Howard, Conaway, and James Hit For Two In A Row At Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT, NJ (May 7, 2005) – With “Little League-ers” in the grandstands it was a Triple Play on the Speedway, as Duane Howard, Pat Conaway and Chad James each grabbed win number two, in just as many weeks, at the Bridgeport Speedway.

“This team picked up right where we left off last year, this is a great way to start out the season,” said Howard, the 2004 Modified Champion. “We had a great starting spot and I knew once we got out front and got the preferred line we’d be tough to beat,”

A flurry of cautions, including a violent backstretch flip by Steve Durand, plagued early stages of the 25 lap feature event and retired many of top guns: Fritz Epright, Mike Franz, Doug Hoffman, as well as, early leaders Steve Durand, Kyle Strickler and Jamie Mills all found themselves pit side by the lap four mark as crashes or mechanical failure abridged their efforts. When caution fever subsided, Duane Howard capitalized setting the pace for the balance of the event. Behind him, a modified frenzy broke loose as seven, and at one time, nine cars battled neck and neck, three and four wide trying to get a chance at Howard. Ultra-fast track conditions had fans on their feet as they witnessed an 8 lap stretch of action where the machines of Steve Bottcher, Rick Laubach, Mike Iles, Ricky Elliott and Jimmy Chester all claimed the runner-up position, but it was Wade Hendrickson that won the battle, stealing second and setting his sights on the leader. With five to go Howard began to shuffle through lap traffic as mechanical failure sidelined top-5 runners Ricky Elliott and Mike Iles, bringing out the yellow and bunching up the field for the final time. In a last diehard bid, Hendrickson stuck his nose under Howard with three laps to go, and that was all the defending champion needed as he powered away nailing the two remaining laps and picking up his 20th career Modified victory at the Bridgeport Speedway. Wade Hendrickson settled for second in the J&M Roofing #85, with Jimmy Chester, Rick Laubach and Steve Bottcher completing the top five.

Starting on the pole, of the GM Crate Rookie Feature, by luck of the draw, Tracey Rocap wasted no time rocketing out front at the first sight of green. But the man on the move was Chad James, in the J&J Shop #27Jr., as he came from 8th to second in the first two laps. James, gung-ho to grab the win, battled rail-to-rail with Rocap for the next six tours around the speedway gaining the advantage on lap 8 and never looking back. Tracy Rocap finished second, Jon Haegele grabbed third in his initial outing, followed by Chuck Buchman, and Danny Dorf.

Nineteen cars filled the pit area as, Williamstown, NJ’s, Pat Conaway dominated the Outlaw Stock feature taking the victory in exciting fashion. Conaway’s Horn Dental #US2 held off a late race challenge from second place finisher Gary Klimeczak. Following Conaway and Klimeczak at the line were Jesse DeGaumo, Bucky Albreight and Joe Ecret.

Due to unexpected time restraints Track Management was forced to postpone both the Jasper Sprint Car and Sunoco Sportsman feature events. These events will be scheduled at a later date to be announced.

Friday Night, May 13, AJAX Auto Glass presents another full five-division card will be headlined by the 358 DIRT Modifieds in a 25 Lap feature event. Also in action on the 5/8th track will be the GM Crate Sportsman, with the 270cc and 600cc Micro Sprints and 4 Cylinder Stocks running a full program on the ¼ mile track. 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 14, AJAX Auto Glass presents Firefighters/EMT Night. Show your Fire/EMT ID for FREE Admission. Bring in your equipment to display behind the grandstands before and during the evening’s events. The Big Block Modifieds headline the show with a 25 Lap main event. The Sportman, Outlaw Stocks, GM Rookie Sportsman, and the All-Star Truck series will compete in full qualifying races and thrilling main events. PLUS The Modified Invaders battle our Bridgeport Regulars in a Special set of races. 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 www.bridgeportspeedway.net or contact the Speedway Office at 856-467-4408.

May 7, 2005

Big Block Modified

Heat 1 – 1. Duane Howard 2. Steve Durand 3. Kevin Hirthler 4. Rick Laubach 5. Don Barone 6. Jim Stong

Heat 2 – 1. Mike Iles 2. Wade Hendrickson 3. Jimmy Chester 4. Howard O’Neal 5. Fritz Epright 6. Dom Buffalino

Heat 3 – 1. Steve Bottcher 2. Kyle Strickler 3. Jamie Mills 4. Kenny Brightbill 5. Tom Beamer 6. Mark Forte

Consi – 1. Ricky Elliott 2. Doug Hoffman 3. Bob Sarkisian 4. Gary Hager 5. Ron Soloman 6. Mike Franz

Feature – 1. Duane Howard 2. Wade Hendrickson 3. Jimmy Chester 4. Rick Laubach 5. Steve Bottcher 6. Kenny Brightbill 7. Kevin Hirthler 8. Howard O’Neal 9. Ron Soloman 10. Ricky Elliott 11. Mike Iles 12. Jim Stong 13. Don Barone 14. Mark Forte 15. Gary Hager 16. Dom Buffalino 17. Bob Sarkisian 18. Tom Beamer 19. Jamie Mills 20. Doug Hoffman 21. Kyle Strickler 22. Fritz Epright 23. Mike Franz 24. Steve Durand

Jasper Sprint Cars

Heat 1 – 1. Torrey Rose 2. John Wyers 3. Jonathan Swanson 4. Bob Rasmusson 5. Bob Adams 6. Mike Donagy

Heat 2 – 1. Shane Smith 2. Tim Iulg 3. Mares Stellfox 4. Scott McClaren 5. Keither Andersen 6. Rick Likowski

Tonight’s feature event has been postponed due to the 11:30 curfew.

Sportsman

Heat 1 – 1. Sam Wescott 2. Ron Robert 3. Richie Pratt 4. Bill Klingmeyer 5. Tom Miller 6. Bob Lilick

Heat 2 - 1. Bruce Hirthler 2. Sean Carman 3. Eric Korman 4. Jim Dallett 5. Bob Lineman, Jr. 6. John Pursell

Heat 3 – 1. Billy Harris 2. Kevin Collins 3. Dan Cogdill 4. John Stangle 5. Rob Wyant 6. Jimmy Horton IV

Consi – 1. Rob Pierce 2. John Pratt 3. Mike Brannigan 4. Anthony Tramontana 5. Jim Britt 6. Phil Mcloughan

Tonight’s feature event has been postponed due to the 11:30 curfew.

Outlaw Stock

Feature – 1. Pat Conaway 2. Gary Klimeczak 3. Jesse DeGaumo 4. Bucky Alleight 5. Joe Ecret 6. Tom Alley 7. Jim Honaker 8. Pat Hires 9. Jeff Dirkes 10. Paul Hartman 11. John Read 12. Kevin Watson 13. Terry Griffin 14. Fred Mcgham 15. Mike Williams 16. Joe Trumbetti 17. Rick Rader 18. Rick Haegele 19. Rick Franchetti

GM Crate Rookies

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