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HORTON MAKES IT FOUR IN A ROW FRIDAY AT BRIDGEPORT




Bridgeport, N.J.- Jimmy Horton of Neshanic Station, N.J. out gunned Duane Howard on a mid race restart to claim his fourth win in a row , in Friday night’s 25 lap Big Block Modified feature event, at Bridgeport Speedway. With the win, Horton not only won his fourth of the season, but the 109 th of his stellar Bridgeport modified career.

Kyle Strickler took the early lead, only to have it wiped out by a caution flag. The restart put Howard along side and Horton behind Strickler to set up a great battle for the lead. After the green, Horton challenged on the inside, and Howard swept to the outside down the backstretch, going three wide into turn three to grab the lead in exciting fashion. Howard then seemed to have things in control, with Horton moving into second from his thirteenth starting spot, and giving chase. The mid race restart then gave Howard the choice of lanes, with Howard opting for the inside. Horton then beat Howard into turns one and two, taking a lead he would never loose. Howard stayed close to Horton in the closing stages, but would never challenge again. Strickler’s great race ended when he dropped out with mechanical troubles about 10 laps from the end. Bucky Kell, Sam Wescott Jr. and Jimmy Chester all made great charges from mid pack in the second half of the feature, to score well earned top five finishes.

Qualifying heats were won by Carmine Infante, Jimmy Horton and Wade Hendrickson, with the consolation going to Bob Sarkisian. A total of 36 Modifieds entered the final Friday program for the Modifieds this season. The Modifieds will still season regular action on Saturday nights through the end of September, when the champion will be crowned.

The Micro Sprints had a strong night of action on Friday, with Rob Vivona winning his second of the year in the 600 division, and Jesse Hartman scoring his third of the year in the 270 ranks. The Four Cylinder division feature was captured by Jeff Walls, for win number five this season.

Vivona started on the pole and lead every lap on his way to victory. After his first career win on July 30, Vivona has had nothing but bad things happen to him, until tonight. Vivona survived a number of mid race restarts to out run Bill Thomas and P.J. Gargulio on his way to the win. Thomas and Gargulio battled many laps before finishing second and third, with Jack Conover and a late charging Phil Meisner Jr. rounding out the top five. Heats were won by Vivona, Gargulio and Conover.

Jesse Hartman looked as if he was going to finish second in the 270 main, until a late yellow with four laps left put him right behind race long leader Mike Shea. Shea has been running strong of late, including a few heat wins. After the restart put Hartman behind Shea, it did not take long for Hartman to grab the lead with a low groove run into turn three, and take the lead for good. Following Hartman was Shea for his best ever Bridgeport finish of second. A late charging Nick Wean, Shaun Ratchford and Jay Hartman rounded out the top five. Heat wins went to Joe Fink, Shea and Jesse Hartman.

Jeff Walls returned to top form in the Four Cylinder ranks, making an exciting late race pass of early leader Warren Stradley to win the main event. Walls chased Stradley for many laps, before moving in front of the great three car battle for the lead. Following Walls at the finish was Dave Bentley Jr., Gary Walls Jr., Stradley and Bill MacNeir. Heats were won by Walls and Stradley.

Bridgeport Speedway returns to action on Labor Day weekend with and exciting triple header, featuring races on three straight nights. On Thursday Sept. 2, the DIRT Southeast series returns, with a 40 lap feature for Big Block Modifieds, along with a full show of Sportsman racing in a 20 lap main. In addition to those features and qualifying events, the Sportsman will hold a non winners feature, with action starting at 7:30. On Friday night the Micro Sprints, Four Cylinders and Outlaw Stocks return with a full program of heats and feature action on Thornton’ s Gulf Night, starting at 7 pm. Saturday Sept. 4 will see the Modifieds have another special, with Twin Twenty lap features topping the program, along with qualifying events and a full program for the Sunoco Sportsman and Jasper Sprint cars starting at 6;30 pm.