Laubach Launches to Bridgeport Victory
BRIDGEPORT, NJ (May 28, 2005) – Determination was the phrase of the night this past Saturday at Bridgeport. Track crews--determined to get the Memorial Day special in despite the heavy, but brief, showers that hit in the early afternoon. Quakertown, PA’s, Rick Laubach—determined to overcome his quasi-successful 2004 season, hoping to make 2005 another break-out year. The Jasper Sprint Car Series – determined to get a feature event in after the cancellation of the previous three scheduled events. All would overcome their obstacles as Hampton Inn presented racing action Saturday Night.
The Lincoln Auto Body #5 of Rick Laubach grabbed the lead after, JD3Graphics Young Gun, Kyle Strickler suffered mechanical problems on a lap 10 restart. Wade Hendrickson, Tommy Beamer, and Kenny Brightbill were all right in toe, chasing down the leader. Opening Day winner, Mike Iles was on the move looking to overcome last weeks upset, his machine showed fifth place by halfway coming from the 22nd starting position. Hendrickson suffered motor problems on lap 23 handing over the second place position to Kenny Brightbill as Iles moved into third. “The Doctor” Danny Johnson gave the J&J Shop #27 the ride of the season as he battled Beamer for the fourth position; until the two were involved in an incident that saw Jamie Mills’ #30 flipping violently down the front stretch, collecting many of the top ten runners. This setup a five lap shootout with Brightbill running in the second position prepared to challenge Laubach for the win. Contact between Brightbill and Iles gave second place to the Active Environmental #711 and gave Laubach the opportunity to pull half a straight-a-way on the second place runner. It was all Laubach at the flag as he grabbed his first victory of the 2005 season and his second win for Deiter Schmidt’s #5 team. Iles continues his streak of strong runs finishing second, with Brightbill, Bottcher and Beamer rounding out the top five.
Torrey Rose captured his first victory at Bridgeport in the Jasper Sprint Car division winning by a “front wing” over Jimmy Wyers. Rose who led flag-to-flag defended his position against strong runs from Wyers, the #77 of Mike Piersig and the #17 of Johnathan Swanson. Wyers finished second, Piersig came home third, Dave Brown finished in fourth and Shane Smith in fifth.
Bill Klingmeyer was the victor of the 20 lap Sportsman race. Klingmeyer grabbed the lead on lap 3 and never looked back. John Kelly finished second with, Point Leader, Sam Wescott in third followed by, JD3Graphics Young Guns, Jimmy Horton IV and Sean Carman.
Chad James grabbed his third victory in the GM Crate Rookie Sportsman division. James, who made a bold 4 wide move to take over second position, inherited the lead after Pat Hires suffered a right rear flat tire while leading the event. Jon Haegele continuted his streak of great finishes coming home second, with Chuck Buchman, Tracy Rocap and Kevin Labs rounding out the top five.
Friday, June 3rd, 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, 4 and under are free. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. with the first Green Flag flying at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 4th, UNION MEMBER NIGHT. Free Admission with a current Union Member card. The Big Block Modifieds “Double Up” for Twin 20 action. Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks and the GM Rookie Sportsman class will also 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, 4 and under are free.
For more information about Bridgeport Speedway and JD3Graphics/Bridgeport Speedway Young Guns visit our website at www.bridgeportspeedway.net or contact the Speedway Office at 856-467-4408.
Big Block Modifieds
Heat 1 – 1. Duane Howard 2. Scott Irwin 3. Rich Acolia 4. Ron Soloman Jr 5. Rick Laubach 6. Mark Forte
Heat 2 – 1. Joe Dekutoski 2. Mike Franz 3. Kyle Strickler 4. Kenny Brightbill 5. Steve Durand 6. Wade Hendrickson
Heat 3 – 1. Bob Sarkisian 2. Steve Bottcher 3. Jamie Mills 4. Danny Johnson 5. Tom Beamer 6. Don Barone
Consi – 1. Kevin Hirthler 2. Mike Iles 3. Ron Seltman 4. Jim Stong 5. Dave Howard 6. Chic Cossabone
Feature – 1. Rick Laubach 2. Mike Iles 3. Kenny Brightbill 4. Steve Bottcher 5. Tom Beamer 6. Don Barone 7. Steve Durand 8. Mark Forte 9. Scott Irwin 10. Ron Seltman 11. Ron Soloman 12. Mike Franz 13. Chic Cossaboone 14. Danny Johnson 15. Kevin Hirthler 16. Jamie Mills 17. Kevin Hirthler 18. Wade Hendrickson 19. Kyle Strickler 20. Dave Howard 21. Bob Sarkisian 22. Duane Howard 23. Rich Acolia 24. Joe Dekutoski
DNQ – Scott Ambruster, Howard O’Neal, Jimmy Chester
Sportsman
Heat 1 – 1. Kevin Collins 2. Steve Lozorak 3. John Kelly 4. Jimmy Horton IV 5. Sean Carman 6. Eric Kormann
Heat 2 – 1. Billy Briggs 2. Billy Harris 3. Tom Miller 4. John Stangle 5. Bob Lineman Jr 6. John Pursell
Heat 3 – 1. Don Bogey 2. Mike Brannigan 3. Richie Pratt Jr 4. Dan Cogdill 5. Bill Klingmeyer 6. Anthony Tramontana
Consi – 1. Mark Forte Jr 2. Jim Britt 3. Troy Lippincott 4. Rob Pierce 5. John Pratt 6. Ron Roberts
Feature – 1. Bill Klingmeyer 2. John Kelly 3. Sam Wescott 4. Jimmy Horton IV 5. Sean Carman 6. Eric Kormann 7. Mike Brannigan 8. Anthony Tramontana 9. Jim Britt 10. Kevin Collins 11. John Pratt 12. John Pursell 13. Billy Harris 14. Billy Briggs 15. Bob Lineman Jr 16. Dan Cogdill 17. Rob Pierce 18. Bob Lilick 19. John Stangle 20. Ron Roberts 21. Steve Lozorak 22. Tom Miller 23. Mark Forte Jr 24. Don Bogey 25. Troy Lipponcott
DNQ – Bob Lilick, John Salvatore Jr, Phil McCloughan, Bob Rambone
Jasper Sprint Cars
Feature – 1. Torrey Rose 2. Jimmy Wyers 3. Mike Piersig 4. Dave Brown 5. Shane Smith 6. Jeff Mueller 7. John Wyers 8. Bob Rasmussen 9. Andrew Weldon 10. Jack Curtis 11. Riki Likowski 12. Tyler Ramirez 13. Tim Iulg 14. Johnathan Swanson 15. Bob Adams 16. Joe Thuet 17. Bill Jackson 18. Mares Stellfox 19. Jeff Fithian 20. Steve Petry 21. Jeff Davis
DNS – Jeff Foote
GM Rookie Crate Sportsman
Feature – 1. Chad James 2. Jon Haegele 3. Chuck Buchman 4. Tracy Rocap 5. Kevin Labs 6. Pat Hires 7. Forrest Peters 8. Joe Pelligrino