Bridgeport Motorsports Park

Bridgeport, NJ – Joe Toth raced to his first feature win in the Foley Cat Modifieds at the Bridgeport Motorsports Park in just his third Modified start of the season.  Steve Kemery raced to his second win of the season in the South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Sportsman feature.  Mike Hughes has been close on several occasions but finally won for the first time in the Sunbelt Rental Street Stocks.  Ethan Bill opened up the DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookie season with a win.  Mike Bednar raced Billy Pauch to the finish line to claim the victory in the USAC All Pro SpeedSTR feature.

Neal Williams led the Foley Cat Modified Feature for the first ten laps before Toth made the pass for the lead on lap eleven.  Toth immediately pulled away from the field as the race for second heated up behind the leader.  Tim Buckwalter won the race for second by halfway with another Modified rookie, Jim Gallagher, Jr. racing in third.  

Ryan Godown raced up to third on lap nineteen and immediately started to race Buckwalter for second.  With Toth out in front, Buckwalter and Godown set a torrid pace as the battled for the runner-up spot.  The pressure intensified as the laps counted down.  

Toth took the white flag several car lengths ahead of the battle for second.  The leader was in turn three, coming for the checkered flag when the caution waved for the disable No. 31 of Tommy Beamer. 

 
For the second week in a row, the Modifieds raced for twenty-nine consecutive green flag laps only to have a caution on the final lap, setting up a green to checkered one lap shoot-out – certainly not what Toth was looking for.

Toth had a good restart as he took the green with Buckwalter dropping to the bottom of the track to try to challenge for the lead.  He pulled alongside of Toth in the corners but Toth pulled away as he exited turn two.  Buckwalter lost just enough momentum in his challenge to allow Godown to take over second.  

Toth got sideways in turn four as he dropped to the bottom of the track.  He was good and lucky in that he was able to collect the car and continue on and lucky because of the skill of the drivers behind him who were able to avoid hitting the No. 9.  “I thought somebody was either going to hit me and straighten me out or there was going to be a big wreck,” Toth stated.  Fortunately, he was able to gather it back in and race to the waiting checkered flag.  For the second week in a row, Godown grabbed second on the last lap restart.  “We needed a caution,” Godown stated.  “Even a green, white checkered would have been enough!.”  Buckwalter finished third followed by Matt Stangle and Billy Pauch.  Mike Franz, Jim Gallagher, Yankowski, Ryan Krachun and Billy Osmun III rounded out the top ten.  

Steve Kemery and Travis Hill had a wheel to wheel battle, racing side by side for several laps with Kemery finally pulling into the lead.  It was the second win of the season at Bridgeport for the defending champion.  
Howie Finch finished third behind Kemery and Hill.  Steve Davis finished fourth with early race leader, Ryan Higgs taking fifth.  Sammy Martz, Jr. finished sixth over Tom Sherby, Matt Elery, Wayne Weaver and Aaron Weaver.

With the help of former track champion, TJ Henry, Mike Hughes drove to his first win in the Sunbelt Rental Street Stocks.  Hughes credited Henry with helping him to become so competitive.  Hughes has been in the thick of the battle every week this season.  
Hughes took the win over Jeramy Doerr, Jeff Dirkes, Nick Sandone III and Ken Moren.

Ethan Bill completed a pass for the lead at the race’s midway point to become the first winner in the DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookies.  Mike Creamer was the early race leader and went on to finish second over Zack Cox, Ethan Young and Shane Kassekert.

Mike Bednar picked up the win in the USAC All Pro SpeedSTR feature event after battling with Billy Pauch and Alex Yankowski.  It was Bednar’s first Bridgeport victory.  Yankowski was sidelined when the engine blew in the Rita’s Italian Ice No. 56.

Bednar led Pauch to the checkered followed by Tom Mayberry, Tim Iulg and Jason Musser.  Jeff Hartman, Jay Hartman, Nick Pecko, Justin Thompson and Nick Havens rounded out the top ten.

FOLEY CAT BIG BLOCK MODIFIEDS (30 laps) –  

1. Joe Toth, 2. Ryan Godown, 3. Tim Buckwalter, 4. Matt Stangle, 5. Billy Pauch, Sr., 6. Mike Franz, 7. Jim Gallagher, Jr., 8. Alex Yankowski, 9. Ryan Krachun, 10. Billy Osmun, III, 11. Joseph Watson, 12. Neal Williams, 13. Sam Martz, Sr., 14. Brett Ballard, 15. Billy Lasko, 16. Ron Roberts, 17. Troy Ale, 18. David Crossman, 19. Tommy Beamer, 20. Tom Maccherone, 21. Matt Peck, 22. Tom Moore, Jr., 23. Tommy Errico, Jr., 24. Dominick Buffalino, 25. Kenny Hildebrant, DNS – Clay Butler 

SOUTH JERSEY OVERHEAD DOORS 602 SPORTSMAN (25 laps) –  

1. Steve Kemery, 2. Travis Hill, 3. Howie Finch, 4. Steve Davis, 5. Ryan Higgs, 6. Sammy Martz, Jr., 7. Tom Sherby, 8. Matt Elery, 9. Wayne Weaver, 10. Aaron Weaver, 11. David Jenkins, 12. Jimmy Dallett, 13. Brad Cicio, 14. Billy Chester, 15. Ethan Bill, 16. Pete Serra, 17. Scott Hulmes, 18. Mike Creamer, 19. Zack Cox, 20. Erik Mattson, 21. John Scarpati, 22. Shane Kassekert, 23. Ryan Stangle, 24. Joseph Brown, DNS – Bryce Higgs, Howard Huepful, Ethan Young 

D.A.’S AUTO BODY & REPAIR (7 laps) – 

1. Ethan Bill, 2. Mike Creamer, 3. Zack Cox, 4. Ethan Young, 5. Shane Kassekert, 6. Courtney Pickens, DNS – Bryce Higgs 

SUNBELT RENTALS STREET STOCKS (15 laps) – 

1. Mike Hughes, 2. Jeramy Doerr, 3. Jeff Dirkes, 4. Nick Sandone, III, 5. Ken Moren, 6. Tom Wills, Jr. 

USAC ALL PRO SPEEDSTRS (20 laps) –  

1. Mike Bednar, 2. Billy Pauch, Sr., 3. Tom Mayberry, 4. Tim Iulg, 5. Jason Musser, 6. Jeff Hartman, 7. Jay Hartman, 8. Nick Pecko, 9. Justin Thompson, 10. Nick Havens, 11. Dustin Morris, 12. Alex Yankowski, 13. Jeff Kot, 14. Tim Buckwalter, DNS – T.J. Mayberry 

Bridgeport, NJ – Joseph Watson drove the Blue Hen No. 30 to victory in the thirty lap Foley Cat Modified feature event on Saturday night at the Bridgeport Motorsports Park, becoming the fourth different driver in as many races to capture a feature win.  

Sammy Martz, Jr. earned his second win of the season in the South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Sportsman main event while Tom Wills, Jr. was the feature winner in the Sunbelt Rentals Street Stock feature event.  The Mid Atlantic Sprint Series (MASS) were on hand for their second Bridgeport race of the season with Eddie Wagner picking up the win. 

Race fans were treated to four divisions of racing sponsored by Delaware Auto Exchange.

Modified rookie, Tommy Errico qualified through his heat race in a handicapped position, earning himself a pole position start for the thirty lap Foley Cat Modified feature.  Errico lined up beside Ronnie Roberts for the green flag and jumped out in front to lead lap one but Watson was in hot pursuit and took the lead on the second circuit.  Watson drove away from a side by side battle for second between Tommy Beamer and Clay Butler that became a three car race one lap later when Alex Yankowski joined the fray.

Yankowski took over second on lap eight and Ryan Godown raced into third one lap later after starting fourteenth on the grid.  

Twenty-nine consecutive green flag laps saw the top three positions remain unchanged.  Yankowski was closing in on Watson in the final laps but it appeared that the young driver from Jermyn, PA would run out of time.  The leader had just taken the white flag when defending track champion, Billy Pauch, slowed with a flat tire.  The caution waved for the first time and set up a one lap shootout to the checkered.  

Godown had told Watson before the start of the feature that if there was a restart he would be there and he kept his word.  When the green flag waved for the final lap, Godown was able to pass Yankowski for second but he was unable to get to Watson before the checkered flag.

Watson took the victory and dedicated it to Ron Faison, owner of the Delaware Auto Exchange that was not only a sponsor on the No. 30 but was also sponsoring Saturday night’s races.  Godown finished second with Yankowski taking third.  Two young guns completed the top five with Matt Stangle taking fourth over Billy Osmun III in fifth.  Dominick Buffalino finished sixth followed by Tommy Beamer, Ryan Watt, Briggs Danner and Tim Buckwalter.  

Sammy Martz, Jr. took the lead from Howie Finch on lap three as the two drivers raced out of turn two.  Martz never looked back.  Tom Sherby proved to be Martz’s biggest threat as he ran the bottom of the track to perfection and was able to pull even with Martz on several occasions including a lap twelve restart where Sherby led the way until turns three and four when Martz was able to regain the top spot.

A late race caution jumbled the field with Travis Hill racing to second behind Martz.  Bob Lineman Jr. finished third followed by Sherby and Steve Kemery.  Finch crossed the line in sixth followed by John Micek, Matt Ellery, David Jenkins and Pete Serra.  Martz became the first repeat winner in this division.

Tom Wills, Jr. ended his drought and raced to the win in the Sunbelt Rental Street Stocks.  Wills was dominant throughout the event but second through fifth was up for grabs on nearly every lap.

Wills drove to the finish line ahead of Mike Hughes, Jeff Dirkes in his first race of the season, Jeramy Doerr and Nick Sandone, III who raced side by side, lap after lap.

Eddie Wagner picked up the win in the MASS main event for the 305 sprint cars and in doing so, became the first driver to win on all four of the Bridgeport tracks over the years.  Wagner last won in a 600 Micro Sprint in the quarter mile in 2010 and has won with the sprint car on the 3/8th, 5/8th and now the 4/10 mile track.

Wagner was able to stay well ahead of his nearest challenger but there was plenty of racing behind the leader.  Rookie, Cody West raced in second for more than half the race including several laps where he raced side by side with another first year sprint car competitor, Zach Bealer.  Larry McVay raced into second late in the race to finish ahead of Dom Melair.  West finished fourth ahead of Ricky DiEva.

Doug Dodson, Phil Meisner, Ryan Stillwaggon, John Brennfleck and Aiden Borden completed the top ten at the finish.

A big night of racing coming at the Kingdom of Speed next Saturday as the 2021 DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookies make their first start of the season as do the USAC All Pro SpeedSTRs who will join the Foley Cat Modifieds, the South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Sportsman and Sunbelt Rental Street Stocks.

FOLEY-CAT BIG BLOCK MODIFIEDS (30 laps) 

1. Joseph Watson, 2. Ryan Godown, 3. Alex Yankowski, 4. Matt Stangle, 5. Billy Osmun, III, 6. Dominick Buffalino, 7. Tommy Beamer, 8. Ryan Watt, 9. Briggs Danner, 10. Tim Buckwalter, 11. Ryan Krachun, 12. Billy Pauch, Sr., 13. Sam Martz, Sr., 14. Clay Butler, 15. Joe Toth, 16. Ron Roberts, 17. Troy Ale, 18. Neal Williams, 19. Billy Lasko, 20. Mike Franz, 21. Jim Gallagher, Jr., 22. Jim Britt, 23. Justin Eason, 24. Brett Ballard, 25. Frank Cozze, 26. Tommy Errico, Jr., DNQ – Matt Peck, Tom Moore, Jr., Ray Swinehart, Brett Kelly, Brad Roberts, Tom Maccherone 

DELAWARE AUTO EXCHANGE MASS 305 SPRINTS (25 laps) 

1. Eddie Wagner, 2. Larry McVay, 3. Dominic Melair, 4. Cody West, 5. Ricky DiEva, 6. Doug Dodson, 7. Phil Meisner, 8. Joe Kay, 9. Ryan Stillwaggon, 10. John Brennfleck, 11. Aidan Borden, 12. Buddy Schweibinz, 13. Rick Stief, 14. Dave Bonner, 15. Zack Bealer, 16. Jenna Shotz, 17. Jeff Geiges, 18. Dale Eggert, 19. Rich Janney, 20. Rory Janney, 21. Kevin Nagy, 22. Pat Uselis, 23. Zack Bergof, 24. C.J. Faison, DNQ – Marie McVay, Derek Hauck, Matthew Swift, Kristina Pratt, Craig Pellegrini, Darren Cox, Justin Nowlen, Mike Melair, Cory Connell, Keith Anderson, Mark Bitner, Tim Tanner, Josh Bricker, Bryant Davis 

SOUTH JERSEY OVERHEAD DOOR 602 SPORTSMAN (25 laps) 

1. Sammy Martz, Jr., 2. Travis Hill, 3. Bob Lineman, Jr., 4. Tom Sherby, 5. Steve Kemery, 6. Howie Finch, 7. John Micek, 8. Matt Elery, 9. David Jenkins, 10. Pete Serra, 11. Jimmy Dallett, 12. Sean Metz, 13. Brad Cicio, 14. Billy Chester, 15. Ryan Higgs, 16. Scott Hulmes, 17. Ryan Stangle, 18. Andy Walko, 19. Joe Brown, 20. Wayne Weaver, 21. Mike Creamer, 22. Ethan Young, 23. Ethan Bill, 24. Shane Casseker, 25. Erik Mattson. 

SUNBELT RENTALS STREET STOCKS (15 laps) 

1. Tom Wills, Jr., 2. Mike Hughes, 3. Jeff Dirkes, 4. Jeramy Doerr, 5. Nick Sandone, III, 6. Terry Chaney, 7. Keith McKinley 

Bridgeport, NJ – After a second place finish to Dominick Buffalino during Tuesday night’s special show, Ryan Krachun returned to the Bridgeport Motorsports Park and reversed the previous outcome by picking up his first ever feature win at the Kingdom of Speed in the Foley Cat Modifieds. This time Buffalino finished second.

In nearly identical circumstances, Krachun took the lead at the start of the thirty lap Foley Cat Modified feature with Buffalino racing into second just before the halfway mark. And again, there were lapped cars to deal with but this time, Krachun had the Amwell Auto Body No. 29 wound up around the top of the banking and he was able to drive by the lapped cars that were running at the bottom of the track.

Krachun dedicated his win to the late Danny Serrano. “This one has to be for Danny,” Krachun declared. “My first win at Bridgeport. He’s the one that was always after me to come down here.”

Buffalino trailed Krachun to the finish followed by Ryan Godown, Sam Martz and Frank Cozze. Both Cozze and sixth place finisher, Ryan Watt advanced in their positions in the final laps. Billy Osmun III, Tim Buckwalter, defending track champion, Billy Pauch and Jim Gallagher rounded out the top ten.

Ryan Godown, Jr. combined a good working car and a good starting position to earn his first win of the 2021 season in the South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Sportsman action. After a frustrating start, the second generation driver battled with Ryan Higgs during the early laps but was then able to settle down and run his own race when contenders fell off the pace. Bob Lineman, Jr. had a strong second place run for his first Bridgeport start of the season but was sidelined by mechanical issues late in the race.

Godown took the checkered flag over Anthony Tramontana who won the battle with Sammy Martz, Jr. for second. Howie Finch finished fourth followed by Wayne Weaver. John Micek raced to a sixth place finish over Scott Hulmes, Pete Serra and two first year competitors, Ethan Bill and Ryan Stangle.

Rich Stinson, Jr. picked up his third victory of the season in the Sunbelt Rental Street Stocks after racing with leader Mike Hughes. Stinson is the defending champion in this division and is currently undefeated in Street Stock action.

Hughes finished a strong second with Nick Sandone III making his many fans happy with his third place performance. Tom Wills, Jr. finished fourth with Gary Klimeczak taking fifth.

The Mid Atlantic Sprint Series (MASS) joins the Foley Cat Modifieds, South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Sportsman and Sunbelt Rental Street Stocks with racing to begin immediately following a 6pm warm-up session. Kevin Nagy already has a win at Bridgeport this season with the MASS sprints. Three races have produced three different winners in both the Modifieds and the Sportsman with a repeat winner existing only in the Street Stock action at this time.

FOLEY CAT BIG BLOCK MODIFIEDS (30 laps)

1. Ryan Krachun, 2. Dominick Buffalino, 3. Ryan Godown, 4. Sam Martz, Sr., 5. Frank Cozze, 6. Ryan Watt, 7. Billy Osmun, III, 8. Tim Buckwalter, 9. Billy Pauch, Sr. 10. Jim Gallagher, Jr., 11. Alex Yankowski, 12. Brandon Hightower, 13. Jim Britt, 14. Joe Toth, 15. Billy Lasko, 16. Mike Franz, 17. Troy Ale, 18. Matt Stangle, 19. Neal Williams, 20. Brett Ballard, 21. Tommy Beamer, 22. Frank Yankowski, 23. Brad Roberts, 24. Joseph Watson, 25. Clay Butler, DNQ – Tommy Errico, Jr., Tom Macherrone, Art Liedl, Justin Eason, Ron Roberts

SOUTH JERSEY OVERHEAD DOOR 602 SPORTSMAN (25 laps)

1. Ryan Godown, Jr., 2. Anthony Tramontana, 3. Sammy Martz, Jr., 4. Howie Finch, 5. Wayne Weaver, 6. John Micek, 7. Scott Hulmes, 8. Pete Serra, 9. Ethan Bill, 10. Ryan Stangle, 11. Billy Chester, 12. Aaron Weaver, 13. Matt Elery, 14. Bob Lineman, Jr., 15. Joseph Brown, 16. Erik Mattson, 17. Ryan Higgs, 18. Steve Kemery, 19. Tracy Gauger, 20. David Jenkins, 21. Tom Sherby, 22. Brett Belmont, 23. Greg Nailor, 24. Sean Metz, DNQ – Ethan Young, Mike Creamer, Nolan Openshaw, Will Protnick, Anthony Sisco

SUNBELT RENTALS STREET STOCKS (15 laps)

1. Rich Stinson, Jr., 2. Mike Hughes, 3. Nick Sandone, 4. Tom Wills, Jr., 5. Gary Klimeczak, 6. Ken Moren, 7. Keith McKinley

Bridgeport, NJ – Kerry Madsen and Dominick Buffalino made history at the Bridgeport Speedway Motorsports Park during the track’s Tuesday night Invasion of the Posse – a double header show of PA Posse 410 Sprint Cars and Foley Cat Modifieds – sponsored by Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz. It was the first ever race for 410 sprint cars on the high banks of the 4/10 mile track and it certainly won’t be the last. It was a must see show for many racing fans who left anxiously awaiting the next event.

More than thirty sprint cars competed for starting spots in the main event. Shaffer and Madsen made up the first row of the feature line-up after finishing 1-2 in the 410 Sprint Dash.

Madsen, the transplanted Australian who moved to the US to race sprint cars twenty years ago, raced to the $5,000 victory in the thirty lap feature event after taking the lead from Tim Shaffer on lap seven. The two drivers raced across the start/finish line side by side on lap six with Madsen pulling ahead on the next circuit.

From that point on, the race was for second through fifth as Madsen pulled away from the field. Shaffer was a sold second after winning the battle with Anthony Macri and Brent Marks while Ryan Smith raced the bottom of the track, looking to advance his position.

The second caution of the race came with just one lap to go after Anthony Fiore made contact with the wall in turn four and came to a stop on the homestretch. With the field lined up nose to tail for the final lap restart, it was one last chance to advance positions.

Madsen raced to the checkered flag over Shaffer. Macri won the battle with Marks for third. Marks was challenged at the line by Ryan Smith but held on to finish fourth. Kyle Reinhardt used a last lap pass to finish sixth ahead of Freddy Rahmer. Danny Dietrich, Tyler Ross and Justin Peck rounded out the top ten. Peck rallied after a lap eight spin to finish tenth.

The Foley Cat Modifieds were up to the task to provide an elbows up performance in their thirty lap feature event.

Ryan Krachun rolled the outside to take the lead on lap one from polesitter, Jim Britt. Krachun set a blistering pace as he raced away from the field. Sam Martz and Buffalino quickly moved into second and third with Billy Pauch, Jr. and Mike Maresca completing the top five in the early going.

Buffalino passed Martz for second on lap nine with Pauch, Jr. and Maresca following one lap later.

As the race approached the halfway mark, Krachun encountered lapped traffic. Buffalino was able to use the traffic to his advantage as he closed in on the lead. As Krachun took the halfway sign, Buffalino had the Hynneman No. 126 on his bumper. Maresca raced in third, looking for an opportunity to make a bid for the lead.

Buffalino and Krachun crossed the start/finish line side by side on lap eighteen with Buffalino scored as the leader for the first time. Bufflino was able to clear Krachun on the next lap but Krachun wasn’t going away. Krachun was right on the leader, ready to take advantage of any opportunity.

Thirty green flag laps and just eight minutes and forty-eight seconds after the green flag, Buffalino drove to his first Bridgeport victory of the season and his first ever win on the high banked 4/10th mile speedway. It was Buffalino’s first visit to Bridgeport’s Weaknecht Archery Victory Lane. The up on the wheel, non-stop racing took its toll on the drivers. “It felt like 130 laps to be honest, ” Buffalino said from Victory Lane. “It really wore you out. When you are running that close to the wall, every lap.”

Krachun finished a close second. “The lapped traffic really made a difference,” the runner-up explained, “but that’s not anything about the lapped cars. That’s on me. I need to get better in traffic,” Krachun added.

Maresca, who won opening day on the high banks, raced in third and had the best seat in the house to watch the race for the lead. After racing with his father earlier in the race, Pauch, Jr. finished fourth with Alex Yankowski racing home in fifth.

Danny Bouc finished sixth followed by JoJo Watson, Craig VonDohren, Jim Britt and Briggs Danner.

Buffalino’s win was his second victory in four days with his new ride, certainly proving that this team will be one to be reckoned with in the races to come.

Invasion of the Posse Winged 410 Sprint Cars (30 laps): 1. Kerry Madsen 2. Tim Shaffer 3. Anthony Macri 4. Brent Marks 5. Ryan Smith 6. Kyle Reinhardt 7. Freddie Rahmer 8. Danny Dietrich 9. Tyler Ross 10. Justin Peck 11. JJ Grasso 12. Justin Whitall 13. Lucas Wolfe 14. Austin Bishop 15. Kyle Moody 16. Matt Campbell 17. Mark Bitner 18. Ricky Dieva 19. Dave Brown 20. Anthony Fiore 21. Billy Dietrich 22. Lyton Jeffery 23. Chase Dietz 24. Adam Carberry

Foley CAT Modifieds (30 laps): 1. Dom Buffalino 2. Ryan Krachun 3. Mike Maresca 4. Billy Pauch Jr. 5. Alex Yankowski 6. Danny Bouc 7. Craig Von Dohren 8. Joseph Watson 9. Jim Britt 10. Briggs Danner 11. Brandon Grosso 12. Jimmy Horton 13. Dillion Steuer 14. Tommy Beamer 15. Sam Martz 16. Mike Gular 17. Davey Sammons 18. Jim Gallagher 19. Brandon Hightower 20. Neil Williams 21. Billy Pauch 22. Frank Yankowski 23. Joe Toth 24. Tim Buckwalter 25. Brad Roberts 26. Ryan Godown 27. Mike Mahaney