Order of Events for June 28th!
Here is the order of events for tomorrow’s return to racing! We look forward to seeing you all there!
World of Outlaws Sprint Cars Set to Invade Bridgeport Motorsports Park!
Bridgeport, NJ – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars will be making a triumphant return to Bridgeport Motorsports Park in Swedesboro, NJ on Tuesday, May 19! The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars put on the show of the year last season with spectacular wheel to wheel racing! The PA Posse came out victorious in the return of the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car series as Danny Dietrich walked away with a $10,000 payday over Outlaws regulars Donny Schatz, David Gravel, Carson Macedo, and Daryn Pittman. This event was one for the record book as we saw Danny Dietrich set a new track record in qualifying with a 13.33 second lap around the 3/8s mile speedway. But this year will throw a curve ball in all the competitors plans as they are set to face a brand new high-banked 4/10 mile track! This is sure to bring excitement as teams will be showing why they are the best in the business and making adjustments all through the night to give the spectators a show they won’t forget! You won’t want to miss the spectacular show, but hurry while you can because last year’s show SOLD OUT and we are approaching the same record this year! Call for tickets: (844) 347-8849 or visit https://mpv.tickets.com/?orgid=52711&agency=WRG_SNG_MPV&pid=8813402. YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED!
Bridgeport Motorsports Park Going Green!
Swedesboro, NJ – As the COVID 19 pandemic continues, Bridgeport Motorsports Park is ready to go GREEN. The renovations have been completed and some finishing touches are being put on. Once the restrictions are lifted, we will see the first Green Flag fall that weekend.
“Ray Carroll and I have been discussing how we want to continue with the season once the restrictions are lifted”, said Rose. “With all the uncertainty out there, we have decided on a 2 stage plan. When the governor allows businesses to reopen and if there are no occupancy restrictions, we will open that coming Saturday with a regular show of Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, and Street Stocks and will continue with the current schedule thereafter. If the green light for businesses to reopen has an occupancy restriction, depending on the number, we will open with a practice that Saturday on the big track for all divisions of big cars and that Sunday on the 1/4 mile track for all divisions of small cars.”
We encourage all race teams to be ready and prepared to hit the track, the Green Flag will soon be waving.
American Racer Tires are available at the Speedway and are going quickly. You can reach us on facebook messenger or email Doug at [email protected] to confirm someone will be there for you to pick up tires.
We are all anxious to get the green flag at Bridgeport Motorsports Park and we encourage all racers and race fans to come check out the new facility. It is insane!
Keep up to date with Bridgeport Motorsports Park at www.BPSpeedway.com and on Facebook under Bridgeport Speedway.
Bridgeport Motorsports Park to Postpone Opening Practice
COVID-19 UPDATE!!!
We have been in communication with the NJ Government Agencies regarding the restrictions imposed on the state of NJ. We all feel it is the best interest of our teams, fans, and staff to put a hold on all events for this weekend and until we and the state feels it is safe to resume events at the Speedway.
We will continue to keep you updated on all social media and our website for a revised beginning of the year schedule.
We are all anxious to see and compete on the new “Kingdom of Speed” at Bridgeport Motorsports Park, but our safety must come first. We will see you all soon.
Obituary for Danny Serrano
Not a day passes where we don’t think about and miss our beloved friend. Danny was more than an employee to us, he was family and we will forever miss a crucial part of our family. We know that Danny is looking down on us and is watching the progress that we all make everyday, and let’s not forget looking down from the best seat in the house with his gram for his favorite sport. We love you and will continue to miss you Danny – Rest easy my friend.
Obituary for Daniel Serrano
Daniel Serrano, 45, of Toms River, passed from this life Thursday, March 5, 2020. Danny was born April 30, 1974 in Lakewood, New Jersey to Luis Serrano and Sandra Levy. Danny graduated from Toms River HS North. He was also a member of the Toms River Mariners football team. Danny continued his education and graduated from Ocean County College. Danny’s love of racing began at a very young age as he and his grandmother Rusty embarked on many racing adventures. As time went on his love of the sport grew as well. In 2007 Danny turned his passion for racing into a career by becoming the General Manager at New Egypt Speedway. He later continued that passion at his current job as General Manager of Bridgeport Speedway. Danny was a kind soul who would help anyone he could. He was always there when he was needed most. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and race fans everywhere. The racing community has lost a great fan, promoter, and lover of the sport.
Danny is predeceased by his father, Luis Serrano, Sr. and Rusty (Gram) Farrar.
Danny is survived by his loving mother, Sandra Levy of Manchester, Dave Levy of Manchester, sister, Meredith Serrano of Pennsauken; brothers, Luis Serrano Jr., of Hoboken, David Levy of Manchester, and the love of his life, Karen Edinger of Cream Ridge New Jersey.
The family will receive friends and relatives on Friday, March 13, 2020 from 4pm to 8pm at Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 145 St. Catherine Blvd., Toms River. Funeral Services will be held at 11am, Saturday, March 14, 2020at the funeral home with burial to follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Brielle.
Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting: www.ryanfunerlhome.com
https://www.ryanfuneralhome.com/book-of-memories/4128211/Serrano-Daniel/obituary.php
Bridgeport Speedway To Pay Up To $1000 Weekly To 602 Sportsman
Bridgeport, NJ – With the start of the 2020 season around the corner, Bridgeport Speedway has been dilligently peparing for the upcoming season. From creating a brand new race track, to securing essential sponsorships, to filling in key employee roles, to coming up with ways to make Bridgeport even more appealing to the race teams, track owner Doug Rose and his team has been hard at work for the past four months.
Doug Rose had the following to say; “The Ramey family was gracious enough to allow Brittany and I to follow along last year and watch their weekly operation. When doing so, the plans were to roll into the 2020 season trying to keep things as much the same as possible knowing that their formula over the last seven years was a success stated rose.”
“Danny Serrano and I have been bouncing around the idea of doing something with the 602 Sportsman payout while not trying to put ourselves in a position not to succeed.”
“We’ve sat down a couple times looking at different scenarios and what we could do or not do and still feel it would be safe for the well-being of the speedway.”
“With the number of drivers that we feel Will be competing at the speedway in 2020 for the weekly point shows we feel comfortable making a couple concrete changes while putting a twist in there to compensate the drivers when we have excellent car counts for the South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Sportsman.”
“We have decided to add three things to all points shows at Bridgeport Motorsports Park in 2020. We will be offering a tiered weekly payout with the base pay being the normal pay that the Ramey Family has been using which will be for 29 cars and under which has paid $500 to win with now $75 to take the green which has been raised since 2019.
When we have 30 plus cars we will bump up to the next purse, which will see the winner receive 750 to win with additional positions receiving extra purse money as well. On top of this purse adjustment, we are going to add in a gamblers program, which will add an additional $250 to the win regardless if we are over or under the 30 cars. So, on a weekly basis a driver who chooses to take the gamblers will be racing weekly for 750 or $1000 to win. We feel that this is huge for the growth of the 602 Sportsman division.”
The non-point shows at Bridgeport will pay substantially more than the weekly purse; i.e. the winner of the “Kingdom of Speed Weekend” could possibly go home with $1,500! March 21 will serve as the track’s ‘practice day’ with the following weekend being the grand opening for the 2020 season. For more information please log on the track’s website www.bpspeedway.com or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Fans and drivers can also reach the Speedway at 856-467-4408 or email at [email protected]
BRIDGEPORT MOTORSPORTS PARK GEARING UP FOR 2020 WITH MOTORSPORTS EXPO
Bridgeport, NJ – The all new Bridgeport Motorsports Park will be at this weekend’s Motorsports Expo in Oaks, PA January 17-19. New ownership of the multi-track facility was finalized with the turning of the calendar year and new owners Doug & Brittany Rose and team have been hard at work since the final checkered flag waved back in November.
“We literally have been working on so many things here since Monday morning, November 11,” Rose explained. “From the construction of the new track, the reconfiguration of the 1/4 mile track, painting all the buildings, renovating the concession stand, updating all the 2020 rules, selling billboards, to designing brand new racing apparel, you name it we’ve been hard at work,” added Rose.
“I’m excited, my wife Brittany’s and son Brady is excited, our staff is excited, drivers and fans are too. It’s definitely a huge undertaking but, it will all be worth it when the final product is unveiled in a couple of months! A fan stopped by the track today and was curious to see what was going on, as are most people. He told me that he was very apprehensive about losing the 5/8 and thought it was going to be a bad move. BUT, after he walked up to the track he said ‘Holy *hit, this is going to be great!’. Everyone that has been able to see the work that’s been put in, has been extremely impressed. Just wait till we get race cars on it, I say!”
Rose, along with track manager Danny Serrano, tech inspector Ray Carroll, office manager Kate Raively, along with many of the other speedway employees will be on hand to meet and greet the race teams and fans throughout the entire weekend at Motorsports. All the official paperwork and forms will be available at Bridgeport Motorsports Park’s booth. Brand new ‘2020’ schedules that include events for the World of Outlaws, Super DIRTcar Series, both USAC sprints and midgets, Short Track Super Series, and Monster Truck Showdown, along with 2019 dvds, and hot off the press ‘2020’ racing apparel. Thanks to Bob Hilbert Sportswear, there will be three, yes three new t-shirt/hoodie designs for everyone to add to their collection (two year-long designs and a Kingdom of Speed event design)…fans should get theirs’ before opening day on March 28!
’19 Track champion Tom Wills Jr. will be representing the Street Stocks with his always sharp-looking No. 856. Richie Pratt Jr. will have the beautiful Danny Sommeling-owned No. 51 modified on display as well, and the 1/4 mile will be well represented by the Ed Barber-Spirit sponsored No. 99B 600 micro sprint.
Everyone at Bridgeport is looking forward to an exciting and unforgettable 2020 season. However, Motorsports is the first on the checklist this coming weekend. For more information on the Expo, please log onto www.aarn.com. For more information regarding Bridgeport Motorsports Park you can visit the track website at www.bpspeedway.com or check the track out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
SOUTH JERSEY OVERHEAD DOOR BACK AGAIN AS BRIDGEPORT’S 602 SPORTSMAN TITLE SPONSOR
Bridgeport Motorsports Park would like to welcome back Sal DeBruno’s South Jersey Overhead Door Company as the title sponsor for Bridgeport’s 602 Sportsman for the 2020 season. Last year, SJOD embarked in a a new venture with Bridgeport Speedway and its 602 Sportsman division. The experience and exposure was just what the well-known company was looking for, which has led to a return as the title sponsor once again in 2020.
Sal DeBruno’s South Jersey Overhead Door No. 0 cars and Bridgeport Speedway have been synonymous together over the past four decades of racing. The SJOD cars can be seen at the track week in and week out with seasoned-veterans Wayne Weaver and Neal Williams behind the wheel of the legendary ‘0’ cars. Both hired guns gave South Jersey Overhead Door even more exposure by landing in Victory Lane several times throughout the 2019 campaign. Williams drove to a checkered in the Modified division while Wayne Weaver drove to four victories the 602 Sportsman class.
“Bridgeport’s my home and always will be,” DeBruno proudly stated. “I’ve been here throughout all the owners and track transitions spanning nearly 40 years, so this year is no different for me,” offered the extremely likeable car and business owner. “I’m really excited and looking forward to the new track. I think the new owner (Doug Rose) has got a good plan for this place and I’m just happy we have a track to race at and I want to help in any way I can. I might be a Modified guy but I watch all of the 602 Sportsman races too! They are just exciting if you ask me,” Debruno pointed out.
DeBruno built his business much like he built his race team – by starting with the basics and then building from there. 2020 will mark South Jersey Overhead Door’s fifty-ninth year in business. SJOD offers a full line of residential, commercial and industrial overhead doors and motors to fit any budget. If you’re in need a of a repair for your current door or motor, they service all makes and models. They even offer 24hr emergency service for commercial customers. You can visit their full show room that has working overhead doors and motors!
South Jersey Overhead Door carries:
Overhead Sectional Doors, Custom Wood Doors, Steel Flush Commercial Entry Doors, Garage Door Motors, All Brands of Electronic Controls, Residential and Commercial Gate Operators, Telephone Entry Systems, Coiling Service and Fire Doors, Coiling and Side Folding Security Grilles, Coiling Counter Shutters, High Speed Fabric Doors, Insect Barrier Doors, Dock Levelers, Dock Seals and Shelters, Truck Restraints
SJOD is located at 1360 N. Delsea Drive in Vineland, NJ 08362. To talk to a member of SJOD, you can reach them at 856-692-2840. You can also visit them online at www.sjoverheaddoor.com
The South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Sportsman will battle it out for 19 point races along with several other special events during the 2020 racing season. The annual pre-season open practice will take place on Saturday, March 21 a week prior to the “Kingdom of Speed 100” grand-opening weekend on March 28 & 29. Race Teams & Fans are encouraged to follow all the lastest happenings and announcements by visiting the track’s website at www.bpspeedway.com, checking out the track’s Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram or calling the speedway office at 856-467-4408.
WoO, MTT, DIRT, STSS, USAC, & URC HIGHLIGHT 2020 BRIDGEPORT SEASON
Bridgeport Speedway is proud to announce that they have put together an exciting schedule of events for the 2020 season! “Excited is an understatement,” new track owner Doug Rose exclaimed. “We’ve come up with such a diverse and attractive schedule for the fans and race teams, I truly can’t wait. We’ve got the best touring series in the country coming to Bridgeport in 2020 along with the best weekly competition on Saturday nights. If this schedule doesn’t get the blood pumping, you might want to go see your primary doctor,” Rose added with a chuckle.The 2020 season will kick off with the ‘Kingdom of Speed 100 Weekend’ featuring the 60 Over Special-Doug Hoffman Memorial Race on March 28th and 29th. Friday night gets things going with an open practice for any participating weekend divisions. Saturday and Sunday will showcase the Modifieds vying for a 60-lap $6,000 first-place prize while the 358 ‘spec’ Small Blocks battle it out for $4,000 in their 40-lapper. The Speedstrs will make their first of 9 appearances in 2020, while 602 Sportsman, Street Stocks, and 305 MASS Sprints round out what is sure to be a must-see opening day weekend!The 2020 point chase gets underway on Saturday, April 10., There are 17 scheduled traditional point races for the Spirit Auto Center Modifieds throughout the upcoming season. The South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Sportsman will crown a champion 19 point races, while the Sunbelt Rental Outlaw Stocks will battle it out over 21 races. The 2020 Point Champions will be crowned following the final night of points on Saturday, September 12th.The World of Outlaws make their only 2020 appearance in the Garden State when the likes of Donny Schatz, Brad Sweet, David Gravel Daryn Pittman and the best in the business take on the PA Posse’s Danny Dietrich, Ryan Smith, Lucas Wolfe, Freddie Rahmer and more at the new ‘Kingdom of Speed’ Bridgeport Speedway. The stars of the Modified division will join the Outlaws in this double header show on Tuesday, May 20th.The ever-popular Monster Truck Throwdown returns to Bridgeport for two separate two-day events. With last year’s standing-room only sold out shows, Bridgeport management and MTT decided to give the fans what they want…another weekend of car-crushing excitement! The unofficial start of summer will kick off at Bridgeport Speedway during Memorial Day Weekend. Monster Truck Throwdown will make their first appearance of 2020 on Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24. Then on Saturday and Sunday, September 19th and 20th will see the return of MTT. Be sure to witness iconic trucks up close such as ‘Avenger’, ‘Crustacean’, ‘Over Bored’, ‘Miss Over Bored’, ‘Lumberjack’ and more.The return of the ‘South Jersey Shootout’ comes on Wednesday, May 27. The stars of the STSS-Short Track Super Series will be in full fledge for this mid-week special. Modified stars from all over the Northeast that include Stewart Friesen, Matt Sheppard, Andy Bachetti, Jordan Watson, Duane Howard, David VanHorn, Billy Pauch Jr., Jimmy Horton, Mike Gular, Danny Bouc, Brandon Grosso, Ryan Krachun, Craig VonDohren, Brett Kressley, and Anthony Perrego will be going head to head with Bridgeport’s own Modified squad. The 602 STSS Sportsman will be the undercard of this year’s Shootout.The United States Auto Club (USAC) comes to town for the 2020 Eastern Storm on Wednesday, June 10. The wingless daredevils will be making their third straight appearance at the South Jersey speedway. Previous winners Kevin Thomas Jr. and Jason McDougal will be out in full force with stars Brady Bacon, Tyler Courtney, CJ Leary, and many more. Joining USAC will be the mighty Modifieds for this tremendous double header program.On Sunday, July 5th, the ‘All American 40’ holiday show returns. Joining the Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, and Street Stocks will be the first appearance of the URC 360 Sprint Cars. URC returns in November for their traditional two-day show during Wildcard Weekend. URC has a strong history at Bridgeport Speedway and 2020 should see car counts grow even more with the new layout of the sprint car-friendly facility.The Super DIRTcar Series will be making their return to Bridgeport for the all-new ‘King of the Big Blocks’ event after a two-year hiatus on Wednesday, July 29. The well-traveled Big Block circuit has some of the best drivers to offer in the modified ranks. Mat Williamson is the reigning SDS champion and will lead a brigade of Big Blocks that include Matt Sheppard, Billy Decker, Jimmy Phelps, Peter Brittain, Brett Hearn, Danny Johnson, Ryan Godown, Larry Wight, Mike Mahaney, Tim Fuller, Demetrios Drellos, Jack Lehner, and plenty of others on this special Wednesday evening. Joining the 900 plus horse power ground pounders will be the stars of the Speedstrs for this must-see double header.The National USAC Midget Tour will make its first appearance ever at Bridgeport on Thursday, August 6. When the high-flying midgets come to town, the fans will get to see the likes of Logan Seavey, Zeb Wise, Jerry Coons Jr., Chad Boat, Brady Bacon, Chris Windom, Tyler Courtney and many more. Accompanying the USAC Midgets will be the Modifieds, where the open wheel fans will get to see weekend warriors Pauch, Watt, Strunk, VonDohren, Godown, Laubach and dozens more.The USAC Speedstrs will bring their talents East from the Action Track to Bridgeport for 9 appearances throughout the 2020 season. Just some of the drivers that will be giving the fans pure excitement will be Billy Pauch Jr., Tim Buckwalter, Billy Pauch Sr., Jeff Strunk, Alex Yankowski, Matt Janisch, Briggs Danner, Earl Paules, Alex Bright, Trevor Kobylarz, and TJ Mayberry. The Speedstrs will be in action during Kingdom of Speed 100 Weekend, April 18, May 2, May 30, July 18, July 29, September 5, Rumble on the River Weekend, and Wildcard Weekend.On May 30 and June 13 both tracks at the “Kingdom of Speed” will be in action in what is dubbed as a ‘Combo Event’. Bridgeport and the Spirit 1/4 mile will race on these Saturday programs. 602 Crate Sportsman, MASS Sprints, Street Stocks, Speedstrs, 4 Cylinders, 8 Cylinders, 270 and 600 Micro Sprints, and Slingshots will be part of one or both of these ‘Combo Events’.Bridgeport Speedway will close out the 2020 season with a pair of big three-day weekend programs…The ‘Rumble on the River’ in September and ‘Wildcard Weekend’ in November.The three-day September affair will feature the USAC East Coast Wingless Sprints, Speedstrs, Modifieds, 358 ‘spec’ Small Blocks, Street Stocks, 602 Sportsman plus Underdog 20, 4 Cylinders & 8 Cyinders. ‘Wildcard Weekend’ will showcase the URC Sprints for two complete shows, Speedstrs, Modifieds, Street Stocks, 602 Sportsman, 4 Cylinders, & 8 Cylinders.The 602 Sportsman Rookie will return as well in 2020. “We’ve had quite a few calls in regards to the rookies in 2020. We need the teams to register and sign up with us over the next few months then we can start adding race dates to the schedule,” general manager Danny Serrano pointed out.The 4 Cylinder and 8 Cylinders will be making their return to the newly constructed facility as well in 2020. “We’ve had multiple teams already calling us about racing these two divisions on the new track. We will be working with neighboring speedways so we can come up with dates that are beneficial for two divisions,” offered Serrano. Dates for both classes will be announced in the near future.Those are just the highlights of the action-packed 2020 season at Bridgeport Speedway! Bridgeport offers something for every race fan.
2020 Race Season Schedule:*4 Cylinder and 8 Cylinder Dates to be addedSaturday, March 21 – Media Day – Practice for All Divisions (1/4 mile Practice following)Friday, March 27 – Open Practice for Competing Weekend Divisions
Saturday & Sunday March 28/29- 358 Small Blocks, Modifieds, SpeedSTR’s, Street Stocks, MASS Sprints, 602 SportsmanSunday, April 5 – Modifieds ($3,333 to win), 602 Sportsman, Street StocksSaturday, April 11- Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Street Stocks (Points Begin)Saturday, April 18 –Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Street Stocks, SpeedSTR’sSaturday, April 25-Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Street Stocks, MASS SprintsSaturday, May 2-Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Street Stocks, SpeedSTR’sSaturday, May 9-Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Street StocksSaturday, May 16-Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Street StocksTuesday, May 19- World of Outlaws & ModifiedsSaturday, May 23-Monster Truck ThrowdownSunday, May 24- Monster Truck ThrowdownWednesday, May 27 South Jersey Shootout – STSS Modifieds & STSS 602 SportsmanSaturday, May 30 –MASS Sprints, SpeedStrs, Street Stocks – (1/4 mile 600 & 270 Micros, Slingshots) COMBO SHOWSaturday, June 6- Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Street StocksWednesday, June 10 – USAC Sprints & Modifieds
Saturday, June 13-602 Sportsman, Street Stocks, MASS Sprints, SpeedSTR’s (1/4 mile 600 & 270 Micros, Slingshots) COMBO SHOWSaturday, June 20- Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Street StocksSaturday, June 27-Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Street StocksSunday, July 5 – All American 40- URC Sprints, Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Street StocksSaturday, July 11-Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Street StocksSaturday, July 18- Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Street Stocks, MASS SprintsSaturday, July 25- Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Street StocksWednesday, July 29– Super DIRT Series and SpeedSTR’sSaturday, August 1-602 Sportsman, MASS Sprints, Street StocksThursday, Aug 6 – Bridgeport USAC Midgets and ModifiedsSat Aug 8 – OFFSaturday, August 15-Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Street StocksSaturday, August 22- Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Street StocksSaturday, August, 29- Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Street StocksSaturday, September 5 -Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Street Stocks, SpeedSTR’sSaturday, September 12- Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Street Stocks,Saturday, September 19- Monster Truck ThrowdownSunday, September 20- Monster Truck ThrowdownFriday/Saturday/Sunday -September 25, 26, 27- USAC East Coast Sprints, Modifieds, 358 Small Blocks, SpeedSTR’s, MASS Sprints, Street stocks, 602 Sportsman, 602 Underdog 20, 4 Cylinders, 8 CylindersFriday/Saturday/Sunday – November 6, 7, 8 – URC (two complete shows) Modifieds, SpeedSTR’s, Street Stocks (two shows), 602 Sportsman, 4 Cylinders, 8 Cylinders,
BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY CELEBRATES 2019 TRACK CHAMPIONS
Billy Pauch celebrated what was his fourth Bridgeport Speedway Championship and will go down in history as the final Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modified Champion on the 5/8th miles as racing shifts in a new direction at the Bridgeport Speedway in 2020.
Pauch collected fourteen top fives during the season and was the feature winner on six different occasions.
Pauch talked about his memory of the first time that he raced at Bridgeport. He thought they were headed to their regular Friday night track until his father, Roy Pauch turned him in a new direction. After starting in the rear of his heat, Billy Pauch drove to a qualifying spot and then won the feature. That was where it all began.
Another four time champion, Ryan Watt finished second to Pauch followed by Richie Pratt, Jr., Neal Williams and Matt Stangle. There were seven different Big Block Modified feature winners during the 2020 season.
Pauch was also the Poker Series Champion for the Big Blocks. “I don’t play cards,” Pauch admitted, “so I really didn’t understand the whole thing. I wasn’t going to race that last weekend – it was going to be cold. And then Doug Rose called and said that I was leading in the Poker Series and Mandee explained all that to me.” Pauch ended up winning the Poker Series title with a pair of queens, an Ace and a ten. Jimmy Horton and Wade Hendrickson finished second and third with Richie Pratt, Jr. winning the worst hand award. Pratt won a playing in card in all but one of the events but the cards didn’t work together for a poker hand.
It all came down to the final race of the season but Matt Peck’s sixteen top five finishes earned him his first track title as he was crowned the Champion in the South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Crate Sportsman division. It was a banner year for Peck who also scored his first heat and feature win in this division. Peck is a former Rookie Champion at the Bridgeport Speedway.
Eric Kormann finished second in points followed by Wayne Weaver, Jim Gallagher, Jr. and Rick Wegner, Jr.
Another Rookie graduate, Jim Gallagher, Jr. took home top honors in the Poker Series for the 602 Crate Sportsman with a hand of three queens. Eric Kormann finished second with Wayne Weaver taking third. Matt Peck was the recipient of the Worst Poker Series Hand award.
Justin Moench was crowned as the 2019 DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookie Champion over Kathy Buzby and Scott Maher, Jr.
Moench and Maher were the two feature winners in this division.
For the second time in the last three seasons, Tom Wills, Jr. led the Sunbelt Rental Outlaw Stocks for his second Championship. The second generation driver had five wins during the season. Brian Ludwig finished second in points followed by Rich Stinson, Jr. who had the most feature wins, Lee Allen and Ken Moren.
In the 2019 Poker Series for the Outlaws, Rich Stinson was dominant, winning four of the five events to win with a hand of four Aces. Brian Ludwig’s three Queens beat out Lee Allen’s three Jacks to finish second and third.
Drivers finishing from eleventh to fifteenth in season points were eligible for a drawing offered by Aaron Lambert of Penske Shocks. A set of four shocks, valued at $1,000 were won by Ron Roberts for the Big Block Modifieds and Pete Serra for the 602 Crate Sportsman.
Spirit Auto Center awarded two drivers for the acts of Sportsmanship. The Spirit Speedway award went to 270 Micro Sprint owner, John Blanda who was nominated by Steve Coslop. Coslop nominated Blanda because “he is the first one to come over to my trailer to offer assistance when something goes wrong” Blanda had also loaned parts to Coslop when needed.
The Bridgeport Speedway 2019 Good Sportsmanship Award went to driver, David Hartman, who was nominated by several different individuals. Late in the season, Hartman turned his car over to Wayne Weaver who was pursuing a possible championship. Hartman sacrificed his own point finish to give Weaver his ride.
The Ace Overhead Door Company 600 Micro Sprints averaged thirty cars during their regular Friday night events. Eleven different drivers reached Victory Lane but it was Matt Smith who picked up his second title in this division. Smith finished out the season in the Ryan Greth owned Driven No. 4 after a late season accident took Smith’s No. 33 out of commission.
2018 Champion, Mike Rutherford finished second followed by Gary Bozowski, Jon Keller and Kyle Spence.
Mike Rutherford took the honors in the 2019 Poker Series for the 600 Micro Sprints followed by Tommy Kunsman and Kyle Spence.
The Mongoose Chassis sponsored 270 Micro Sprints saw several Rookie Drivers contend in the Rookie division with Shea Wills capturing top honors over RJ Witcraft and Connor Sheffield.
Alex Swift drove John Blanda’s No. 15 to the Championship Title in the Mongoose Chassis 270 Micro Sprints where he finished first or second in all but three races this season on the Spirit quarter mile. Kyle Weiss finished second to Swift followed by John Wagner, Jr., rookie, Shea Wills and Tom Landwher.
Both Matt Smith and Alex Swift received extra incentives from Joe Infante and Precision Hydraulics and Oil for using Precision products throughout the 2019 season.
Jason Swavely took top honors in the Poker Series for the 270 Micro Sprints with Alex Swift finishing second and Kyle Weiss taking third.
For the second consecutive season, Dave McCullough was crowned as the Spirit Speedway Slingshot Champion. McCullough won for the first time during the 2018 season and then went on to claim his first championship at season end.
Ryan Davey finished second in points with seven wins followed by Dave Morrell, Tomas Mowery and Ashley Therien.
Rookie, Amanda Angstadt took home the top honors in the Championship Energy Action Track USA 2019 Poker Series title for the Slingshots.
Lee Allen was crowned as the 2019 Eight Cylinder Enduro Champion. In the past, this division competed on the Spirit quarter mile but this year, their events were run on the Design for Vision/Sunglass Central 3/8th mile surface.
Most Popular Driver Awards were presented to Lee Allen – Eight Cylinder Enduro, Jonathan John – 270s, Kristy Hicks – 600s, Nick Sandone III – Outlaw Stocks, Wayne Weaver – 602 Crate Sportsman and Ron Roberts – Big Block Modifieds. These awards were presented by D & D Media, publishers of the official program of the Bridgeport Speedway, the Bridgeport Bullet.
Danny Serrano distributed several special recognition awards during Saturday night’s festivities. Recognized were Ken Andreas for his Skyscraper Trophies, Ron Roberts and Sal DeBruno for the loyal support of the Bridgeport Speedway over the years, Tony Bozowski and Karen Eddinger for the help and support throughout the season, Jeff Dirkes and Lee Allen for their photo finish in Outlaw Stock competition and track owner, Brian Ramey.
Saturday night marked the end of an era and the start of a new one as the Bridgeport Speedway under the leadership of Brian Ramey came to a close and the era of Doug and Brittany Rose begins.
Ramey opened the night of celebration by thanking those who played a part in his “adventure” at Bridgeport. “The owners, drivers and race teams, I thank you because if it were not for you, there would be no need for a Bridgeport Speedway.” The second group that Ramey thanked were the employees of the Bridgeport Speedway. “I didn’t know anything about racing,” Ramey stated. “But I learned to like the people and I did enjoy it.” Ramey had all of the Bridgeport employees stand and then he continued, “If it weren’t for all of you, I would never have stuck it out.”
“If you are going to do something, then do it well, ” Ramey added. “Do it so well that you will be remembered for what you did.”
Doug Rose addressed the crowd as well, stating that the work at the track is going well and is actually, ahead of schedule. “About three quarter of the track is already shaped in, ” Rose told those in attendance. He also listed some of the upcoming special shows for 2020 including the World of Outlaws, both the USAC Sprint Cars and Midgets, a Super DIRT series event as well as a Short Track Super Series race.
There is a lot of excitement surrounding the changes coming to Bridgeport for the 2020 season. Stay tuned for upcoming developments!