Bridgeport Motorsports Park

 

 

CONCORD, NC – February 6, 2018 – For the first time in over two decades, the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series will return to Bridgeport Speedway in Bridgeport, New Jersey, however this time with a twist. The Series will make its first start on Bridgeport’s newly constructed 3/8-mile track on Tuesday, May 22, 2018.

 

Bridgeport Speedway is a world-class dirt track facility that features three dirt track configurations. The most commonly used is the spacious 5/8-mile that features Big-Block Modifieds on a weekly basis. Additionally, Bridgeport features a 1/4-mile track and the aforementioned 3/8, which the Outlaws will tackle during their first East Coast swing of 2018.

 

“Being in New Jersey, we know that we are in Big-Block Modified country and our big track is perfect for Big-Block [Modified] racing. But, we wanted to open the door for new opportunities in the dirt track world, and our new 3/8 configuration allows that,” said Bridgeport Speedway Director of Marketing Kolby Ramey.

 

The 3/8 track is brand new in 2018 and is currently undergoing testing to ensure the racing surface is in top shape for events in the new year. “What better way to break in this track than with The Greatest Show on Dirt. In the first year of operation, we have the best in the business coming, and we know the Outlaws will put on a great show,” Ramey added.

 

Bridgeport Speedway is quickly climbing up the echelon of elite dirt track facilities and will be the only stop for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series in New Jersey in 2018. The Outlaws visit to Bridgeport comes just six days after the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds tackle the big 5/8-mile track on Wednesday, May 16.

 

This will be the eighth time The Greatest Show on Dirt has visited Bridgeport with the previous seven taking place on the 5/8 configuration. Remarkably, Sammy Swindell has won five of those World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series races held at Bridgeport, including the first race in 1982 and the most recent visit in 2003.  As with most East Coast races, a strong regional car count is expected with invaders from New York and the Pennsylvania Posse joining the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series regulars.

 

Tickets for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series return to Bridgeport Speedway will be released to the public on March 6. Stay tuned to WoOSprint.com as well as World of Outlaws social media channels for further information.

 

Photo Courtesy of Brent Smith Photography – www.brentsmithphotography.com

 

 

It’s been the talk around racing circles!  It was the talk around Motorsports this weekend!

The Bridgeport Speedway’s 2018 racing schedule and The Big Three are what everyone is talking about!

The first of the Big Three events comes on Wednesday, May 16th when the drivers of the Super DIRTcar Series return to the Bridgeport Speedway for the Battle of the Bridge.  The return of the Super DIRTcar Series to the Logan Township race track last season was a huge success as Bridgeport regulars, Ryan Watt and Billy Pauch led the Series drivers to the checkered flag.  Can the Bridgeport regulars defend their turf again this year or will the boys from DIRT be seeking revenge??

The Crate cars will be part of the Battle of the Bridge program on the 5/8th mile track.  A Thursday night rain date (May 17th) has been set aside should it become necessary.

Just one week later on Tuesday, May 22nd the World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint Cars will come to town for their first Bridgeport appearance in nearly fifteen years!  The second of the Big Three shows will be the only time that the WoO appear in the Garden State during the 2018 season.  Racing fans will have the opportunity to see drivers like Donny Schatz, David Gravel, Kerry Madsen and more take on the talent in the 410 Sprint Car world of the Northeast.  No wonder it is billed as the Greatest Show on Dirt!

The Crate drivers will also be part of this show which will be run on the new 3/8th mile track.  Should it be necessary, a rain date has been set for Wednesday, May 23rd.

Then on Monday, June 18th the United States Auto Club’s (USAC) Eastern Storm will make it’s first ever appearance at the Bridgeport Speedway.  Fans will be able to see drivers like Justin Grant, Brady Bacon, Chris Windom and Robert Ballous toss their wingless sprint cars through the corners of the 3/8th mile track.  As always, the local talent will be on hand to challenge the names of USAC for this event.

Bridgeport’s Kolby Ramey had this to say about The Big Three.  “I feel like The Big Three coming to the Bridgeport Speedway for the 2018 season is just the fruits of our labor from all of the hard work that we have put in the past four seasons to be a successful business and speedway.”  Ramey continued.  “That along with the great support that we have received from our fans and race teams!  These shows are a sign of how alive and well the Bridgeport Speedway is and we hope that everyone comes out to support and enjoy these shows during the 2018 season.  I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again – the Bridgeport Speedway is the place to be in 2018!”

 

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

If you are a racing fan (or even if you’re not!) the Bridgeport Speedway is where you want to be when the 2018 racing season comes rolling around.

The Bridgeport Speedway will actually be three speedways this season – a feat unheralded in dirt track racing in the Northeast.  In addition to the lightning fast 5/8 mile track and the Spirit Auto Center quarter mile, a new 3/8 mile has been configured and will see its first racing action when the green flag waves on the 2018 season.

The 60 Over Special  – Doug Hoffman Memorial Race will open the season on Friday and Saturday, March 30^th and 31^st.  Friday night action will see the 358 Small Block Modifieds in action along with the first DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookie feature event of the season.  There will also be open practice sessions for the Big Blocks, Crates and Outlaw Stocks as they prepare for the first hand of the Colonial Pipeline Call Before You Dig 2018 Poker Series on Saturday night.

Doug Hoffman played such an important role at the Bridgeport Speedway both as a competitor and as a promoter.  Hoffman’s multiple championships and ninety-two feature wins account for a large portion of the track’s history.  Then in 2012, Hoffman came to the Bridgeport Speedway as the promoter and started what the Ramey family and Keith Hoffman, Danny Serrano and Dave Adams have continued every since – the rebirth of the Bridgeport Speedway.  Hoffman brought the Big Block Modifieds back to the 5/8 mile track and introduced his Poker  Series to the fans and competitors at Bridgeport.

The United Racing Club will appear at the Bridgeport Speedway for three shows during the 2018 season, including the club’s season opener on Sunday, April 15^th.  The season opener has been known to set the stage for the season.  The URC Sprint Cars have been growing in popularity at the Bridgeport Speedway where the race has frequently been determined by a last lap pass.

There will be a special Pre-Season Points chase on the new 3/8^th mile track for the 602 Crates and Big Blocks.  In addition to cash awards, the top thirteen drivers will each receive an additional card for their 2018 Poker Series hand.  The opening of the 3/8^th mile during the pre-season is certain to attract the attention of many invaders from the Tri-State area and beyond, many who will use the Pre-Season to prepare for the Small Track Super Series event  – the South Jersey Shootout on Sunday April 29^th.

The first race of the Bridgeport 2018 Track Championships will take place on Saturday, May 5^th.

The Super DIRTcars return to the Bridgeport Speedway after a tremendous outing last season.  “The Battle of the Bridge” is part of Bridgeport’s Big Three events this season.  With Bridgeport’s own Ryan Watt and Billy Pauch taking first and second place honors last season, you can bet that the boys from DIRT will be ready to protect their honor when they come to Bridgeport on Wednesday night, May 16^th.

Just six days later, the Bridgeport Speedway will host the World of Outlaws (WoO) for the first time in some twenty years.  This is the only WoO appearance in the state of New Jersey this season and will be run on the 3/8^th mile track.  The World of Outlaws show is the second show in Bridgeport’s Big 3 this season.

On Saturday night, June 16^th the every popular Pack the House night returns to the Bridgeport Speedway!!  With free grandstand admission, fans will have the opportunity to see eight divisions of racing!!

The Eastern Storm will pull into Bridgeport on Monday, June 18^th for a first ever appearance of the wingless United States Auto Club (USAC)  Sprint Cars.  This show is the third leg of the Bridgeport Big 3 and will bring the likes of Justin Grant, Robert Ballou, Tyler Courtney, Dave Darland and Chris Windom to Bridgeport Speedway for an exciting night of wingless Sprint Car racing.

There will be two shows for the Misfits 4x4s full of mud, big trucks and demo cars and the people who drive them!

The second hand of the Poker Series will take place with the return of the All American 40 on Sunday July 1^st.

The Three for All will move to the 3/8^th mile speedway this season as it showcases the Small Block Modifieds (Spec heads), the USAC wingless 360 Sprint Cars and the one and only Bridgeport appearance of the  Super Late Models.

The Rumble of the River will take place in mid-August, the third hand of the 2018 Poker Series.

The ever popular Monster Trucks will return to Bridgeport Speedway this season with a Bigger and Better show.  Eight Monster Trucks will highlight the two day event that drew record crowds in the Bridgeport Speedway last season.  The Monster Trucks come to Bridgeport on Saturday and Sunday, September 15^th and 16^th.

The third running of the King of the Big Blocks will take place on Saturday, September 29^th.  This show has become a “must see” for all race fans.  Billy Pauch and Ryan Watt have worn the crown so far.  Who will be the winner in 2018??

The 2018 season will come to a close with the Wildcard Weekend – a two day event and the final hand of the 2018 Poker Series.  On Friday and Saturday, November 9^th and 10^th the Bridgeport Speedway will close their season the same way they opened it – with a two day event.  The Small Block Modifieds and Outlaw Stocks take center stage on Friday night along with time hot laps for Saturday’s show of Big Block Modifieds, Crates and Outlaw Stocks.

Could you ask for anything more??  There’s something for everyone at the Bridgeport Speedway in 2018!!

Some three hundred people were in attendance as the Bridgeport Speedway honored their 2017 track champions, Colonial Pipeline Call Before You Dig Poker Series Champions as well as the top performers on the Spirit Auto Center quarter mile track.

Bridgeport Speedway owner, Brian Ramey, addressed those in attendance, celebrating Bridgeport’s success as well as looking forward to the track’s future that will include the opening of a third track – a 3/8th mile speedway that will offer even more competition opportunities for the Logan Township facility.  Ramey credited his management team that includes Keith Hoffman, Danny Serrano and Dave Adams, Kolby Ramey and Hali Monroe.  Ramey talked about the past struggles of the speedway and how his original goal was to prove that the facility could be profitable so that it could be sold.  “We aren’t racers,” Ramey stated, “but I have come to love this racing family.  We are committed to the future of the Bridgeport Speedway,”

Ryan Watt received the top honors in the Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds with his Ron Roberts Racing No. 14w.  Watt is just one of six drivers to have collected back-to-back titles in the history of the 5/8th mile speedway.  “This was the best year I’ve ever had,” Watt exclaimed.  “Who would have thought that a message on Facebook in 2009 would have led to this!”  Watt referenced the 2009 season when it appeared that a blown motor would side the Boyertown driver and his team for the remaining weeks of the season.  But a season ending message posted on Facebook by his wife, Lesley, led to a response from Ron Roberts and Fay Marion who offered Watt an engine to complete the season.  And, as the saying goes, the rest is history.  Watt has rewarded Roberts with three Big Block titles (plus a Crate Modified Championship in 2011) and numerous victories.  The walls of Watt’s garage, lined with the big checks from prominent wins, are a testament the success that the Watt/Roberts combination has produced.  Watt collected nine Bridgeport wins this season including the Super DIRTcar event, King of the Big Blocks and Dirty Jersey.

Dominick Buffalino finished second in Big Block points, finishing outside the top ten on just three occasions during Bridgeport’s 2017 season.  Buffalino went winless at Bridgeport during the 2017 season but his frequent runner-up finishes and week in and week out consistency, had him second only to Watt in the final tally.  Rick Laubach, Richie Pratt, Jr. and David Hunt finished in third through fifth in the final standings.

For the first time, Watt also claimed the Colonial Pipeline Call Before You Dig Poker Series Championship after winning three Poker series events.  Duane Howard, the 2016 Poker Champion, finished second with Laubach’s finishes netting him a third place run.  Frank Cozze had four top ten finishes in Poker Series competition but his finishes didn’t add up to a competitive Poker Series hand but he was able to collect the winnings for the Worst Hand of the 2017 season.

Young Matt Stangle raced to ten feature wins in the Stewart Stainless Crate Sportsman Division to collect his first Bridgeport Speedway championship in the Ace Materials No. 6.  The Stangles celebrated the championship as a family that includes parents, grandparents and siblings – all who played a part in Matt’s success during the 2017 season.

Brian Papiez collected seven wins during the season and kept the pressure on Stangle right up to the final nigh of racing.  Roger Manning had a single victory and seven second place finishes to finish third.  Eric Kormann’s thirteen consecutive top five finishes placed him fourth with Adam Cox finishing fifth in his first full season as a Bridgeport competitor.

Stangle also collected the hardware for his first Poker Series Championship based on his three Poker Series wins.  Papiez won twice and his two Aces resulted in a runner-up finish.  Manning’s pair of eights placed him third.  Steven Kemery had five top ten finishes but finished with the Worst Hand in Crate/Sportsman Poker Series competition.

In Pennco Tech Outlaw Stock competition, it was Tom Wills, Jr. who raced his way to his first track title, winning six events during the season.  Wills finished in the top five in every race during the 2017 season, collecting enough points to win the title over Jeramy Doerr, Brian Ludwig, John Parker and David Kramer.

Wills also collected the top honor in the Outlaw Stock Poker Series.  It was Wills’ second Poker Series championship.  His first came during the 2015 season when his dad won the track championship and he won the Poker Series title, keeping it all in the Wills family.

For the first time in his racing career, Delaware’s Matt Smith, raced for a track championship and he made that initial effort a successful one as he was crowned the 600 Micro Sprint Champion on the Spirit Auto Center quarter mile.  Smith collected five victories during the season, including the win in the inaugural Skyscraper event.

Kyle Spence finished second to Smith after collecting the most top ten finishes of any of the 125 drivers who competed in the 600 events throughout the season.  Jermain Godshall finished third in the standings followed by Jon Keller and Travis Hill.

Tim Buckwalter wheeled Barry and Cheryl Greth’s No. 71 to the Poker Series Championship with two wins.  Smith finished second with 2016 Poker Champion, Tommy Kunsman taking third.

For the first time, a Novice (Rookie) Division was held to accommodate an influx of new drivers into the ranks.  Sponsored by Remax Realtors, Nathan Smith took top honors after winning seven of the eight Novice events.  Billy Calvert was the only other driver to capture a win in this division.  Kristy Hicks finished second to Smith in points followed by Ed Wolf.

For the first time ever in the history of the track, the Bridgeport Speedway will participate in the United States Auto Club (USAC) Eastern Storm in June of 2018 when the wingless sprint cars make their annual trek east for six nights of racing.

The Eastern Storm will makes its return to the Garden State after a two year absence.  The series will open at the Grandview Speedway on Thursday, June 14, move to Williams Grove on Friday, the 15th, and then on to Port Royal for Saturday night action on the 16th.  BAPS Motor Speedway will host the Eastern Storm on Sunday night with Bridgeport’s 3/8th mile track taking center stage on Monday, June 18th.  The 2018 Eastern Storm will conclude on Tuesday night with a trip to Weedsport, NY.

The Eastern Storm will bring the stars of USAC to the Bridgeport Speedway where many fans will see the likes of Brady Bacon, CJ Leary, Chris Windom, Dave Darland, Robert Ballou, Justin Grant, Thomas Meseraull and a host of others battle wheel to wheel for the win.  Bacon, Meseraull, Kevin Thomas, Jr., Windom and Tyler Courtney were winners during 2017 Eastern Storm events.

“Ever since the fans caught win of a potential 3/8th mile track being built at the Bridgeport Speedway, there has been one show that kept coming up over and over and that was a USAC Sprint Car show,” explained Kolby Ramey, Bridgeport’s Director of Marketing.  “We pride ourselves in giving the fans what they want and we are very excited to have USAC Sprints visit the Bridgeport Speedway for the 2018 Eastern Storm.”

“Everyone wants to know what the 3/8th mile track will be used for and the Bridgeport Speedway Management Team kept telling everyone that we don’t know.  The 3/8th mile track was built to give us options and versatility,” Ramey continued.  “Our mission statement is for Bridgeport to be the premier dirt racing facility and we feel that is just what we are doing by bringing all of the new, exciting and different shows to the fans.”

During the 2017 season, Bridgeport brought the Super DIRTcar Modifieds back to the Logan Township facility for the first time in more than a decade.  Another huge success was the addition of a Monster Truck Throwdown weekend in September as well as the inaugural Skyscraper event on the Spirit Auto Center quarter mile.  Special events like the 60 Over Special Doug Hoffman Memorial Race as the season opener, the Poker Series, the King of the Big Blocks and the Big Track Classic weekend continue to draw race fans to the Bridgeport Speedway.

With the final checkered flag of the 2017 season just being waved, plans are already well underway for 2018.  Stay tuned for more exciting news from the Bridgeport Speedway as dates are confirmed and plans for the new season are put in place!

 ** Picture Courtesy of Robert Wojcik

 

Bridgeport, NJ (November 22, 2017) –  The Bridgeport Speedway has officially announced that the Crate/Sportsman division will be ‘all crate’ in 2018.  A driver’s meeting for the division took place back on September 29 where the teams were in fact notified of the change in direction for the class.  For the past five years the 602 GM crate motors have raced in a combined division with the 358 ‘open sportsman’.  An overwhelming influx of 602 crate teams (both new and switched over) finally tipped the scales to go to just one class rather than to continue to mix the engine packages.  The ‘open sportsman’ will no longer compete at Bridgeport.

The 2018 division will be known as the 602 Crate-Sportsman Division.  The rules have been updated and posted on the track’s official website www.bpspeedway.com.  Rules that include:  Weights, rev limiters, body panels, engine sealing and repairing, fuel, tires, distributors, shocks, ect can all be found on the Bridgeport Speedway website.  Any questions can be directed towards the track’s hot line at 856-467-4408.  GM is also offering a $250 rebate for all new purchased 602 engines before the January 1, 2018.

After a pair of second place finishes, Craig VonDohren made a strong statement as he raced to the win in the 358 Small Block Modified feature event at the Bridgeport Speedway on the first night of the Wildcard Racing weekend.  Tom Wills, Jr. raced to his sixth win of the season in Pennco Tech Outlaw Stock competition.

Polesitter, Brett Kressley led the first fifteen laps of the feature event, looking for his second Bridgeport Small Block Modified victory of the season.  Kressley had early pressure from both 2017 Track Champion, Ryan Watt and Jeff Strunk.  Kressley led Watt and Strunk through lap five as VonDohren and Frank Cozze battled for fifth.

The leaders were in lapped traffic by lap eight but a caution was needed for Chris Grbac one lap later.  Kressley gained a clear track on the restart but had Watt, Strunk, VonDohren and Cozze on his tail for the green flag.  VonDohren raced into third as Watt challenged for the lead.

Watt and VonDohren raced side by side on lap eleven with VonDohren taking the spot off of turn two.  VonDohren looked to the inside of Kressley on several occasions but it was a move to the outside that paid dividends as VonDohren put Dick Biever’s No. 14s out in front on lap sixteen.

Dominick Buffalino had just raced his way up to third before the lead change and it wasn’t long before he had dropped Kressley to third while Watt and Strunk battled for position.

VonDohren raced away from the field but Buffalino was able to close some of the gap as they raced through lapped traffic in the closing laps.  VonDohren raced to the win – his first at Bridgeport since he doubled during the 2008 Atlantic Coast weekend.  Buffalino finished second followed by Kressley, Watt and Strunk.  Cozze, Billy Pauch, Jr., Duane Howard, Brandon Grosso and Dylan Steuer rounded out the top ten.

“The bottom really felt good,” VonDohren explained after the win.  “Kressley kept moving down, which is what you do.  That left the top open and I had to go for it.  I didn’t know what it was going to do but I went to the outside and it stuck.”

Polesitter, Rich Stinson, Jr. took the wheel of his dad’s Outlaw Stock and led the first five laps of the Colonial Pipeline Dig Safely 2017 Poker Series Hand # 5.  Stinson outgunned seven time winner, Jeramy Doerr who was driving the Andrew Joslin No. 6 in this race.  Rich Brosshard took over second and chased Stinson as Tom Wills, Jr. raced through the top five.

Wills raced into the lead on lap six as Stinson, Doerr, Broschard and TJ Henry all battled for position.  Both Doerr and Henry exited with mechanical problems by halfway as Wills raced ahead for the win and his third Ace in Poker Series competition.

Willis captured the fifteen lap main event in record time, setting a new fifteen lap record for the Outlaw Stocks with a time of 6:24.513.  Wills took the win over Stinson, Broschard, Jeff Dirkes and 2017 8 Cylinder Enduro Champion, Lee Allen who was making his first Outlaw Stock start.

Dominick Buffalino set the fastest time of the night in Spirit Auto Center Big Block first timed hot lap session with a time of 19.526.  Rick Laubach was the fastest car in the second round with a time of 19.936.  Both drivers earned starting positions in Saturday night’s Gone But Not Forgotten season finale.  Roger Manning set a new one lap record during timed hot laps for the Sportsman with a time of 21.002, earning him a starting spot in Saturday night action.

SMALL BLOCK MODIFIEDS (25 laps): 1. Craig VonDohren, 2. Dominick Buffalino, 3. Brett Kressley, 4. Ryan Watt, 5. Jeff Strunk, 6. Frank Cozze, 7. Billy Pauch, Jr., 8. Duane Howard, 9. Brandon Grosso, 10. Dillon Steuer, 11. Ryan Krachun, 12. Ron Roberts, 13. Kevin Vacavicek, 14. Jack Swain, 15. Ryan Lilick, 16. Tom Sherby, 17. Scott Hulmes, 18. Jordan Cox, 19. Bob Sarkisian, 20. Jimmy Horton, 21. Dakota Kessler, 22. Chris Grbac.

 

COLONIAL PIPELINE CALL BEFORE YOU DIG POKER SERIES HAND #5 – OUTLAW STOCKS (15 laps): 1. Tom Wills, Jr., 2. Rich Stinson, Jr., 3. Rick Broschard, 4. Jeff Dirkes, 5. Lee Allen, 6. Jill Long, 7. Ken Moren, 8. Gary Klimeczek, 9. John Parker, 10. Mike Smith, 11. Pete Ellis, 12. T.J. Henry, 13. Jeramy Doerr, 14. Vern McLaughlin, 15. Keith McKinley, 16. Chris Kramer, 17. Paul Donahue, DNS – Ken Watson

 

BIG BLOCK MODIFIED TIMED LAPS (FIRST ROUND): 1. Dominick Buffalino 19.526 sec., 2. Rick Laubach 19.553 sec., 3. Jeff Strunk 19.639 sec., 4. Ryan Watt 19.724 sec., 5. Neal Williams 20.055 sec., 6. Sam Martz 20.192 sec., 7. Ron Roberts 20.321 sec., 8. Richie Pratt, Jr. 20.375 sec., 9. Billy Pauch, Jr. 20.465 sec., 10. Bucky Kell 20.555 sec., 11. Wade Hendrickson 20.615 sec., 12. Ernie Miles III 20.893 sec., 13. Ricky DiEva 21.007 sec., 14. Dillon Steuer 21.150 sec., 15. Brian Hitz 22.287 sec.

 

BIG BLOCK MODIFIED TIMED LAPS (SECOND ROUND): 1. Laubach 19.936 sec., 2. Ryan Watt 20.103 sec., 3. Jeff Strunk 20.196 sec., 4. Dillon Steuer 20.390 sec., 5. Ron Roberts 20.445 sec., 6. Sam Martz 20.453 sec., 7. Wade Hendrickson 20.596 sec., 8. Billy Pauch, Jr. 20.700 sec., 9. Richie Pratt, Jr. 20.858 sec., 10. Bucky Kell 21.072 sec., 11. Ricky DiEva 21.097 sec., 12. Ernie Miles, III 21.269 sec., 13. Brian Hitz 21.824 sec

Robbie Stillwaggon raced to his first ever victory on the 5/8 mile Bridgeport Speedway by capturing the Saturday night portion of the Big Track Classic.  Stillwaggon’s fourth place finish on Friday night along with his win on Saturday gave him the best record for the weekend and as a result, the Midge Miller Memorial Trophy, given in honor of the former URC competitor and club official.

“I really wanted that trophy,” an excited Stillwaggon exclaimed in victory lane.  It was a big win for the Stillwaggon brothers, Robbie and brother, Ryan who works as crew chief for Robbie.  Ryan has won at Bridgeport this season, racing with the Mid Atlantic Sprint Series (MASS) but it was his first win as a crew chief as he wrenched the No. 89 car that took his brother to Victory Lane.

Stillwaggon jumped into the early race lead as the field exited turn two on the initial start.  The racing came to a sudden stop though when Tom Carberry Sr. went for a wild ride in turn three and ended up on top of the guardrail.  Carberry was not injured but removing his No. 1 from the gurardrail took some doing by the track safety crew.

On the restart, it was Chad Layton who got a run on the outside to challenge Mark Bitner for second but Bitner rallied back on the inside to reclaim the position.  Stillwaggon led the way through lap five followed by Bitner, Josh Weller, Layton and Adam Carberry.

Several single car incidents required caution flags during the early laps.  Weller made use of the inside line to challenge for second but Bitner held on to the position.

JJ Grasso broke into the top five by lap ten with a pass by Friday night winner, Lucas Wolfe.

By halfway, Stillwaggon was making his way through lapped traffic as he pulled away from Bitner, Weller, Layton and Grasso.  2017 URC Champion, Curt Michael was on the move as he raced from his twelfth place starting spot to just outside the top five.

Just eight laps from the finish, Chris Coyle slowed and brought out the race’s final caution and double file restart.  Bitner raced beside Stillwaggon as they headed down the homestretch as Weller made use of the bottom of the track to take over second.  Michael raced Grasso for fifth just before five to go.

After being in the midst of the battle throughout the race, Bitner faded in the closing laps.  Stillwaggon raced to his first Bridgeport checkered flag followed by Weller, Layton, Michael and Grasso.  Wolfe, Bitner, Steve Buckwalter, Davey Sammons and Adam Carberry rounded out the top ten.

Brian Papiez drove to win number seven in Bridgeport’s Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman competition, holding off a very persistent, Roger Manning throughout most of the twenty lap race.

Manning actually set the fastest lap time of the race as he took over second on lap six.

New York state invader, Rocky Warner made his first Bridgeport appearance and found the track to his liking as he chased Papiez and Manning to the checkered flag.  Rookie driver, Louden Reimert recorded his best Bridgeport finish in fourth while Rich Wenger, Jr. edged ahead of Kris Lilick on the final lap to round out the top five.

Racing returns to the Bridgeport Speedway this weekend for the final races of the 2017 season with Wild Card Weekend.  The 358 Small Block Modifieds will share the Friday night race card with the Outlaw Stocks who will compete in the fifth hand of the 2017 Colonial Pipeline Call Before You Dig Poker Series.  On Saturday night, the Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds, the Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman and Pennco Tech Oultlaw Stocks will compete in hand number six and three Poker Champions will be crowned when the final checkered flags are waved.  Racing gets underway at 7:30 on Friday with a 4pm start on Saturday.

Big Track Classic – 25 laps for URCSprint Cars – 1. Robbie Stillwaggon, 2. Josh Weller, 3. Chad Layton, 4. Curt Michael, 5. JJ Grasso, 6. Lucas Wolfe, 7. Mark Bitner, 8. Steve Buckwalter, 9. Davey Sammons, 10. Adam Carberry, 11. Jimmy Stitzel, 12. Justin Whittail, 13. Kevin Nagy, 14. Bill Unglert, 15. Larry McVay, 16. Brian Carber, 17. Troy Betts, 18. Chris Coyle, 19. Christopher Allen, Jr., 20. Will Egglmann, 21. Tom Carberry

Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman (20 Laps) – 1. Brian Papiez, 2. Roger Manning, 3. Rocky Warner, 4. Louden Reimert, 5. Rich Wegner, Jr., 6. Kris Lilick, 7. Dave Damiano, 8.  Steve Kemery, 9. Joseph Brown, 10. Frank Dorry, 11. Chris Jenkins, 12. Howard Huepfel, 13. Scott Hulmes, 14. Craig Whitmoyer, 15. Brandon Whitmoyer, 16. Jimmy Amato, 17. Tommy Sheetz, Sr., 18. Tyler Thompson, 19. Pete Serra, 20. John Gilroy, 21. John Micek, 22. Tom Moore, 23. Dakota Kessler, 24. Matthew Luzi

Lucas Wolfe picked up right where he left off a year ago as he drove to victory in the first night of the Capitol Renegade United Racing Club (URC) Big Track Classic action at the Bridgeport Speedway sponsored by BRB Construction of King of Prussia, PA.

Wolfe was the Saturday night winner in last year’s event after a fifth place finish during Friday night’s action won by Curt Michael.

Kevin Nagy and ten time URC Champion, Michael led the field to the start of the twenty-five lap feature event.  Nagy jumped in the lead on the start followed by Michael, JJ Grasso and Wolfe.  By alp five, Nagy had caught the back of the starting line-up but a caution flag on lap six, cleared the track for the race leader.  The lap six restart proved to be the key to the race as Wolfe moved up to third on the restart.  “Everyone was pretty locked into the same speed on the original start,” Wolfe explained.  “I was in a better position on that restart and I was pretty good everywhere on the track.”

Nagy led lap six with Michael racing into the lead on lap seven.  Nagy was back out in front on the next circuit as Wolfe moved into the runner-up spot.  Wolfe took it three wide into turn three to take the lead from Nagy on lap twelve.

Grosso moved up to third at the half way mark but Michael reclaimed the spot on the next time around.  Josh Weller was on the move through the top ten.  Weller was forced to make the starting line-up through the consolation after a flat tire sidelined him from a qualifying spot in his heat race.

The leaders were again in lapped traffic just before the five to go sign.  Michael challenged Nagy for second and took the spot as the two drivers raced through lapped traffic.

Wolfe led the way to the checkered flag followed by Michael, Nagy, Robbie Stillwaggon and Weller.  Stillwaggon battled with Grasso throughout the race with Grasso fading in the closing laps.  Weller moved into fifth on the final lap.

Kris Lilick led from the green flag to the checkered to capture the Underdog 20 Crate/Sportsman feature.  Any driver who had not won during the 2017 season was eligible for this special race.

John Micek raced into second from his seventh place start to trail Lilick to the checkered.  Chris Jenkins held off the persistent challenges of Jesse Landis to finish third with Tom Moore rounding out the top five after starting deep in the pack.

Both Lilick and Micek earned guaranteed starting spots in the Crate/Sportsman portion of Saturday night’s program by setting fast time for the Sportsman and Crates, respectively, during timed hot laps.

URC Feature (25 laps) – 1. Lucas Wolfe, 2. Curt Michael, 3. Kevin Nagy, 4. Robbie Stillwaggon, 5. Josh Weller, 6. JJ Grasso, 7. Adam Carberry, 8. Steve Buckwalter, 9. Davey Sammons, 10. Troy Betts, 11. Jimmy Stitzel, 12. Chris Coyle, 13. Bill Unglert, 14. Tom Carberry, 15. Tim Higgins, 16. Larry McVay, 17. Brandon McGough, 18. Mark Sasso, 19. JR Berry, 20. Zack Burd, 21. Justin Whittal, 22. Jonathan Swanson, 23. Christopher Allen, 24. Mark Bitner

 

The Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) fueled by VP South Region returned to the Bridgeport Speedway for the Dirty Jersey 5 on Saturday night.  Ryan Watt has been on a hot streak during the 2017 season and Saturday night was no exception as Watt raced to the win in the forty lap STSS event, collecting the $5,000 winner’s check in addition to several contingency awards.  Matt Stangle earned his tenth Bridgeport win of the season, racing to the win in the Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman feature while Jeramy Doerr picked up win number seven in the Pennco Tech Outlaw Stock main event.

The luck of the draw put Watt on the pole for the feature event and he quickly jumped into the lead on the start but a very persistent Jordan Watson wasn’t about to let the Watt get out of his sight.  Watson moved past Ryan Godown to take over the runner-up spot at the end of the first lap and kept his radar on Watt and the No. 14w.

Watt led the way, lengthening his lead over Watson, Godown, Billy Pauch, Jr. and Sam Martz through halfway.

With just ten laps to go, David VanHorn broke into the top five after starting in the thirteenth position.  A few laps later, VanHorn was feeling the challenge of twelfth place starter, Craig VonDohren

Watson’s night came to an end about two laps later when a mechanical failure brought the Delaware driver to a stop.  With five laps to go, the caution waved as Richie Pratt headed to the pits for service, setting a five lap shootout for the finish.  Martz and Godown battled it out for the runner-up spot and were soon joined by VonDohren who made it a three car race for second while Watt pulled away.  Martz held off Godown but lost the battle to VonDohren who had the Dick Biever owned No. 14s humming in the closing laps.  VonDohren took over second with about a mile remaining in the race.

Watt took the win over VonDohren, Martz, Godown and VanHorn.  Jimmy Horton, Rick Laubach, Anthony Perrego, Billy Pauch Sr. and Jr. rounded out the top ten.

The win paid Watt an extra $500 bonus as the high point man in the two race weekend where he finished seventh at Georgetown, DE on Friday and then picked up the win at Bridgeport on Saturday.  Watt is enjoying the best season of his career behind the wheel of the Roberts Racing No. 14w. “This has been amazing,” Watt said of his ninth win on the 5/8 mile speedway.  “This Bicknell car with our Enders power plant has been great.  Again, I can’t thank my family – my wife, Lesley, son, Logan – my crew and Ronnie and Fay for all that they do.”

2017 Crate/Sportsman Champion, Matt Stangle, raced by Craig Whitmoyer on lap fifteen to capture his tenth win of the season on the fast Bridgeport Speedway.  Whitmoyer held on to finish second with Jeff Bubori finishing a close third.  Frank Dorry made a late race move to take fourth over Roger Manning.

Jeramy Doerr raced to his seventh win of the season, taking the lead when Jeff Dirkes pulled off the track with mechanical issues.  Andrew Joslin, a protégé of Doerr’s, finished second followed by Spider Ensinger, Darren Cox and Rich Stinson.

 

DIRTY JERSEY 5 STSS MODIFIEDS (40 laps): 1. Ryan Watt, 2. Craig VonDohren, 3. Sam Martz, 4. Ryan Godown, 5. David VanHorn, 6. Jimmy Horton, 7. Rick Laubach, 8. Anthony Perrego, 9. Billy Pauch, Sr., 10. Billy Pauch, Jr., 11. Jeff Strunk, 12. Brett Kressley, 13. Brandon Grosso, 14. Duane Howard, 15. Jamie Mills, 16. Neal Williams, 17. Richie Pratt, Jr., 18. Mike Barone, 19. Jim Britt, 20. Jordan Watson, 21. Andy Bachetti, 22. Wade Hendrickson, 23. Mike Franz, 24. Ron Roberts, 25. Joseph Watson, DNQ – Travis Hill, Ricky DiEva, Bob Sarkisian, Ernie Miles, III, Bucky Kell, Dave Shirk, Tom Carberry, Brian Hitz

 

CRATE/SPORTSMAN (20 laps): 1. Matt Stangle, 2. Craig Whitmoyer, 3. Jeff Bubori, 4. Frank Dorry, 5. Roger Manning, 6. Brian Papiez, 7. Dave Damiano, 8. Kris Lilick, 9. Ryan Simmons, 10. John Micek, 11. Andrew Belmont, 12. Tom Sherby, 13. Tom Moore, 14. Jesse Landis, 15. Matthew Peck, 16. Brett Belmont, 17. David Burns, 18. Bill Briggs, 19. John Scarpati, 20. B.J. Joly, 21. Rich Wegner, Jr., 22. Scott Kohler, 23. Kyle Lilick, 24. Chris Jenkins, 25. Tommy Errico, 26. Pete Serra, DNQ – Walt McIntyre, Roger Gaskill, Johnny Bangs, Marty Resnick, Danny Buccafusca, Chris Breman, Ray Cost, Louden Reimert, Joe Reid

 

OUTLAW STOCKS (15 laps): 1. Jeramy Doerr, 2. Andrew Joslin, 3. Spider Ensinger, 4. Darren Cox, 5. Rich Stinson, 6. Ken Moren, 7. Steven Land, 8. Billy Wroble, 9. Gary Elliott, Jr., 10. Paul Donahue, 11. Jeff Dirkes