THE BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY PRESENTS THE THIRD ANNUAL KING OF THE BIG BLOCKS

THE BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY PRESENTS THE THIRD ANNUAL KING OF THE BIG BLOCKS

Story By: Deb Smith/Bridgeport Speedway

Photos By: George Steigerwalt & Pete MacDonald/RacersGuide.com

One of the biggest weekends of racing is quickly approaching as the Bridgeport Speedway prepares for the third running of the King of the Big Blocks, sponsored by K&A Excavating.

This two day event has become a highlight of the Big Block Modified season. The Bridgeport Speedway management team introduced this event in September of 2016. Since most of the big races at this time of the year are geared toward the Small Block Modifieds, the Bridgeport Speedway wanted to offer an event that would showcase the Big Block Modifieds that are still raced on the lightning fast 5/8th mile track every Saturday night throughout the racing season.

Billy Pauch was Bridgeport’s first King of the Big Blocks as he raced ahead of Jamie Mills to capture the win in the inaugaral event. “I hope that I can do this a few more times before I give it up,” Pauch exclaimed following his big win and he has kept to his word as he has raced to three Bridgeport victories this season in his K&A Excavating No. 1, adding more wins to his third place ranking on the All Time Feature Winners list.

Last year, Ryan Watt had this event circled on his calendar. Watt was forced to play “catch up” during the 2016 event after suffering damage early in the race. Watt made several pit stops and rallied to a top ten finish at the end of fifty laps.

2017 was a different story. After a wheel to wheel battle with Craig VonDohren, Watt raced into the lead on lap thirty-six and never looked back, leading the way to the checkered flag at the end of fifty laps. Watt was on a roll as he added the big check from the King of the Big Blocks to his growing collection.

This year, Friday night’s events will feature the Small Block Modified and Pennco Tech Outlaw Stocks. They will take center stage with qualifying and main events. The Big Blocks and 602 Crate Sportsman will also be able to practice during the night’s action in preparation for Saturday’s big event. Timed hot lap sessions will produce the first two starters in each division for their Saturday night feature events.

With the results that he produced earlier this season, Jeff Strunk has to be considered the man to beat in Friday night’s 358 Small Block Modified event. Strunk accumulated two wins and a second place run on the Design for Visions/Sunglass Central 3/8th mile track during pre-season events. Ryan Godown led Strunk to the checkered in this summer’s Three for All event back in July. And, Strunk is the defending winner the Friday night action last year. Frank Cozze was the Small Block Modified race winner in 2016.

Racing will get underway at 7:30 on Friday with pit gates opening at 4pm and grandstands at 6pm. General admission is $25, Students (10-15) for $10 and children 9 and under are free. There is also a General Admission Fan Pass available for the weekend for $45.

Saturday will feature a double header show with the Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds and Stewart Stainless 602 Crate Sportsman. K&A Excavating is sponsoring both days of racing for the King of the Big Block weekend.

The King of the Big Blocks will be decided at the end of the fifty lap event, paying $10,000 to the winner. The 602 Crate Sportsman will compete in a twenty lap feature event.

This weekend’s events are also a part of the 2018 811 Dig Safe Poker Series with cards up for grabs in all three divisions – Big Blocks, 602 Crate Sportsman and Outlaw Stocks.

Colonial Pipeline asks that you call 8-1-1 before you dig. It’s important to always call 8-1-1 before you begin any digging project, no matter how large or small. Just dial 8-1-1 a few days before beginning to notify your local one-call center of your intent to dig. A representative from your local one-call center will ask for your location and description of your digging project. They will then notify all of the affected utility companies who will send a professional locator to the proposed dig site to mark the approximate location of your underground lines. It’s simple. It’s free and it’s the law.

Pit gates will open at 2pm on Saturday. The gates will swing open in the grandstands at 4pm with racing getting underway at 6:30pm. General admission for Saturday is $30, Students (10-15) for $10 and children 9 and under are free.

There is a great deal of excitement heading into the King of the Big Block weekend. Both fans and competitors alike are looking forward to the two day event after the many rain outs experienced this season.

As always, plan to arrive early and enjoy all that the Bridgeport Speedway has to offer. Live entertainment, great concessions, a Bounce House and a huge Wooden Monster Truck for the kids to play on, and of course, joy the Bridgeport Bandit on the Bandit Bus for a behind the scenes preview. Take home a souvenir Bridgeport Speedway t-shirt or a copy of the Bridgeport Bullet – the official program of the Bridgeport Speedway – as a momento of your visit.

The Bridgeport Speedway continues to provide a safe, fun and family oriented environment for the world’s greatest racing entertainment.