Pratt Pounces, Picks Up Number Three

BRIDGEPORT, NJ (July 23, 2005)- Sewell, NJ's Richie Pratt Jr. proved once again that he can "run with the big boys," squeezing past Billy Pauch and just barely edging him at the line to win Friday Night at the Bridgeport Speedway.

Pratt, wheeling his Lipinski Snow Service #10x Bicknell mount, powered past early leader Jimmy Chester at the halfway mark with Billy Pauch and Jimmy Horton right in toe. Pauch, showing third by lap 10, moved into the runner-up position just 3 laps later. After battling back and forth side-by-side, Billy Pauch in the Pioneer Pole Buildings Bicknell #1 motored past Pratt on lap 19, only to see the yellow wave and the lap not counted. On the restart, GR Smith in the Joel's Auto Repair #19 Dirt Wheels machine made a bold three-wide pass down the front stretch to take the top spot going into turn 1. Smith would appear to be heading to victory lane, when the car pushed up the race track allowing Pratt and Pauch to slide underneath sending Smith back to third. Pratt and Pauch drag raced to the line at the checkered. Richie Pratt Jr. would go on to take the victory by 1/10th of a second over Billy Pauch, GR Smith settled for third, Jimmy Horton came home fourth with Jimmy Chester rounding out the top five.

Don Bogey, of Deptford, NJ, dominated the GM Crate Sportsman Feature Event. Bogey grabbed the lead from Hamilton, NJ's John Bangs at the halfway point and held off hard charges from "The Outlaw" Eric Kormann. Kormann would come home second with John Micek in third, and rookies Jon Haegele and Chad James rounding out the top five.

Sam Casella picked up his first victory of the season coming from 15th starting position in the 600cc Micro Sprint Feature. Casella, put on a hard-fought battle with last weeks winner, Bill Thomas and Phil Meisner Jr. Thomas and Meisner settled for second and third respectively with George Ulmer coming home fourth and Ronnie Tobias rounding out the top five. Stewart Carmichael grabbed the win in the 600 Micro Dash for Cash.

Mike King picked up his first victory of the season in the 270cc Micro Sprint Feature event. King took advantage of his front row starting position and held off Point Leader Jim Wyers. Shaun Ratchford came home in third, with Jay and Jeff Hartman rounding out the top five.

Jim Hughes picked up his fourth 4 Cylinder Stock victory of the season edging Jeff Walls by 1/100th of a second at the line. Brian Crisman came home third and Dave Bentley, Jr. in fourth and Mike Hughes in fifth.

Wednesday July 27 - We hear legends and myths of "Great" drivers… Christened as Elite, Super and All-Stars… but do they have the GUTS to take on the Famed five-eighths mile and THE BRIDGEPORT BADBOYS?? Hoffman Bros. Speed and Performance presents The Walt Chernokal Memorial. The Big Block Modifieds headline the three division show with a $4000-to-win 40 Lap feature event. The Sportsman division run for $1000 in their 25 Lap event and the ARDC Midgets run with wings on the 1/4 Mile. Open 13x92 Track Tire is required. 100 Bonus Points will be offered to all competitors. No Pit License is required. Pit Admission is $25. Gates Open at 5:30 with Racing at 7:00. $20 for Adults, $10 for students, $5 for kids and 5 and under are free.

Friday July 29 - Our Regular Friday Night Program features a full five-division card headlined by the 358 DIRT Modifieds, also in action on the 5/8th track will be the GM Crate Sportsman. Also in ¼ Mile action will be the 600cc Micro Sprints, along with the 270cc Micro Sprints and 4 Cylinder Stocks. 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 July 30 --. URC Sprint Cars blast into the Bridgeport Speedway. The Mighty Modifieds in an exciting 25 Lap feature event and The Sportman and Outlaw Stocks will be in competition with full qualifying races and exciting feature events. All that plus Gifts, Games and Prizes! Plus it's Bike Night! Bring your Motorcycle for Free Admission! Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students, $5 for kids and 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 Modified
Heat 1 - 1. Jimmy Horton 2. Jesse Hill 3. Billy Pauch Jr. 4. Ryan Beltz 5. Tom Pompei 6. David Van Horn Jr.
Heat 2 - 1. Wade Hendrickson 2. GR Smith 3. John Pratt 4. Billy Pauch 5. Stan Frankenfield Jr. 6. John Stangle
Heat 3 - 1. Jimmy Chester 2. Richie Pratt 3. Tommy Beamer 4. Brian Kressley 5. Joe Dekutoski 6. Jared Petruska
Consi - 1. Tom Solderich 2. Drew Ricco 3. Dale Crouch 4. Clyde Cox 5. Howard O'Neal 6. Mark Schweibinz
Feature - 1. Richie Pratt Jr. 2. Billy Pauch 3. GR Smith 4. Jimmy Horton 5. Jimmy Chester 6. Brian Kressley 7. Jesse Hill 8. Howard O'Neil 9. Ryan Beltz 10. John Pratt 11. Mark Schweibinz 12. Dale Crouch 13. David VanHorn Jr. 14. Joe Dekutoski 15. Tom Solderich 16. John Stangle 17. Stan Frankenfield Jr 18. Tom Pompei 19. Clyde Cox 20. Jared Petruska 21. Wade Hendrickson 22. Billy Pauch Jr. 23. Tommy Beamer 24. Drew Ricco
DNQ- Keith Nonnamacker, Steve Warren, Doug Ostwald, Ron Hartrum, Mike Franz

GM Crate Sportsman
Feature - 1. Don Bogey 2. Eric Kormann 3. John Micek 4. Jon Haegele 5. Chad James 6. Mike Fattori 7. Norman Short 8. Mike Hires 9. Warren Floyd, Jr. 10. Chuck Hopkins 11. Forrest Peters 12. Dustin Hoffman 13. Pat Hires 14. John Bangs 15. Chuck Buchman 16. Lee Nardelli

600cc Micro Sprints
Feature - 1. Sam Casella 2. Bill Thomas 3. Phil Meisner Jr. 4. George Ulmer 5. Ronnie Tobias 6. Gary Hunter 7. Matt Esham 8. Stewart Carmichael 9. Glenn Heverin 10. Mark Harkleroad 11. Dan Biggs 12. Barry Racan 13. Chuck Sherby 14. Jack Conover 15. Robbie Nixon 16. Robbie Stillwagon 17. Dave Graziano 18. Jamie Durboraw 19. Rick Stief 20. Davey Sammons 21. Rick Panzer 22. Bruce Tharp

270cc Micro Sprints
Feature - 1. Mike King 2. Jim Wyers 3. Shaun Ratchford 4. Jay Hartman 5. Jeff Hartman 6. Frank Venezia 7. Jesse Hartman 8. Jimmy Cammock 9. Jessica Lindmeier 10. John Blanda 11. Eddie Wagner 12. Steve Caslop 13. Steve Gasapari 14. Michael Creamer 15. Paul Snyder 16. John Chalmers 17. Bill Springer 18. Ryan Stillwagon 19. Jeff Ubell

4- Cylinder Stocks
Feature - 1. Jim Hughes 2. Jeff Walls 3. Brian Crisman 4. Dave Bentley 5. Mike Hughes 6. Terry Sammons 7. Ian Wray 8. Warren Stradley 9. Fred Martin 10. Joe Meron 11. Dave Bentley Sr. 12. Dave Damiano 13. Craig Kerns 14. Ken Wallace 15. Roy Combs

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