Jimmy Horton, Richie Pratt Jr and Sean Carman drove into Victory Lane at Bridgeport Speedway this past Thursday night for the Walt Chernokal Tribute event that included a visit from the DIRT Southeast series

92.5 WXTU was on hand for the JD3Graphics-sponsored Walt Chernokal Tribute at Bridgeport Speedway where Richie Pratt Jr, Jimmy Horton and Sean Carman visited victory lane at the Fastest Dirt Track in the East. The DIRT Southeast Series visited Bridgeport for another round of competitive racing in the Big Block Modified division. Walt Chernokal was appropriately honored at Bridgeport Speedway, the track his family deemed his home during the Press Box Dedication that preceded the DIRT Southeast Series 40-Lap feature. Every Big Block Modified driver shook the Chernokal family's hands as they climbed into their racing machines. Earl Krauss of Area Auto Racing News thanked the management and fans at Bridgeport Speedway for the meaningful tribute to the life-long motor sportswriter, photographer and former public relations representative. "Since 1969, up until the last few weeks of his life, Walt was a key member of our staff and a member of

Bridgeport's extended family." Chernokal's daughter Ann expressed her family's gratitude, "We appreciate this, he's looking down from heaven with his thumbs up." Bridgeport Speedway will make the Walt Chernokal Tribute an annual event, honoring the man who helped make Bridgeport what it is today.

Richie Pratt Jr scored his 8th win of the Sunoco Sportsman Bridgeport 2004 season while Jimmy Horton collected his 5th Bridgeport win in the Big Block Modified 2004 season.

The Sportsman series also saw a first-time winner in the "Non-Winner" 20-lap feature when Sean Carman crossed the finish line first. Bridgeport Speedway is located on 83 Floodgate Rd in Bridgeport NJ, just minutes off of 295 at exit 14. For more information, visit Bridgeport's official website at www.bridgeportspeedway.net or call the track office at 856-467-4408.

Jimmy Horton Jr, a resident of Neshanic Station NJ, collected his 110th career Bridgeport Victory, outracing the JD3Graphics DIRT Southeast Series big-guns who invaded the 5/8th mile clay oval. Horton's had significant success in recent weeks at Bridgeport Speedway, earning 4 straight Friday Night Big Block Modified wins. Horton was able to run away with the win after his dominating run ended when he had a tire go down on lap 14 of the 40 laps.

Jimmy Horton commented on his 5th win this season, noting how Frank Cozze's misfortune was just part of his victory. "It was being lucky and good, I found a groove we liked." The battle for second heated up with Bridgeport regulars Doug Hoffman and Duane Howard ran side by side for several laps. Howard held on to his runner-up effort as Hoffman faded in the closing laps.

Richie Pratt Jr. of Sewell, NJ brought home his 8th trophy of the Bridgeport Sunoco Sportsman 2004 Season. Gene Stravinsky led the pack in the early laps, loosing the top spot to Rich Stinson Jr. on the tenth lap. As Stinson Jr. moved in for the kill, Richie Pratt Jr took advantage and shot into the second position. Stinson Jr. and Pratt Jr. battled neck and neck for several circuits, with Pratt Jr. taking over on lap 12. As the closing laps rounded out, Stinson Jr. found the groove that closed the gap between him and race leader Richie Pratt Jr. Rich Stinson Jr gave it his all, but came up just inches short, as Pratt Jr. scored his 8th win of the season. Bridgeport fans were treated to a spectacular finish as Richie "Last Lap" Pratt was given a dose of his own medicine with a last-lap challenge from Rich Stinson Jr.. Stinson Jr. is just 43 points behind Pratt Jr. for the Sunoco Sportsman Points Championship.

Sean Carman of Stockton, NJ, rode into the winner's circle for the first time at Bridgeport Speedway in the 20-Lap "Non-Winner" Sportsman event. Any Sportsman driver who had not won a feature in the Sportsman series at any track was invited to participate in the

"Non-Winner" Feature during the Walt Chernokal Tribute event. Dave Hunt led briefly before Sean Carman proved he was a force to be reckoned with by the third circuit. Carman passed Hunt for the lead on turn three, using the inside line. As Hunt drifted back to the third spot he found himself in a side by side battle with Eric Kormann. Kormann won the brawl and secured his spot in the top five. Meanwhile, Sean Carman began to run away with the race until Gene Stravinsky outgunned Carman and Kormann on a restart, catapulting himself into the lead. His stint in the top spot was brief but gave Carman a legitimate run for his money. Stravinsky finished in the second spot, followed by Eric Kormann in third.

Modified Feature Results (40 Laps) DIRT Southeast Series

1 Jimmy Horton 2 Duane Howard 3 Craig VonDohren 4 Mike Iles 5 Kenny Brightbill 6 Wade Hendrickson 7 Carmine Infante 8 Jamie Mills 9 Bucky Kell 10 Kyle Strickler 11 Mike Franz 12 Sam Wescott 13 Billy Pauch 14 Mark Forte 15 Steve Durand 16 Shane Reimert 17 Jeff Ebersole 18 Doug Hoffman 19 Frank Cozze 20 Bob Sarkisian 21 Jimmy Chester 22 Kevin Hirthler 23 Ricky Elliott 24 Tom Pompei

Sportsman Feature Results (20 Laps)

1 Richie Pratt Sr. 2 Rich Stinson 3 Tom Miller 4 Rob Pierce 5 Gene Stravinsky 6 Art Liedl 7 Paul Collins 8 Rich Rutski 9 Mark Schweibinz 10 Tim Apgar 11 Sean Carman 12 John Pratt 13 Dave Hunt 14 John Kelly 15 Steve Lozorak 16 Ron Roberts 17 Dave Matz 18 Scott Butler 19 Eric Kornann 20 John Pursell 21 Dennis Price 22 Billy Harris 23 Lou Farina 24 John Heckler 25 Rich Reider 26 Bob Lilick

Non-Winners Sportsman Feature Results (20 Laps)

1 Sean Carman 2 Gene Stravinsky 3 Eric Kormann 4 Rich Rutski 5 Dave Matz 6 Dave Hunt 7 John Pratt 8 Steve Lozorak 9 Mike Brannigan 10 Tom Cramer 11 John Salvatore 12 Mark Schweibinz 13 Jimmy Horton 14 Jesse Hill 15 Scott Butler

Bridgeport Speedway is located off of 295 at exit 14 in Bridgeport NJ. Family ticket packages are available and parking is always free, on site. Check out the track's official website at www.bridgeportspeedway.net or call the track office at 856-467-4408 for more information.