‼️ 28 SUPER LATE MODELS PRE-REGISTERED FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND SPECTACULAR. ALL THE STARS OF THE Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz MODIFIEDS READY TO RUMBLE FOR $10,000 PAYDAY w/gamblers. WEEKEND KICKS OFF SATURDAY WITH FULL RACING PROGRAM (listed below) AND CONCLUDES SUNDAY WITH TRIPLE 40’s. BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY OUT FOR A GREAT HOLIDAY WEEKEND OF RACING & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT. Please Like & Share this post ‼️ 🗓 Saturday May 25 – presented by SY Murray Spec Engines 🌟 SPORTSMAN – presented by @Ice Less, LLC 🌟 WINGLESS SPRINT CARS – Victory Fuel 🌟 STREET STOCKS 🌟 4 CYLINDER STOCK CARS 🌟 VINTAGE MODIFIEDS 🌟 MODIFIEDS & SUPER LATE MODELS OPEN PRACTICE 🌟 ROOKIE SPORTSMAN 🏎 4:00 Pits 🎟 5:00 Grandstands 🚦 6:00 Cars on track 🗓 Sunday May 26 – presented by SY Murray Spec Engines 🌟 SUPER LATE MODELS – Invitational Only 🌟 MODIFIEDS – presented by @Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz 🌟 WINGLESS SPRINT CARS – @Victory Fuel 🏎 4:00 Pits 🎟 5:00 Grandstands 🚦 6:00 Cars on track 📺 Watch all events live at https://dirttrackdigest.tv #ponymovie #kingdomofspeed #sprintcar #dirttrackracing #bridgeportspeedway #southjersey
‼️ HOLLYWOOD FILMING CONTINUES AT BRIDGEPORT MOTORSPORTS PARK SUNDAY MAY 26. BE A PART OF THE EXCITEMENT, BE A PART OF THE MOVIE, ONLY AT THE KINGDOM OF SPEED! BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY OUT EACH AND EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT FOR A GREAT NIGHT OF RACING & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT. Please Like & Share this post ‼️ 🗓 Saturday May 25 – presented by SY Murray Spec Engines 🌟 SPORTSMAN – presented by @Ice Less, LLC 🌟 WINGLESS SPRINT CARS – @Victory Fuel 🌟 STREET STOCKS 🌟 4 CYLINDER STOCK CARS 🌟 VINTAGE MODIFIEDS 🌟 MODIFIEDS & SUPER LATE MODELS OPEN PRACTICE 🌟 ROOKIE SPORTSMAN 🏎 4:00 Pits 🎟 5:00 Grandstands 🚦 6:00 Cars on track 🗓 Sunday May 26 – presented by SY Murray Spec Engines 🌟 SUPER LATE MODELS – Invitational Only 🌟 MODIFIEDS – presented by Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz Franklinville 🌟 WINGLESS SPRINT CARS – @Victory Fuel 🏎 4:00 Pits 🎟 5:00 Grandstands 🚦 6:00 Cars on track 📺 Watch all events live at https://dirttrackdigest.tv #ponymovie #kingdomofspeed #sprintcar #dirttrackracing #bridgeportspeedway #southjersey
‼️ HUGE RETURN TO THE KINGDOM PLANNED FOR THIS SATURDAY MAY 18. After 3 weeks off from racing for 2 rain outs and a great turnout for the Lifted ‘N’ Lowered Truck event, Racers & Fans are eager to get back on track with some Modified & Sprint Car Racing. ‼️ Also on hand UFC Ring Girl and Star in the upcoming movie “PONY” Brittney Palmer will be signing Autographs starting at 5:30 at the Speedway. ‼️ And if all that was not enough, the first night of filming of the Hollywood Motion Picture, “PONY” will begin capturing footage throughout the speedway. Please Like & Share this post. 🗓 Saturday May 18 – presented by Roveda speed II 🌟 MODIFIEDS – presented by Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz Franklinville 🌟 SPRINT CARS – Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series 🌟 SPORTSMAN – presented by Ice Less, LLC 🌟 STREET STOCKS 🌟 CLASSIC VINTAGE SERIES 🌟 ROOKIE SPORTSMAN 🏎 4:00 Pits 🎟 5:00 Grandstands 🚦 6:15 Cars on track 📺 Watch all events live at https://dirttrackdigest.tv #ponymovie #kingdomofspeed #sprintcar #dirttrackracing #bridgeportspeedway #southjersey
‼️ CONFIRMED! TO DATE, 25 SUPER LATE MODEL TEAMS HAVE LET US KNOW THEY PLAN TO BE AT THE KINGDOM OF SPEED, BRIDGEPORT MOTORSPORTS PARK FOR THE MEMORIAL DAY SPECTACULAR EVENT, SUNDAY MAY 26. WE HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR THE RETURN OF THE SUPERS AND THIS EVENT IS GOING TO BE SUPER DUPER! ALONG WITH MODIFIEDS, $10,000 TO WIN w/gamblers & Victory Fuel WINGLESS SPRINT CARS, $1000 TO WIN. BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY OUT THIS SATURDAY NIGHT FOR A GREAT NIGHT OF RACING & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT. Please Like & Share this post ‼️ 📢 LATE MODEL RACE IS INVITATIONAL. Any other Drivers wanting to participate must contact Doug Rose. All drivers guaranteed to start! 1. AJ Miller 2. Al Cheney 3. Andrew Yoder 4. Austin Berry 5. Brian Booze 6. Bryan Bernheisel 7. Chad Myers 8. Colby Frye 9. Dillon Cecce 10. Donald Lingo 11. Dylan Yoder 12. Jake Piper 13. Jason Covert 14. Jim Berheisel 15. Joey Hoffer 16. Keith Jackson 17. Mark Pettyjohn 18. Nathan LaSalle 19. Randy Christine 20. Rick Eckert 21. Sean Merkle 22. Shaun Jones 23. Taylor Farling 24. Travis Mease 🗓 FIRST UP……. Saturday May 18 – presented by Roveda speed II 🌟 MODIFIEDS – presented by Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz Franklinville 🌟 SPRINT CARS – @Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series 🌟 SPORTSMAN – presented by @Ice Less, LLC 🌟 STREET STOCKS 🌟 CLASSIC VINTAGE SERIES 🌟 ROOKIE SPORTSMAN 🏎 4:00 Pits 🎟 5:00 Grandstands 🚦 6:00 Cars on track 📺 Watch all events live at https://dirttrackdigest.tv #ponymovie #kingdomofspeed #sprintcar #dirttrackracing #bridgeportspeedway #southjersey
‼️ THE BEST OF THE BEST RETURN TO THE KINGDOM OF SPEED, BRIDGEPORT MOTORSPORTS PARK THIS WEEKEND AS THE @DANNYS PIZZA PIZZAZ MODIFIEDS & Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series SPRINT CARS HEADLINE THE NIGHT plus Sportsman, Victory Fuel Wingless Sprints, Street Stocks, and Rookie Sportsman action. BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY OUT FOR A GREAT NIGHT OF RACING & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT. Please Like & Share this post ‼️ 🗓 Saturday April 27 – presented by John W. Kay Electric Inc. 🌟 MODIFIEDS – presented by Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz 🌟 SPRINT CARS – Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series 🌟 SPORTSMAN – presented by Ice Less llc 🌟 WINGLESS SPRINT CARS – presented by Victory Fuel 🌟 STREET STOCKS 🌟 ROOKIE SPORTSMAN 🏎 3:00 Pits 🎟 4:00 Grandstands 🚦 5:00 Cars on track 📺 Watch all events live at https://dirttrackdigest.tv #ponymovie #kingdomofspeed #sprintcar #dirttrackracing #bridgeportspeedway #southjersey
Ryan Krachun earned his second career victory in the Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz Modifeds at the Bridgeport Motorsports Park on a night of racing sponsored by Blue Hen Speed & Performance. Tom Sherby and Matt Peck earned victories in a pair of Ice Less LLC 602 Sportsman features while Jimmy Combs earned the win in the Street Stock main event. Dan Stein, Jr. was the winner of two Four Cylinder features while Michael Beckett raced to his second win in the DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookie feature.
Jim Gallagher, Jr. raced the Elite Welding No. 31 into the lead on the start and led through the first twelve laps as Krachun made his way through the top five from his eighth place starting position. Krachun had just moved into second before the caution waved for the first time as Rick Laubach slowed on the track.
Krachun took the lead following the lap thirteen restart, powering by Gallagher as the pair exited turn two. Krachun led Gallagher, Sammy Martz, Jr., Cole Stangle and HJ Bunting through the halfway mark.
Martz, Jr. raced into second on lap twenty and gave chase to the race leader for the remaining laps. Martz was able to keep pace with Krachun, running to the inside between turns one and two but Krachun was able to pull away on exit of turn two.
The caution waved several times during the final laps but Krachun was able to ward off any challenges. A flat tire on the Blue Hen Racing No. 30 on the final lap, saw several cars involved in the incident has drivers took evasive action when HJ Bunting ran into trouble at the end of the straightaway. Jojo Watson’s Auto Gallery No. 21w was heavily damaged. The cars of JR Fulper and Mike Barone were also towed from the track while Cale Ross was able to rejoin the field for the final lap.
Krachun took the win over Martz, Jr., Billy Pauch, Jr., Matt Stangle and Neal Williams. Stan Frankenfield finished sixth after starting 20th, followed by defending track champion, Jordan Watson, Rick Laubach, Brad Roberts and Dillon Steuer who rebounded after a trip to the pits in the final laps.
Krachun credited the win to Dale Planck and company at DIG Race Products as he celebrated with his legion of fans.
Blue Hen Speed & Performance Modified heats were won by Jim Gallagher, Cole Stangle and Brad Roberts.
Tom Sherby led all twenty-five laps of the night’s Ice Less 602 Sportsman feature for his first win on the High Banks since the 2022 season. Sherby returned after falling victim to an early race incident one week earlier. Thomas Prychka finished second followed by Matt Peck, Jax Yohn and defending champion, Travis Hill.
Matt Peck gave the Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz No. 51 team their first Sportsman win of the season when he raced to the win in the feature held over from opening day. First year competitor, Michael Beckett led for the first twelve laps before Peck took over at the halfway point. Brian Papiez, James Hill and Ethan Bill pursued the race leader as they raced nose to tail to the checkered.
Peck took the win over Papiez, Bill, James Hill and Jax Yohn. Tom Sherby finished sixth followed by Michael Beckett, Stephen Yankowski, Travis Hill and Howie Finch.
Jimmy Combs may have found his new Saturday night home as he raced to the win in the Bridgeport Motorsports Park Street Stocks. Lee Allen was sidelined before the checkered with mechanical issues after racing in second for most of the race. Nick Sandone III finished second and took the point lead as a result. Jeff Dirkes finished third in his first race of the season.
Dan Stein Jr. came up big after winning both Four Cylinder feature events. It was a first for Stein who also set the fast time in the division.
Lee Allen finished second in the first feature followed by John Parker, Ed Ford and Joe Garey, Sr.
Stein dominated the second feature as well, winning this one over Joe Garey, Jr., Ed Ford, John Parker and Dale Mull.
Michael Beckett raced to his second win in the DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookie feature event. Ashley Therien finished second for the second week in a row followed by Kenny Ott, RJ Witcraft and Dan Adaire.
Action returns to the High Banks next Saturday with the Modifieds, Mid Atlantic Sprint Series, Victory Fuel Wingless Sprints, Street Stocks and Rookies.
DANNY’S PIZZA PIZZAZZ MODIFIEDS FEATURE (30 LAPS)
1. Ryan Krachun, 2. Sammy Martz, Jr., 3. Billy Pauch, Jr. (1), 4. Matt Stangle, 5. Neal Williams, 6. Stan Frankenfield, Jr., 7. Jordan Watson, 8. Rick Laubach, 9. Brad Roberts, 10. Dillon Steuer, 11. Sam Martz, Sr., 12. Cale Ross, 13. Billy Osmun, 14. H. J. Bunting, 15. Joseph Watson, 16. Mike Barone, 17. J. R. Fulper, 18. Mike Franz, 19. Jim Gallagher, Jr., 20. Danny Bouc, 21. Cole Stangle, 22. Roger Manning, DNS – Greg Nailor
D.A.’S AUTO BODY AND REPAIR ROOKIE FEATURE (7 LAPS)
1. Michael Beckett, 2. Ashley Therien, 3. Kenny Ott, 4. R. J. Witcraft, 5. Dan Adaire
ICE LESS LLC 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE (25 LAPS)
1. Tom Sherby, 2. Thomas Prychka, 3. Matt Peck, 4. Jax Yohn, 5. Travis Hill, 6. Ethan Bill, 7. Pete Serra, 8. James Hill, 9. Brian Papiez, 10. Howie Finch, 11. Stephen Yankowski, 12. Billy Chester, 13. Justin Zook, 14. Wayne Weaver, 15. Kris Thompson, 16. Shane Kassekert, 17. Mike Loney, 18. Michael Beckett, 19. Brian Rogers, 20. Chris Martinez, 21. John Scarpati, Jr., 22. Robert Tete, 23. Ethan Young, 24. Brandon Shipley, 25. Eric Mattson, DNQ – Dirk Rimrott, Ashley Therien, Scott Hulmes, Troy Hopkins, Kris Thompson, B. J. Joly, R. J. Witcraft, Kenny Ott
MAKE UP ICE LESS LLC 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE FROM 3/30/2024 (25 LAPS)
G7. Michael Beckett, 8. Stephen Yankowski, 9. Travis Hill, 10. Howie Finch, 11. Pete Serra, 12. Mike Loney, 13. Shane Kassekert, 14. Chris Martinez, 15. Billy Chester, 16. Brandon Shipley, 17. Robert Tete, 18. Thomas Prychka, 19. Brian Rogers, 20. Wayne Weaver, 21. Ethan Young, DNS -Tom Mayberry, Logan Watt, Scott Hulmes, DNQ -Ed Owens, Bryan Olsen, Troy Hopkins, Justin Newhard
STREET STOCK FEATURE (15 LAPS)
1. Jimmy Combs, 2. Nick Sandone, III, 3. Jeff Dirkes, 4. Terry Chaney, 5. Lee Allen
MAKE-UP FOUR CYLINDER FEATURE FROM 3/30/2024 (15 LAPS)
1. Dan Stein, Jr., 2. Lee Allen, 3. John Parker, 4. Ed Ford, 5. Joe Garey, Sr., 6. Colin Gale, 7. Mark Stein, Sr., 8. Tim Jones, DNS – Joe Garey, Jr., Bobby Johnson, Eric Degler, Ian Ashford
FOUR CYLINDER FEATURE (15 LAPS)
1. Dan Stein, Jr., 2. Joe Garey, Jr., 3. Ed Ford, 4. John Parker, 5. Dale Mull, 6. Mark Stein. Sr., 7. Rob Well, 8. Lee Allen, 9. Colin Gale, 10. Joe Garey, Sr., DNS – Garrett Mull, Tim Jones, Eric Degler
NEXT UP…. Saturday April 27 – presented by John W. Kay Electric Inc.
The Bridgeport Motorsports Park is ready to throw open the gates and drop the first green flag on the 2024 season as Doug and Brittany Rose begin their fifth season on the High Banks.
The Roses took over the helm for the 2020 season – the year of Covid. Not the way anyone wants to start a new business but Doug and Brittany showed what they were made of as they weathered the storm of Covid as well as the loss of Danny Serrano before the start of the season. Doug continues to implement many of the plans that he and Danny had for the speedway. Always a huge race fan, Danny looked forward to honoring Doug Hoffman every year.
After multiple rainouts last season, Bridgeport Motorsports Park will open the 2024 season with the Doug Hoffmann Memorial weekend. Racing will begin on Friday, March 22 with Mid Atlantic Sprint Series (MASS), Street Stocks and Four Cylinders in a full show of qualifying events and features. The Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz Modifieds and Ice Less LLC 602 Sportsman will run practice sessions with three spots locked into Saturday’s main events in each division.
Pit gates open on Friday at 3pm, Grandstands at 5 and racing at 6:15.
On Saturday, the Modifieds will compete in a sixty lap Doug Hoffman Memorial with the winner’s share paying $6,060. The 602 Sportsman will run their feature event with $1,500 going to the race winner. There will also be sprint car action with the Victory Fuel Wingless Sprints, Street Stocks and Four Cylinders.
There will be plenty of action on the High Banks in 2024 as Jordan Watson and the Danny Sommerling No. 51 team defend their championship title. Neal Williams and Cale Ross were the leaders in the win column last season with both drivers capturing three victories each. Ross would like to pick up where he left off last season where he ended the season with an impressive win in the Danny Serrano Memorial race.
Matt Stangle and Ryan Krachun were strong contenders during the 2023 season and both will be Saturday night regulars on the High Banks this season. Billy Pauch, Jr. returns to Bridgeport this season as he competes for the first time in his own Modified program. With Billy Pauch, Sr. retiring from active competition, the Kid’s Kid were be racing the No. 1, moving the No. 15 duties over to Billy Pauch, III who will continue to compete in Junior Slingshot competition.
In addition to Cale Ross, Roger Manning, Mike Franz, JR Fulper, Billy Osmun, Blaine Bracelin, Tommy Sheetz, Mike Barone and Brad Roberts took advantage of Bridgeport’s open practice on Saturday. Dillon Steuer, who has been very competitive on the High Banks in special events, looks to call Bridgeport his Saturday night home this season. Joeseph Watson who finished second in points last season, Rick Laubach, HJ Bunting, Sam Martz, Sammy Martz, Jr.. Stan Frankenfield and others will be in competition.
The 602 Sportsman Championship came right down to the final lap of the final race of the season for Travis Hill to claim a one point advantage over Ethan Bill. You can bet that the single point has been on Ethan Bill’s mind all winter as he prepares to improve his performance by one position in 2024. Brian Papiez was the big winner in the feature event in 2023 three but early mechanical issues kept Papiez out of the hunt for the title. Papiez and his team have worked hard all winter to put themselves in a better position for this year’s title. Papiez will also have a small block Modified for some special shows this season.
Matt Peck will pilot the Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz 602 Sportsman in Bridgeport competition this season and will look to improve on his strong performance of 2023. Steven Yankowski, Brian Rogers, Tom Sherby, Howard Hueple, Wayne Weaver, Dave Damiano took part in Bridgeport’s Saturday practice as did Rookie driver, Michael Beckett in the Ed Weeks No. 22. After back-to-back titles in Spirit Auto Center All Star Slingshots, Beckett moves up to the Sportsman for the 2024 season. He took full advantage of the practice laps as well.
Other 602 competitors include former Rookie Champion, Thomas Prychka, Pete Serra, Billy Chester, Howie Finch, Jax Yohn. Shane Kassekart, Ethan Young and Robert Tete.
Wayne Weaver shared an interesting thought on practice days. In his 44th year of competition, Weaver was asked if he really needed to practice. The question came from a fellow competitor and the two drivers shared a laugh. Weaver’s response? “The truth of the matter and the answer to the question is NO. I always looked at practice as an opportunity for me to reconnect with my race car after a long winter.” There was plenty of “reconnecting” going on this weekend!
The Bridgeport Street Stocks are known for their close competition and there’s no reason to expect anything less from these competitors this season. 2023 Champion, Tom Wills, Jr. does not plan to chase the points this season so we could see a first time champion as Mike Hughes, Jeramy Doerr, Drew Brocklebank, Nick Sandone, Kevin Heckman and TJ Henry can be considered contenders as the season gets underway.
The MASS sprints were well represented during Saturday’s practice. Leading the way was defending champion, Buddy Schweibinz who was preparing for the first race of the season coming up on Friday. Schweibinz welcomes two new sponsors this season – South Jersey Mobile Repair and Gentilini Motors. In spite of all of his success, Schweibinz is still searching for his first Bridgeport victory!
Tim Iulg had the Wade Ale No. 19 in mid-season form as he turned laps around the high banks. Iulg is certainly one of the contenders among this season’s roster. 2023 MASS Rookie, Jared Kreider carries on the Haggenbottom family tradition with the No. 24. He also took to the track with the Kelly No. 51 wingless sporting a 360 cubic inch motor. Shelby Kelly watched from the pits as she nurses a torn ACL before she can return to the cockpit. Jeff Paulson and Danny Buccafusca were also on hand for practice. Dan Leaper had his family owned No. 24L looking good in practice and the driver said it was feeling good too. Leaper will also compete with the NEWS sprinters this season but was plagued with issues during Saturday’s practice but he expects to have those issues resolved by next weekend.
The Victory Fuel Wingless Sprints were well represented as they prepare for a full season of competition in 2024. A lot of work has gone on during the off-season with this group and the benefits appear to be in an expanded field of cars. 2023 Bridgeport Champion, Brian Spencer was on hand in addition to Shea Wills and Stan Ploski who return to NEWS action this season. There were many new faces taking practice. In addition to Dan Leaper, there are some other Bridgeport competitors that will be competing with the wingless sprints this season. Matt Peck turned his first laps in a sharp No. 27 sponsored by Linedecker Engines. Former Hyper Racing 600 Micro Sprint Champion, Connor Gross was also behind the wheel of a wingless sprint for the first time.
The Four Cylinder competitors also return to Bridgeport this season, led by defending champion, Tim Jones. These competitors have found the High Banks very much to their liking and have found ways to use every inch of the race track. Like the Street Stocks, these drivers are stiff competitors on the track but work as a team to prepare their cars and encourage other competitors when help is needed. Lee Allen found these cars to be quite enjoyable after years as a Street Stock competitor and has been joined by his brother, Chris. Joe Garey, Senior and Junior, John Parker, 2022 Champion, Ed Ford, Eric Degler and Bobby Johnson and more will be featured on the High Banks on both Friday and Saturday of the Hoffman Memorial Weekend.
There will be no rest for the weary as Bridgeport gets right into Point racing on Saturday, March 23rd with Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Street Stocks, MASS, NEWS and 4 cylinders will get the 2024 season title competition underway.
Another three day weekend follows for the first weekend of April as the Spirit Auto Center quarter mile opens for the Dakota Steiner Memorial Race for the 600 Micro Sprints. The 270 Micro Sprints, All Star and Junior Slingshots will get their season started in addition to Winners Classics for both the 270s and 600s.
Saturday night action on the High Banks will feature the 2024 season opener for the USAC East Coast Wingless Sprints, 602 Sportsman, NEWS, Street Stocks and Vintage. The DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookies will compete for the first time on this night as well.
The Modified action moves to Sunday, joining the PA Posse Invasion for a fulls show of Modifieds and Sprint Cars. The 410 will race for a $7500 winner’s share of the purse.
The 2024 season is just days away! Make sure to add the Bridgeport Motorsports Park to your 2024 schedule where there’s something for every race fan!
WE KICK OFF THE 2024 SEASON IN JUST 3 1/2 WEEKS AS ALL THE CARS & STARS RETURN TO THE KINGDOM March 22 & 23 for the 60 Over Special, Doug Hoffman Memorial. Please Like & Share this post
With the return of Ryan Krachun & Matt Stangle the Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz Modified field sure to be entertaining for race fans and a challenge for race teams. A lot of exciting 2024 news to drop over the next few weeks as we prepare for the season opener March 22 & 23. But first up, practice day March 16 (rain date March 17).
Bridgeport, NJ – During last year’s Bridgeport Awards Banquet, Doug Rose realized that only the top five or top ten of each division were being recognized when in fact, it took all of the competitors to make a race.
For this year’s awards, he decided to do something a little different.
On Sunday afternoon, the Bridgeport Motorsports Park celebrated the 2023 season just outside of turn two. A huge tent was erected by Matt Smith’s Party Central. The meal was catered by Danny Sommeling’s Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz. The cost was greatly reduced so that everyone could take part. Big screen TVs broadcast the final Cup race as well as the Philadelphia Eagles vs the Dallas Cowboys.
The weather was beautiful – warm and sunny on this November Sunday. Too bad we couldn’t have some of that on our lost race days throughout the season. People enjoyed their time both inside and outside. The Bridgeport family was here to celebrate the 2023 season. There has always been a sense of “family” among competitors and workers alike at Bridgeport. That was evident on Sunday as well.!
Jordan Watson, Danny Sommeling and the crew of the Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz No. 51 were celebrated as the Track Champions for th 2023 season – the No. 51 team in Bridgeport’s 51st season! This team was cheered by everyone because everyone knew what went into this Championship.
Jordan Watson has been a part of the track’s history. First, as a fan in the grandstands watching his uncle race. Then as a Sportsman competitor who won the first Bill Hill Memorial race. As a Modified driver, he was the winner of the 1000th race several years ago. On this day, he was the track champion driver.
Danny Sommeling is such a huge supporter of area stock car racing. Not only does he have his own team but he supports many other race teams as well. He sponsors races. He supports the race track. On this day, he was the track champion car owner.
The cheers were loud and long! Everyone knew of the work and dedication that went into this championship. And even if you were one of the competitors this season, you respected this accomplishment. “I knew what I had,” Sommeling said of the No. 51 team. “It was just a matter of putting all of the pieces together.” Others may have thrown in the towel but not Sommeling. He worked for this goal and this day.
There have been several drivers in the seat of the No. 51 throughout the last few seasons. When they won, the No. 51 team was there to offer their congratulations. When the No. 51 team won, they were there to congratulate them.
Team No. 51 is looking forward to the 2024 season.
The 2023 season produced some very tight point races – not the least of which was the 2023 Precision Hydraulic & Oil602 Sportsman Title.
It came down to the last race which turned out to be one week earlier than expected. Rose told the drivers at the Drivers’ Meeting one week before the end of the points, that that night, could in fact, be the final points race if the following week was rained out. That’s exactly what happened.
Travis Hill and Ethan Bill raced to the final checkered flag. Hill regained his position ahead of Bill in the final laps, heeding Rose’s warning and went on to capture his third Championship and his third in a different car with a different owner. For car owner, Brent Cogdill, it was his second championship – his first came during the 2013 season with son, Michael behind the wheel. It was the first Championship for both owner and driver on the High Banks.
Hill spent a few seasons racing a wingless 600 Micro Sprint and said that his 600 experience made his transition to the High Banks in a stock car much easier.
Both Hill and Bill finished outside the top ten in just one race and oddly enough, it was the same race. Brian Papiez led the field in feature wins but the consistency of Hill and Bill made for an exciting point race. All three look forward to renewing the battle for the 2024 season along with many other drivers.
Eddie Barber III was crowned as the DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookie Champion for 2023. Barber dominated the win column and finished in the top five in every race. Barber shared the driving chores with Dan Hulmes who competed in the 602 Sportsman and Barber in the Rookies in a car provided by Tom and Scott Hulmes. In addition to Barber’s Championship, there was even more reason for the Hulmes team (family) to celebrate as Dan Hulmes had just passed his crucible and was officially a US Marine!
Tom Wills, Jr. celebrated his fourth Street Stock Championship, giving the credit to his dad, Tom Wills, Sr. who prepares the No. 856. Wills earned seven wins this season and fourteen top fives. This race team is truly a family affair. In addition to Tom Jr. and Sr. there’s Tom’s wife, Carolyn, who supports this racing effort. It was Carolyn who discovered that Tom always won the race before they left for vacation! Tom’s mother, sisters and niece are also big fans and seldom miss a race.
Sixty drivers competed in Bridgeport Motorsports Park Street Stocks this season.
Several special awards were presented. The 2023 Modified Rookie of the Year went to Sean Metz while Neal Williams was named as the Most Improved Modified Driver based on his upward movement in the point standings. Ethan Bill was named as the 602 Sportsman Most Improved Driver of 2023.
The 2023 4 Cylinder Champion is Tim Jones. This division has found a home on the 4/10th mile track, using every inch of the race track to
race, sometimes three and four wide. This division always produces plenty of racing action. Jone spoke about how all of the competitors in this division help each other. They may be competitors on the track but behind the scenes, everyone helps each other.
For the first time, the North East Wingless Sprintscrowned a Bridgeport Track Champion for the 2023 season. The first NEWS Bridgeport Champion is Brian Spencer. Spencer had a pair of victories and eight top ten finishes throughout the season. The wins in this division were spread over several competitors, making for some excellent racing.
There was plenty to celebrate on the Bridgeport Motorsports Park quarter mile – the Spirit Auto Center Speedway. The Friday night action faired much better with the weather, completing nineteen shows this season.
Jack Jarvis raced to the Junior Slingshot title with eleven wins and seventeen top tens during his first season of competition. The young driver from a Delaware racing family had a lot of success in his rookie season. He had plenty of practice but did well thanking everyone who supported him throughout the season.
In the Speedway Entertainment All Star Slingshots, a repeat champion was crowned as Michael Beckett earned back-to-back Championships in this division. In nineteen races, Beckett collected seven wins and seventeen top tens to pick up the title over PJ Bozowski. Beckett will move into the 602 Sportsman for the 2024 season. He got a headstart on the new season by getting in some seat time in Friday night
The JC Fabrication winged 270s raced in nineteen events this season with fifty-nine different drivers competing throughout the season. Alex Swift celebrated his fifth championship as the driver of the John & Amanda Blanda No. 15 with seven wins and just one race outside the top five. The Swift and Blanda team have been a good match. This is another division where the competitors work with each other behind the scenes and help to promote their division.
The Hyper Racing 600 Micro Sprints saw more than hundred drivers compete in the 2023 season with Matt Smith crowned as Champion for the fourth time. Smith went without a win this season but his fifteen top tens earned the driver from Delaware his second title in a row. Tommy Kunsman had the most wins with seven but did not compete on a weekly b
It is hard to comprehend how many people it takes to make racing possible at a track until you get them all up front and you can see them all standing in one place.
Sunday’s celebration was not just for the driver and teams, but Doug & Brittany Rose honored many of the great sponsors of the Speedway. The Rose’s recognize that all of Bridgeport’s Sponsor and Partners are a major part of the Speedway’s success.
Plans are underway for the 2024 season with all of the crowd favorites of this season. Stay tuned for forthcoming announcements as the schedule is confirmed for the new season.
Thank you to everyone that makes the Kingdom of Speed Possible…..
NEXT UP…. Saturday April 27 – presented by John W. Kay Electric Inc.
MODIFIEDS – presented by Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz
3:00 Pits
4:00 Grandstands
5:00 Cars on track
Watch all events live at 
WE KICK OFF THE 2024 SEASON IN JUST 3 1/2 WEEKS AS ALL THE CARS & STARS RETURN TO THE KINGDOM March 22 & 23 for the 60 Over Special, Doug Hoffman Memorial. Please Like & Share this post 
Friday March 22
SPRINT CARS (MASS)
3:00 Pits 
5:00 Grandstands 
6:15 Cars on track 
