Ricky Elliott, J.J. Grasso, and Richie Pratt Jr. bring home wins at Bridgeport Speedway, Saturday, July 31, 2004.
Ricky Elliott of Seaford, DE backed up his Friday night Big Block Modified win with another victory Saturday Night at Bridgeport Speedway. Elliott started 13th, but didn’t take long to get to the front of the pack. By the third circuit he was in the third position. Wade Hendrickson ran in top spot, fighting side by side with Elliott for several laps. Elliott took over on lap 16 of the 25-Lap event, holding onto the lead until the checkered flag waved. Elliott scored his 8th Bridgeport win of the 2004 season and his 32nd Bridgeport career victory. The top five finishers in the Big Block Modifieds were; Ricky Elliot, Wade Hendrickson (Lawrenceville NJ), Jamie Mills ( Milford DE), Duane Howard ( Oley PA), and Mike Iles (Medford, NJ). Doug Hoffman leads the series in points with 907 while Duane Howard is running a close second with 891.
J.J. Grasso from Pedricktown, NJ took home the trophy in the 20-Lap Jasper Sprint feature at Bridgeport Speedway. The victory marks Grasso’s second career win. Torrey Rose (Warrington, PA) started on the pole and stayed in the top spot until Mark Bitner slipped by the #309 on the third lap. Dave Brown (Pilegrove, NJ) who was caught up in a multi-car pile up last week, brought out a caution on lap 6. J.J. Grasso began making his charge for the lead on lap 12 and completed his mission in the nick of time. Grasso stole the lead from Mark Bitner on the final circuit with a power move off of turn three. The top five spots in the Jasper Sprint Feature included; J.J Grasso, Mark Bitner, Jon Brennfleck, Jim Wyers, and Jeff Mueller. John Wyers is leading the point standings with Mark Bitner 72 points away while Jon Brennfleck hangs in the top three in points.
Richie Pratt Jr. out of Sewell, NJ started the Speed Palace Sportsman Feature event in the 17th position but amazingly made his way to the front of the pack by lap 6. He battled race-leader Drew Ricco (Bellmawr, NJ) fiercely until the tenth lap when Ricco suffered mechanical problems and was forced to pit. Pratt held on to his lead while Eric Kormann (Vineland, NJ), Sam Wescott (Grenloch, NJ), Sean Carman (Stockton, NJ) fought for the fifth spot during laps 11-13. Richie Pratt Jr crossed the finish line first in the Speed Palace 20-Lap event, while Bob Lillick (King of Prussia, PA), Kevin Collins (Laurel, DE), Rich Stinson Jr (Neshanic Station, NJ), and Eric Kormann had top five finishes. Pratt is still leading the point standings with former-point leader Rich Stinson trailing him by 33 points.
Bridgeport Speedway is located on 83 Floodgate Rd in Bridgeport NJ. The track is off of 295 at exit 14. “A Night at the Races” Family Package is available starting at $30.00 and includes 2 child admission tickets, 2 adult admission tickets, 4 hot dogs, and 4 sodas. Parking is always free on site. August 13th, Bridgeport will begin “Grandstand Bingo” with prizes from Bridgeport Speedway and local race teams. For more information on events at Bridgeport, call the track office at 856-467-4408 or visit the website at
www.bridgeportspeedway.net
Coming up Tuesday, August 3rd will be The DIRT Southeast Series for a 40-Lap feature event, with $4,000 up for grabs. Big guns like Frank Cozze, Jeff Strunk, and Donny Radd will be searching for their first 2004 Bridgeport victory while hometown stars like Doug Hoffman, Ricky Elliott and Rick Laubach plan on showing the invaders the fastest way around the 5/8th mile clay oval. The green flag drops at 7:00pm.
This coming Friday, August 6th; The Big Blocks will return once again to join the regular Friday night racing schedule that includes the micro-sprints, outlaw stocks, and 4-cylinders.
Don’t miss next Saturday Night at Bridgeport Speedway as the track hosts another evening of competitive racing on the Fastest Dirt Track in the East. Saturday August 7th at 6:30pm, The Sunoco Sportsmans, Jasper Sprints, and Big Block Modifieds will take to the track with each series enjoying close point battles, proof that the competition just doesn’t get any better than the weekly racing at Bridgeport Speedway. Parking is always free with family ticket packages available.
BIG BLOCK MODIFIED FEATURE 25-LAPS 1. Ricky Elliot 2. Wade Hendrickson 3. Jamie Mills 4. Duane Howard 5. Mike Iles 6. Doug Hoffman 7. Gary Hager 8. Rick Laubach 9. Steve Durand 10. Mark Forte11.Troy Ale 12. Scott Irwin 13. Freddy Brightbill 14. Nick Anderson 15.Mike Franz 16. Bud Schweibinz 17. Don Barone 18. Joel Boinske 19. Jim Stong 20. Don Fanslau 21. Kyle Strickler 22. Butch Glisson 23. Carmine Infante 24. Tom Hager DNQ: Vince Gagliardi, Ed Firth
JASPER SPRINT FEATURE 20-LAPS 1. J.J. Grasso 2.Mark Bitner 3. Jon Brennfleck 4. Jim Wyers 5. Jeff Mueller 6.Steve Schmidt 7.Shane Smith 8.John Wyers 9. Torrey Rose 10. Jeff Foote 11. Steve Fleetwood 12. Bob Rasmussen 13. Lee Nardelli 14. Bob Adams 15. Scott McClaren 16. Dave Brown 17. Jim Bewley 18. Johnathon Swanson 19. Jack Curtis 20. Joe Thuet 21. Hank Trum 22. Mike Piersig
SUNOCO SPORTSMAN FEATURE 20-LAPS 1.Richie Pratt Jr 2. Bob Lillick 3. Kevin Collins 4. Rich Stinson 5. Eric Kormann 6. Sam Wescott 7. Jim Britt 8. Bob Lineman Jr
9. Bill Klingmeyer 10. John Pratt 11. Steve Lozorak 12. Dave Hunt 13. Sean Carman 14. Billy Chester 15. John Kelly 16. Mark Forte Jr 17. Bob Gibbons 18. Dennis Price 19. Skip Poole 20. Mark Schweibinz 21. Paul Collins 22. Drew Ricoo 23. Joh Pursell 24. Mike Brannigan 25. Christoper Christ 26. Rob Pierce DNQ: Mike Gibbons, Don Bogey, Jimmy Horton, Mike Fattori, Steve Lindale, Anthony Moran, Dan Cogdill, Ron Roberts, Joe Lanshaw, Jesse Hill, Bob Rambone, Mike Mammana, Tracy Rocap, Jay Horton, Rick Kostes, Dave Matz.