Bridgeport Motorsports Park

​It was a full night of racing at the Design for Visions/Sunglass Central 3/8th mile track at the Bridgeport Speedway as the Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds ran two feature events in addition to a full show of 602 Crate Sportsman, Delaware Auto Exchange Mid Atlantic Sprint Series (MASS) 305 Sprint Cars, DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookies, Garden State Vintage and 8 Cylinder Enduros.

The Big Blocks did double duty on Saturday night to make up their feature event that was rained out on Saturday, May 11th.  Todd Neiheiser led the field to the green flag and took command for the first lap but Billy Pauch was on the move, racing to the inside of Neiheiser on lap two to take the lead.  Neiheiser raced in second until a lap seven restart when Jim Britt took over the spot.  Neal Williams moved up to third one lap later as Richie Pratt, Jr., Ryan Watt and Neiheiser race three wide for fourth.

As Pauch left a blazing trail as he pulled away from the field, Pratt caught Williams at half way and the two raced side by side until Pratt took over third.  After the three wide battle earlier, Watt lost several positions but was back knocking on the door as he raced Ryan Anderson to take over fifth on lap eighteen.

Pratt tracked down Britt in the final laps and completed a last lap pass to take over second.  Pauch raced to his third win of the season followed by Pratt, Britt, Watt and Williams.  Anderson, Matt Stangle, Roger Manning, Johnny Guarino and Todd Neiheiser completed the top ten run down at the finish.

Kyle Borror led the line-up to the green flag in the second twenty-five lap feature event, leading the way through the first six laps.  When the Pratt No. 28 overheated during a lap seven caution, Borror gave up the lead to head to the pits, putting Ryan Anderson out in front of Billy Lasko, Watt, Stangle and Pauch for the lap seven restart.

Watt tried outside and inside but Anderson was able to block his every move until Watt went to the inside of turn three on lap eight.  Watt edged ahead of Anderson as they crossed the line to complete lap eight as Pauch moved up to third.  Pauch quickly moved up to second and began to close the gap on Watt.

With Pauch on the bottom and Watt running the higher line, the laps began to count down.  Lapped traffic would become a factor in the final laps as Pauch closed in on Watt.  The leaders split a lapped car on the final lap with Watt winning the drag race to the checkered flag for his first win on the Design for Vision/Sunglass Central 3/8th mile track.  Pauch finished second followed by Williams,  Stangle and Scottie Ambruster.  Tom Beamer, Britt, Neiheiser, Bob Sarkisian and Manning ran sixth through tenth in the second feature event.

After six top three finishes so far this season, Jim Gallagher, Jr. raced to his first win of the season in the South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Crate Sportsman Feature event.  Gallagher led every lap of the twenty lap contest after his wife drew the pole for his starting position.  Eric Kormann was Gallagher’s closest rival to finish second followed by Brad Roberts, Wayne Weaver and Matt Peck.  Bobby Bracall finished in sixth after battling throughout the race with Rich Wegner, Jr. who finished seventh.  Joe Nappi, David Hartman and Scott Hulmes completed the top ten at the checkered.

Scott Maher, Jr. picked up his second win over Justin Moench in the DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookie feature event.

Andy Best drove the Faison No. 2 to victory in the Delaware Auto Exchange MASS feature event.  Rick Stief led the first lap before Kevin Darling took over on lap two.  Darling was the race leader through lap eight when the race was red flagged when Tim Tanner took a wild ride at the end of the homestretch.  Tanner escaped serious injury but the No. 18 was heavily damaged.  Darling headed to the pits prior to the restart.

Best, who was challenging for the lead before the race was stopped, led the field back to the green and raced to his first win of the season over Rick Stief, Jason Dunn, Dominic Melair and Ricky DiEva.  Larry McVay, Logan Diehl, Eddie Wagner, Tom Carberry and Joe Kay trailed the leaders to the finish line at the end of twenty laps.

Lee Allen picked up his first 8 Cylinder Enduro win on the Design for Vision/Sunglass Central 3/8th mile, taking the lead for lap ten.  Derek Jones trailed Allen to the finish followed by Jason Duvall.

The Garden State Vintage put on a ten lap exhibition with drivers Rob Rindgen, Dave Deerson, Paul Ielmini, Whitey Miller, Connie Joyner and Richard Caramella and Stan Hawk.

 

​He already has won more races at Bridgeport than any other driver – one hundred and twenty-eight to be exact!

On Sunday, Jimmy Horton added another chapter to Bridgeport’s history when he picked up the win in the All American 40 event for the Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds on a night of racing sponsored by Arbor Material Handlers.  Arbor Material Handlers is an end-to-end warehouse solutions provider offering Raymond forklifts, warehouse layout and design, telematics, labor management and more to businesses throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

Horton became one of the elite drivers to have won a race on all three Bridgeport tracks – the 5/8th, the Spirit Speedway quarter mile and now on the Design for Vision/Sunglass Central 3/8th mile.

Ryan Krachun led the first five laps of feature event before Billy Pauch used a run on the outside to take the lead on a lap six restart.  Horton had moved up to third from his tenth place start when the caution waved for the first time on lap ten.  Pauch would draw the second lap ten caution when he slowed on the track.  After a quick trip to the pits, Pauch returned to the rear of the field but then exited the track before completing another lap.  It was Horton who led the way on the next restart and then drove away from the field, stretching his lead to nearly half of a lap when he took the checkered flag at the end of forty laps.

Krachun had a strong outing to finish second with Wade Hendrickson taking third after starting fourteenth with the Pat Michael owned No. 51m.  Billy Pauch, Jr. finished fourth with a late race pass by fifth place finisher, Scott Ambruster.

Danny Bouc, Brett Kressley, Richie Pratt, Jr., Dominick Buffalino and Jim Britt rounded out the top ten.

Eric Kormann raced to his second win in eight days in the South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Crate Sportsman feature event.  After drawing the pole, Kormann led everyone of the twenty laps, holding off a determined Jim Gallagher, Jr. who added another top three finish to his record.  Wayne Weaver challenged Gallagher on several occasions but had to settle for third followed by Brad Roberts and Tom Princiotta.

Matt Peck, Steve Kemery, Steve Davis, Rich Wegner, Jr. and Tom Moore, Jr. rounded out the top ten.

Joe Biasi picked up his second win of the weekend as he led the USAC East Coast Wingless Sprint Cars to the checkered flag.

Chandler Leiby raced within striking distance of Biasi throughout the twenty five lap main event but was never able to mount a challenge for the lead.  Tim Buckwalter finished third over Eddie Strada and point leader, Steve Drevicki.

The 8 Cylinder Enduro competitors made their first appearance on the Design for Vision/Sunglass Central 3/8 mile track and found it to their liking.  Scott Riggleman led every one of the twenty-five laps for the win over Lee Allen whose late race challenge gave him a second place finish over Derek Jones.

Bridgeport, NJ – Starting this Sunday for the ‘All American 40’ Poker Series race, the following rule has been adjusted in the ‘Modified’ division. Any ‘Spec-Headed’ 358 engines will be allowed to use their spoiler in the traditional manner i.e. 50″ facing the correct direction. All other rules regarding the ‘specs’, ‘open’ 358s, and Big Blocks will remain the same. Teams can a copy of the updated rules on the track’s website www.bpspeedway.com

This Sunday, action resumes on the 3/8 for the 2nd leg of the 2019 Poker Series brought to you by Arbor Material. Spirit Auto Center Big Blocks, South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Crate/Sportsman, and the USAC East Coast Wingless 360 sprint cars will be on tap this holiday weekend. Pit Gates open at 4pm while grandstands open at 5pm.

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will come to Bridgeport’s Design for Vision/Sunglass Central Speedway on Tuesday, May 21st for their only appearance in the Garden State during the 2019 season.

Since 1978, the World of Outlaws have traveled throughout the United States, thrilling Sprint Car fans throughout the country.  Almost six million dollars in purses and prize money is up for grabs for the competitors this season – a season that began in Volusia, FL in February and will conclude at the World Finals in Charlotte in November.

This event will mark the first ever for the World of Outlaws at the Bridgeport Speedway.

Fans can expect to see WoO regulars like Donny Schatz, Daryn Pittman, Carson Macedo, David Gravel, Ian Madsen and Pennsylvania’s own Logan Schuchart and Jacob Allen.  The Pennsylvania Posse will be on hand to challenge the WoO regulars when they come to Bridgeport.  Fans can expect to see drivers like Ryan Smith, Danny Dietrich, Lance DeWease, Freddie Rahmer and Steve Buckwalter to mention just a few.

Pittman opened the year with two wins in Florida.  Tim Shaffer, Logan Schuchart, David Gravel and Brad Sweet have added their names to the list of drivers with two wins a piece.  Donny Schatz, Ian Madsen and Aaron Reutzel each have claimed a single victory as the WoO heads to the east in mid-May.  At this time, Donny Schatz sits on top of the point standings, just fourteen points ahead of Brad Sweet.  Pittman, Macedo and Gravel round out the top five at this writing.

The South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Crate Sportsman will be on the race card with the World of Outlaws on this race date.

Pit Gates will open at 2pm, Grandstands will be opening at 4pm and racing will get underway for this double-header show at 7:30 pm.  Pit Admission is $40, General Admission for grandstands is $35 and Reserved seating is $39.

Come early and take advantage of all that the Bridgeport Speedway has to offer.  Bridgeport will be having a parking lot party this year prior to the racing program.  There will be a judging contest of the best ‘tailgate’ set up in the parking lot, where the winner will receive a pair of tickets to the USAC Eastern Storm show on June 12.  Some come early and party hard for the World of Outlaws.   Enjoy the free musical entertainment or ride the Bandit Bus to get a look behind the scenes as you ride through the pit area.   Enjoy the many delectable delights that the refreshment stands have to offer.  And don’t forget to pick up the latest copy of the Bridgeport Bullet – the official program of the Bridgeport Speedway.  There’s all sorts of new Bridgeport Speedway souvenirs from decals to hats and shirts to help you remember your visit and the World of Outlaws event.

​The first night of the 2019 points at the Bridgeport Speedway produced three new winners for the new season as Ryan Watt, Travis Hill and Tom Wills, Jr. picked up their first wins of 2019 on Massari & Sons Disposal Service night at the Bridgeport Speedway.  

Massari & Sons Disposal Service sponsored their first event at the Bridgeport Speedway.  For over sixty years, the Massari Family has provided the community with trash disposal, recylcing and curb side pick-up for commercial and residential properties.  They are a local family owned and operated business.  Interested parties may contact Massari & Sons for a quote.

Matt Stangle led the first 24 2/3 laps of the twenty-five lap Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds feature event.  After taking the lead on the original start, Stangle was able to pull away from the field.  Watt moved into second on lap fifteen but Stangle was long gone at that point as he raced through lapped traffic.

Watt had closed in on Stangle in the final laps but the young racer had his Ace Materials No. 6 out in front by several car lengths as he took the white flag.  Stangle went into turn three with the lead and dropped to the inside.  Watt took the Roberts Racing No. 14w to the outside and raced into the lead through the corners, leading Stangle to the checkered flag for the win.  “You don’t want to try to run down the leader here,” Watt explained.  “You hope for a caution.”  Watt was surprised when Stangle went to the inside on the final lap.  “I hate to leave the bottom open for someone to get a run and slide up into you,” Stangle explained.

Tommy Beamer trailed Watt and Stangle to the finish line for third with the Thornton Gulf No. 31.  Richie Pratt, Jr. raced to a fourth place finish with the Danny’s Pizza Pizazz No. 51 with Small Block power under the hood.  Dominick Buffalino made his first start of the season behind the wheel of the Horton No. 76, driving to a fifth place finish.

Ryan Anderson, Neal Williams, Ron Roberts, Jim Britt and Brett Ballard rounded out the top ten.

Travis Hill visited Victory Lane for the first time since April of 2017 when he drove Brett Cogdill’s No. 98H for the win in the South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Crate Sportsman main event.  Hill’s last win came with Cogdill’s No. 98.

Hill is second on the All Time Feature Winner’s list in this division – second behind Richie Pratt, Jr.  The win gave Hill his thirty-second Crate Sportsman win.

Hill led from the green flag to the checkered and was able to hold off Jim Gallagher, Jr. who challenged for the lead on several occasions.  Gallagher finished second ahead of Eric Kormann.  Wayne Weaver’s late race charge gave him a fourth place finish ahead of Matt Peck.  It was Gallagher’s third top three finish in the first three events of the season.

Tom Sherby, Rich Wenger, Bobby Bracall, John Micek and Kyle Belmont finished in sixth through tenth in the first point race of the season.

The South Jersey Overhead Door feature event marked the first time that all three sons of Andy Belmont – Andrew, Kyle and Brett – raced together in the same event.  Kyle made a quick trip from Dover and his Penske racing team job to race with his brothers on Saturday night.  Kyle took home the bragging rights with his tenth place finish.

2017 Outlaw Stock Champion, Tom Wills, Jr. took home his first win of the season in the Sunbelt Rentals Outlaw Stock feature event.  Lee Allen led the way through the first ten laps of the race as Wills and Rich Stinson, Jr. raced into second and third.  Wills pressed Allen in turn two on lap eleven and then took the lead one lap later, racing to the inside as the cars headed down the backstretch.  Stinson also made his way by Allen.

Wills took the win over Stinson, Allen, Brian Ludwig and Mike Creamer.

Justin Moench took the win in the first race of the season for the DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookies, leading all eight laps.  Moench was behind the wheel of the Wenger No. 304.  Scott Maher, Jr. closed in on the leader but was not able to mount a challenge.

Bridgeport action moves to the Design for Vision/Sunglass Central 3/8th mile track with the Big Block Modifieds, 602 Crate Sportsman and Mid Atlantic Sprint Series, Vintage and Rookies next Saturday night with racing getting under way at 6pm.  The World of Outlaws come to Bridgeport on Tuesday, May 21st for a double header with the 602 Crate Sportsman with racing getting underway at 7:30pm.