There’s a lot of the Bridgeport Speedway in Ricky “The Rocket” Elliott.
There’s a lot of the Bridgeport Speedway in Ricky “The Rocket” Elliott.
The Seaford, DE driver has had a lot of success on the 5/8 mile speedway where he sits eighth on the All Time Feature Winner’s List with thirty-five wins – just behind Kenny Brightbill.
Elliott came close to winning the Bridgeport track title in 2004 when he won ten feature events. The championship came down to the final race of the season. Duane Howard finished ahead of Elliott that night and won the point title. “I’ve never been a points racer,” Elliott says, in spite of his numerous track championships in his home state. “I’ve always been a driver who wants to win and racing for points, changes the way you race,” Elliott added. “Every week, people as me the same question – ‘Who won’ – they never ask who finished second.
For many seasons, Elliott spent his Saturday nights turning the wheel of some of the best cars to compete on the Bridgeport clay. Elliott wheeled the Hewlett No. 901, Sal DeBruno’s No.0 and the J & J No. 27 as well as Jake’s Marine No. 85.
“It was time for a change,” Elliott says of his decision to leave Big Block Modifieds in favor of the Super Late Model ranks a little more than ten years ago.
And it is the Super Late Model that will bring Ricky Elliott back to the Bridgeport Speedway for the BRB Contractors Three for All Event this Tuesday, August 16th. This is the second year for the Three for All – a tripleheader show that features the Super Late Models, 358 Small Block Modifieds and United Racing Club Sprint Cars.
In spite of his past successes at Bridgeport, Elliott is still seeking his first Super Late Model win on the 5/8th mile Logan township track. “I thought I was smarter than everybody else,” Elliott explained. The former Bridgeport regular thought that his past Bridgeport experience would pay dividends at last year’s event but a wrong choice in tires found Elliott in the top five but not able to compete for the win. The Super Late Models are lighter and more aerodynamic than the Big Block Modifieds and will turn laps about a second and a half faster than the Modifieds.
“I’m really looking forward to this year’s event,” Elliott exclaimed. “Bridgeport is one of my favorite tracks. The faster you go, the better I like it,” Elliott added.
Elliott will be competing for the win on Tuesday night along with drivers like Glenn Elliot, Dale Hollidge, Bryan Bernheisel, Donnie Lingo, Kenny & Mark Pettyjohn and others. Racing gets underway with qualifying at 7:30.