IS THERE ANYTHING BETTER THAN A BIG BLOCK?
To answer that question – I think not! When we think of the term ‘Modifieds’ in our world of circle dirt track racing, what are we really t
hinking of? Like myself, fans probably think of the headline division at your local speedway. Well, that philosophy alone can lead you down several different roads. Without getting too ‘technical’ which is far, far from my forte, I guess you can say that there are Big Blocks and Small Blocks. But, then you have BIG Big Blocks (Delaware style no cubic inch limit), then the standard DIRT 467 with minimal allowance over that number. 358 Small Blocks – Are we talking the ‘Open’ or the ‘Spec’? What’s the difference you ask? Well, I can tell you that you’re asking the wrong person in this guy. All I can try and tell you is that one’s supposed to be less inexpensive and make less horsepower and falls under scrutiny of a lot more rules than the other. Oooh yea, then we have the wonderful ‘Big Small Block’. You know the 410s and 430s of the racing world. Did I miss any? I know Woodhull
runs 370 small blocks which I guess is yet another version of a small block and I believe there’s a ‘Spec-Big Blockout there. One more thing back to the spec engine, there are several versions of that one too (NY/PA/steel/aluminum/iron). Okay, that’s enough of that technical talk for now.
Here’s the tricky part to all of this – Most likely if you race at track where the headline modified division runs that cubic inch then that’s basically what your stuck with. There is not much wiggle room to allow another type of engine size to run. And by no means am I being negative to any one track at all – just stating the facts. In the NJ/PA area three of the four tracks are ‘Spec Motor’ tracks. This means only those that fall into that category can race on a weekly basis. In NY where some of Bridgeport’s fellow Big Block tracks race, they fall into the DIRT fold where basically they on
ly want 467s nothing bigger, nothing smaller. Some tracks don’t differentiate between small blocks and all have to run the same weight, some don’t allow our neighboring Delaware cars to run ‘big motors’. Lotta tracks, lotta rules if you ask me.
Now let’s talk about Bridgeport for a minute. We are a BIG BLOCK track, make no mistakes about it! However, Bridgeport opens up its arms for anyone that may not have a big block. Spec motors on Alcohol, Spec motors on gasoline, open 358s, 410 & 430s, the common 467, and of course those 500 plus motors. How can that be? How can one track allow so many different combinations? Basically weight! Weight is the great equalizer when it comes to horsepower and lack there of. That’s why Bridgeport is unique – If a driver’s home track is off or rains out they’re more than welcome to come play in our clay any day of the week we have a spot for you on our roster.
Growing up, my h
ome was Flemington. Not only Modified Country USA but Big Block Modifieds. I also spent Friday nights at East Windsor, well that was until they dumped the Big Blocks and went to Small Blocks. Honestly, whatever year that was 1980/81…I didn’t return until maybe 1990. Almost a decade of absence from one of the closest tracks around where I grew up at. Gone was Stan Ploski, Ken Brenn, Sammy Beavers and more. I missed all those years of Darryl Carman, Scott Pursell, Freddy D., Newt Hartman, and yes even Doug Hoffman. Sadly to admit, I missed those dominating years when Doug won close to 40 races and several track championships at East Windsor which wasn’t too far away from my home. Why? Because I wanted Big Blocks! Years later, of course I caved and when guys like Horton, Brightbill, Pauch, and Cozze came back so did I…I’m not that stupid.
People still love Big Blocks. Look at the drivers that run Small Block tracks, quite a few still have Big Blocks in their arsenal so they can venture off for special shows where the Big Blocks are welcomed back from time to time. Well, on Sept 24, this will certainly be one of those times where the small block drivers find there way to South Jersey for some Big Block action. Talented drivers such as Jeff Strunk, Billy Pauch Sr & Jr., Craig Von Dohren, David Van Horn, Duane Howard, Dominick Buffalino, Brett Kressley, Ryan Krachun, Clay Butler and more. Don’t forget, if you don’t have a Big Block we have room for you too.
There’s nothing like watching a Big Block, listening to a Big Block, and I’m sure driving a Big Block. Watching Big Blocks at tracks like Lebanon Valley, Orange County, Delaware Int, and of course our beloved Syracuse nothing can beat that! So what you need to do next is circle that calendar if it isn’t already and make sure you’re in the right place on Sept 24 for the First ever ‘King of the Big Blocks’ show paying $12,000 to win. Even though Bridgeport is the ‘Home of the Big Blocks’, we do realize that many of our neighboring tracks race 358 small blocks weekly. Therefore, on the eve of the ‘King of the Big Blocks’, we’ll have a nice little 358 small block showdown on Friday night. So there you have it – A great weekend in store with a little bit of everything for both drivers and fans!
Written By: Danny Serrano
a $12,000 to win, 50 lap feature event. The Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman and PennCo Tech Outlaw Stocks will complete the line-up in the tripleheader program.
idgeport regulars – 2016 Bridgeport Modified Champion, Ryan Watt, 2012 Champion, Rick Laubach, Sam Martz, The Watson brothers – Jordan and Joseph, Neal Williams, Richie Pratt, Jr., David Hunt, Tommy Beamer, Ron Roberts as well as both rookie Big Block Feature winners, CJ Jones and Jim Britt. Jimmy Horton – the winningest driver in Bridgeport history and multi-time track champion – will be in the field to challenge the Bridgeport regulars along with former Orange County Speedway Champion, Jerry Higbie and young driving sensations – Tyler Dippel, Billy VanInwigen and Brett Kressley who earned his first Big Block Modified win right here at Bridgeport earlier this season. Drivers like Duane Howard, Craig VonDohren, Jeff Strunk, Ryan Krachun, Ryan Godown, David VanHorn, Billy Pauch Sr., Billy Pauch Jr. and Dominick Buffalino are expected to pull double duty this weekend, racing in both the Friday and Saturday night events. Drivers like Mike Barone, Ryan Andersen, Donny Cogdill, Jamie Mills, Scott Ambruster, Mike Iles and both Jesse and Travis Hill will be returning to action for this featured event.
win of the season. Brad Roberts raced side by side with Steve Davis in the final laps of the Crate/Sportsman main event to pick up his third win of 2016. TJ Henry has twelve wins in a row and a total of thirteen victories this season in the Outlaw Stock Division where a $200 bounty has been offered to any driver who can win a feature event with Henry still in competition. Eight different drivers have claimed victory in Tri State Race Saver Sprint Car competitionat the Bridgeport Speedway with only former champion, Mike Haggenbottom able to repeat so far this season.
Laubach trailed Watt to the checkered.
was in good shape,” Williams explained later. With four laps to go, imagine his surprise as Watt put the No. 14w on the bottom of the track, pulling even with Williams and then powering into the lead. 
