Rick Labauch earns respect with a victory in the Big Block 35-Lap Modified event

Starting just inside the top ten Saturday Night at Bridgeport Speedway, Rick Labauch took only 6 out of the special 35 laps in the Big Block Modified division to prove that he had the car to beat. His #93 Auger Motorsports Modified advanced 2 spots within the same lap and just a few laps later, Laubach found the right groove to pass early race-leader Don Barone coming out of turn 2. It’s Laubach’s 8th career win with his last victory scored on September 27th of last season. After running strong this season but experiencing his fair share of bad luck, Laubach enjoyed his time in victory lane. “ We got the motor fixed up a bit this week, and it paid off” Wade Hendrickson and Doug Hoffman (point leader) raced side by side, often swapping positions for the last half of the feature. The top five finishers included Doug Hoffman in 2nd, Ricky Elliott in 3rd, Wade Hendrickson took 4th, and Duane Howard settled for 5th place.

Drew Ricco proves there’s a first time for everything with his first career Sunoco Sportsman Feature win.

Drew Ricco and his #48 Speed Palace Sportsman took the lead from Paul Collins going into turn 4 on lap 2 of the 20 laps and never gave anyone else a solid chance for the position. The crowd enjoyed an 8 car battle in the middle of the field and watched as Drew Ricco drove away from his competitors. Ricco’s post race comments put his first win in perspective for the promising Sportsman driver. “I was so nervous on the restart, I knew Pratt was coming, so this feels great” John Pursell, who stayed in the top 5 for the first half of the race, took a tough break as he spun bringing out the yellow on lap 10. Richie Pratt Jr looked to earn his nickname “Last Lap Pratt” once again as he moved up to the front from the 16th starting position. Not having quite enough to challenge for second, Pratt Jr rounded out the top three following Bob Lilick who celebrated his career-best finish in the Sunoco Sportsman Series. Kevin Collins and Rob Roberts came in 4th and 5th.

Saturday Night worked well for John Wyers when he collected win #1 in the Jasper Sprint Series Competition.

John Wyers told the crowd that “things worked out well for him and his # 84 Jasper Sprint team”, comments that could not be disputed. Wyers held the lead from lap 6 to lap 12, briefly sharing the position with Dave Brown but stole it back on turn 2 (lap 16) almost as soon as he gave it up. Despite Dave Brown and Steve Schmidt’s efforts, it was Wyer’s race to loose and he was not prepared to do so. John Wyers fought hard the entire 20 circuits and earned his trophy by out-racing some of the best competitors in the Jasper Series. Rounding out the top five were, Steve Schmidt in second, Dave Brown for 3rd, Steve Fleetwood in 4th and Jon Brennfleck for 5th.

Rookie class is proving to be competitive with another first time winner: Mike Mammana

Mike Mammana now knows what it’s like to win a Rookie Sportsman event and he’s certain to be visiting the winner’s circle again. Mammana worked his way up through the field to collect his first victory on the last lap of the event. Leaders Mike Brannigan and Skip Poole each led a few laps but had nothing left for Mammana and his #71 Sportsman. An early wreck on the frontstretch took Dave Matz, Chris Litwin (point leader), and Tracy Rocap out of the race, leaving only 12 Rookies to battle it out for 7 circuits. The top five finishing Rookies were; Mike Mammana, Mike Brannigan, Jimmy Horton IV, Joe Demaris, and Mark Forte Jr.

Big Block Modified Feature Bridgeport Speedway 5-29-04 – (35 Laps) Results

1. Rick Laubach 2. Doug Hoffman 3. Ricky Elliott 4. Wade Hendrickson 5. Duane Howard 6. Mile Iles 7. Kevin Hirthler 8. Jamie Mills 9. Don Barone 10. Steve Bottcher 11. Mike Franz 12. Steve Durand 13. Gary Hager 14. Kyle Strickler 15. Troy Ale 16. Mark Forte 17. Carmine Infante 18. Jim Stong 19. Joe Dekutoski 20. Rich Acolia 21. Vince Gagliardo 22. Bruce Hooper 23. Mark Tranquill 24. Brian Truppi

Sunoco Sportsman Feature Bridgeport Speedway 5-29-04 (20 laps) Results

1. Drew Ricco 2. Bob Lilick 3. Richie Pratt Jr 4. Kevin Collins 5. Ron Roberts 6. Paul Collins 7. Rich Stinson 8. Mike Hughes 9. Bob Lineman Jr 10. Eric Kormann 11. Sam Wescott 12. Bill Klingmeyer 13. Bruce Hirthler 14. Steve Lindale 15. John Pursell 16. Dennis Price 17. Christopher Christ 18. Jay Horton 19. Mark Scweibinz 20. Mike Mammana 21. Steve Lozorak 22. Bob Lineman Sr. 23. John Kelly 24. Mike Brannigan 25. Dan Cogdill 26. Doug Stepchanuk

Jasper Sprint Feature Bridgeport Speedway 5-29-04 (20 laps) Results

1. John Wyers 2. Steve Schmidt 3. Dave Brown 4. Steve Fleetwood 5. Jon Brennfleck 6. Mark Bitner 7. Shane Smith 8. Mike Piersig 9. Jeff Mueller 10. Hank Trum 11. Jim Wyers 12. Chip Brown 13. Jeff Davis 14. Matt Beasley 15. Bob Rasmussen 16. Jim Fowler 17. Jonathon Swanson 18. Jim Bewley 19. Lee Nardelli 20. Jeff Foote 21. Joe Thuet 22. Al DeAngelis

Modified Heat 1 Bridgeport Speedway 5-29-04 (8 laps) Results

1. Ricky Elliott 2. Brian Truppi 3. Don Barone 4. Gary Hager 5. Kyle Strickler 6. Mike Iles

Modified Heat 2 Bridgeport Speedway 5-29-04 (8 laps) Results

1. Kevin Hirthler 2. Rick Laubach 3. Doug Hoffman 4. Rich Acolia 5. Carmine Infante 6. Mark Tranquill

Modified Heat 3 Bridgeport Speedway 5-29-04 (8 laps) Results

1. Duane Howard 2. Wade Hendrickson 3. Steve Bottcher 4. Mark Forte 5. Jim Stong 6. Bruce Hooper

Modified CONSI Bridgeport Speedway 5-29-04 (8 laps) Results

1. Mike Franz 2. Steve Durand 3. Troy Ale 4. Jamie Mills 5. Ed Firth 6. Vince Gagliardo

Sunoco Sportsman Heat 1 Bridgeport Speedway 5-29-04 (8 laps) Results

1. Sam Wescott 2. Drew Ricco 3. Bob Lilick 4. Ron Roberts 5. Bruce Hirthler 6. Bill Klingmeyer

Sunoco Sportsman Heat 2 Bridgeport Speedway 5-29-04 (8 laps) Results

1. John Pursell 2. Paul Collins 3. Mike Hughes 4. Steve Lozorak 5. Bob Lineman Jr 6. Bob Lineman Sr.

Sunoco Sportsman Heat 3 Bridgeport Speedway 5-29-04 (8 laps) Results

1. Kevin Collins 2. Richie Pratt Jr 3. Dan Cogdill 4. Rich Stinson 5. John Kelly 6. Eric Kormann

Sunoco Sportsman CONSI 1 Bridgeport Speedway 5-29-04 (8 laps) Results

1. Steve Lindale 2. Christopher Christ 3. Mark Scweibinz

Sunoco Sportsman CONSI 2 Bridgeport Speedway 5-29-04 (8 laps) Results

1. Dennis Price 2. Doug Stepchanuk 3. Jay Horton

Jasper Sprint Heat 1 Bridgeport Speedway 5-29-04 (8 laps) Results

1. Mike Piersig 2. Hank Trum 3. Jeff Davis 4. Mark Bitner 5. Bob Rasmussen 6. Steve Fleetwood

Jasper Sprint Heat 2 Bridgeport Speedway 5-29-04 (8 laps) Results

1. Dave Brown 2. John Wyers 3. Lee Nardelli 4. Steve Schmidt 5. Jim Wyers 6. Jon Brennfleck

Bridgeport Speedway “Jersey’s Fastest Track” is a 5/8th mile clay oval located on Floodgate Rd. off of exit 14 on 295. Take advantage of the speedway’s “Night at the Races” Family Pack that includes 2 adult admission tickets, 2 child tickets, 2 hot dogs, and 2 sodas, all starting at only $30.00. For more information on any of Bridgeport’s events, call 856-467-4408 or visit their official website at www.bridgeportspeedway.net. Parking is free on site. Special tribute to George Wingate Tuesday June 8th at 7:30pm.