  VonDohren took over second with about a mile remaining in the race.

Watt took the win over VonDohren, Martz, Godown and VanHorn.  Jimmy Horton, Rick Laubach, Anthony Perrego, Billy Pauch Sr. and Jr. rounded out the top ten.

The win paid Watt an extra $500 bonus as the high point man in the two race weekend where he finished seventh at Georgetown, DE on Friday and then picked up the win at Bridgeport on Saturday.  Watt is enjoying the best season of his career behind the wheel of the Roberts Racing No. 14w. “This has been amazing,” Watt said of his ninth win on the 5/8 mile speedway.  “This Bicknell car with our Enders power plant has been great.  Again, I can’t thank my family – my wife, Lesley, son, Logan – my crew and Ronnie and Fay for all that they do.”

2017 Crate/Sportsman Champion, Matt Stangle, raced by Craig Whitmoyer on lap fifteen to capture his tenth win of the season on the fast Bridgeport Speedway.  Whitmoyer held on to finish second with Jeff Bubori finishing a close third.  Frank Dorry made a late race move to take fourth over Roger Manning.

Jeramy Doerr raced to his seventh win of the season, taking the lead when Jeff Dirkes pulled off the track with mechanical issues.  Andrew Joslin, a protégé of Doerr’s, finished second followed by Spider Ensinger, Darren Cox and Rich Stinson.

 

DIRTY JERSEY 5 STSS MODIFIEDS (40 laps): 1. Ryan Watt, 2. Craig VonDohren, 3. Sam Martz, 4. Ryan Godown, 5. David VanHorn, 6. Jimmy Horton, 7. Rick Laubach, 8. Anthony Perrego, 9. Billy Pauch, Sr., 10. Billy Pauch, Jr., 11. Jeff Strunk, 12. Brett Kressley, 13. Brandon Grosso, 14. Duane Howard, 15. Jamie Mills, 16. Neal Williams, 17. Richie Pratt, Jr., 18. Mike Barone, 19. Jim Britt, 20. Jordan Watson, 21. Andy Bachetti, 22. Wade Hendrickson, 23. Mike Franz, 24. Ron Roberts, 25. Joseph Watson, DNQ – Travis Hill, Ricky DiEva, Bob Sarkisian, Ernie Miles, III, Bucky Kell, Dave Shirk, Tom Carberry, Brian Hitz

 

CRATE/SPORTSMAN (20 laps): 1. Matt Stangle, 2. Craig Whitmoyer, 3. Jeff Bubori, 4. Frank Dorry, 5. Roger Manning, 6. Brian Papiez, 7. Dave Damiano, 8. Kris Lilick, 9. Ryan Simmons, 10. John Micek, 11. Andrew Belmont, 12. Tom Sherby, 13. Tom Moore, 14. Jesse Landis, 15. Matthew Peck, 16. Brett Belmont, 17. David Burns, 18. Bill Briggs, 19. John Scarpati, 20. B.J. Joly, 21. Rich Wegner, Jr., 22. Scott Kohler, 23. Kyle Lilick, 24. Chris Jenkins, 25. Tommy Errico, 26. Pete Serra, DNQ – Walt McIntyre, Roger Gaskill, Johnny Bangs, Marty Resnick, Danny Buccafusca, Chris Breman, Ray Cost, Louden Reimert, Joe Reid

 

OUTLAW STOCKS (15 laps): 1. Jeramy Doerr, 2. Andrew Joslin, 3. Spider Ensinger, 4. Darren Cox, 5. Rich Stinson, 6. Ken Moren, 7. Steven Land, 8. Billy Wroble, 9. Gary Elliott, Jr., 10. Paul Donahue, 11. Jeff Dirkes

Bridgeport, NJ (November 8, 2017) – With record-breaking low temperatures (for this time of the year) on the horizon, Bridgeport Speedway has postponed this week’s Wildcard Weekend to the following weekend (Nov 17 & 18).  A much more favorable forecast is predicted for next weekend thus allowing Bridgeport to utilize their ‘rain date’.

‘We hate to pull the plug when it’s not going to rain but this cold weather is not good for the drivers or the fans,’ expressed general manager Danny Serrano.  “We reached out to roughly 50 teams on short notice, and all but a few were in favor of moving the entire weekend back a week.  Friday night’s temperatures had already made up some of the drivers’ minds on not competing.  With better temps in store next weekend, they were in favor to race next week,” Serrano added.

Starting times remain the same for November 17 & 18 for both Friday and Saturday.  All the extracurricular activities planned for the fans will still be in affect on Saturday, including the ‘Party under the Pavilion’ on Friday night.  Weekend campers will still be out in full affect along with a ‘weekend combo pass’ for the fans.  A stellar field of Big Blocks, Small Blocks, Crate/Sportsman, and Outlaw Stocks will be in action all weekend long fighting for the 811 Dig Safe Poker Series championship.  Be sure to visit the track’s official website www.bpspeedway.com for all the latest information.  You can also follow Bridgeport on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat or call the speedway hotline 856-467-4408

 

The second annual Big Track Classic for the Capitol Renegade United Racing Club (URC) Sprint Cars is coming to the Bridgeport Speedway on Friday and Saturday, November 3rd and 4th and is brought to you by Insinger Performance and Sunoco Race Fuels.

The inaugural event produced great racing a year ago when Curt Michael raced to the win in Friday night action and Lucas Wolfe improved on his fifth place finish on Friday to capture his first ever Bridgeport Speedway win on Saturday.  Michael earned the coveted Midge Miller Memorial Trophy for accumulating the most points during the two day event with Miller’s family making the trophy presentation at the conclusion of Saturday’s action.

While the competitors will be racing for URC Championship points on both days of racing, Curt Michael has already claimed his tenth URC Championship while behind the wheel of the Bill Gallagher owned No. 5G.  Chris Coyle, Davie Franek, Josh Weller and Robbie Stillwaggon are trailing Michael going into the final weekend of racing.

The Midge Miller Memorial trophy will again be awarded to the URC competitor who amasses the most points during the two day event.

2017 is URC’s 70th season as a traveling sprint car organization making it the oldest club of its kind in the United States.  The celebration will continue as the organization inducts three new members into its Hall of Fame during the Big Track Classic weekend.

On Friday night, John Zimmerman who served as club president for some twenty years, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.  Pat and Kathy Palladino will be inducted during Saturday night’s schedule.  The Palladino’s have been the most successful car owners in URC history, winning championships with Sean Michael (1999), again in 2000 with multiple drivers, 2005, 2006 and 2007 with Curt Michael  and again in 2009 with JJ Grasso.

In addition to the six titles, Kathy Palladino was the first women to be a URC Car Owner Champion.

Driver, Gary Gollub has already been inducted in the URC Hall of Fame earlier this season.

Long time URC competitor, Tim Higgins will return to action during the Big Track Classic Weekend.  Higgins was sidelined with some health issues several seasons ago and will make a one time reappearance on this weekend behind the wheel of his nephew’s sprint car.

The URC competitors will be joined in Friday night action with the Underdog 20  – a race open to any Crate/Sportsman competitor who has not won a feature event.  Pit gates open at 4, grandstand gates at 5:30 with racing getting underway at 7:30

On Saturday, the URC sprint cars will be joined with  the Bridgeport Crate/Sportsman competitors.  All will compete in qualifying races and main events.  Pit gates will open at 1pm, grandstands at 3pm and racing gets underway at5pm.

A good field of cars is expected which can only mean another great weekend of racing on Bridgeport’s lightning fast 5/8th mile speedway.

Come out early and enjoy the live entertainment and delectable speedway concessions.  Join the Bridgeport Bandit for a ride on the Bandit Bus to get a close-up view of the behind-the-scenes action in the pit area before the start of the races.  Pick up a copy of the Bridgeport Bullet – the official program of the Bridgeport Speedway – or a t-shirt to remember your racing weekend.

Upcoming events

Friday & Saturday, November 3-4 – United Racing Club Big Track Classic Weekend 

Friday & Saturday, November 10-11 – Wildcard Weekend – Poker Series Hand #6

BRIDGEPORT, NJ – A purse structure of more than $25,000 and a $10,000 championship looming will provide plenty of motivation for racers when the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By VP roars into Bridgeport Speedway this Saturday, September 30.

Just two events remain on the STSS Velocita South Region schedule for 2017, including Saturday’s ‘Dirty Jersey 5’ 40-lap event at Bridgeport paying $5,000 to win, $1,000 for 10^th and $400 to take the green.

Ryan Watt, Bridgeport’s champion, sits atop the STSS South standings by just a single marker over Stewart Friesen. Duane Howard, the most recent series winner at Georgetown (Del.) Speedway in late-August, is just 12 markers removed from the top spot.

Bridgeport will serve as the final “100-point” race on the schedule. After this seventh of eight STSS rounds, a driver’s worst finish will be dropped and 75 points will be added for perfect attendance entering the 150-point finale at Georgetown October 27-28.

A host of STSS series travelers will hit the Bridgeport five-eighths-mile Saturday including Watt, Howard, Jimmy Horton, David Van Horn Jr., Ryan Godown, Jordan Watson, Billy Pauch Sr. and Jr., Craig Von Dohren, Brett Kressley, Jim Britt, Jeff Strunk and more.

From the north, Massachusetts driver Andy Bachetti and New York’s Anthony Perrego plan to battle at the South Jersey facility.

Bridgeport’s regulars, of course, will look to defend their home turf with big money on the line.

A two-night American Racer ‘Southern Swing’ point fund will be paid at Bridgeport, comprised of Friday night’s ‘September Showdown’ at Georgetown and Saturday’s‘Dirty Jersey 5’ as follows: 1) $500 – 2) $400 – 3) $300 – 4) $200 – 5) $100. The finish Saturday at Bridgeport will be used as the tiebreaker.

Completing Saturday’s program are the Crate/Sportsman and Outlaw Stocks.

Pit gates open at 3 p.m. Grandstand gates are unlocked at 4 p.m. The drivers’ meeting takes place at 5 p.m., with hot laps at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6:30 p.m.

Adult grandstand admission is $25 (ages 16 and up), $10 (Students ages 10-15) and Kids 9 and under are FREE. Pit admission is $35, with no license required.

Located in South Jersey, just minutes from Pennsylvania and Delaware at I-295 Exit 14, Bridgeport Speedway is a spacious five-eighths-mile clay oval with a quarter-mile embedded in the center. Bridgeport Speedway provides a safe and secure family atmosphere, free parking, giveaways and fan participation. To learn more, visitwww.bpspeedway.com.

To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP or BD Motorsports Media LLC, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com or www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com, call 845.728.2781 during business hours, e-mail [email protected], “like” Short Track Super Series on Facebook or follow @ShortTrackSS on Twitter.

The 2017 Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, VP Racing Fuel, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Halmar International, Allstar Performance, ATL Racing Fuel Cells, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Bicknell Racing Products, Dirt Track Digest, Fast Axle, Fox Racing Shocks, Hig Fab, Henry’s Exhaust, HyperCo, Keizer Wheels, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, K&N, QA1, Race Pro Weekly, Racing Optics, Speed51.com, Teo-Pro Car, Velocita, Weld & Wilwood.

Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Schedule

Velocita South Region

Saturday, March 11 – Georgetown Speedway/Georgetown Del. – Melvin L. Joseph Memorial – WINNER: JIMMY HORTON

Sunday, April 23 – Bridgeport Speedway/Bridgeport, N.J. (Five-Eighths-Mile) – South Jersey Shootout – WINNER: STEWART FRIESEN

Thursday, June 15 – Delaware International Speedway/Delmar, Del. – Diamond State 50 – WINNER: RYAN WATT

Sunday, July 16 – Big Diamond Speedway/Minersville, Pa. – ‘Anthracite Assault’ – COMBO – WINNER: RYAN GODOWN

Sunday, July 30 – Susquehanna Speedway/Newberrytown, Pa. – York County Nationals $10,000 to win – WINNER: ERICK RUDOLPH

Wednesday, August 30 – Georgetown Speedway/Georgetown, Del. – Blast at the Beach 4 – WINNER: DUANE HOWARD

Saturday, September 30 – Bridgeport Speedway/Bridgeport, N.J. (Five-Eighths-Mile) – Dirty Jersey (Rain Date: October 1)

Friday–Saturday, October 27-28 – Georgetown Speedway/Georgetown, Del. – Mid-Atlantic Championship (Rain Date: Oct. 29) – CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

 

After a hard fought battle for the lead with Oley, PA driver, Craig VonDohren, 2017 Bridgeport Track Champion, Ryan Watt raced into the lead on lap thirty-six and led the final fifteen laps to capture the K&A Excavating sponsored King of the Big Block title and the $10,000 payday that went with it at the Bridgeport Speedway on Saturday night.  A large crowd gathered to witness the second annual King of the Big Block event, won last year by Billy Pauch.

After handily winning his qualifying event, Pauch lined up eleventh on the starting grid of twenty-six cars that took the green flag.  Unfortunately, Pauch was one of two cars that flipped on the homestretch during a lap two incident.  When acar got out  of shape on the restart in mid-pack, Pauch and Ryan Anderson had nowhere to go, climbing up and over cars in front of them.  All drivers involved escaped injury but Pauch and Anderson’s mounts were heavily damaged.  Several other cars were damaged but only Billy Pauch, Jr. was unable to continue immediately following the wreck.

Polesitter, Rick Laubach had the Ryan Kerr owned No. 1K out in front at the start despite pressure from VonDohren who quickly advanced from his fifth place start, Jojo Watson and Watt.  Laubach led through lap two when Watt drove into the lead.  VonDohren was in hot pursuit as he chased Watt through lap eight and then took the lead as he raced Dick Biever’s No. 14s down the backstretch.

Duane Howard raced by Watt to take over second following a lap fifteen restart but Watt battled back to take over the runner-up spot behind VonDohren.  Von Dohren led the way through half way with Watt a few car lengths behind, followed by Howard, Laubach and Watson.  Lapped traffic supplied another dimension as the leaders approached lap thirty and Watt closed in on VonDohren.

Jimmy Horton drew a caution on lap thirty-one when he headed pit side for a tire change.  Watt challenged for the lead on the restart, first looking to the inside.  Jeff Strunk, the winner of the Friday night Small Block event, raced into the top five onlap thirty-one but all eyes were on the two No. 14s at the front of the pack as Watt tried both inside and outside to regain the lead.  VonDohren and Watt raced side by side to the stripe on lap thirty-five but it was Watt who had the lead the next time by.

Watt promptly pulled away from VonDohren and there was no further contest for the lead.  Strunk continued to pick off positions in the top five, advancing to third in the race’s final laps.

Watt led the way to the checkered flag for his eighth Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modified win of the season  Roberts Racing,  over VonDohren, Strunk, Howard and Jordan Watson rounding out he top five.  Laubach, Dominick Buffalino, Richie Pratt, Jr., followed with Frank Cozze finishing ninth after using a provisional to start the race in twenty-fifth.  Travis Hill rounded out the top ten.

Brian Papiez raced into the lead on the final turn of the final lap to capture his sixth Bridgeport win of the season in the Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman over Kris Lilick who had led the way until that point.  Craig Whitmoyer finished third followed by Roger Manning and Ryan Simmons.

Tom Wills, Jr. and Jeremy Doerr battled fender to fend in the Pennco Tech Outlaw Stock feature with Wills edging Doerr for the win at the checkered flag.  Jeff Dirkes rebounded from an earlier incident to finish third followed by Gary Klimeczak and Jon Meyer.

 

This event was also the fifth hand of the Colonial Pipeline’s 811 Call Before You Dig Poker Series events for the Big Blocks and Crate/Sportsman and fourth hand for the Outlaw Stocks.

 

Ryan Watt added his third Ace to his Poker Series hand with his win while Dominck Buffalino works on a possible straight, adding an eight to his Queen, Jack and nine.  Brian Papiez now has a pair of Aces to Matt Stangle’s three Aces but Roger Manning added another card to his possible straight  – a Jack to go with his King, Queen, nine and eight.  Tom Wills, Jr. now has two pair – Aces and Kings to lead the Outlaw Stock Poker Series competition.

Colonial’s pipelines are buried underground, usually with at least three feet of cover however, with the passage of time, erosion and human activities can alter that depth.  That’s why Colonial encourages you to call before you dig!  Any project – large or small – you are encouraged to dial 8-1-1 before you dig.

Action returns to the Bridgeport Speedway this Saturday the Dirty Jersey 5 – a Short Track Super Series Event that will feature the Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman and Outlaw Stocks.  Racing gets underway at 6:30pm.  Should it be needed, a rain date has been set for Sunday, October 1.

 

811 CALL BEFORE YOU DIG POKER SERIES

K&A EXCAVATING KING OF THE BIG BLOCK MODIFIEDS  (50 laps): 1. Ryan Watt, 2. Craig VonDohren, 3. Jeff Strunk, 4. Duane Howard, 5. Jordan Watson, 6. Rick Laubach, 7. Dominick Buffalino, 8. Richie Pratt, Jr., 9. Frank Cozze, 10. Travis Hill, 11. Jamie Mills, 12. Jimmy Horton, 13. Joseph Watson, 14. Jesse Hill, 15. Jim Britt, 16. Neal Williams, 17. David Hunt, 18. Wade Hendrickson, 19. Anthony Perrego, 20. Brandon Grosso, 21. Billy Pauch, Sr., 22. Ryan Anderson, 23. Billy Pauch, Jr., 24. Brett Kressley, 25. Ron Roberts, 26. Sam Martz, DNQ – Mike Iles, Ryan Godown, David VanHorn, Tim Buckwalter, Dave Shirk, Mike Franz, Jack Swain, Bob Sarkisian, Ricky DiEva, Ernie Miles, Jr., Brett Ballard

 

 

STEWART/STAINLESS CRATE/SPORTSMAN (20 laps): 1. Brian Papiez, 2. Kris Lilick, 3. Craig Whitmoyer, 4. Roger Manning, 5. Ryan Simmons, 6. Tom Sherby, 7. Matt Stangle, 8. Steve Kemery, 9. Andrew Belmont, 10. Tom Moore, 11. Clyde Cox, 12. Adam Cox, 13. Louden Reimert, 14. Kyle Lilick, 15. David Burns, 16. Chris Jenkins, 17. Brad Arnold, 18. Dave Damiano, 19. Matthew Peck, 20. Tom Errico, Sr., 21. Howard Huepfel, 22. Marty Resnick, 23. John Micek, 24. Brett Belmont, 25. Willie Osmun, DNQ – Tom Errico, Jr., Cale Ross, Jeff Bubori, B.J. Joley, Frank Dorry, Charles Stone, Pete Serra, Ray Cost, Jeremy Martino, Andrew Kreis, Scott Hulmes, Matt Luzi, Chris Breman, Tom Holding, David Banko, Chuck Sayres, David Crossman

 

 

PENNCO TECH OUTLAW STOCKS (15 laps): 1. Tom Wills, Jr., 2. Jeramy Doerr, 3. Jeff Dirkes, 4. Gary Klimeczak, 5. Jon Meyer, 6. Jack Beaumont, 7. Billy Wroble, 8. Gary Elliott, Jr., 9. Bill Liedtka,  10. Andrew Joslin, 11. Rob Lingo, 12. Mike Creamer, 13. Bill Connolly, 14. Spider Ensinger, 15. Paul Donahue, 16. Rich Stinson, 17. Brian Ludwig, 18. Ken Moren

 

Upcoming events

 

Saturday, September 30 – Dirty Jersey Short Track Super Series – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman & Outlaw Stocks, racing at 6:30pm

Friday & Saturday, November 3-4 – United Racing Club Big Track Classic Weekend 

Friday & Saturday, November 10-11 – Wildcard Weekend – Poker Series Hand #6

 

Fresh off his big win in the Freedom 76er a week ago, Jeff Strunk drove Glenn and Bonita Hyneman’s No 126 to victory in Bridgeport’s Small Block Modified show on the night before the K&A Excavating King of the Big Block event.  Forty Small Block Modifieds competed for starting positions in the feature event.

The Small Block Modifieds were joined on the doubleheader program by the 305 Sprint Cars of the Mid Atlantic Sprint Car Series for their final point race of the 2017 season.  Eddie Wagner captured the first championship of the newly formed organization while driving to his first feature win of the 2017 season.

Strunk had one victory on the 5/8th mile Bridgeport Speedway in October 2006 but it was the 49th feature win for the Hyneman’s as car owners in Bridgeport competition.  Polesitter, Anthony Perrego jumped into the lead at the start of the twenty-five lap event but felt the pressure from Strunk from the start.  Bob Sarkisian, Rocco Infante and Frank Cozze were embroiled in a battle for fourth as they raced behind Perrego, Strunk and Jesse Hill during the early laps.

Strunk tried a move to the inside of Perrego on lap four but went to the outside of the Empire State competitor on the next lap, taking over the lead on lap five as Strunk led Perrego, Sarkisian, 2017 Big Block Champion, Ryan Watt and Hill.  Cozze, who won this event last year, broke into the top five on lap six.  Watt moved into third on lap nine.

Strunk set a blistering pace as he navigated his way through lapped traffic just before the half way mark.  It was all Strunk in the non-stop event that was completed in just over nine minutes.

  Strunk took the win over Perrego, Watt, Cozze and Sarkisian.  Craig Von Dohren, Duane Howard, Dominick Buffalino, Billy Pauch, Jr, and Danny Bouc rounded out the top ten at the checkered flag

Wagner led from the green flag to the checkered to capture the MASS sprint car feature event to capture the win in their twenty lap main event over Austin Bishop.  Bishop stayed with the leader throughout the race but was not able to challenge for the lead even when the caution waved just before the half way mark, setting up a double file restart for the field.

Brandon Poff had one of his best outings of the season as he raced in third after doing battle with Jeff Geiges in the early going and then holding off the advances of Rick Stief later in the event.  Tim Tanner broke into the top five during the second half of the race, leaving Geiges and Steph Carberry to battle side by side for the sixth spot for the remaining laps.

Wagner took the win over Bishop, Poff, Steif and Tanner.  Tom Carberry, Sr. was named as the MASS Rookie of the Year as the long time Modified driver, competed with MASS throughout the 2017 season.

Nearly thirty Big Blocks participated in two sessions of timed hot laps.  Ryan Watt set fast time during the first session over Jojo Watson, Ryann Godown, Wade Hendrickson and Dominick Buffalino.  Craig VonDohren was the fast timer in the second session of time hot laps over Wade Hendrickson, Anthony Perrego, Ryan Godown and Dominick Buffalino.  Both Watt and VonDohren received redraw spots in Saturday night’s King of the Big Block event with $10,000 on the line for the winner.

 

 

SMALL BLOCK MODIFIED FEATURE (25 laps): 1. Jeff Strunk, 2. Anthony Perrego, 3. Ryan Watt, 4. Frank Cozze, 5. Bob Sarkisian, 6. Craig VonDohren, 7. Duane Howard, 8. Dominick Buffalino, 9. Billy Pauch, Jr., 10. Danny Bouc, 11. Jesse Hill, 12. Ryan Godown, 13. Brandon Grosso, 14. Mike Gular, 15. David VanHorn, 16. Ray Swinehart, 17. Dave Shirk, 18. John McClelland III, 19. Roger Manning, 20. Brett Kressley, 21. Jared Umbenhauer, 22. Rocco Infante, 23. P.J. Oliver,  DNS – Ryan Krachun, DNQ – Ron Roberts, Mike Laise, Jack Swain, Ryan Grim, Matt Stangle, Scott Albert, Kevin Belmont, Tom Sherby, Steve Young, Tom Errico, Sr., Jeff Bubori, Matt Peck, Tom Errico, Jr., Chris Grbac, Eric Kormann, Kevin Vaclavicek

 

 

MASS 305 SPRINTS (20 laps):  1. Eddie Wagner, 2. Austin Bishop, 3. Brendon Poff, 4. Rick Stief, 5. Tim Tanner, Jr., 6. Jeff Geiges, 7. Stef Carberry, 8. Tom Carberry, Sr., 9. Scott Frack, 10. Bryant Davis, 11. Samantha Lieberman, 12. Larry McVay, 13. Tyler Reinhardt, 14. Dave Bonner, 15. Craig Pellegrini, 16. John Webster, 17. Tommy Carberry, 18. Larry McVay, Jr., DNS – Bobby Scherff, Mark Bitner

Upcoming events

 

Saturday, September 30 – Dirty Jersey Short Track Super Series – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman & Outlaw Stocks, racing at 6:30pm

Friday & Saturday, November 3-4 – United Racing Club Big Track Classic Weekend 

Friday & Saturday, November 10-11 – Wildcard Weekend – Poker Series Hand #6

The Bridgeport Speedway will take a few weeks off from their regular racing program will the speedway will not be idle.  The Monster Trucks are coming for a Monster Truck Throwdown – a two day event to be held Saturday &Sunday, September 16th & 17th.

Colonial Pipeline is the title sponsor for the first day of the event.  Colonial Pipeline safely and efficiently delivers more than 100 million gallons of gasoline, home heating oil, aviation fuel and other refined petroleum products through more than 5,500 miles of pipeline, most of which is underground, and above ground storage tanks which support safe operations of the overall system.

United Rentals is the title sponsor of the Sunday action of the Monster Truck Throwdown.  United Rentals has become the world’s largest equipment rental provider in it’s less than twenty years of existence.  United Rentals has nearly 900 branches (in 49 states and 30 Canadian provinces) with a centralized reservation service and automated online ordering for its $8.94 billion in equipment.  United Rentals’ team of 12,400 industry experts have the knowledge about equipment applications for virtually all project types.

The Bridgeport Speedway will offer an optimum venue for the Monster Truck Throwdown.  Frequently viewed in indoor arenas, the trucks will not be limited by space restrictions and should provide an ultimate viewing experience for their fans.  Two time World Free Style Champion, Jim Koehler and Avenger will be on hand to thrill the audience in addition to Crushstation, Siagon Shaker, Brutus, Lumberjack and more.  Fans will be treated to the back-flipping thrills of Freestyle Motocross.

There will be a Pit Party on both days where fans will be able to view the trucks and their drivers up close behind the grandstand, collect autographs and photos before the start of the action.

Gates will open at 4pm on Saturday with the Pit Party getting underway at 5pm.  The show starts at 7pm.  On Sunday, gates will open at 11am with the Pit Party at noon and the show starting at 2pm.  This event is held rain or shine.

In addition to the Monster Trucks, your family can enjoy the live music, moon bounce as well as Bridgeport’s concessions – everything from food to t-shirts!

You can take advantage of an on-line special on the Bridgeport Speedway website – www.bpspeedway.com.  A Family Pack – 2 Adult and 2 Kid tickets – for the special price of $50.  This special is available online only!

This event is suitable for the whole family!!  Come for one day or come for both!!  You are sure to be thrilled by the Monster Trucks.

 

 

 

It was Pennco Tech’s Scout Night and Back 2 School Night at the Bridgeport Speedway as Ryan Watt and Brian Papiez added to their season win totals and Ryan Stillwaggon picked up his first win of the season in Mid Atlantic Sprint Series (MASS) action.

Since 1973, Pennco Tech has been helping people achieve their goals – being the stepping stone people use to turn their dreams into reality.  With two locations in Blackwood, NJ and Bristol, PA, Pennco Tech offers studies in Automotive Technician, Medical Assistant, Air Conditioning & Heating as well as Pharmacy Technician studies.  Pennco Tech has been a division sponsor at the Bridgeport Speedway for several seasons as the title sponsor of the Outlaw Stocks.

In Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modified action, Mike Franz jumped out in front to lead the first six laps before Richie Pratt, Jr. raced his way into the lead from his seventh place start.  Franz slowed in turn three, drawing the caution on the next lap.  Pratt led the way over Ricky DiEva and Tommy Beamer before Rick Laubach raced into third on lap nine.  Watt raced into fourth one lap later.

Pratt dominated out front as Laubach looked to the inside of DiEva to challenge for second.  Watt caught up to the battle for second, choosing the outside lane for his move.  Watt was along side of Laubach as they raced into turn three and looking to challenge DiEva for second.  As the three drivers raced out of turn four, DiEva and Watt made incidental contact.  “I don’t even think he (DiEva) knew I was there,” Watt related.  “The contact with my right front sent me down into Rick (Laubach).  It’s a good thing he (Laubach) got out of the gas,” Watt added.  “He saved us both from a nasty wreck.”  Watt was able to regain control, now racing in third and chasing DiEva in second.  Watt took over second in turn three with Laubach moving into third at the start/finish line.

With ten to go, Pratt led Watt, Laubach, DiEva and Beamer but Watt took the lead one lap later.  Laubach had just taken over second on lap twenty when the Hermann No. 7 slowed.  The caution waved as Laubach was assisted to the pits.

There was plenty of action behind Watt as Beamer took over second on the restart and Jim Britt raced up the inside to take over third on the next lap.  After an early race incident, Dominick Buffalino raced back into the top five as fourth place Neal Williams challenged Britt for third.  Watt raced to the checkered flag for his seventh win while Beamer collected his best finish to date in second.  Williams finished third with Britt and Buffalino rounding out the top five.

After the action in the Big Blocks, the Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman were not to be outdone.  Rookie graduate, Tommy Ericco, led the way for the first six laps before Eric Kormann drove into the lead on lap seven and immediately pulled away from the field.  Kormann led through the halfway mark as point leader, Matt Stangle and Brian Papiez made their way through the top five.

Repeated cautions kept the field close but Kormann was holding off Stangle for the lead.  A lap sixteen restart saw Stangle challenge Korman but it was Papiez who was on the move on the outside, first making his way by Stangle and then racing Kormann out of turn four to take the lead with three laps to go.  Papiez took the win – his fifth of the season – and moved within eight points of Stangle in the championship hunt.  Kormann finished third after leading most of the way.  Roger Manning made a great comeback after an earlier incident to finish fourth with Tom Moore rounding out the top five.

Ryan Stillwaggon made only his fourth start of the 2017 season with the MASS 305 sprint cars but was the class of the field, setting fast time during warm-ups and his heat race.  Tommy Carberry took the lead on the initial start but it didn’t take Stillwaggon long to drive from his fourth place start and into the lead before the completion of the first lap.  Stillwaggon drove unchallenged to the win in the twenty lap feature event over Carberry.  Austin Bishop had another strong outing on the Bridgeport 5/8th mile to finish third with two time feature winner, Mark Bitner and Eddie Wagner rounding out the top five.

K&A Excavating’s Billy Pauch Fan Appreciation Night gets underway at 4:30 next Saturday before Bridgeport’s final points race of the season gets underway.  Pauch will be on hand with his No. 15 to meet with fans prior to the night’s event.  Any fan wearing their Billy Pauch t-shirt will receive a $5 discount on their admission to the races.  It is also the final Bike Night of the 2017 season with all riders on motorcycles being admitted free.  Several lucky boys and girls will go home with brand new bicycles at the end of the night.  Racing gets underway at 7pm.

SPIRIT AUTO CENTER BIG BLOCK MODIFIED FEATURE (25 laps): 1. Ryan Watt, 2. Tommy Beamer, 3. Neal Williams, 4. Jim Britt, 5. Dominick Buffalino, 6. Sam Martz, 7. Richie Pratt, Jr., 8. David Hunt, 9. Ricky DiEva, 10. Mike Frantz, 11. Jack Swain, 12. Dave Shirk, 13. Brett Ballard, 14. Ron Roberts, 15. Ernie Miles, III, 16. Tom Maccherone, 17. Rick Laubach, 18. Ryan Anderson, 19. Wesley Smith, 20. Matt Budd

 

STEWART STAINLESS SUPPLY CRATE/SPORTSMAN FEATURE (20 laps): 1. Brian Papiez, 2. Matt Stangle, 3. Eric Kormann, 4. Roger Manning, 5. Tom Moore, 6. Jeff Bubori, 7. Clyde Cox, 8. David Damiano, 9. Chris Jenkins, 10. Brett Belmont, 11. Melissa Scarpati, 12. Tom Holding, 13. Adam Cox, 14. Ray Cost, 15. Tomm Errico, 16. Kris Lilick, 17. John Scarpati, 18. Bill Briggs, 19. David Crossman

 

MASS 305 SPRINTS FEATURE (20 laps): 1. Ryan Stillwaggon, 2. Tommy Carberry, 3. Austin Bishop, 4. Mark Bitner, 5. Eddie Wagner, 6. Rick Stief, 7. Tim Tanner, Jr., 8. Jeff Geiges, 9. Jamie Kostic, 10. Brendon Poff, 11. Sydney Prince, 12. Dave Brown, 13. Bryant Davis, 14. Zack Burd, 15. Craig Pellegrini, 16. Keith Anderson, 17. John Webster, 18. Joe Kay, 19. Thomas Radivoy, 20. Harris Kohen, 21. Tom Carberry, Sr., DNS – Tim Smolenyak, Bobby Butler

 

 

 

Upcoming events

Saturday, August 26 – Pennco Tech Presents Back to School & Scout Night at the Races – Big Blocks, Crate/Sportsman and MASS Sprint Cars, racing at 7pm

Saturday, September 2 – K&A Excavating presents Billy Pauch Fan Appreciation – Final Night of Points plus Bike Night – Big Block Modifies, Crate/Sportsman & Outlaw Stocks with racing getting underway at 7pm

Saturday, September 9, 16 – No Racing

Friday & Saturday, September 22 & 23 – King of the Big Blocks Weekend!

 

Ryan Watt, Matt Stangle and Jeramy Doerr raced to victory in Bridgeport action on Saturday night in a night of racing sponsored by All County Garage Door LLC of Carneys Point, NJ.  Track officials raced the pop-up line of storms that appeared on the radar as feature time neared.

It was Mike Franz and Jack Swain who led the Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds to the wave of the green flag but it was fourth place starter, Tommy Beamer who took the lead on the first lap of the twenty-five lap main.  Beamer drove away from the field that included Billy Pauch, Rick Laubach, Jim Britt and Jesse Hill through lap five.  Watt moved into the top five on lap seven as Beamer stretched his lead over Pauch and Laubach.

Laubach took over second on lap eleven with a move to the outside of Pauch with Watt moving into third two laps later.  Just as Beamer was faced with lapped traffic, the caution waved for the first time with fourteen laps complete for Ricky DiEva between turns three and four.  Laubach used the outside line on the restart to put the Hermann No. 7 into the lead.  Watt followed in second.

On lap sixteen, Watt put the Roberts Racing No. 14w on the inside and pulled even with Laubach as they raced down the backstretch.  The race had a new leader as the field crossed the start/finish line for lap sixteen.

The final caution waved on lap nineteen as last week’s feature winner, Neal Williams had smoke billowing from the Overhead Door No. 0.  The field realigned for the restart with Watt out in front.  Richie Pratt, Jr. broke into the top five on the restart while Dominick Buffalino challenged Laubach for second.

Watt led the way to the checkered for his sixth Bridgeport victory of the season over Laubach, Buffalino, Pauch and Pratt.  Britt, Hill, Beamer, Jordan Watson and David Hunt rounded out the top ten.

After thirteen consecutive top five finishes, Eric Kormann suffered his first DNF oneweek ago after an early race multi-car incident in Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman competition.  Kormann looked like he was back with a vengeance as he raced into the lead on lap one with a pass by David Crossman as the field exited turn four.  Kormann then drove away from the field, leaving the race for the top five positions.

Kormann took the halfway sign followed by Crossman, Clyde Cox, Stangle and Brian Papiez.  Kormann led the way through the race’s first restart as Stangle and Papiez battled behind Cox.  On lap twelve, Kormann’s No. 16s slowed off the pace on the backstretch, leaving the lead to Crossman.  Without warning, Kormann’s mount just shut off.

Crossman led the way for three times around the 5/8th mile track before Stangle took the lead as they crossed the line to complete lap sixteen.  One lap later, Papiez raced by Crossman to take second.

Stangle took the win – his ninth at Bridgeport this season – followed by Papiez, Crossman, Cox and Roger Manning.  Kris Lilick raced from deep in the pack in his first Crate/Sportsman race of the season to finish sixth with Wayne Weaver, Matt Peck, Chris Jenkins and Tom Sherby rounding out the top ten.

It was a clean sweep for Jeramy Doerr as he raised his win total in Pennco Tech Outlaw Stock competition to a career total of twenty-seven victories.  Doerr took the lead from Brian Ludwig on lap four for the win in the rained out feature event from June17th.  Ludwing finished second followed by Tom Wills, Jr., Spider Ensinger and David Kramer.

In the regular feature event, Andrew Joslin led the way for the first four laps before Darren Cox took the lead on the backstretch on lap five.  Cox led the field for two circuits before Doerr took the lead on lap seven.  Doerr picked up the win with Wills, Jr. finishing second after being involved in several on track incidents earlier in the race.  Darren Cox finished third followed by Ken Moren and Joslin.

Ernie Miles Jr., Jimmy Martin and Jeff Erbie picked up Mechanics Race wins at the end of the night in the Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman and Outlaw Stocks, respectively.

It’s Back to School and Scout Night at the Races next Saturday at the Bridgeport Speedway – sponsored by Pennco Tech.  The Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman and Mid Atlantic Sprint Series will compete with the first green flag at 7pm.

SPIRIT AUTO CENTER BIG BLOCK MODIFIED FEATURE (25 laps): 1. Ryan Watt, 2. Rick Laubach, 3. Dominick Buffalino, 4. Billy Pauch, Sr., 5. Richie Pratt, Jr., 6. Jim Britt, 7. Jesse Hill, 8. Tommy Beamer, 9. Jordan Watson, 10. David Hunt, 11. Sam Martz, 12. Ron Roberts, 13. Jack Swain, 14. Matt Hawkins, 15. Dave Shirk, 16. Ernie Miles, III, 17. Ricky DiEva, 18. J.R. Burritt, 19. Neal Williams, 20. Mike Franz, 21. H.J. Bunting, III, 22. Jimmy Horton, 23. Bob Bracall, DNS – Travis Hill, DNQ – Brett Ballard, Tom Maccherone, Wesley Smith, Bob Sarkisian

 

STEWART STAINLESS SUPPLY CRATE/SPORTSMAN FEATURE (20 laps): 1. Matt Stangle, 2. Brian Papiez, 3. David Crossman, 4. Clyde Cox, 5. Roger Manning, 6. Kris Lilick, 7. Wayne Weaver, 8. Matthew Peck, 9. Chris Jenkins, 10. Tom Sherby, 11. Bill Briggs, 12. Chuck Sayres, 13. Jason Rush, 14. Tom Holding, 15. Adam Cox, 16. Kevin Belmont, 17. Eric Kormann, 18. Tom Errico (Sr), 19. John Laren, DNS – Jim Gallagher, Jr., David Banko

 

PENNCO TECH OUTLAW STOCK MAKE-UP FEATURE FROM 6/17 (15 laps): 1. Jeramy Doerr, 2. Brian Ludwig, 3. Tom Wills, Jr., 4. Spider Ensinger, 5. David Kramer, 6. John Parker, 7. Darren Cox, 8. Rich Stinson, 9. Mike Creamer, 10. Ken Moren, 11. Andrew Joslin, 12. Steven Land, 13. Doug DeBray, 14. Paul Donahue

 

PENNCO TECH OUTLAW STOCK FEATURE (15 laps): 1. Jeramy Doerr, 2. Tom Wills, Jr., 3. Darren Cox, 4. Ken Moren, 5. Andrew Joslin, 6. Mike Creamer, 7. Steven Land, 8. David Kramer, 9. Brian Ludwig, 10. John Parker, 11. Rich Stinson, 12. Doug Debray, 13. Spider Ensinger, DNS –  Paul Donahue

 

MECHINICS RACES

BIG BLOCK MODIFIEDS (8 laps): 1. Ernie Miles, Jr., 2. Don Thornton

 

CRATE/SPORTSMAN (8 laps): 1. Jimmy Martin, 2. Mike Crispo, 3. Tom Ballard, 4. John D’Augustine, 5. Sam Martz, Jr., 6. Jim Lange, 7. Britt Williams

 

ROADRUNNER (6 laps): 1. Jeff Erbie

 

Upcoming events

Saturday, August 26 – Pennco Tech Presents Back to School & Scout Night at the Races – Big Blocks, Crate/Sportsman and MASS Sprint Cars, racing at 7pm

Saturday, September 2 – K&A Excavating presents Billy Pauch Fan Appreciation – Final Night of Points plus Bike Night – Big Block Modifies, Crate/Sportsman & Outlaw Stocks with racing getting underway at 7pm

Saturday, September 9, 16 – No Racing

Friday & Saturday, September 22 & 23 – King of the Big Blocks Weekend!