Bridgeport Motorsports Park

 

 

It’s a family tradition!  Doing as their fathers have done before them, Richie Pratt, Jr. and Jim Gallagher, Jr. followed the lead set by their fathers as both drivers raced to victory in their respected divisions in Saturday night action at the Bridgeport Speedway.  Mark Bitner earned his second win of the season by winning the Mid Atlantice Sprint Series (MASS) feature event.

 

Just as his father and uncles have done in the past, Richie Pratt, Jr. raced to his first victory of the season in the family owned No. 28 to capture the Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modified feature event on Saturday night, winning a wheel to wheel battle with Dominick Buffalino.  It was Big Block Modified racing at its best with Pratt taking the lead from Dave Shirk on lap six.  Pratt then led the way through lap ten before Buffalino raced to the outside on a lap eleven restart to become the new race leader.  Several times, Pratt raced through the turns with Buffalino but each time, Buffalino pulled ahead exiting the corner.  That is until lap eighteen when Pratt crossed the start/finish line side by side with Buffalino.

 

The two drivers raced door to door for more than two laps – no banging, no sparks – just good clean racing by two drivers who have a long history in racing.  Leading the field to take the five to go sign, Pratt was able to pull ahead, using the inside line to regain the lead.  “How did he get that fast?”, was the question Buffalino had as Pratt took the lead.  The question was soon answered as Buffalino followed Pratt’s line with just a few laps to go.  Pratt pulled away as he drove to the checkered flag and his 24^th career Bridgeport Big Block Modified win.

Buffalino finished second followed by Rick Laubach in third.  Ryan Watt rebounded from an earlier incident to drive from the rear to finish fourth while Jim Britt had a strong run to finish fifth.

 

Pratt shared his victory with his family and sponsors.  “Please support the names that you see on these race cars,” Pratt told the fans.  “Everybody says it but it is true – if it weren’t for our sponsors, there wouldn’t be any racing!”

After capturing the DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookie Championship earlier this season, Jim Gallagher, Jr. captured his first Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman feature win, leading from the green flag to the checkered in a caution riddled event.

 

The first caution came before the first lap could be scored when Brian Papiez drew the yellow.  Gallagher prevailed in spite of all of the cautions that tightened up the field and brought his competition to his rub rails and bumpers.

 

Gallagher concentrated on hitting his marks and being smooth as he led all twenty laps to the checkered followed by David Crossman and Eric Kormann.  Jeff Bubori had a strong outing to finish fourth with Matt Stangle using a late race pass to crack the top five.

 

“The Twister”, Mark Bitner, took the lead from Eddie Wagner on lap three – using a smooth move to the inside of turn two to lead the field of MASS Sprint Cars.  Bitner never looked back as he raced to the finish for his second Bridgeport win of the season over Wagner.  Bryant Davis finished third after capturing his first 305 Sprint Car win just one week earlier.  Dave Brown raced home in fourth with Brendon Poff rounding out the top five.

 

Bitner and the Brian Nixon owned No. 202 are proof of the old adage that races are won and lost in the garage as their hours of dedication have resulted in strong finishes for the team this year.

 

Racing action returns to the Bridgeport Speedway at 7pm Saturday night with Big Block Modifieds, Crate Sportsman and Outlaw Stock action.

 

 

 

 

SPIRIT AUTO CENTER BIG BLOCK MODIFIED FEATURE (25 laps): 1. Richie Pratt, Jr., 2. Dominick Buffalino, 3. Rick Laubach, 4. Ryan Watt, 5. Jim Britt, 6. Billy Pauch, Jr., 7. Jesse Hill, 8. Ron Roberts, 9. Sam Martz, 10. Mike Franz, 11. Tommy Beamer, 12. David Hunt, 13. Jack Swain, 14. Dave Shirk, 15. Don Hallowell, 16. Bob Sarkisian, 17. Neal Williams, 18. Billy Pauch, Sr., 19. Stan Frankenfield, 20. Anthony Moran, 21. J.R. Burritt, 22. Tom Maccherone, 23. P.J. Oliver, DNS – Ernie Miles, III

 

STEWART STAINLESS SUPPLY CRATE/SPORTSMAN FEATURE (20 laps): 1. Jim Gallagher, Jr., 2. David Crossman, 3. Eric Kormann, 4. Jeff Bubori, 5. Matt Stangle, 6. Roger Manning, 7. Clyde Cox, 8. Tom Tanner, 9. Kevin Belmont, 10. Adam Cox, 11. Ryan Simmons, 12. Jeremy Martino, 13. Tom Holding, 14. Dave Damiano, 15. Matthew Peck, 16. Keith McKinley, 17. Tom Moore, 18. John Scarpati, 19. Steve Kemery, 20. Rich Wegner, Jr., 21. Wayne Weaver, 22. Ray Cost, 23. Brian Papiez, DNS – Chris Jenkins

 

MASS 305 SPRINTS FEATURE (20 laps): 1. Mark Bitner, 2. Eddie Wagner, 3. Bryant Davis, 4. Dave Brown, 5. Brendon Poff, 6. Tommy Carberry, 7. Jeff Geiges, 8. Scott Frack, 9. Austin Bishop, 10. Tom Carberry, Sr., 11. Bobby Butler, 12. Keith Anderson, 13. Craig Pellegrini, 14. Rick Stief, 15. Joe Kay, DNS – Tim Tanner, John Webster, Gabe Fox

 

 

 

When Rick Laubach picked up his third Big Block Modified win on Saturday night at the Bridgeport Speedway on First Responder’s Night sponsored, by Spirit Auto Center, it was much more than just another win for the Hellertown, PA driver.  .  Laubach reached a landmark that only four other drivers share

Saturday night’s win was Laubach’s 50th Big Block Modified victory on the 5/8thmile speedway – a status that he now shares with Jimmy Horton, the late Doug Hoffman, Billy Pauch and Wade Hendrickson.  Laubach remains fifth on the All Time Feature Winners list.

It was a three wide battle for the lead when the green flag waved that saw Tommy Beamer come out on top over David Hunt and Dave Shirk.  Before a lap could be completed, the caution waved when Sam Martz made contact in turn two.  The complete restart produced the same results with Beamer leading the first lap.

Hunt raced into the lead following a lap two restart and immediately began to pull away from the field.

It was all Hunt through lap twenty when Laubach made his way through lapped traffic to challenge Hunt for the lead.  Laubach took the lead with a move to the outside of Hunt on lap twenty-one.  Laubach led the remaining circuits, taking the win over Hunt and Richie Pratt, Jr. who had another strong outing in the No. 28.  Ryan Watt made a late race pass by Neal Williams to take fourth.

Wayne Weaver has three Big Block Modified wins at Bridgeport but on Saturday night, Weaver made his first trip to Bridgeport’s Victory Lane since 1989 – this time, behind the wheel of the Overhead Door Crate/Sportsman.  Weaver combined his efforts with those of car owner, Sal DeBruno, earlier this season.  After just a handful of races, Weaver picked up his first win in Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman action.

Weaver took the lead from Andrew Belmont on a lap two restart and never looked back as he raced to the win over Dave Damiano.  Belmont finished third followed by Eric Kormann who made his tenth consecutive top five finish.  Matt Stangle picked up the ride in the Gallagher No. 31 when mechanical woes sidelined his own No. 6 and drove to a fifth place finish after starting at the rear of the field.

Jeramy Doerr picked up two wins in PennCo Tech Outlaw Stock competition, winning both fifteen lap feature events including a rained out hand of the 811 Dig Safely 2017 Poker Series.  Brian Ludwig gave Doerr a sizeable challenge in the first event, leading the first ten laps before Doerr took over.  Ludwig finished second followed by Tom Wills, Jr., Rich Stinson and Mike Creamer.

In the second feature event, Darren Cox led the first three laps before Wills, Jr. took over through lap six.  It was Doerr to the front on lap seven.  Wills, Jr. finished second followed by Jeff Dirkes in third.  Stinson finished fourth with Cox rounding out the top five.  It was Doerr’s first Ace of the 2017 Poker Series.

It’s Driver Appreciation Night at the Bridgeport Speedway next Saturday when the Big Block Modifeds, Crate/Sportsman and Outlaw Stocks return to action at 7pm.

SPIRIT AUTO CENTER BIG BLOCK MODIFIEDS (25 LAPS) 1. Rick Laubach, 2. David Hunt, 3. Richie Pratt, Jr. 4. Ryan Watt, 5. Neal Williams, 6. Tommy Beamer, 7. Dominick Buffalino, 8. Ron Roberts, 9. Ricky DiEva, 10. Ernie Miles, Jr., 11. Dave Shirk, 12. Anthony Moran, 13. Wade Hendrickson, 14. Jim Britt, 15. Don Hallowell, 16. Bob Sarkisian, 17. Sam Martz

STEWART STAINLESS CRATE/SPORTSMAN (20 LAPS) 1. Wayne Weaver, 2. Dave Damiano, 3. Andrew Belmont, 4. Eric Kormann, 5. Matt Stangle, 6. Brian Papiez, 7. Adam Cox, 8. Clyde Cox, 9. John Micek, 10. Matthew Peck, 11. Roger Manning, 12. Brett Belmont, 13. Melissa Scarpatti, 14. David Crossman

PENNCO TECH OUTLAW STOCKS (15 LAPS) 1. Jeramy Doerr, 2. Brian Ludwig, 3. Tom Wills, Jr. 4. Rich Stinson, 5. Mike Creamer, 6. Darren Cox, 7. Jeff Dirkes, 8. Jon Meyer, 9. John Parker, 10. Jimmy Avery, 11. David Kramer, 12. Ken Moren, 13. Andrew Joslin, 14. Paul Donahue, 15. Sean Smith

PENNCO TECH OUTLAW STOCKS (15 LAPS – MAKE UP FEATURE FROM 5/28) 1. Jeramy Doerr, 2. Tom Wills, Jr. 3. Jeff Dirkes, 4. Rich Stinson, 5. Darren Cox, 6. Brian Ludwig, 7. Jimmy Avery, 8. Mike Creamer, 9. Ken Moren, 10. John Parker, 11. David Kramer, 12. Paul Donahue, 13. Jon Meyer, 14. Andrew Joslin

 

Upcoming events

Saturday, July 22 – Driver Appreciation Night  – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman & Outlaw Stocks, racing at 7pm

Saturday, July 29 –  Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman & MASS Sprint Cars, racing at 7pm

Saturday, August 5 – Bike Night – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman & Outlaw Stocks, racing at 7pm

Saturday, August 12 – Ladies Powder Puff Races – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks & Vintage, racing at 7pm

 

The Bridgeport Speedway’s third running of the Three for All is in the books and once again, area race fans were treated to some close racing in three different divisions – Super Late Models, 358 Small Block Modifieds (Spec Head) and United Racing Club (URC) Sprint Cars.  It was a great night of racing on the lightning fast 5/8 mile speedway and the fans loved it!

After three years of trying, Bryan Bernheisel took home the checkered flag in the Delaware Auto Exchange Super Late Model feature event, outrunning a very determined Kyle Hardy who was making his first ever Bridgeport start.  Bernheisel led all but the first lap after Austin Hubbard took the lead on the green flag lap and then brought out the caution when he slowed one lap later.  Bernheisel fended off several contenders, including Chad Hollenbeck and Kenny Pettyjohn, but in the end, Bernheisel had what was needed to race to the finish line ahead of Hardy, Danny Snyder, K. Pettyjohn and Gary Stuhler.

Unlike his father, Bryan Bernheisel like the bigger tracks and came to Bridgeport with plenty of laps of experience on the bigger half miles like Selinsgrove.  “I grew up racing these types of track,” Bernheisel explained.  “I’m glad we had a good field of cars so that we can keep coming back here!”  And the fans certainly agreed as they gave their resounding show of support during the Super Late Model Victory Lane.

With seven Bridgeport Sportsman victories as well as his first ever Big Block Modified win already under his belt, Brett Kressley added his first Bridgeport 358 Small Block Modified win to the list of Bridgeport accomplishments as he raced by Ryan Godown to take the lead following a lap eighteen restart.

Godown had led the distance, taking the lead at the start of the twenty-five lap feature event.  That left him without any knowledge of where the competition was racing when he was faced with his first challenge with less than ten laps to go.  “I really don’t like leading for that very  reason, ” Godown explained.  He elected to restart from the inside, giving Kressley the outside line.  “I knew there was a top there but I really didn’t want to take the chance,” Godown added.   Lining up of the outside of the front row for the restart, played right into Kressley’s hand.  “I hate making that decision on a restart but this time, I didn’t have to make the choice and it was what I wanted anyway,” Kressley remarked.  “I was getting loose on the bottom about half way through the race and I was really locked down on the top.”

The multi-groove surface led to some good racing throughout the race.  Godown led Kressley and Duane Howard through lap seventeen.  Godown tried to regain the lead but Kressley was able to pull away in the final laps.  After starting back in the twelfth position, Ryan watt raced his way up to fourth following the restart.  Watt went on to challenge Howard for third but Howard wasn’t about to go without a fight.  After some pretty physical racing, Watt took third and then closed the gap on Godown at the end of the race.  Howard finished fourth with Craig VonDohren following in fifth.

After picking up a Bridgeport victory in a 305 Sprint Car race just a few days earlier, Mark Bitner took the lead at the start of the URC feature event and looked like he wanted to make it two in a row.  Bitner led the first eight circuits before Weller drove into the lead on lap nine.  Davie Franek challenged Bitner for second on the next lap and took over the runner-up spot.

By half way, Weller was into lapped traffic and that allowed both Franek and Bitner to close in on the leader but Weller skillfully made his way through traffic and pulled away once again.  “We definitely needed the clean air,” Weller explained.

Just two laps from the finish, the caution waved for Justin Whittal, setting up a single file shootout for the finish.  Weller raced to the checkered without a challenge from Franek while Davey Sammons had a great restart, racing his way into third at the checkered.  Bitner finished fourth with Chris Coyle rounding out the top five.

Weller became the first repeat winner in any of the Three for All Events as he earned back-to-back victories in the URC portion of the show.

Racing action returns to the Bridgeport Speedway on Saturday night as Spirit Auto Center presents First Responders night featuring Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman, two feature events for the Outlaw Stocks and the Garden State Vintage.  Action gets underway at 7pm.

 

 

 

 

 

DELAWARE AUTO EXCHANGE SUPER LATE MODELS (25 LAPS) 1. Bryan Bernheisel, 2. Kyle Hardy, 3. Danny Snyder, 4. Kenny Pettyjohn, 5. Gary Stuhler, 6. Larry Baer, 7. Donnie Lingo, 8. Mark Pettyjohn, 9. Danny Green, 10. Ron Kline, 11. Drew Weisser, 12. Ricky Elliott, 13. Andrew Mullins, 14. Chad Hollenbeck, 15. Devin Frey, 16. Austin Hubbard, 17. Terry Snyder

358 SMALL BLOCK MODIFIEDS (25 LAPS) 1. Brett Kressley, 2. Ryan Godown, 3. Ryan Watt, 4. Duane Howard, 5. Craig VonDohren, 6. Dominick Buffalino, 7. Brandon Grosso, 8. Eric Kormann, 9. Ryan Krachun, 10. Steve Davis, 11. Roger Manning, 12. John Parkenham, 13. Danny Bouc, 14. Matt Stangle, 15. Jesse Hill, 16. Rocco Infante, 17. Bob Sarkisian, 18. Tim Buckwalter

UNITED RACING CLUB (25 LAPS) 1. Josh Weller, 2. DavieyFranek, 3. Davey Sammons, 5. Mark Bitner, 5. Chris Coyler, 6. Curt Michael, 7. Adam Carberry, 8. Robbie Stillwaggon, 9. Troy Betts, 10. Bill Unglert, 11. Brett Michalski, 12. Mike Haggenbottom, 13. Kris Lilick, 14. Samantha Lieberman, 15. Jake Eldreth, 16. Christopher Allen, 17. Lucas Wolfe, 18. Justin Whittal, 19. Zach Burd, 20. Cody Jourdan

 

 

Upcoming events

Saturday, July 15 – Spirit Auto Center First Responder Night – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks plus Poker Series Hand #2 held-over from May, plus Vintage, racing at 7pm

Saturday, July 22 – Driver Appreciation Night  – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman & Outlaw Stocks, racing at 7pm

Saturday, July 19 – Quarter Midget Night – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman & MASS Sprint Cars, racing at 7pm

 

Austin Hubbard, Amanda Whaley, Donnie Lingo, Jim & Bryan Bernheisel, Kyle Hardy and Ricky Elliott.  Ryan Watt, Tim Buckwalter, Frank Cozze and Rick Laubach.  Curt Michael,  Josh Weller, Dave Franek,Mark Bitner and Lucas Wolfe.  And many, many more.  All in the same place, at the same time and competing in the same racing program.  That’s what the Bridgeport Speedway’s Three For All has to offer.

On Tuesday, July 11^th,the Bridgeport Speedway will host the third running of the Three For All – Super Late Models, Small Block Modifieds and United Racing Club (URC) Sprint Cars all on the same racing card on the lightning fast 5/8 mile track.

During the running of the inaugural event, after Glenn Elliott dominated the Super Late Model feature, a late race caution pitted Andrew Mullins and Elliott against each other for the final two laps with Mullins picking up the win.  Mullins raced to the checkered ahead of Elliott, David Zona, Ricky Elliott and Brian Bernheisel.

On the same night, former Crate/Sportsman Champion, Neal Williams earned his first ever Modified victory as he held off the challenges of Jimmy Blewett to pick up the Small Block Modified portion of the show.  Ryan Watt, Rick Laubach and Brett Kressley trailed Williams and Blewett at the finish.

As he’s done on many other occasions, Curt Michael came up with the win in the URC feature event, after taking the lead from Art Leidel on the fifth circuit of the twenty-five lap feature event.  Michael raced to the checkered ahead of Robbie Stillwaggon, Josh Weller, Mark Bitner and Davie Franek.

The competitors had nothing but praise for the speedway and so the tradition continued and the event returned on the 2016 schedule.

After a three wide race for the lead at the wave of the green, Donnie Lingo took the lead in the Super Late Model feature over Amanda Whaley and Ricky Elliott.  And Lingo never looked back as he led from the green flag to the checkered for the win over Ross Robinson, Brian Bernheisel, Matt Jester and Danny Snyder.

Young Matt Stangle raced with the Small Block Modifieds and took the lead at the green.  Stangle was impressive, holding off Ryan Watt until a second restart lined the two drivers up side by side and Watt propelled into the lead from the outside.  Stangle trailed Watt to the finish line followed by Jeff Strunk, Dominick Buffalino and Brett Kressley.

In previous seasons, Josh Weller had never won more than one URC Feature in a season.  During last year’s Three for All, Weller drove to his third win of the 2016 season after Mark Bitner led the first three laps.  Weller took the win over Franek, Michael, Adam Carberry and Troy Betts.

These drivers and many more will return to the Bridgeport Speedway on Tuesday, July 11^th for the third running of the Three for All – something for every racing fan.  The Bridgeport Speedway is known for their time efficient racing programs.  This one gets underway at 7:15pm.  (A Wednesday rain date is scheduled if needed.)

Race fans can purchase their tickets for the Three for All in advance and save $5 per ticket PLUS receive a 1 hour complimentary pit pass.  Just go to www.bpspeedway.com to purchase your tickets and use the coupon code ‘Threeforall’ to take advantage of this great offer!!

This is one show you won’t want to miss!!  Super Late Models, Small Block Modifieds and Sprint Cars all on the same night!

 

 

Rick Laubach and Ryan Watt each picked up a win in forty lap Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modified competition on the eve of Independence Day as they competed in Hands & 4 in the 2017 811 Dig Safely Poker Series events.  Both drivers add an Ace and a King to the Poker Series hands with their first and second place finishes.  Matt Stangle added his third Ace to his Poker Series hand with his sixth Bridgeport victory of the season in Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman competition.  Tom Wills, Jr. added an Ace to his King with a win in the PennCo Tech Outlaw Stocks race in just their second hand of Poker Series competition this season.

 

Laubach was the third leader in the first forty lap event – the rained out feature event from May 28^th’s All in at the Port.  Billy Pauch Sr. led the first three laps before Brett Kressley blasted by both second place, Laubach and the leader, Pauch Sr. to take the lead on lap four.  Kressley led through lap sixteen as puff of smoke could be seen from his family owned No. 19B.  Laubach took the lead on lap seventeen as Watt moved up to second on the next circuit.  The second half of the race saw Laubach hold the lead over Watt who stayed with Laubach and the Lori & Gary Hermann owned No. 7 to the checkered flag.  Following Laubach and Watt to the checkered was Jimmy Horton who was celebrating his birthday with a top five finish.  Sam Martz finished fourth with Richie Pratt, Jr. rounding out the top five.

 

The win puts Laubach just one victory away from his 50^th Bridgeport Speedway Big Block win – a quest that begin back in May of 1998 when Laubach was a first time winner.

 

Laubach drew the pole for the All American 40 and led lap one before the caution was needed as Dave Hunt slowed down the backstretch.  Watt restarted in fourth, moving ahead of Craig VonDohren and then Billy Pauch Jr. before setting his sights on the leader.  Watt raced past Laubach to lead lap two.  Another caution was needed when Travis Hill came to a stop with four laps complete, putting Laubach even with Watt on the restart.  After a false start, Watt took the lead and immediately began to pull away from the field.  Watt set a torrid pace as the remaining laps went caution free.  Watt extended his lead over Laubach and VonDohren.  Dominick Buffalino closed in on VonDohren in the final laps, finishing fourth with Billy Pauch, jr. taking fifth.  Watt won with nearly an eighteen second advantage.

 

Matt Stangle took the lead from Jeremy Harrington and lap three and then held off the persistent challenges of Eric Kormann to take the win in the 20 lap Crate/Sportsman feature event.  Kormann was all over the back bumper of Stangle’s Ace Materials No. 6 as they raced to the checkered flag.  Steve Kemery finished third with 2017 Rookie Champion, Jim Gallagher finishing fourth in his first effort following Rookie Graduation.  Harrington rounded out the top five.

 

2015 Outlaw Stock Poker Series Champion, Tom Wills, Jr. took a step in the right direction as he outraced Jeff Dirkes for the fifteen lap Outlaw Stock main event.  Dirkes was a tough challenger and kept the pressure on Wills, Jr. right to the checkered flag.  Jon Meyer recovered from spin to finish third with Rich Stinson taking fourth.  Terry Griffen finised fifth in his first outing this season, behind the wheel of David Kramer’s No. 44J.

 

Autoparts Warehouse sponsors Bike Night at the Bridgeport Speedway this Saturday night as the Big Block Modifieds and Crate/Sportsman are joined by the MASS Sprint Cars with racing getting underway at 7pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAND #3 OF THE 811 DIG SAFELY POKER SERIES

SPIRIT AUTO CENTER BIG BLOCK MODIFIED FEATURE (40 laps): 1. Rick Laubach, 2. Ryan Watt, 3. Jimmy Horton, 4. Sam Martz, 5. Richie Pratt, Jr., 6. Dominick Buffalino, 7. Brett Kressley, 8. Tommy Beamer, 9. Travis Hill, 10. Billy Pauch, Sr., 11. Ron Roberts, 12. Rusty Smith, 13. Neal Williams, 14. Bob Sarkisian, 15. David Hunt, 16. Mike Franz, 17. Dave Shirk, 18. P.J. Oliver, 19. Jack Swain, 20. Jamie Mills, 21. Ricky DiEva, DNS – Pete Visconti, Mike Barone, H.J. Bunting, Westley Smith.

 

HAND # 4 – 811 DIG SAFELY POKER SERIES

SPIRIT AUTO CENTER BIG BLOCK MODIFIED FEATURE (40 laps): 1. Ryan Watt, 2. Rick Laubach, 3. Craig VonDohren, 4. Dominick Buffalino, 5. Billy Pauch, Jr., 6. Duane Howard, 7. Frank Cozze, 8. Neal Williams, 9. Richie Pratt, Jr., 10. Sam Martz, 11. Jeff Strunk, 12. Tommy Beamer, 13. Rocco Infante, 14. Rusty Smith, 15. Ron Roberts, 16. Dave Shirk, 17. Jimmy Horton, 18. Mike Franz, 19. Brett Kressley, 20. Travis Hill, 21. Billy Pauch, Sr., 22. David Hunt, DNS – Jamie Mills, P.J. Oliver, Jack Swain, Ricky DiEva, DNQ – Pete Visconti, Bob Sarkisian

 

 HAND # 4 – 811 DIG SAFELY POKER SERIES

STEWART STAINLESS SUPPLY CRATE/SPORTSMAN FEATURE (20 laps): 1. Matt Stangle, 2. Eric Kormann, 3. Steve Kemery, 4. Jim Gallagher, Jr., 5. Jeremy Harrington, 6. Kyle Lilick, 7. Roger Manning, 8. Matthew Peck, 9. Louden Reimert, 10. John Micek, 11. Kevin Belmont, 12. Adam Cox, 13. Andrew Belmont, 14. Tommy Errico, 15. Dave Damiano, 16. David Burns, 17. Frank Dorry, 18. Marty Resnick, 19. Brian Papiez, 20. John Scarpati, 21. David Crossman, 22. Mike Cogdill, 23. Ryan Simmons, 24. Scott Kohler

 

HAND #2 – 811 DIG SAFELY POKER SERIES

PENNCO TECH OUTLAW STOCK FEATURE (15 laps): 1. Tom Wills, Jr., 2. Jeff Dirkes, 3. John Meyer, 4. Rich Stinson, 5. Terry Griffin, 6. John Parker, 7. John Parker, 8. Darren Cox, 9. Andrew Joslin, 10. Brian Ludwig, 11. Doug DeBray, 12. Steven Land, DNS – Ron Frees

 

 

Sam Martz, Roger Manning and TJ Henry each earned their first feature wins of the 2017 season in Saturday night action at the Bridgeport Speedway.  Tommy Ericco, Jr. picked up his second win of the season in the DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookie Division but it was Jim Gallagher, Jr. who was crowned as the 2017 Bridgeport Speedway Rookie Champion.

The Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds were led to the start of their twenty-five lap feature event by a pair of fourteens – the Z14 of Ron Roberts was on the pole with the 14s of Dave Shirk starting on the outside.

Roberts took the lead on the start as Martz moved into second on lap one.  Martz ran to theinside of Roberts as the leaders raced through turn two on the second circuit.  After a side by side battle that ran the length of the backstretch, Martz emerged with the lead in turn three.

Martz raced away from the competition but never knew who or where his competition might be.  “I ran wide open all of the time,” Martz explained after picking up the win.  “I didn’t really move around a lot.  The bottom was pretty good so I stayed there.”  Martz led the way in a caution free event, leading all but the first lap.

After a side by side battle with Richie Pratt, Jr., it was Dominick Buffalino who finished second with Pratt in third.  “I love racing with Richie (Pratt),” Buffalino exclaimed.  “We’ve raced together since the East Windsor days and I don’t think we’ve ever touched!”  Rick Laubach was looking to make it a three way battle for second but time ran out on the former track champion.  Laubach finished fourth with Jesse Hill completing the top five at the finish line.

Clyde Cox had his best outing of the 2017 season as he led the Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman feature for the first twelve laps.  A lap thirteen restart closed up the field.  It was wild when the green flag waved but Roger Manning came away with the lead when the lap was scored.  Five time feature winner, Matt Stangle raced into second but was not able to challenge Manning for the lead.

It was just about a year ago that Manning raced for the first time at the Bridgeport Speedway.  Five weeks later Manning picked up his first win.  Win number two came on Saturday night.

Stangle finished second with Jeremy Harrington finishing third.  Matt Papiez moved into fourth on the final lap with Cox earning his best finish of the season in fifth.

TJ Henry drove an impressive race to pick up the win in the Drive for Dylan 50 – a special 50 lap event for the PennCo Tech Outlaw Stocks.  This race pays tribute to Dylan Doerr, the son of Jeremy Doerr and Shanan Lea, whose life ended tragically at the age of one and a half.  His family again organized this event in his memory.

In addition to the $3,500 winner’s share of the purse, there was alsolap money paid.  Henry’s win was worth over $4,000.

Tom Wills, Jr. finished second with Mick search, Brian Ludwig and Darren Cox trailing at the checkered.  When Ludwig failed post race technical inspection, Billy Wroble advanced to a fifth place finish.

For the second time this season, Tommy Ericco, Jr. raced to the win in the DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookie feature event.  This time it was a ten lap event that saw Errico race by leader Matt Luzi at the race’s half way point.  Rookie Champion, Jim Gallagher, Jr. raced home in second followed by Brett Belmont, Jim Cheesman andScott Kohler.

The Bridgeport Speedway switches to Monday night, July 3rd for its next race – Hand #4 of the Colonial Pipeline 811 Dig Safely Poker Series for the Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman and Outlaw Stocks.  Racing gets underway at 7:30pm.  The Big Block Modifieds will also compete in a second feature event – therained out feature from Hand #2.  It’s the night before a holiday – come out and take in the action!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPIRIT AUTO CENTER BIG BLOCK MODIFIED FEATURE (25 laps): 1. Sam Martz, 2. Dominick Buffalino,3. Richie Pratt, Jr., 4. Rick Laubach, 5. Jesse Hill, 6. Ryan Watt, 7. Ron Roberts. 8. Pete Visconti, 9. Billy Pauch, Sr., 10. Neal Williams, 11. Mike Barone, 12. David Hunt, 13. Dave Shirk, 14. Mike Franz, 15. Tommy Beamer, 16. Anthony Moran, DNS – Ernie Miles, III.

 

STEWART STAINLESS SUPPLY CRATE/SPORTSMAN FEATURE (20 laps): 1. Roger Manning, 2. Matt Stangle, 3. Jeremy Harrington, 4. Brian Papiez, 5. Clyde Cox, 6. Dave Damiano, 7. Matthew Peck, 8. Eric Kormann, 9. David Crossman, 10. Adam Cox, 11. Kevin Belmont, 12. Tommy Errico, 13. Chris Jenkins, 14. Chuck Sayres, 15. Scott Kohler, 16. Bobby Bracall, 17. Scott Hulmes, 18. Tom Holding, 19. Jim Gallagher, Sr., 20. Brett Belmont, 21. Andrew Belmont, 22. Olivia Ingersoll, 23. John Micek, 24. Pete Serra, DNS – Wayne Weaver, DNQ – Matt Luzi, Jim Cheesman,

 

D.A.’S AUTO BODY & REPAIR ROOKIE FEATURE (10 laps): 1. Tommy Errico, 2. Jim Gallagher, Jr., 3. Brett Belmont, 4. Jim Cheesman, 5. Scott Kohler, 6. Olivia Ingersoll, 7. Matt Luzi, 8. Jeff Stuart, 9. Ray Cost, 10. Eric Mattson

 

PENNCO TECH OUTLAW STOCK FEATURE (50 laps): 1. T.J. Henry, 2. Tom Wills, Jr., 3. Mick Search, 4. Darren Cox, 5. Billy Wroble, 6. John Parker, 7. Ken Moren, 8. Cleve Riehl, 9. David Kramer, 10. Andrew Joslin, 11. Paul Donahue, 12. Jeff Dirkes, 13. Jeramy Doerr, 14. Jim Avery, 15. Ed Bischoff, 16. Mike Creamer, 17. Rich Stinson, DQ – Brian Ludwig

 

Upcoming events

Saturday, July 1 – No Racing

Monday, July 3 – The All American 40 – Hand #4 of the Colonial PIpeline 811 Call Before You Dig 2017 Poker Series, Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman & Outlaw Stocks plus Hand #2 feature for the Big Blocks, racing at 7:30 (rain date,, Tuesday, July 4 if needed)

Saturday, July 8 – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman and MASS 305 Sprint Cars, racing at 7pm

Saturday, July 15 – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks plus Poker Series Hand #2 held-over from May, plus Vintage, racing at 7pm

It’s official!  Summer has arrived and the racing action is hot, hot, hot at the Bridgeport Speedway.

The 5/8th mile speedway will take off on Saturday, July 1st to prepare for the All American 40 – the fourth hand of the Colonial Pipeline Call Before You Dig Safely 2017 Poker Series – to be held on Monday, July 3rd – on the eve of America’s Independence Day!

Colonial Pipeline returns as the sponsor of the 2017 Poker Series at the Bridgeport Speedway.

Colonial’s petroleum pipelines are buried underground.  The leading cause of damage to these types of buried utilities is third party damage – someone digging without the utility’s approval or knowledge of what’s below the surface.  That’s why Colonial encourages you to call 811 before you dig!  Any project – large or small – you are required by law to call 8-1-1 before you dig.  The 811 representative will take all of your information.  They will then notify all utility companies that may be affected by your work and a professional locator will visit your work site and mark their utility with paint, flags or stakes.  You must place your call at least three working days before the planned work, allowing the utilities time to mark their facilities.  Remember – “Know what’s below.  Call 811 before you Dig!”

Racing will get underway at 7:30 with the Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds, Stewart Stainless Crate Sportsman and PennCo Tech Outlaw Stocks taking to the speedway for a 7:30pm start time.

In addition to a full show of qualifying and feature events, the Big Block Modifieds will also compete in their rained out feature from back in May when the rains came before the feature events could be run for the Hand #2 of the Colonial Pipeline Call Before You Dig Poker Series.  That’s four feature events in just one night of racing!!

Ryan Watt has been the hottest thing in East Coast racing ever since he picked up the prestigious win in the Friends of Mike Finale back on May 16th when the stars of the Super DIRTcar Series made their return to the Bridgeport Speedway.  Watt was the star of the show that night as he picked up the win.  He then collected a win in Hand #3 of the Poker Series a few weeks later in addition to three big wins at two other speedways within the last month.  Watt’s trail has included wins in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

There will be plenty of competitors chomping at the bit when the green flag waves.  2012 Bridgeport Champion, Rick Laubach has one Bridgeport Big Block Win to his credit and is looking to increase that win total.  Dave Hunt has two wins this season and would like to return to the Winner’s Circle.  Mike Barone picked up his second career Bridgeport victory and has been a threat throughout the season so far.  Neal Williams has been knocking on the door and has to be considered a threat in every race he enters.  Bridgeport regulars Sam Martz, Dominick Buffalino, Richie Pratt, Jr., Tommy Beamer, Ron Roberts and Bob Sarkisian are all searching for their first Bridgeport wins of the season.

And the invaders will be on hand to challenge the Bridgeport regulars.  Duane Howard has already collected a win in the Norm’s No. 357.  Jeff Strunk came real close to a win in the season opener and has been competitive in the Einfab No. 126 whenever he’s in the field.  Billy Pauch Sr. and Jr., Jimmy Horton, PJ Oliver, Frank Cozze and others will be on hand to compete for the checkered flag.

Crate/Sportsman competitors, Brian Papiez and Matt Stangle lead the field with feature wins but have been challenged by the likes of Roger Manning, Eric Kormann, Brad Roberts and others.  The Outlaw Stock feature events always come right down to the wire and this event is sure to continue the trend.

Then on Tuesday night, July 11th, the Bridgeport Speedway will present the Three For All – Super Late Models, United Racing Club (URC) Sprint Cars and Small Block Modifieds – there’s something for every race fan!  Action will get underway at 7:15.

There Bridgeport Speedway is the home of Big Block Modified Racing!

Hope to see you at the ‘Port!

 

 

 

Upcoming events

Saturday, July 1 – No Racing

Monday, July 3 – The All American 40 – Hand #4 of the Colonial PIpeline 811 Call Before You Dig 2017 Poker Series, Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman & Outlaw Stocks plus Hand #2 feature for the Big Blocks, racing at 7:30 (rain date,, Tuesday, July 4 if needed)

Saturday, July 8 – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman and MASS 305 Sprint Cars, racing at 7pm

Saturday, July 15 – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks plus Poker Series Hand #2 held-over from May, plus Vintage, racing at 7pm

 

For the first time since April of 2012, Mike Barone of Hillsborough, NJ raced to victory in the Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modified feature event at the Bridgeport Speedway as Eastern Autoparts Warehouse  sponsored Bike Night at the Logan Township track.

Brian Papiez charged to his third victory in the Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman and Tom Wills held off late race challenges to capture his second win of the season in the PennCo Tech Outlaw Stock main event.  Jim Gallagher, Jr. became a three-time feature winner in the DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookie division.

Barone held off the repeated challenges of reigning Bridgeport Champion, Ryan Watt to capture the win in his Bicknell chassis, Lombardo powered No. 267.  While Barone’s father, Don watched nervously from the pits, Barone hit his marks and drove to his second Bridgeport Speedway career victory.

Polesitter, Bob Sarkisian led the field to the green and led the way for the first three laps before mechanical issues saw Sarkisian’s night come to an end between turns three and four on lap four.  Barone was the new race leader as Jesse Hill had his No. 99H racing in second.  Watt raced from his tenth place start to take over second following a lap eleven restart.

Rick Laubach raced into third as Watt tried the inside line to challenge the leader but Barone rolled the outside line to perfection to maintain his lead.

Watt closed in during the final laps but Barone was flawless in his race to the checkered.  Laubach followed Barone and Watt to the finish line for third with Hill and Neal Williams rounding out the top five.

Papiez raced from his starting spot in the seventh row to take the lead from Jim Gallagher, Sr. on lap eight.  A late race caution tightened up the field and put a hard charging Roger Manning on Papiez back  bumper but Papiez was not to be denied his third Bridgeport win of the season.  Manning had his best outing to date to finish second with Matt Stangle moving into third before the checkered flag.  Eric Kormann finished fourth to extend his streak of top five finishes.  David Crossman rounded out the top five after a strong twenty lap effort.

Tom Wills, Jr. took the lead on lap five of the PennCo Tech Outlaw Stock feature and then had to hold off the challenges of Jeff Dirkes and Jeramy Doerr to capture his second win of the season.  Dirkes was sidelined with mechanical woes in the closing laps as Doerr chased Wills to the finish line.  Brian Ludwig rebounded from an early race incident to finish third over Ken Watson, Jr. and Jimmy Avery.

Jim Gallagher, Jr. took the lead from Brett Belmont on lap three and then drove away from the field to capture his third DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookie feature of the season.  Gallagher is the only driver to win more than one Rookie feature to date.  Belmont had his best finish to take second over Matt Luzi.  Jim Cheesman and Olivia Ingersoll rounded out the top five at the checkered.

Six lucky youngsters won bicycles on Eastern Autoparts Warehouse Bike Night.  Several special awards were given to three motorcyclists to participated in the track’s Bike Night.

Racing action returns to the Bridgeport Speedway for a special Thursday night event with the Colonial Pipeline 811 Call Before You Dig 2017 Poker Series.  The Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman and Outlaw Stocks will compete in the Thursday night action with racing getting underway at 7:15pm.

 

 

 

 

Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds (25 laps): 1. Mike Barone, 2. Ryan Watt, 3. Rick Laubach, 4. Jesse Hill, 5. Neal Williams, 6. Dominick Buffalino, 7. Jim Britt, 8. Jack Swain, 9. David Hunt, 10. Dave Shirk, 11. Ron Roberts, 12. Mike Franz, 13. Pete Visconti, 14. Brett Kressley, 15. Richie Pratt, Jr., 16. Sam Martz, 17. Tom Beamer, 18. Bob Sarkisian

D.A.’s Auto Body and Repair Rookies (8 laps): 1. Jim Gallagher, Jr., 2. Brett Belmont, 3. Matt Luzi, 4. Jim Cheesman, 5. Olivia Ingersoll, 6. Erik Mattson, 7. Tommy Errico, 8. Jeff Stuart, 9. Chris Sammons, 10. Kevin Britt, 11. Keith McKinley

Stewart Stainless Supply Crate/Sportsman (20 laps): 1. Brian Papiez, 2. Roger Manning, 3. Matt Stangle, 4. Eric Kormann, 5. David Crossman, 6. Dave Damiano, 7. Kevin Belmont, 8. Adam Cox, 9. John Micek, 10. Brad Roberts, 11. Clyde Cox, 12. John Scarpati, 13. Bill Briggs, 14. Jim Gallagher, Sr., 15. Wayne Weaver, 16. Scott Hulmes, 17. Matthew Peck, 18. Roger Gaskill, 19. Pete Serra, 20. Matthew Luzi, 21. Chris Sammons, 22. Tommy Errico, 23. Olivia Ingersoll, DNS – Andrew Belmont, DNQ – Brett Belmont, Tom Sherby, Chuck Sayres, Jim Cheesman

PennCo Tech Outlaw Stocks (15 laps): 1. Tom Wills, Jr., 2. Jeramy Doerr, 3. Brian Ludwig, 4. Ken Watson, Jr., 5. Jim Avery, 6. Rich Stinson, 7. John Parker, 8. Mike Creamer, 9. Jeff Dirkes, 10. David Kramer

 

Upcoming events

Thursday, June 8 – High Stakes at the Port, Poker Series Hand #3 – Big Blocks, Crate/Sportsman and Rookies, racing at 7:15

Saturday, June 10 – Misfits 4X4 and Demolition Derby

Saturday, June 17 – PACK THE HOUSE NIGHT – 270, 600 Micro Sprints, 4 Cylinder Enduros, Xcel 600 Modifieds on quarter mile with Crate/Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks, Rookies and MASS Sprint Cars on 5/8th mile track, racing at 6pm

 

 

Jeff Stuart of Nazareth, PA captured his first win in the DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookie feature event before a persistent rain forced the cancellation of the Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds, Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman and PennCo Tech Outlaw Stock features for the second hand of the Colonial Pipeline 811 Call Before You Dig 2017 Poker Series event.

Stuart becomes the third driver to win in Rookie Competition as part of PSF Motorsports, following in the paths of Matthew Peck and Chuck Sayres before him.  Stuart shares the driving chores with Sayres in the PSF No. 38 – Stuart races the car in the Rookie feature while Sayres races in the Crate/Sportsman division.

Stuart’s participation in this year’s Rookie class has been  made possible through the support of several sponsors – Oliver Communications, Hamill Flooring, Ike’s Equipment Repair, Frank’s Tree Service, McClelland’s Land Image and Milltown Plumbing as well as the moral support and coaching that he has received from the racing teams of Ryan Watt and Sayres and Peck.

Stuart started on the outside pole and quickly moved ahead of polesitter, Matt Luzi to take the lead.  Stuart led every lap of the eight lap feature event to pick up the win.  Scott Kohler raced to a second place finish – duplicating in efforts in the Friends of Mike Crate/Sportsman feature a week earlier.  Luzi crossed the line in third.  Kevin Britt picked up a ride in Brad Robert’s No. 14 for this week’s event and drove to a fourth place finish.  Current point leader, Jim Gallagher, Jr. rounded out the top five.

Jim Avery and Ken Watson, Jr. were the heat winners in the PennCo Tech Outlaw Stocks while Eric Kormann, Dave Damiano and Frank Dorry picked up the wins in Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman qualifying.  Billy Pauch and Ron Roberts were the winners in Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modified action.

The Bridgeport Speedway has made a commitment to its competitors and fans alike to do everything possible to complete its racing program.  The local forecast looked clear for a night of racing but a light rain started to fall before warm-ups.  Track officials worked throughout the evening to keep the track in shape after being told that a break in the weather was coming that would allow the completion of the program.  However, the break never came.  The rain became heavier and even more persistent.  Officials were forced to cancel the remainder of the program, leaving only the Crate/Sportsman consolation and three features to be run.  These events will be rescheduled and the Bridgeport Speedway is offering a $5 discount on a future show to anyone holding a wristband from Sunday’s event – even though the criteria for a “complete program” had been met.

Eastern Autoparts Warehouse will sponsor Bike Night this Saturday, June 3.  There will be bike giveaways for the kids and all motorcycle riders will be admitted for free.  The Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks and Rookies will compete as well as the Garden State Vintage.  Racing gets underway at 7pm.

 

Upcoming events

Saturday, June 3 – Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks, Rookies and Vintage, racing at 7pm

Thursday, June 8 – High Stakes at the Port, Poker Series Hand #3 – Big Blocks, Crate/Sportsman and Rookies, racing at 7:15

Saturday, June 10 – Misfits 4X4 and Demolition Derby

Saturday, June 17 – PACK THE HOUSE NIGHT – 270, 600 Micro Sprints, 4 Cylinder Enduros, Xcel 600 Modifieds on quarter mile with Crate/Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks, Rookies and MASS Sprint Cars on 5/8th mile track, racing at 6pm