STUART CAPTURES FIRST ROOKIE WIN IN RAIN SHORTENED EVENT
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