Bridgeport Motorsports Park

Bridgeport, NJ – The final ‘Preseason’ event at Bridgeport scheduled for this upcoming Sunday has been relocated to the 5/8 mile track.  Originally scheduled for the all-new Design for Vision/Sunglass Central 3/8 track, after much deliberation and strategy, track management felt best to host the event on the 5/8 mile.  “It’s much easier to sit back in January and make a plan or schedule on paper however, it’s a totally different ball game to execute that plan when that moment comes,” offered General Manager Danny Serrano.

“For starters, we’re really pleased with most aspects of our new endeavor, the 3/8, although we will continuously make efforts to improve upon it. We can certainly see the areas where it can shine.  That being said, there’s much more work that goes into preparing for the necessary transition between the two tracks than we anticipated.  Our original plan of three races in a row had to be abandoned because of our 1/4 mile Poker Series event this past Sunday (avoiding conflict with Action Track).  So, we kicked off the 5/8 point season and were going to have to switch back to the 3/8 this Sunday, only to transform the 5/8 back into racing shape in two short days for the Super DIRTcar Series event.  Unfortunately, that’s way to much work in a 48 hour window…and that’s without any unforeseen weather issues. Also, in the process we have uncovered, created and discovered new opportunities for improvements. Our mission remains the same and we are committed to tackling all opportunities presented. But, at this juncture, we must ensure the 5/8 mile is the best it can be for the upcoming DIRTcar show next Wednesday & then our attentions will return to the 3/8.  We apologize to the fans and race teams that were looking forward to the 3-race finale on the new track.  However, it’s in the best interest for us to maintain the integrity of the 5/8 track in order to host the best event possible for the Super DIRTcar race,” Serrano summarized.

This Sunday will be the final ‘Preseason’ points race where the top 5 Modifieds will receive $1,000, $800, $600, $400, & $300.  The top 602 Crate Sportsman will earn $500, $400, $300, $200, & $100 respectively.  The Outlaw Stock drivers will earn $250, $150, & $100.  The D.A.’s Auto Body Rookies will round out the show for their regularly schedule point race.  Sunday’s ‘pill draw’ race has no bearing on the traditional season-long point championship, just the ‘Preseason’ points.  Pit Gates will open at 3:30pm, Grandstands at 4:30pm with the first green flag waving at 6pm.

All 602 Crate Sportsman will receive 50 bonus points for competing in the May 16 Super DIRTcar Series event as well as the May 22 World of Outlaws event.  For more information please log onto www.bpspeedway.com or call the track at 856-467-4408.

​After struggling through a winless season last year, Billy Pauch rallied the troops and raced to victory in the twenty-five lap Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modified feature at the Bridgeport Speedway on Saturday night.   

Jeramy Doerr raced to his second win of the season in the Pennco Tech Outlaw Stock feature.  Doerr took the lead from Andrew Joslin on the first lap and never looked back.  2017 Outlaw Champion, Tom Wills, Jr. finished second with Brian Ludwig racing into third in the closing laps.  Mike Creamer held off Lee Allen for fourth as they raced to the checkered.

Upcoming events

Sunday, May 13 – Pre-Season Championship Night – Big Block Modifieds, 602 Crate Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks & Rookies on the 3/8th mile, racing at 6pm

Wednesday, May 16 – Battle of the Bridge – Super DIRTcar Series event – DIRTcar Big Blocks and 602 Crate Sportsman, racing at 7:15  (Rain date – Thursday)

Tuesday, May 22 – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars & 602 Crate Sportsman on Design for Vision/Sunglass Central 3/8th mile – racing at 7:30 (Rain date –Wed 5/23)

Satruday, May 26 – 5/8 & 1/4 mile Double Header – Big Block Modifieds, 602 Crate Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks, Rookies, 270 & 600 Micro Sprints

​

“Build it and they will come.”  Remember that great line from the classic film, Field of Dreams?

Well the Bridgeport Speedway built it and they came to the Grand Opening of the Design for Vision/Sunglass Central 3/8th mile track at the Bridgeport Speedway!

The Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds, the Stewart Stainless 602 Crate Sportsman, the Delaware Auto Exchange Mid Atlantic Sprint Series (MASS) and the DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookies each had their first crack at the new racing surface with Jeff Strunk, Ryan Simmons, Eddie Wagner and Danny Buccafusca writing their names in the history books as the first feature winners on the Design for Vision/Sunglass Central 3/8th mile track.

There was a lot of excitement to go around but the Big Block Modifieds had the fans on their feet as the field raced to the checkered flag!

Danny Bouc was the race’s early leader in the C&S Equipment No. 6, holding off challenges from Matt Stangle for the first six laps.  Stangle took the lead on lap seven but Bouc was back in front the next timearound.

Jeff Strunk was challenging for the runner-up spot prior to alap ten caution.  After starting outside row four, Strunk took over second on lap thirteen.  Bouc led the way with ten to go with Strunk, Stangle, Ryan Godown and Duane Howard in tow.

As the field headed through turns one and two on lap sixteen, Bouc spun in front of the back.  Everyone was able to get by as the field regrouped for the restart with Strunk out in front and Bouc restarting from the rear.  Strunk led with pressure from Stangle through a caution on lap nineteen when Billy Pauch Jr. slowed on the backstretch.  Stangle was on the throttle on the restart, taking the lead with seven laps to go.

Strunk wasn’t giving up as he raced after Stangle and challenged several times in the final laps but each time, Stangle prevailed.  Godown was right behind the leaders, just waiting for an opportunity.  Stangle and Strunk raced side by side as they took the white flag and the race was on to the checkered.  The fans were on their feet as Strunk put the Hyneman No. 126 on the inside of Stangle’s Ace Materials No. 6 in turn three.  It was anyone’s race as the leader’s exited turn four with Strunk winning the drag race to the checkered to be the first Modified feature winner on the new track.  Stangle finished second followed by Godown, Howard and Rick Laubach.

Former Rookie Champion, Steve Kemery took the lead in the 602 Crate Sportsman feature from Jeremy Harrington following a lap six restart.  Kemery ran the outside to take the lead but contact with Harrington between turns three and four sent both front runners spinning and then to the pits for repairs.  Ryan Simmons was the race’s new leader.

Simmons had his hands full with Brad Roberts until the final lap when Roberts clipped the inside barrier in turn two and spun.  That put a very determined Eric Kormann on his bumper for the run to the checkered but Simmons prevailed for his first ever Bridgeport victory on the Design for Vision/Sunglass Central 3/8th mile track.  Kormann finished second followed by Joe Brown, Rookie, Danny Buccafusca and Tommy Sheetz, Sr.

Eddie Wagner came away with the win in the MASS Sprint Car feature and became the first driver to win on all three of the Bridgeport tracks.  Wagner has a 600 Micro win on the Spirit quarter mile and now winged sprint car wins on both the 5/8th and 3/8th mile speedways.

Rick Stief led the way for the MASS competitors until lapped traffic became a factor in the closing laps.  Wagner took the lead on lap eighteen as Mike Haggenbottom was on the move through the top five.  Haggenbottom was challenging for second before contact by Tyler Reinhardt sent the cars of Stief, Haggenbottom and Reinhart spinning between turns three and four on the final lap.  Wagner took the win over Dave Brown, Larry McVay, Brandon Poff and Logan Diehl.

Earlier in the day, Rockaway, NJ driver, Danny Buccafusca picked up the win in the DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookie Feature  – the first of the 2018 and the first feature to be run on the new 3/8th mile track.  Buccafusca, who has past experience in Slingshots and 600 Micros took the win over third generation driver, Sammy Martz Jr. making his first ever laps at Bridgeport.  Another Slingshot competitor, Seth Spayd finished third followed by Parker Guldin and David Hartman.  Buccafusca took the lead from Paige Brown as the two front row starters headed down the backstretch on lap one.  Buccafusca never looked back but Martz was closing fast in the final laps.

Upcoming events

Sunday, April 29 – Pre-Season #2 – South Jersey Shootout STSS – Big Blocks, 602 Crate Sportsman & Outlaw Stocks on 3/8th mile track, racing at 5pm

Saturday, May 5 – First Night of Points – Big Block Modifieds, 602 Crate Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks and Rookies, racing at 6pm

Sunday, May 13 – Pre-Season Championship Night – Big Block Modifieds, 602 Crate Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks & Rookies on the 3/8th mile, racing at 6pm

Wednesday, May 16 – Battle of the Bridge – Super DIRTcar Series event – DIRTcar Big Blocks and 602 Crate Sportsman, racing at 7:15  (Rain date – Thursday)

So race fans – when was the last time that you attended the opening of a NEW race track?  Well that day has arrived!

The grand opening of the Design for Vision/Sunglass Central 3/8th mile track at the Bridgeport Speedway is coming this Sunday as four divisions of racing will take place on the new racing surface in the first event of the Pre-Season points.  The Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds, Stewart Stainless 602 Crate Sportsman, Pennco Tech Outlaw Stocks, DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookies and the Mid-Atlantic Sprint Car Series will compete in  their first events on Bridgeport’s third track.  The Vintage Cars will also take part in this great event.

More than fifty cars participated in the practice session held just two weeks before the opener as drivers prepared for the tracking opening to be followed by the Short Track Super Series event one week later on Sunday, April 29th.   For many, this Sunday will be their first attempt on the new track.  As the first race of the Pre-Season, the race winner will also earn an extra card for their 811 Dig Safely Poker Series hand.

Our new Miss Bridgeport Speedway, Angelica Martz, along with Bridgeport Speedway management will be hosting Bridgeport Goes Blue this Sunday as FACES 4 Autism will be in attendance for the new track opening.  Having worked with children with disabilities, Angelica wanted to use her Miss Bridgeport title to make a difference.  Everyone is being asked to wear there blue to the track on Sunday, April 22nd.  Fans are being asked to make a $1 donation at the gate for FACES 4 Autism with the Speedway matching the donations received.  

Racing gets underway at 5pm on Sunday but come early to enjoy all that the Bridgeport Speedway has to offer.  There will be live music, great concessions and as always, rides to the pits for the behind the scene action on the Bandit Bus.  

The Bridgeport Speedway continues to provide a safe, fun and family oriented environment for the world’s greatest racing entertainment.

The Bridgeport Speedway will host its first big Sunday show of the season this Sunday as they host the season opener for the United Racing Club Sprint Cars for the fourth consecutive season.

The Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds will take to the 5/8th mile track for their regular show along with the Stewart Stainless 602 Crate Sportsman  and the DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookies.

Sunday’s racing will be brought to the fans by BRB Contractors out of King of Prussia, PA.  Bob Lilick the owner and operator of BRB Contractors has been involved in racing for many years and has fielded multiple cars in different divisions for his sons.   BRB Contractor’s is an Industrial, Commercial, and Residential Demolition, Excavation & Paving Company and has been in business for over 16 years. Contact BRB Contractors for all your Construction needs.

Ryan Watt has already picked up where he left off last season as he raced to the win in the 60 Over Special – Doug Hoffman Memorial

Race earlier this month.  The first 602 Crate Sportsman feature of the season was won by invader, Adam McAuliffe over Eric Kormann who closed in to challenge the leader in the final laps.  This event will be the first race of the season for the Rookies who have only had the opportunity to practice so far this season.

While this will be the first race of the season for URC competitors, several drivers started their season a week early by traveling to Carolina Speedway to compete in the North (URC) vs South (USCS) event that saw Mertztown, PA driver, Josh Weller capture the win – taking his first ever season opener.  Weller will be in the field Sunday when the Capitol Renegade United Racing Club throws the green flag on their 71st season.  Curt Michael and the Bill Gallagher No. 5G will be on hand to defend his title along with Troy Betts, Justin Whittall, Mark Bitner, Adam Carberry, Chris Coyle and more.

Racing will get underway at 5pm.  Come early and enjoy the many concessions offered by the Bridgeport Speedway as well as the free musical entertainment.  Take a ride on the Bandit Bus and get a close up look at the action in the pits before the racing action gets underway.  Pick up a copy of the Bridgeport Bullet – the official program of the Bridgeport Speedway.

The Bridgeport Speedway continues to provide a safe, fun and family oriented environment for the world’s greatest racing entertainment.

Big Block Modified heat winners Duane Howard, Ricky DiEva, Ryan Godown and Mike Mahaney each received $50 courtesy of Mike Dise and the Mini Shed.  Stewart Friesen received a $200 bonus as the race’s Hard Charger from Precision Hydraulics & Oil.

Upcoming events

Saturday, April 7 – Practice on 3/8 and 1/4 mile

Sunday, April 15 – URC Sprintsd, Big Block Modifieds, 602 Crate Sportsman & Rookies

Sunday, April 22 – Pre-Season #1 Big Blocks, 602 Crate Sportsman, MASS Sprints, Vintage Cars and Rookies

Bridgeport, NJ – Bridgeport Speedway’s open practice for this weekend has been postponed due to the residuals left behind from this week’s Nor’easter ‘Toby’.  “We were all set to start the season off with a great practice and then next week’s opener,” offered track owner Brian Ramey.  “After everything just dried out last week, this storm put us back where we were.  However, all next week looks pretty dry so we should be good for the Doug Hoffman Memorial.”

With this weekend’s change of plans, the schedule for next weekend has been slightly altered.  Friday’s 358 small block program has been cancelled in order to host a more detailed practice for all of 5/8 mile race teams.  The first scheduled D.A.’s Auto Body Rookie race will now be held the following week on Saturday, April 7.   Spirit Auto Center’s ¼ mile first practice will now take place on Saturday, April 7, which was already on the schedule for that day.  “It’s not ideal to shift things around so early in the season but, we truly feel having a safe, sound and solid practice before our first race, is important to for all the racers and staff involved at the speedway,” assessed Ramey.

Tomorrow’s scheduled practice will now shift to next Friday, March 30.  All fans who purchased a weekend pass for both days will be reimbursed $15 on Saturday.  All 5/8 competitors are welcomed to come test and tune for the upcoming season.  The Big Blocks, 602 Crate Sportsman, and Outlaw Stocks will still be vying for two ‘fast time’ redraw spots for Saturday’s feature events as previously planned.

Pit Gates will open at 3pm for Friday’s practice with safety inspection starting shortly after.  Grandstand admission will remain FREE to the public.  Cars will hit the track at 7pm for first of several rounds of hot lap sessions.  Then on Saturday, March 31the 6^th Annual ‘60over Special’ will kick off the 2018 season at Bridgeport.  The Spirit Auto Center Big Blocks will race 44 laps and for $4,400 in the first hand of the 811 Dig Safe Poker Series.  The Stewart Stainless 602 Crate Sportsman will compete in a $1,000 to win 20 lapper, while the Pennco Tech Outlaw Stocks battle it out for a 15-lap $500 first place prize.  Pit Gates will open at noon with grandstand gates unlocking at 2pm.  The first green flag will fly at 4pm.  For more information please log onto www.bpspeedway.com or call the speedway at 856-467-4408

When the Bridgeport Speedway throws open their gates for the start of the 2018 racing season, Stewart Friesen and his Halmar No. 44 team will be on hand to defend their title in the 60 Over Special – Doug Hoffman Memorial event.

Just one year ago, Friesen picked up his first win in this prestigious event  – a race that the accomplished driver from Sprakers, NY had had on his radar for some time.  “I’ve always wanted to win one of these races (60 Over Special – Doug Hoffman Memorial),” Friesen said after taking the checkered flag in the forty-four lap event.  “Doug was a friend of my family’s so this really means a lot.”

The connection between Friesen and Hoffman runs deep.  “I was always a fan,” Friesen went on to explain.  “Doug would run the DIRTcar races and come up to Ransomville.”  The Friesen family promoted races at the Ransomville Speedway.  “And, of course, we’d see him on the Pennsylvania swing when we’d come to Grandview and  then at Syracuse.”  Friesen’s uncle, Alex Friesen, had a long term working relationship with Doug Hoffman.  The two driver/promoters co-promoted together for a while at the Mahoning Valley Speedway.  “As a matter of fact, my uncle ran Doug’s car at Syracuse the year Doug won (the Fay’s 300).  Doug raced Billy Taylor’s car that year and Alex ran Doug’s car so he got to share in that celebration.”  “Doug’s memorial race was a big one on our hit list,” Friesen added.

Friesen has also worn the promoter’s hat in the past.  Those experiences have given Friesen some insight and respect for the role that race promoters play.  “I definitely appreciate what these guys put into it.  It’s a thankless job,” Friesen said of promoting races.  It was clear that he prefers his job behind the wheel.

These days, Stewart Friesen divides his track time between the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and his dirt track commitments.   In February, Friesen went back and forth between the Daytona International Speedway to compete with his Halimar Truck team and Volusia Speedway for the DIRTcar series.  His 2018 season has started out on a high note as Friesen as made giant steps in the Camping World Series so far.  Most recently at the Las Vegas Speedway, Friesen set second fastest time, won the second stage of the race and finished fifth at the checkered flag.  “We finally have competitve equipment,” Friesen explained.  “We’ve learned more in these last few races…”  His ability to be competitive in both the trucks and on dirt is due to the people behind the scenes according to Friesen.  “I have two great race teams.  I don’t have to worry about anything.  I just have to get in there and do my job.”

Freisen came close to winning the inaugural 60 Over Special.  He had the lead on the final lap but his Marty Burdick owned mount ran low on fuel as the field headed into the final turn.  It was a mad dash to the finish as cars were crashing as they came down the homestretch but it was Bobby Varin who raced to the finish line for the victory.

Last year’s event held its own level of excitement as Jeff Strunk raced into the lead on lap fourteen in the Hyneman No 126.  With just ten laps to go, the No. 126 lost some of its speed as the tone of the engine changed.  A restart with just two laps to go was Strunk’s undoing as as Friesen raced into the lead with just a little more than a lap to go.  Strunk held on to finish second with Duane Howard in third.

Friesen has a large fan following – and even more so since his move into the NASCAR ranks.  Friesen took time to spend with the fans at Bridgeport last season – staying behind the grandstand until every last fan had had their chance for autographs and conversation.

The 60 Over Special – Doug Hoffman Memorial is a two day event.  On Friday, March 30th, racing will get underway at 7:30pm as the Small Block Modifieds are featured along with the Pennco Tech Outlaw Stocks and first race for the 2018 DA’s Auto Body & Repairs Rookies.  There will also be an open practice session for the Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds and 602 Crate Sportsman.

The next day, on Saturday, March 31st, race time is 4pm for the Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds, Stewart Stainless 602 Crate Sportsman and Pennco Tech Outlaw Stocks in the first hand of the 2018 811 Dig Safe Poker Series.

The Bridgeport Speedway will be open for practice at noon, this Saturday.  Practice sessions will take place on both the 5/8th mile and quarter mile speedways.  A Sunday rain date is in place for this practice session.

Upcoming events

Saturday, March 24 – Practice on 5/8 and 1/4 mile

Friday & Saturday, March 30, 31 – 60 Over Weekend, Doug Hoffman Memorial, Poker Series Hand #1

Saturday, April 7 – Practice on 3/8 and 1/4 mile, Rookie Race #2

Bridgeport, NJ – The Bridgeport Speedway is excited to announce that their partnership with Penske Racing Shocks will once again take place for the upcoming 2018 racing season.  The Penske name is synonymous with all forms of racing, especially in the world of dirt modified racing.  Last year Big Block Modified driver Dave Shirk and Crate/Sportsman talent Brett Belmont were the lucky recipients of the Penske Racing Shock Contingency Program.  In 2016 Tommy Beamer and Chuck Sayres both walked away winners of the contingency package provided by Penske.

“Penske Shocks is proud to partner with Bridgeport Speedway once again in 2018.  Both Big Block Modifieds and the 602 Crate Sportsman are a corner stone of our business. We are proud to offer a free set of shocks to be given away at this year’s year-end banquet in both divisions again.  The past two seasons have worked out great and we’re happy to be back and support the Bridgeport Speedway racers,” offered Penske representative Aaron Lambert.

Drivers who finish 11^th through 15^th in the final point standings will be entered in a blind drawing, once the points have been tabulated.  “The driver who wins the drawing will win a complete set of shocks for their race car.  We feel this is a great way to ‘lend a hand’ to the racers who need it,” added Lambert.  Bridgeport GM Danny Serrano echoed Lambert’s comments.  “Our original goal was to try and give back something to the weekly racer that just missed out on their yearly goal of making the top 10 in points.  For the past two years, we were able to achieve that goal.  I know the four recipients were extremely pleased with what Penske has done for drivers of Bridgeport Speedway.  We pitched the idea to Penske a couple of years ago, and they liked it then and are happy to continue the program.  Bridgeport and Penske both know that every bit helps when it comes to competing at the race track, and I think this is an awesome deal for the racers.  Even though Dave and Brett would have loved to do better ‘in the standings’, they wound up with a real nice surprise,” Serrano added.

Penske Racing Shock’s entire business is racing.  By supplying customers with high quality dampers quickly, PRS can assist them in meeting their needs without compromises.  PRS is a custom damper manufacturer and every single Penske Racing Shockis billet machined and hand built.  There are no assembly lines, no stamped out pieces, no off-shore manufacturing. The personalized attention provided to every product sold provides the finest reliability, consistency, and performance.  Additionally, by working with top teams in professional motorsport, PRS continuously learns and develops new technologies that ultimately trickle down their entire product line.  PRS constantly investigates ways to improve their products and service to their customers. When you buy a Penske Racing Shock, you are buying custom built product for your specific application with certifiable quality. PRS is proud to be an American company who understands the full disciplines of racing.  Unmatched customer support combined with the best products and innovation allows PRS to enjoy a loyal customer base in all levels of professional motorsport and beyond.

For more information regarding Penske Racing Shocks you can visit their website at www.penskeshocks.com or call 610-375-6180 or stop in as they are conveniently in the northeast in Reading, Pa.