Nice Rookie Division Shaping Up For Bridgeport Speedway This Year(Write up on rookies 7,8, and 9)
Jim Gallagher Jr. is the newest driver to sign up for this year’s rookie division at Bridgeport Speedway. The 28 year-old is a second-generation driver to his father Jim Gallagher Sr. The Elder Gallagher raced at Bridgeport in the Sportsman division from ’94-’00 eventually leaving the sport for a good 15 years. “We came to Bridgeport spectating last year and when they brought the cars behind the grandstands and I felt the ground shake, heard those engines, and smelled that fuel, I was hooked once again,” admitted Gallagher Sr. “I knew I had to get back into this with my son, so that’s what we did.”
Jimmy who resides in nearby Woolwich, will be driving a 2015 Bicknell 602 crate powered car that will carry No. 31 (Sr.’s old number). Elite Welding Training, Keen Compass Gas, and Lucky Mechanical in Blackwood, NJ are the Gallagher’s main sponsors. We say Gallagher because, yes, Jim Sr. will be strapping himself back behind the wheel as well. After Jimmy runs the rookie race Jim Sr., will race with the Crate/Sportsman on a weekly basis. The 72 year-old is happy to be living out his dream. “I have to say special thanks to my wife Janet for letting me do this once again. Believe it or not I used to make a living racing AMA flat track motorcycles and raced at Bridgeport back in ’74 on my XR750 Harley Davidson,” Gallagher added.
Some of the guys who will be crewing for the tag-team are Jeff Platt (tires) and Paulie Olivo who will serve as the Crew Chief and Zach Bailey as well. A special thanks goes out to Sammy Wescott and Mark Blackwell from the Gallaghers as well.
A 7th rookie notified Bridgeport Speedway this week that he plans on running with the ’17 field on the 5/8 mile oval. Scott Kohler will be driving his No. 12s sportsman car during most of the scheduled rookie races. “I really want to be part of this series at Bridgeport, but unfortunately I can’t make all of the races but I plan on being there for most of them,” Kohler explained. The 50 year-old Boyertown, PA driver will be behind the wheel of an ’06 Teo car.
Two of the sponsors that make it all happen for Scott are BK Upholstery and TNT Mowing & More. “Right now it’s just my son Chad, my girlfriend Justine, and daughter Danielle that will be helping me in the pits. I always wanted to do this and finally realized that I had the means to do it, so I said why not!” Kohler raced go karts from 1995 to 2000 before getting hooked onto off road four-wheel drive racing. For the past 15 years Scott could have been found racing on off road obstacle courses all over the PA, DE, MD region.
The 9th D.A.’s Auto Body driver that has added his name to the ever-growing list is young Matt Luzi. If you think the name ‘Luzi’ sounds familiar, well, you would be correct. The Luzi name is connected to Joy Auto Parts, which has been seen on racecars over the past 35 plus years. 16 year-old Matt is a fourth-generation driver hailing out of Branchburg, NJ. Last year, Matt was able to hot lap his car in a couple of races at the end of the season, therefore keeping his rookie status eligible. The car has since been received a new body and lettering for the 2017 season.
The 2011 Bickenell No. 7L will be powered by a 602 crate motor this season. Matt’s father, grandfather, and great-grandfather all raced in the state of NJ over the course of the last 60 plus years. Matt’s father Garrett raced SS Sprints most recently about 10 years ago. Joe Luzi, Matt’s grandfather drove the popular ‘Toy’ car at Flemington back in the 1980’s, while Joe’s father John raced up in north Jersey in now defunct stadiums and arenas. Matt’s racing experience thus far have consisted of all go karts at tracks like Oakland Valley, Wall, and Shellhammers. ‘Joy Auto Parts’ (located in Greenbrook and Chester, NJ) is the main sponsor of the family-owed Crate/Sportsman. ‘Joy’ has also stayed involved in dirt track racing by sponsoring drivers such as Sammy Martz and John McClelland over the years. The newest Luzi hopes to continue the family tradition and make his family proud at Bridgeport this coming season.
