Howard on Hot Streak at Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT, NJ (May 21, 2005)— Despite showers in all surrounding areas, Bridgeport Speedway was the only show in New Jersey, as management overcame Mother Nature. Fans rushed to the 5/8th dirt oval, some arriving as late as 9:30 PM, to witness three and four-wide racing action.

Duane Howard continued a season long hot streak of great finishes as the Big Springs Car Wash #126 captured its third victory in only five feature events. Howard, who is also the defending Modified Champion, has finished no worse then second so far this season.

“This team is just un-real,” Howard said of the Hynemann owned #126. “Eventually, this streak might have to end, so we’re going to ride it out as long as we can.”

Mike Iles appeared to be the car to beat early on in the 25 lap feature event. Iles moved the Active Environmental #711 from the sixteenth starting position to show third by the fourth trip around the speedway. Iles would grab the lead on a restart just one lap later, with Duane Howard right on his tail powering past Steve Durand to take over the second position. The top five were under a blanket, as seconds later Howard was pushed back to fifth place when Jamie Mills made a valiant three-wide pass moving himself to third and moving Wade Hendrickson to fourth. It was only one lap later when Howard moved back into second position chasing down and closing in on Mike Iles. It was the Dirt Wheels Duo of Iles and Howard battling back and forth for the top spot, until an overanxious Iles drove in too hard spinning the #711. It was all Howard for the remainder of the feature event as he racked up his third victory of the 2005 racing season. Coming home in second was the J&M Roofing #85 of Wade Hendrickson, followed by Ricky Elliott in the Sal DeBruno #0, Jamie Mills, and Steve Bottcher.

Grenloch, NJ’s Sam Wescott picked up the victory in the Sportsman feature becoming the fourth different feature winner in just as many events. Richie Pratt dominated the event, grabbing the lead at the halfway mark, until he was penalized four positions for jumping a prior restart, handing the lead over to Wescott and setting-up a one lap shootout, with Pratt restarting in the fifth position. Wescott grabbed the win at the line with Jim Britt, John Pratt, Richie Pratt, and Bob Lilick rounding out the top five.

Pat Conaway picked up his fourth straight victory in the Outlaw Stock feature event. The #US2 dominated the event with Ken Watson crossing the line second, with a flat tire, Bob Dooley was third, Jeff Dirkes was fourth and Gary Klimczak finishing fifth.

Chuck Buchman won the GM Crate Rookie Feature event with Chad James coming home second, Jon Haegele coming home third and picking up his third consecutive top three finish, Pat Hires was fourth with Forrest Peters coming home fifth.

Alyssa Sharman graciously handed over the crown of Miss Bridgeport to Hamilton, NJ’s Jenna Stanton. Jenna will represent the speedway at various promotional activities and events.

Friday May 27, a full five-division card headlined by the 358 DIRT Modifieds as the top finishing DIRT legal car will earn a guaranteed spot at the “Moody Mile” in October. Also in action on the 5/8th track will be the GM Crate Sportsman, Eric Kormann looks to go 3 for 3, as point leader Mike Fattori hopes to hold on to the top spot. 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, May 28, Armed Forces Night/BIKE NIGHT. Those with a Military ID can “Buy One, Get one Free.” Bring in your equipment to display behind the grandstands before and during the evening’s events. Also it’s BIKE NIGHT come show off your stuff behind the grandstands. Anything can happen in the last 5 Laps as the Big Block Modifieds compete in an extra-distance 30 lapper with $3000 going to the winner, Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks, Jasper Sprint Seres and the GM Rookie Sportsman class will also be in competition with full qualifying races and exciting feature events. An added Demolition Derby is also on the card. 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.

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.

May 21, 2005

Big Block Modifieds

Heat 1 – 1. Ron Seltman 2. Kenny Brightbill 3. Scott Ambruster 4. Mike Franz 5. Wade Hendrickson 6. Jimmy Chester

Heat 2 – 1. Jamie Mills 2. Kyle Strickler 3. John Dixon 4. Ricky Elliott 5. Steve Bottcher 6. Ron Solomon Jr

Heat 3 – 1. Duane Howard 2. Tom Beamer 3. Doug Hoffman 4. Mike Iles 5. Steve Durand 6. Rick Laubach

Consi – 1. Rich Tobias 2. Jimmy Horton 3. Kevin Hirthler 4. Mark Forte 5. Don Barone 6. Jason Hamilton

Feature – 1. Duane Howard 2. Wade Hendrickson 3. Ricky Elliott 4. Jamie Mills 5. Steve Bottcher 6. Mike Iles 7. Rick Laubach 8. Steve Durand 9. Jimmy Chester 10. Scott Ambruster 11. Kevin Hirthler 12. Mark Forte 13. Kenny Brightbill 14. Rich Tobias 15. Jason Hamilton 16. Jimmy Horton 17. Kyle Strickler 18. Ron Solomon 19. Tom Beamer 20. Don Barone 21. John Dixon 22. Ron Seltman 23. Doug Hoffman 24. Mike Franz.

DNQ—Dave Howard, Scott Irwin, John Townsend, Bob Sarkisian, Gary Hager, Jim Stong, Phil Vasques, Joe Dekutoski, Rich Acolia

Sportsman

Heat 1- 1. Richie Pratt Jr. 2. Billy Harris 3. Jim Britt 4. Jimmy Horton IV 5. Bob Lineman Jr. 6. Anthony Tramontana

Heat 2 – 1. Mark Forte Jr. 2. Sam Wescott 3. Kevin Collins 4. Tom Miller 5. Dan Cogdill 6. Bruce Hirthler

Heat 3 – 1. John Pursell 2. Bob Lilick 3. Billy Briggs 4. John Salvatore Jr. 5. Jim Dallett 6. Rob Pierce

Consi – 1. Sean Carman 2. John Pratt 3. John Stangle 4. Mike Brannigan 5. Andy Miller 6. Eric Kormann

Feature – 1. Sam Wescott 2. Jim Britt 3. John Pratt 4. Richie Pratt 5. Bob Lilick 6. Sean Carman 7. Tom Miller 8. Ron Roberts 9. Bob Lineman Jr 10. Anthony Tramontanta 11. Eric Kormann 12. Mark Forte Jr 13. Mike Brannigan 14. John Stangle 15. John Pursell 16. Andy Miller 17. Jack McCallion 18. Phil McCloughan 19. Dan Cogdill 20. Billy Harris 21. John Salvatore 22. Kevin Collins 23. Bruce Hirthler 24. Jim Dallett 25. Jimmy Horton IV 26. Rob Pierce 27. Billy Briggs

Points Provisional – Ron Roberts

DNQ – Robert Wyant, Ron Roberts, Troy Lippincott, Don Bogey, Bill Klingmeyer, Jack Swain, Steve Lozorak

GM Crate Rookie

Feature – 1. Chuck Buchman 2. Chad James 3. Jon Haegele 4. Pat Hires 5. Forrest Peters 6. Kevin Labs 7. Charles Hopkins 8. Tracy Rocap 9. Mike Hires 10. Danny Dorf

Outlaw Stock

Feature – 1. Pat Conaway 2. Ken Watson 3. Jesse DeGarmo 4. Jeff Dirkes 5. Gary Klimczak 6. Rick Erdbrink 7. Jim Honaker 8. Jim Erdbrink 9. Tom Grace 10. Joe Trumbetti 11. Mike Panza 12. Joe Ecret