HOWARD IS THE “ACE” IN 811 DIG SAFELY POKER SERIES WIN
Multi-time track champion, Duane Howard of Oley, PA was the class of the field of the Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds as he led the way to the checkered flag in the forty lap 811 Dig Safely sponsored second hand of the 2016 Poker Series at the Bridgeport Speedway on Wednesday night.
In addition to the $4,000 payday, Howard earned himself an Ace for the 2016 811 Dig Safely Poker Series, joining Dominick Buffalino who won the season opener and first hand of the Poker competition.
The 2016 Bridgeport Poker Series is sponsored by Colonial Pipeline which asks you to call 8-1-1 before you dig. Colonial’s pipelines are buried underground, usually with a minimum of three feet of cover. Over time, however, erosion and human activities can change that depth. That’s why is it’s important to always call 811 before you begin any digging project!
“The Thrill”, Jesse Hill, drew the pole for the Big Block Modified mainevent with Howard starting to his outside with the Atlas Trucking No. 66. Hill led the way to the green but it was Howard who was out in front by the time the field came to the start/finish line to score the first lap.
Howard’s biggest challenge came around lap ten from Medford, NJ driver, 
Mike Iles, who was making his first appearance of the season. Iles jumped ahead of Howard on a lap ten restart but the start was called back and Howard went back into the lead. Iles then retired from the competition with about fifteen laps to go.
Frank Cozze brought the George Huttig No. 35 to do battle on the 5/8 mile track and took the runner-up finish while Craig VonDohren used a late race move to finish third in the Biever No. 14s. Ryan Godown finished fourth in the Hewlett No. 901 with Rick Laubach rounding out the top five with the Gary & Lori Hermann owned No. 7.
Pete Visconti picked up his first win of the season in the Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman twenty lap main event to join opening day winner, Brandon Grosso, as a holder of an Ace in Poker Series competition. After winning his heat race, Grosso was sidelined from the feature with mechanical issues.
Dave Damiano crossed the finish line in second but was later disqualified when his No. 29 failed post-race technical inspection. That moved Ernie Miles III up to second for the best finish to date for the sophomore driver. Brad Roberts finished third with Tom Tanner and Stephen Kemery rounding out the top five.
TJ Henry earned his first Ace of the 2016 Poker Series, picking up the win in the fifteen lap PennCo Tech Outlaw Stock Feature. Scott Dugan made a last lap pass by 2014 Outlaw Champion, Jimmy Avery, to finish second. Avery crossed the line in third while Tom Wills, Jr. wheeled his new mount to a fourth place finish after starting last in the field. Gary Klimeczek finished fifth.
Chuck Sayres, Jr. picked up his third consecutive win in the DA’sAuto Body six lap Rookie Feature. Sayres wheeled his way past pole sitter, Shannon Marshall to take the lead on the first lap and then led all the way to the checkered flag. Marshall finished second followed by Bob Hartman and Tom Terry.
Action returns to the Bridgeport Speedway on Saturday night, June 4th with the popular Camera & Autograph Night! Fans will have the opportunity to get pictures and autographs from their favorite drivers before the start of the night’s racing which will get underway at 7pm. The Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks and Rookies will be joined by Tri-State Race Saver Sprint Cars.
Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modified Feature (40 Laps) – 1. Duane Howard, 2. Frank Cozze, 3. Craig VonDohren, 4. Ryan Godown, 5. Rick Laubach, 6. David Hunt, 7. Ryan Watt, 8. Jordan Watson, 9. Brett Kressley, 10. Ron Roberts, 11, Dominick Buffalino. 12. Doug Manmiller, 13. Sam Martz, 14. Richie Pratt, Jr. 15. Jesse Hill, 16. Jimmy Horton, 17. Mike Iles, 18. Jeff Strunk, 19. CJ Jones, 20. Ryan Krachun, 21. Scott Ambruster, 22. Jim Britt, 23. Wade Hendrickson, 24. Kyle Borrer, 25. Mike Franz
Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman Feature (20 laps) – 1. Pete Visconti, 2. Ernie Miles, III, 3. Brad Roberts, 4. Tom Tanner, 5. Stephen Kemery, 6. Jeremy Harrington, 7. Eric Kormann, 8. Matthew Peck, 9. Matt Budd, 10. Clyde Cox, 11. Jeff Bubori, 12. John Micek, 13. Melissa Scarpatti, 14. Jermay Doerr, 15. Charles Stone, 16. Steve Desmelyek, 17. Pete Serra, 18. Chuck Sayres, 19. Scott Hulmes, 20. Kevin Belmont, 21. David Crossman, 22. Tom Holding, 23. Matt Stangle, 24. Steve Davis
PennCo Tech Outlaw Stock Feature (15 laps) – 1. TJ Henry, 2. Scott Dugan, 3. Jimmy Avery, 4. Tom Wills, Jr., 5. Gary Klimeczek, 6. Jeff Dirkes, 7. Billy Wroble, 8. Terry Griffin, 9. Pete Ellis, 10. Art Avery, 11. Ken Moren, 12. Everett Taylor, 13. William Conolly, 14. John Meyer, 15. Spider Ensinger, 16. Ron Frees, 17. Brian Ludwig, 18. Fred Tomarchio, 19. Ed Bischoff
DA’s Auto Body Rookie Feature (6 laps) – 1. Chuck Sayres, Jr., 2. Shannon Marshall, 3. Bob Hartman, 4. Tom Terry
Upcoming events
Saturday, June 4 – Camera & Autograph Night – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks, Rookies & TSRS Sprints, racing at 7pm
Saturday June 11 – Mechanics Night – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks & Rookies, racing at 7pm
Saturday June 18 – PACK THE HOUSE – FREE GRANDSTAND ADMISSION – Crate/Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks, Rookies and TSRS Sprint Cars on 5/8th mile with 270cc, 600cc, 4 & 8 Cylinder Enduros and Slingshots on the Spirit Auto Center quarter mile – racing at 6pm
Saturday, June 25 – Spirit Auto Center’s Monster Truck Crush Cancer Night – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks and Rookie Graduation, racing at 7pm