Plenty of Talent Headed to Bridgeport this Friday & Saturday
Story By: KOLBY RAMEY / BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY MEDIA
Photos By: DAVE DALESANDRO / RACERSGUIDE.COM
Sweedsboro NJ.- March 24, 2017- This weekend is shaping up to be a one to remember for all those who will be attending Bridgeport Speedway. For the fifth consecutive year Bridgeport and their staff will be honoring the late Doug Hoffman and just what he meant to the track and racing in general. However, for the first time in it’s history, the ’60over Special’ event will now be a two day racing affair.
Everything kicks off on Friday, March 24 with 358 small blocks headlining the program. The D.A.’s Auto Body Rookies will be competing in their first race of the season and the Big Blocks, Crate/Sportsman, and the Outlaw Stocks will be hot lapping throughout the night trying to lock into Saturday’s feature events. Then on Saturday, Hand one of this year’s Poker Series will take place with the Big Blocks fighting for a $4,400 first place prize in their 44-lap race, while the Crate/Sportsman duke it out for $1,000 in their 25-lap tussle, and the Outlaw Stocks battle it out for $500 in a 15-lap event. Live music, Bandit Bus rides, Moon Bounce, Frisbee Redraw Giveaway, Doug Hoffman model car raffles, and most of all great side by side racing is what’s in store for everyone this weekend at Bridgeport.
Many of the Northeast’s top name drivers have been reaching out to the track to confirm that they’ll be in attendance this coming weekend.
Current Camping World Nascar Truck driver Stewart Friesen will be making the tow to South Jersey as he will be doing double duty in his Halmar International No. 44.
Joining Friesen, is fellow NY chauffer Danny Johnson. The ‘Doctor’ loves making house calls to Bridgeport’s 5/8 mile facility.
The track’s all-time feature winner Jimmy Horton, who’s coming off a huge win down at Georgetown, will be returning to his old stomping grounds this weekend as well.
Duane Howard, last year’s Colonial Pipeline/811 Dig Safely Poker Series Champion, will be looking to pull out another ‘Ace’ from his sleeve on opening day. Howard will be behind the wheel of Norm Hansell’s No. 357 on both nights.
Teenager Ryan Krachun will make his debut behind the of the well-kown Lincoln Auto Body No. 5. Krachun has run well in his few starts at Bridgeport and hopes to represent the once driven Doug Hoffman machine.
Jeff Strunk will be piloting the well-known Hynemann No. 126 that has driven to so many Bridgeport victories. The Bechtelsville Bullet wants nothing more than to shake that monkey on his back when it comes to the 5/8 mile.
David VanHorn is headed to Bridgeport this weekend piloting the Racer’s Guide No.323. VanHorn would like to compete for the Poker Series title and Saturday could be a huge step in the right direction.
Ryan Godown will making his assault on Bridgeport in the Atlas Paving/Petruska No. 66 this weekend. Both car owner and driver know how to get it done at the 5/8 mile. This combo could be the team to beat!
Jordan Watson is another driver who has his sight set on being the 811 Dig Safely Poker Series champion in 2017. Watson was strong at Georgetown as he advanced more positions than any other driver.
The ‘Cream Ridge Bad Boy’ PJ Oliver will be driving an hour south this weekend as he will be mixing it up with the best in the business in his always sharp-looking No. 13xxx
Brett Kressley shocked everyone with his first Big Block victory last season at Bridgeport. After backing it up on several occasions, Kressley is now considered one of the guys to beat at every special event race held at Bridgeport.
Mike White will be trekking north to Bridgeport for the 5th Annual Doug Hoffman Memorial race in his familiar No. 43. The self-owned machine sponsored by Plum Creek Farms & Carey’s Towing always knows the quick way around Bridgeport.
Pennsylvania driver Kyle Borror is extremely looking forward to coming back to Bridgeport to compete on Friday night. The Grandview small block driver enters as many Bridgeport shows as his schedule allows every season.
Kevin Sockriter will towing the No. 55 north on Fri
day night to compete in the Small Block division. Kevin’s been a strong competitor down in his home state of Delaware.
Delaware driver, Shawn Ward is excited about returning to Bridgeport Speedway. Ward likes to run The Port when his schedule allows him to do so. Look for the pristine looking No. 7 this weekend.
John Pakenham who supports the 5/8 when he can will be doing double duty this weekend. “The Puma” will be piloting his self-owned No. 18 Big and Small Block.
Billy Pauch Jr will be steering the Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz No. 51 on both Friday and Saturday. Junior has more shows at Bridgeport scheduled in 2017 than any other year prior.
Danny Bouc informed Bridgeport that he’ll be in the house this weekend. Friday for certain and possibly for Saturday. Bouc loves going fast and Bridgeport is the place he makes that happen!
Frank Cozze has indicated that he’ll be doing double duty the entire weekend. Cozze will bring his new No.401 to South Jersey, as he races in the Doug Hoffman Memorial.
Justin Grim will be making a rare appearance at Bridgeport this weekend. The Grandview/Big Diamond driver is eager to get the season going.
There will probably be a few more drivers on the ‘Invader List’ but these are the ones that have informed us that they’ll be competing.
Now if those driver’s aren’t enough to get the blood pumping what about all the Bridgeport Hot Shoes that will be in the house each and every week throughout the 2017 season.
2013 & 2016 Big Block track champion Ryan Watt will be doing double duty with his Big & Small Blocks at Bridgeport. Watt always puts on a show for the fans each week with his routine charges to the front of the pack.
Rick Laubach will be steering the Ryan Kerr-owned No. 1K and the Gary & Lori Hermann-owned No. 7 this weekend. The 2012 track champion is ready for another stellar year at the 5/8 mile in 2017
Sam Martz has been a fine addition to the weekly field since joining the Bridgeport Family in 2013. Martz is the defending Friends of Mike winner and finished 3rd in points last season.
Wade Hendrickson and the Craig & Leslie Pondish-owned No. 6 will be a threat as always. The ‘Flying Farmer’ showed the invaders the quick way around Bridgeport in last year’s South Jersey Shootout by winning one for the home team.
Billy Pauch Sr has went on record stating that he’ll call Bridgeport his home for the 2017 season. ‘The Kid’ sits 3rd on the all-time win list while also owning 3 track championships. Pauch fans are pumped for the new season!
Richie Pratt felt rejuvenated after last year’s Wildcard Weekend performance. Pratt will be doing double duty in his familiar family-owned No. 28 cars this weekend. ‘Last Lap’ Pratt will be seeking revenge for a subpar 2016 season.
Neal Williams reunited with long-time car owner and friend Sal Debruno last season. ‘The Wheel’ got stronger and stronger as the season progressed. The Overhead Door car will have a brand new look to it for the ’17 campaign.
Jamie Mills was sidelined for three months in 2016 after a wicked accident at Bridgeport. However, very little stops ‘Jammin’ Jamie from rebounding strongly. Look for the Blue Hen Racing No. 30 to be up front come Saturday while Mills gets back to his ’15 championship form.
David Hunt might just be the ‘dark horse’ of all the drivers this weekend. Another fine addition to Bridgeport since 2013, Hunt is always fast and has collected 5 wins in a short period of time being a regular at the 5/8.
Dominick Buffalino will be returning back to Bridgeport in 2017 with high hopes. The second-generation driver is the defending winner of this race and expects no less than to be standing in victory lane once again in his No. 51M
Tommy Beamer has been known to put on some of the most exciting racing of any driver at Bridgeport in the Big Block division. The Don Thornton-owned No. 31 car drives in harder and higher than anyone on the 5/8.
Jesse Hill will be competing both days in the 358s and the Big Blocks with his familiar No. 99. ‘The Thrill’ had a top 5 run going in the Doug Hoffman event last season until the final turn. Hill will be looking for redemption on Saturday.
Where there’s one Hill-Boy there’s another. Jesse’s brother and former Crate/Sportsman champion Travis Hill will be driving the Joel Boinske No. 19 on in Saturday’s Big Block action. Travis is also a multi-winner in the 600 micro class.
CJ Jones is coming off of a phenomenal Big Block rookie season. Jones captured the ’16 ‘Star of Tomorrow’ award while driving to 2 victories last season. Jones looks to get back to his winning ways this season.
Jim Britt also had a great rookie season in 2016. Britt won in dramatic fashion last year over Duane Howard and finished 7th in the overall point standings. With a new paint scheme and some new equipment, Britt looks to top last year’s efforts.
Third-generation driver Clay Butler will be calling Bridgeport his home track in the 2017 season. Butler will be piloting the Cray Motorsports No. 4B this year with a small block and big block as part of his arsenal.
Ryan Anderson…he’s another ‘dark horse’. Anderson is always fast at the 5/8 complex and he’s had some great finishes to prove it. Anderson will be driving his own No. 27 for most of the shows at Bridgeport this year.
Mike Barone has been eagerly awaiting for the season to start in his No. 267. Barone was sat out most of last year regrouping for 2017. Barone has high hopes this season and will look to start that ball rolling on Saturday.
Mike Franz has been a loyal supporter of Bridgeport for many many years. Franz will be chauffeuring his own No. 28z all year long at the Port.
Ernie Miles III got his feet wet last year in the Big Block division. The former micro sprint driver moved into the Crate/Sportsman class two years ago and has now joined the talents of all the modifieds in 2017.
Ron Roberts will once again be turning left and going fast on the 5/8 mile. Roberts and his familiar No. Z14 have what it takes to pull off the upset this weekend. Let’s see if the crafty veteran can get it done!
Dave Shirk will be calling Bridgeport his Saturday night home once again and looks to get everything going in the right direction this coming weekend. Dave and his crew are looking to turn some heads all year long.
Rusty Smith should be doing double duty this weekend with his small and big block chars. The 2013 Poker Series champion is looking to get back in the mix this year after racing on and off again the past two seasons.
Bob Sarkisian will be steering his always well-maintained No. 47 Big Block on Saturday. Sarkisian won a couple of features in the past few seasons on both the 5/8 and the 1/4 mile. Bob is yet another ‘dark horse’ to win.
We can’t forget about a few more of Bridgeport’s finest. Scottie Ambruster, Pete Visconti, Ricky DiEva, Tom Maccherone, Jack Swain, and Bucky Kell are a few guys that you’ll on Saturday night’s but probably won’t be ready in time for this weekend.
The Crate/Sportsman division will be full of talent as well on Saturday. Outsiders who plan on stealing one away from the home team include Jason Rush, Pat Wall, Frank Dorry, Jeremy Martino, Craig Whitmoyer, Brian Hitz, Brian Papiez, Jordan Henn, and many more. Some of the guys who will look to defend the home turf are Brad Roberts, Matt Stangle, Matt Peck, David Crossman, Dave Damiano, Roger Manning, Chris Jenkins, Adam & Clyde Cox, Stephen Kemery, Eric Kormann, Jeremy Harrington, Scott Hulmes, Billy Briggs, Kevin Belmont, Tom Sherby, Jeff Bubori, Chuck Sayres, Pete Serra, Bobby Bracall, Melissa Scarpati and a bunch more!
The Pennco Tech Outlaw Stocks, who always put on an awesome show for the fans will have Bridgeport’s stars and cars as well as some ‘invaders’ this weekend. Ron Frees, Billy Wroble, Vern McLaughlin, and John Meyer are a few drivers looking to take down the regulars like TJ Henry, Tom Wills Jr., Brian Ludwig, Gary Klimeczak, Spider Ensinger, Jeff Dirkes, Jeramy Doerr, and Mike Creamer.
