ELEVENTH ANNUAL FRIENDS OF MIKE EVENT GOES TO SAM MARTZ
Story By:KOBY RAMEY / BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY Photos By:PETE MACDONALD / RACERSGUIDE.COM
Bridgeport NJ- June 17, 2016-Whitehouse, NJ driver, Sam Martz is the only driver to have competed in every one of the eleven Friends of Mike events. As a matter of fact, Race Director, Danny Serrano recognized Martz for his support during last year’s event.
This year, Martz created his own “award” when he drove to the win in the 45 lap Friends of Mike race that also served as the third hand of the 811 Dig Safely 2016 Poker Series. In addition to the $5,000 check, Martz earned an “Ace” for his Poker Series win, joining Dominick Buffalino and Duane Howard who have been winners this season in previous 811 Dig Safely Poker Series events.
Martz, who is currently second in the Bridgeport Speedway point standings to 2013 Bridgeport Champion, Ryan Watt, had it all go his way. Martz had his son, Sammy draw for his starting position in the main event and Sammy came through by drawing the pole for his dad.
Martz and Craig VonDohren led the starting field to the green flag with Martz grabbing the lead as the leaders came off of turn two on the first lap. 2012 Bridgeport Champion, Rick Laubach moved into second on a lap two restart. Laqubach actually edged ahead of Martz on a lap eight restart but the caution flag waved before another lap could be scored and Laubach’s efforts were negated. Martz went back out in front when the race restarted and never looked back.
Tenth place starter, Dominick Buffalino took over third on lap eight and after starting seventeenth in the field, Ryan Watt raced into fourth on the same lap. Eleventh place starter, Duane Howard broke into the top five one lap later.
Buffalino raced by Laubach for second on lap eleven.
After five cautions during the early laps, the remainder of the race went caution free, allowing Martz to stretch his lead before he caught up to the back of the field at the race’s mid-point. Racing through lapped traffic allowed Buffalino, Laubach, Ryan Watt and Duane Howard to chase down the leader but Martz was able to keep a car length or two ahead of his challengers most of the way to the checkered flag.
On one occasion, Buffalino actually came within striking distance. “I never saw anyone but I could hear motors behind me,” Martz stated. “But I didn’t know who it was.”
Martz led the way to the checkered flag and the win over the star studded field followed by Buffalino, Laubach, Watt and Howard. VonDohren, the winner of the last two Friends of Mike races, Stewart Friesen, Brett Kressley, Jesse Hill and Richie Pratt, Jr. rounded out the top ten.
Martz held the trophy high with pride. “I’m tired of the invaders coming here and winning,” but Martz put a stop to that.
Brian Papiez has always wanted to win a race at the Bridgeport Speedway and Papiez did just that when he drove into the lead of the twenty lap Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman feature, taking the lead from polesitter, Adam Cox with on lap five.
Papiez led the rest of the way to the checkered, taking the win of Eric Kormann who was able to close the gap on the leader but not able to challenge for the lead. Kris Lilick finished third with Jeremy Harrington taking fourth over last week’s first time feature winner, Matt Stangle. David Crossman, Stephen Kemery, Clyde Cox, Adam Cox and Bill Briggs completed the top ten in the running order at the finish line.
Action returns to the Bridgeport and Spirit Auto Center Quarter Mile this Saturday with Bridgeport’s first Pack the House Night. Grandstand admission is FREE! Fans will get to see the Crate/Sportsman, Rookies, Outlaw Stocks and Sprint Cars of Tri-State Race Savers on the 5/8th mile track in addition to 270cc and 600cc Micro Sprint, 4 & 8 Cylinder Enduros and Slingshots on the quarter mile. All for FREE!! Racing gets underway at 6pm.
HAND #3 OF THE 811 DIG SAFELY 2016 POKER SERIES – FRIENDS OF MIKE RESULTS
Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds (45 laps) – 1. Sam Martz, 2. Dominick Buffalino, 3. Rick Laubach, 4. Ryan Watt, 5. Duane Howard, 6. Craig VonDohren, 7. Stewart Friesen, 8. Brett Kressley, 9. Jesse Hill, 10. Richie Pratt, Jr. 11. Jordan Watson, 12. Ryan Anderson, 13. Jim Britt, 14. Ron Roberts, 15. Stan Frankenfield, Jr., 16. Ryan Krachun, 17. CJ Jones, 18. Frank Cozze, 19. Ricky DiEva, 20. Jimmy Horton, 21. Steve Davis, 22. Kyle Borror, 23. Scott Ambruster, 24. Joseph Watson, 25. Jeff Strunk, 26. Ryan Godown, 27. Mike Iles, DNQ – Matt Peck, Ryan Grim, Brad Roberts, Mike Franz, Bob Sarkisian, Neal Williams
Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman (20 laps) 1. Brian Papiez, 2. Eric Kormann, 3. Kris Lilick, 4. Jeremy Harrington, 5. Matt Stangle, 6. David Crossman, 7. Steve Kemery, 8. Clyde Cox, 9. Adam Cox, 10. Bill Briggs, 11. Tom Princiotta, 12. Frank Holmes, 13. Scott Hulmes, 14. Jason Bittner, 15. Melissa, Scarpati, 16. Jeramy Doerr, 17. Kevin Belmont, DNS – Pete Visconti, Brandon Grosso, Bob Lilick
