Smith Suffers Problems - Still Wins Race

BRIDGEPORT, NJ (August 19, 2005)- Lady Luck was definitely on the side of Folsom, NJ hot shoe, GR Smith as he overcame two major mechanical malfunctions to lead the Joel's Auto Service #19 Dirt Wheels mount to it's third victory of the season, as Stockburger Chevrolet/Chrylser presented "Hot Summer Nights" at the Bridgeport Speedway.

"On that last restart the throttle stuck. I had to use the brakes to drive the car and when they went, I was just holding on," Smith stated in Victory Lane ceremonies.

Early leaders, Tommy Beamer and Brian Kressley put on a great show in the opening stages of the twenty-five lap feature event. The two battled it out side-by-side for the first half with Kressley gaining the advantage. Billy Pauch was a man on the move, challenging Kressley after fighting his way through three wide action to take over the second position. Pauch's night would be short-lived as he retired the Pioneer Pole Building #1 with suspension problems. This left the door open for GR Smith, who had now moved his way into the second position. A lap 17 restart gave Smith the advantage he was looking for, motoring past Kressley into the top spot. Smith remained unchallenged, but it was far from an easy task. GR battled his car through numerous mechanical issues to hold on and take the victory. Richie Pratt, Jr. came home in the second position, Jimmy Chester finished in third, Jimmy Horton crossed the line in fifth and Wade Hendrickson rounded out the top five.

Laurel, DE's, Chad James held off a strong charge from "The Master Crater" Eric Kormann to pick up his first victory during our Friday Night Crate Sportsman Program. James moved the J&J Shop #27Jr. Troyer mount into the lead on the seventh circuit of the event, with Kormann right on his tail. The two sliced and diced for the top spot, but not even a caution with 3 laps remaining was enough to stop James. Kormann would settle for second, Lee Nardelli came home in third, John Micek rode him fourth and Chuck Hopkins rounded out the top five.

Rick Stief came home the victor in the 600cc Micro Sprint division. Stief battled with Glenn Heverin for the top spot, for the length of the race. Taking the lead on the eighth circuit, Stief never looked back. Heverin would settle for second followed by Phil Meisner Jr., Sam Casella and Gary Hunter.

Jeff Hartman picked up the victory in the 270cc Micro Sprint class. Hartman dominated the event grabbing the lead from Ryan Stillwagon on the third circuit and leading the remainder of the 20 lap feature. Stillwagon would ride home second followed by John Blanda, Jimmy Cammock and Luke Fogg.

Jim Hughes battled his way through the pack to pick up the victory in the 4 Cylinder Stock event. Hughes grabbed the lead at the halfway mark and held off a strong run from Jeff Walls, late in the race. Walls would ride home second; Mike Hughes would come home third followed by Dave Bentley, Sr. and Dave Damiano.

Saturday, August 20 - Stockburger Chevrolet-Chrysler presents "Hot Summer Nights" at the Bridgeport Speedway. The Winged Warriors of the Jasper Sprint Car Series roll in to try and tame the famed five-eighth. The Big Block Modified Bridgeport Bad Boys compete in a 25 lap feature event and the Sportsman and Outlaw Stocks will be in competition with full qualifying races and exciting feature events. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students, $5 for kids, and, as always, 5 and under are free. Pit gates open at 3:30 p.m., with Grandstand gates opening at 4:30 p.m., and the first race at 6:30 p.m.

Friday, August 26 - US Food Service presents an exciting night of racing activities. Our 358 DIRT Modifieds and GM Crate Sportsman light-up the "Big Track" with ultra-fast competition and exciting three-wide racing action. Our 1/4 speedway offers tight racing conditions for the 'Winged Warrior' 270cc and 600cc Micro Sprints - and our 4 Cylinder Stock cars battle it out. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students, $5 for kids, and, as always, 5 and under are free. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. with the first Green Flag flying at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 27 - A Pre-race bash like no other kicks off our fourth and final BIKE NIGHT. East Penn Biker Magazine along with Adams Motorsports and the Bridgeport Speedway bring you "Bikes, Cars and Wrestlin'" A Custom Car and Motorcylce show brings in Hot Rods and Hot Bikes from all over the tri-state area. With music from Drag Pipe DJ's and the East Penn Biker Girls it will prove to be the party of the year. Then the Rough and Tough competitors of Professional Wrestling see who will be the "King of the Ring" in four all-out, no holds barred wrestling matches. The Bikes, Cars and Wrestlin' show kicks off at Noon and admission is $5.00.

But the Action Doesn't Stop There! Stick around as US Food Service presents a full night of hardcore racing action. The Big Block Modified "Bridgeport Badboys" live up to their name in a Down and Dirty 25 Lap feature event. The Winged Warriors of the Jasper Sprint Series light up the famed five-eighth mile speedway. Along with the Sportsman and Outlaw Stocks. All divisions compete in full qualifying heat races and exciting feature events. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students, $5 for kids, and, as always, 5 and under are free. Pit gates open at 3:30 p.m., with Grandstand gates opening at 4:30 p.m., and the first race at 6:30 p.m.

358 DIRT Modifieds

Heat 1 - 1. Richie Pratt Jr. 2. Sam Wescott 3. Tommy Beamer 4. Jimmy Horton 5. Jimmy Chester 6. Ryan Godown

Heat 2 - 1. Billy Pauch 2. Brian Kressley 3. Jesse Hill 4. Jason Hamilton 5. Wade Hendrickson 6. GR Smith

Feature - 1. GR Smith 2. Richie Pratt Jr. 3. Jimmy Chester 4. Jimmy Horton 5. Wade Hendrickson 6. Brian Kressley 7. Sam Wescott, Jr. 8. Jesse Hill 9. Jason Hamilton 10. Ryan Beltz 11. John Stangle 12. Billy Briggs 13. Tommy Beamer 14. Billy Pauch 15. Jimmy Spence 16. Drew Ricco 17. John Pratt 18. Eric Matlson 19. Ryan Godown 20. Mark Schweibinz

DNS - Ken Meisner, Steve Warner

GM Crate Sportsman

Feature - 1. Chad James 2. Eric Kormann 3. Lee Nardelli 4. John Micek 5. Chuck Hopkins 6. Mike Fattori 7. Chuck Buchman 8. Mike Hires 9. Pat Hires 10. John Bangs 11. Joe Pellegrino 12. Don Bogey 13. Jon Haegele

600cc Micro Sprints

Heat 1 - 1. Glenn Heverin 2. Sam Casella 3. Jack Conover 4. Rick Stief 5. Davey Sammons 6. Dave Graziano

Heat 2 - 1. Gary Hunter 2. Phil Meisner, Jr. 3. Robbie Stillwagon 4. Stewart Carmichael 5. Bill Thomas 6. Rob Virona

Feature - 1. Rick Stief 2. Glenn Heverin 3. Phil Meisner, Jr. 4. Sam Casella 5. Gary Hunter 6. Robbie Stillwagon 7. Stewart Carmichael 8. George Ulmer 9. Bill Thomas 10. Bill Vanscoy 11. Barry Racan 12. Dave Graziano 13. Rick Panzer 14. Mark Harkleroad 15. Greg Cable 16. Matt Yeager 17. Rob Virona 18. Jack Conover 19. Davey Sammons

270cc Micro Sprints

Heat 1 - 1. Steve Gasapari 2. Jeff Hartman 3. Eddie Wagner 4. John Blanda 5. Jay Hartman 6. Jeff Ubell

Heat 2 - 1. Jimmy Cammock 2. Ryan Stillwagon 3. Luke Fogg 4. Shaun Ratchford 5. Jim Wyers 6. Frank Venezia

Feature - 1. Jeff Hartman 2. Ryan Stillwagon 3. John Blanda 4. Jimmy Cammock 5. Luke Fogg 6. Jay Hartman 7. Jim Wyers 8. Frank Venezia 9. Jessica Lindmeier 10. Shaun Ratchford 11. Eric Trautman 12. Jeff Ubell 13. Joe Kay 14. Eddie Wagner 15. Brett Conkling 16. Mike King 17. Steve Gasapari

4 Cylinder Stocks

Heat 1 - 1. Jim Hughes 2. Dave Bentley, Jr. 3. Mike Hughes 4. Terry Sammons 5. Warren Stradley 6. Roy Combs

Heat 2 - 1. Jeff Walls 2. Dave Bentley, Sr. 3. Dave Damiano 4. Fred Martin 5. Brian Crisman 6. Ken Wallace

Feature - 1. Jim Hughes 2. Jeff Walls 3. Mike Hughes 4. Dave Bentley, Sr. 5. Dave Bentley, Jr. 6. Fred Martin 7. Brian Crisman 8. Warren Stradley 9. Dave Bentley, Jr. 10. Terry Sammons 11. Ken Wallace