HENDRICKSON RUMBLES ON THE RIVER TO CAPTURE POKER SERIES VICTORY AT BRIDGEPORT

HENDRICKSON RUMBLES ON THE RIVER TO CAPTURE POKER SERIES VICTORY AT BRIDGEPORT

Story By: Deb Smith/Bridgeport Speedway

Photos By: Jim Brown/RacersGuide.com

Wade Hendrickson has always considered the Bridgeport Speedway 5/8th mile his home track. Since his first feature win there in May of 1999, Hendrickson has done some of his best racing on the Logan Township surface.

On Thursday night, Hendrickson earned his 60th Bridgeport feature win in the Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds, moving him one win closer to third place , Billy Pauch, on the All Time Feature Winner’s list. “I learned to race here,” Hendrickson told the crowd of fans, “It’s been a special place in my heart. I had to win one last one here,” Hendrickson said, referencing the changes coming to the Bridgeport Speedway next season.

Hendrickson’s daughter, Brooke, drew the pole for her dad and his Pat Michael owned No. 51m. Hendrickson is not known for having any luck when it comes to drawing for position.

Hendrickson led every lap of the NAPA Auto Parts sponsored event. Danny Bouc, driving Hendrickson’s former ride – the Craig and Lesley Pondish owned C&S Equipment No. 6 – who offered Hendrickson’s biggest challenge as he raced from his thirteenth place starting position to challenge for the win. Bouc picked off the competition in the top five, one by one, until he got to Hendrickson. A caution with two laps to go gave Bouc his final shot on the single file restart. Hendrickson used his experience on the restart, slowing down the field, knowing that he would have the jump on the challenger’s small block engine. And he was right.

Hendrickson took the win over Bouc who was all smiles after the race. The second place finish marked Bouc’s best attempt at Bridgeport this season and he was well pleased with his car’s performance.

Billy Pauch finished third in a throwback paint scheme of the L car on a night that he Cimpko family paid tribute to the late Tom Cimpko who played an important role in Pauch’s career.

Dominick Buffalino finished fourth in the Horton No. 76, edging out Jimmy Horton at the start/finish line. Richie Pratt, Jr. finished sixth followed by Neal Williams, Jim Britt, Rick Laubach and Roger Manning.

The Cimko Family added an additional $1,000 to the winner’s purse plus and additional $500 for fifth (Horton) and $800 for eighth place (Britt).

The win was worth $5,000 for Hendrickson in addition to an Ace for this 2019 Poker Series hand. The three Poker Series events have been won by three different drivers – Pauch, Horton and now, Hendrickson.

Travis Hill drove the Cogdill No. 98H to victory for the second time this season in the South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Crate Sportsman feature.

Hill led every lap of the twenty lap main event to claim victory over Tom Sherby Jr. Wayne Weaver finished third followed by Matt Peck and Eric Kormann. James Hill, Jim Gallagher, Jr., Bobby Bracall, Ernie Miles III and Rick Wegner.

Rich Stinson, Jr. raced to his second consecutive win and fifth of the season in the Sunbelt Rental Outlaw Stock feature event.

Brian Ludwig led the way for the first two times around the track before Stinson raced into the lead after starting third at the green.

It was all Stinson for the remainder of the race as Tom Wills, Jr. picked off positions one by one from his eighth place start. Wills was racing for third at half way.

Stinson took the win with a healthy lead over Wills who edged out Ludwig at the finish line for second. Lee Allen finished fourth with Jeff Dirkes rounding out the top five.

The next race at the Bridgeport Speedway will be Scout Night on Saturday, August 24th when racing returns to the 5/8th mile track.

SUMMARY – RUMBLE ON THE RIVER POKER SERIES HAND #3

SPIRIT AUTO CENTER BIG BLOCK MODIFIEDS (40 laps)

1. Wade Hendrickson, 2. Danny Bouc, 3. Billy Pauch, Sr., 4. Dominick Buffalino, 5. Jimmy Horton, 6. Richie Pratt, Jr., 7. Neal Williams, 8. Jim Britt, 9. Rick Laubach, 10. Roger Manning, 11. Ryan Krachun, 12. David Hunt, 13. Don Cogdill, III, 14. Jeramy Doerr, 15. Ron Roberts, 16. Matt Stangle, 17. Mike Franz, 18. Brett Ballard, 19. Brandon Grosso, 20. Tommy Beamer

SOUTH JERSEY OVERHEAD DOOR 602 CRATE SPORTSMAN (20 laps)

1. Travis Hill, 2. Tom Sherby, 3. Wayne Weaver, 4. Matt Peck, 5. Eric Kormann, 6. James Hill, 7. Jim Gallagher, Jr., 8. Bobby Bracall, 9. Ernie Mile, III, 10. Rich Wegner, Jr., 11. David Hartman, 12. Tom Holding, 13. Tom Moore, Jr., 14. Ryan Simmons, 15. Pete Serra, 16. Joe Toth, 17. Scott Hulmes

SUNBELT RENTALS OUTLAW STOCKS (15 laps)

1. Rich Stinson, Jr., 2. Tom Wills, Jr., 3. Brian Ludwig, 4. Lee Allen, 5. Jeff Dirkes, 6. Andrew Joslin, 7. Justin Nowlen, 8. Billy Wroble, 9. Ken Moren, 10. Nick Sandone III, 11. John Parker, 12. Paul Donahue