KING OF THE BIG BLOCKS TO BE DETERMINED AT THE BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY

KING OF THE BIG BLOCKS TO BE DETERMINED AT THE BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY

Story By: Deb Smith/Bridgeport Speedway

Photos By: Pete MacDonald/RacersGuide.com

The fourth annual running of the King of the Big Blocks comes to the Bridgeport Speedway this Friday and Saturday. This year’s event is sponsored by Spirit Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram in nearby Swedesboro, NJ and Joy Auto Parts out of Green Brook Township.

The Baus Family of Spirit Auto Center has been helping customers to great vehicles at prices for more than twenty-eight years. Located just five miles from the Bridgeport Speedway, you will find a family atmosphere, knowledgeable sales people and reliable parts and service. Several models will be on display during the race weekend. “Spirit Dan” will be on hand to answer any questions and to show off the vehicles on hand. Joy Auto Parts was founded in 1972 and has been providing customers and their community with auto parts and automotive advice since.

With the Bridgeport Speedway being the only track in the Garden State who headlines Big Block Modifieds, Speedway Management wanted to offer a high dollar event to feature their Big Block Division since most of the special events throughout the Tri-State area are for the Small Block Modifieds at this time of the year. And so the King of the Big Blocks was born in fall of the 2016 season,.

The two day event will feature the Small Block Modifieds and Sunbelt Rentals Outlaw Stocks on Friday night with racing getting underway at 7 pm. Practice sessions will also be offered for the Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds and the South Jersey Overhead Door 602 Crate Sportsman throughout Friday night’s program as these competitors prepare for Saturday’s competition.

Saturday will see the Big Block Modifieds and 602 Crate Sportsman in competition. In addition to the King of the Big Block title being on the line both divisions will also be competing for cards for their 2019 Poker Series hands.

Frank Cozze was the winner of the Small Block Modified portion of the first King of the Big Blocks back in 2016. Who could forget the battle royale between the two veterans – Cozze and Billy Pauch – with Cozze picking up the win. Pauch went on to capture the inaugural King of the Big Block events the next day, adding another title to his storied career.

In 2017, it was Jeff Strunk who drove the famed Glen and Bonita Hynemann owned No, 126 to victory in Friday night’s main event. Bridgeport Track Champion, Ryan Watt picked up the win in the King of the Big Blocks the next day adding another big check to his garage wall.

Last year’s Friday night events were cancelled but when Saturday came around, it was Watt again who picked up the win and defended his King of the Big Block title.

The past winners will be in competition this weekend also with Bridgeport regulars Richie Pratt, Jr., Neal Williams, Matt Stangle, Tommy Beamer, Jim Britt, Dominick Buffalino and Brett Ballard to mention a few. The invaders will be competing against the Bridgeport regulars including Billy Pauch, Jr., Craig VonDohren, Brett Kressley, Jeff Strunk and Sam Martz, With a $10,000 payday for the winneer, this event always attracts drivers from throughout the area as well as many fans who have marked this event on their calendars at the beginning of the season.

Pit gates will open at 4 pm on Friday. Grandstands open at 6 pm. General admission is $25, Students (10-15) are $10 with children nine and under for free. On Saturday, the pit gates will open at 2 pm with the grandstands opening at 4 pm. General admission is $30 on Saturday, Students (10-15) for $10 and children 9 and under are free. Or, a General Admission Fan Pass can be purchased for both days for $45.

Come early and enjoy all that the Bridgeport Speedway has to offer. Live music! A Bounce House and a wooden Monster truck for the kids to play on. Great food from the Bridgeport concession stands. Take a ride on the Bandit Bus with the Bridgeport mascot to view the action behind the scenes in the pit area. Take home a t-shirt or sweatshirt as a souvenir from the Bridgeport Speedway And don’t forget to pick up your copy of the Bridgeport Bullet – the official program of the Bridgeport Speedway – so you will be able to follow the night’s action!

We are Bridgeport – the only track in New Jersey to offer Big Block Modifieds; we are committed to maintaining a safe, fun, family atmosphere, creating life-lasting memories of excitement.