ELLIOTT TOPS BRIDGEPORT BIG BLOCKS; BURKHART GRABS FIRST EVER SPORTSMAN WIN
Bridgeport, NJ (9-20-03) – Ricky Elliott hailing from Seaford, DE picked up his second win of the season in Bill Hewlett’s Dirt Wheels Chassis Modified in the 25-lap feature for the Big Blocks Saturday night at Bridgeport Speedway. Reading, PA second generation driver Andy Burkhart powered his Burkhart Brothers Speed Supply sponsored car to an emotional first ever win in the 20-lap Sportsman feature. Warren Durbin residing in New Egypt, NJ was awarded his second victory in a row as apparent winner Jeff Mueller came up too light at the scale in the 20-lap headliner for the Jasper Sprint Cars. Trenton, NJ driver Brian Ludwig took his first career victory in the most exciting Outlaw Stock 20-lap feature.
After two weeks of Mother Nature taking the events on the speedway the 24 Mighty Modifieds roared to starter Dennis Weir’s green flag. Modified rookie Mark Forte out of Blue Anchor, NJ powered out to the lead over Branchburg, NJ driver Brian Truppi. Forte, in his Cingular Cellular sponsored car would hold the top spot for the first four laps as Truppi was all over the leader lap after lap. Truppi in his Speed Palace car would get the needed horsepower to take over the race lead on the fifth circuit from Forte. Although Truppi took over is was by no means a cake walk as Forte would sling his Big Block high on the outside and challenge continuously with Stephan Durand having the best seat in the house running a solid third in his Thornton Gulf, Bates Motel Hayride sponsored car. As ten laps hit the record books it was Truppi leading Forte and now Seaford, DE Ricky Elliot and Quakertown, PA driver Rick Laubach in his Auger Manufacturing Teo chassis. Two laps later at the halfway mark, Elliott would get by a persistent Forte for second and mount a serious challenge on Truppi at the front. On lap later, Elliott found an opening on the bottom of the speedway and would take over the number one spot. The race would receive its first caution as Sinking Spring, PA rookie Kyle Strickler would hit the first turn rail with some heavy force, causing some major damage to the youngster’s mount. When the race resumed, Elliott was again in command as the high flying Mark Forte made a bid and took over second from Truppi and tried to go after the leader. On the next lap, Elliott still in front had Truppi get back by Forte bring Laubach along for third. As the battle at the front continued, the “H” gang was making progress toward the top five as Doug Hoffman, Wade Hendrickson, Duane Howard and Jimmy Horton were in a torrid battle. As lap 20 was scored Allentown, PA veteran Hoffman made a bold move coming from fourth to second and set sail after Elliott for the race lead. Elliott was just too strong for the competition in the final five laps as he would pick up career win number 23 on the spacious Bridgeport Speedway over Hoffman in his Dieter Schmidt Lincoln Auto Body machine. Laubach would take a solid third with Hendrickson in his Rio Brothers Auto Body Teo taking fourth and Howard in his Big Spring Car Wash and Self Storage car rounding out the top five. Sixth was Truppi in a solid run with Horton, Forte, Durand and Dave Adams completing the top ten. The three heats for the thirty-six cars were won by Mike Iles, Mark Forte and Ricky Elliott with Scott Irwin grabbing the consolation event.
In the 20-lap Sportsman main it was former Enduro driver Dave Hunt taking the lead at the start over Dan Cogdill hailing from Pedricktown, NJ. On the second go around, Cogdill would take over from Hunt and Reading, PA driver Andy Burkhart. On lap three, ninth starting point leader of Sewell, NJ Richie Pratt, Jr. powered into second and was looking ahead at leader Cogdill. At this point, the battle for the lead was getting extremely hot as Cogdill would feel heavy pressure from Pratt, Jr. and Burkhart. Suddenly, Burkhart in his Dirt Wheels chassis car would find the bottom to his liking as he would retake second from Pratt, Jr. on lap seven. One lap later, Burkhart would pick up one more position getting by a constant Cogdill for the lead. At the halfway mark, Burkhart was pulling out to a commanding lead with Pratt, Jr. now getting by Cogdill for second. At this point, Bob Sarkisian was fourth and Ron Roberts running fifth. The second half of the event would see a determined Burkhart hold solid lead with Pratt, Jr. trying everything in his arsenal to gain on the fellow second generation driver. Burkhart, who has had an emotional past couple of weeks as his father Barry a former Big Block winner at the speedway, was seriously injured while working on the car at another race track made his return to oversee the team. The younger Burkhart would be determined as he would win his first ever Sportsman race for his recovering father by holding off anything thrown his way. Pratt, Jr. would come home second with Woolrich Township, NJ Sarkisian third and Cogdill would hold on for fourth with Mullica Hill, NJ Jim Britt fifth. Ron Roberts, Kevin Collins, Steve Lindale, Rich Stinson, Jr. and Billy Jo Chester completed the second five. The heats were taken by Jim Britt, Dan Cogdill and Ron Roberts with Bill Klingmeyer being awarded the consi win.
The Jasper Sprint car race got off to a bang as a mid pack tangle caused and major melee with six cars getting together with three sprint cars flipping in turns one and two. All drivers were ok after the incident but the same could not be said about the cars. After the initial red flag, it was time to get down to racing as Jack Curtis had his car honking as he motored to the lead over Torrey Rose and Jeff Mueller. Curtis would keep the lead for the first four circuits till Ringos, NJ exciting driver Mueller would take over the top spot. As the event progressed, Mueller would be in solid command as he negotiated lap traffic with Curtis still in tow in a distant second. As the five to go signal was displayed, last event winner Warren Durbin in his Lucas Electric sponsored sprint would work his way up to second from his 12th starting spot. Mueller would come across the line at the finish first only to have his dominating run taken away by coming up light at the scales at the post race inspection. Mueller’s misfortune was Durbin’s gain as the New Egypt, NJ driver would be awarded his second win in row. The high flying Steve Schmidt would get second with Jack Curtis for his best ever finish third and Torrey Rose also his best finish of fourth. Solid runner John Wyers completed the top five. Donnie Smith, John Barnett, Jr., J.J. Grasso, Steve Strubble and Bob Rasmussen completed the top ten. Heats were taken by Jeff Mueller, John Wyers and Torrey Rose.
In what would turn out to be the most exciting event of the night the Outlaw Stocks took to the speedway in a three, four and five abreast battle with Rick Haegele leading Rich Franchetti in the early going. Franchetti would take over the lead on lap three a keep the top spot for two laps till he lost the handle in turn two giving the lead back to Haegele. As lap eight went into the books, Robert Benz would take his try at the front spot and bring along Mike Hires into second. As the top five were swapping spots every turn, Benz would still manage to keep the lead when the lap would get scored. Then on lap 13, Brian Ludwig would power his way into a solid second and mount a charge after Benz for the lead. Two laps later, Ludwig would find the horses to get by Benz for the lead. As the final laps were being run, Ludwig would feel heavy pressure for the top spot from Mike Hires although in the end, Ludwig would find the victory lane for his first ever win. Mike Hires finished a close second with Robert Benz third and Dave Gould, Jr. and Joe Trumbetti fourth and fifth. The heat races were won by Brent DeJohn and Rich Franchetti.
In other news, Bridgeport Speedway welcomed Heath Hassler Saturday night as this youngster is suffering from a serious illness and was able to attend and root on his favorite Modified driver Steve Bottcher. Pit Steward George Tobolski under went successful back surgery on Tuesday and would greatly appreciate some words of encouragement in his recovery. Kitty Tobolski is also under the weather as both are missed at the speedway.
Reserved Seat tickets at $30 each are available for the Sunday October 5, 2003 return of the O’Reilly World of Outlaws. In addition, the speedway will also have a limited amount of Advanced General Admission tickets at $28 each on sale that will allow holder an early entrance to the grandstand area on race day. The speedway office will be manned Wednesday September 24th through Sunday September 28th from 11AM till 6:30PM for in person ticket purchases. You can also mail in check or money orders stating seating preference along with address and a telephone number to Bridgeport Speedway P.O. Box 308, Essington, PA 19029. For further information please keep a close watch on the Bridgeport Speedway website at www.bridgeportspeedway.com
Bridgeport Speedway is New Jersey’s fastest ¼ mile and 5/8th mile clay speedway’s and located on Floodgate Road off of exit 14 of Interstate 295 minutes from PA and DE bridges. Information is available on the official website at www.bridgeportspeedway.com or by calling the speedway office at 856-467-4407 or 856-467-4408.
Modified
Heat 1 – Iles, Durand, Adams, Hendrickson, Bottcher, Horton
Heat 2 – Forte, Ale, Hoffman, Kerr, Strickler, Hithler
Heat 3 – Elliott, Howard, Laubach, Truppi, Mills, Stonebraker
Consi – Irwin, Chester, Schwiebinz, Franz, Wescott, Jr., Polenz
Feature 25 Laps – RICKY ELLIOTT, Doug Hoffman, Rick Laubach, Wade Hendrickson, Duane Howard, Brian Truppi, Jimmy Horton, Mark Forte, Stephan Durand, Dave Adams, Jimmy Chester, Jamie Mills, Troy Ale, Ryan Kerr, Kevin Hirthler, Steve Bottcher, Mike Franz, Dave Stonebraker, Scott Irwin, Sammy Wescott, Jr., Rich Polenz, Bud Schwiebinz, Kyle Strickler DQ – Mike Iles DNQ – Joe Dekutowski, Mark VanVorst, Bud Hayes, Butch Glisson, Dave Daniels, Clyde Cox, III, Gene Hornberger, Don Barone, Mark Tranquility, Jason D’Allesio, Ron Soloman, Jr., Don Hallowell
Sportsman
Heat 1 – Britt, Purcell, Collins, Lineman, Sr., Ricco, Chester
Heat 2 – Cogdill, Sarkisian, Burkhart, Hunt, Stinson, Jr., Kormann
Heat 3 – Roberts, Amunsen, Pratt, Jr., Lineman, Jr., Horton, Scheidler
Consi – Klingmeyer, Lindale, Lozorak, Hithler, Townsend, Stepanchuk, Wyant, Gibbons
Feature 20 Laps – ANDY BURKHART, Richie Pratt, Jr., Bob Sarkisian, Dan Cogdill, Jim Britt, Ron Roberts, Kevin Collins, Steve Lindale, Rich Stinson, Jr., Billy Jo Chester, Eric Kormann, Dave Hunt, Bob Lineman, Jr., Jack Amunsen, Rob Wyant, Drew Ricco, John Townsend, Bob Gibbons, Bruce Hirthler, John Purcell, Jay Horton, John Scheidler, Bill Klingmeyer, Doug Stepanchuk, Bob Lineman, Sr., Steve Lozorak DNQ – Mario Dinatle, Bob Rambone, Aron Roberts, Frank Russo, Bobby Firth, Tom Creamer, Dennis Price, Steve Harrison, Billy Harris, John Pratt, Randy Tucker, Pete Serra, Jim Dalliett
Jasper Sprint Cars
Heat 1 – Mueller, Curtis, Piersig, Donnie Smith, Adams, Karnbach
Heat 2 – Wyers, Durbin, Barnett, Jr., Fleetwood, Foote, Rasmussen
Heat 3 – Rose, Stellfox, Schmidt, Davis, D. Brown, C. Brown
Feature 20 Laps – WARREN DURBIN, Steve Schultz, Jack Curtis, Torrey Rose, John Wyers, Donnie Smith, John Barnett, Jr., J.J. Grasso, Steve Strubble, Bob Rasmussen, Steve Fleetwood, Tim Iulg, Jon Brenfleck, Doug Smith, Jeff Foote, Layne Foulk, Jeff Davis, Mares Stellfox, Mike Piersig, Bob Adams, Dave Brown, Ron Karnbach, Chip Brown, Matt Beasley DQ – Jeff Mueller
Outlaw Stocks
Heat 1 – DeJohn, Rocap, Trumbetti, Ellis, Hayes, J. Dirkes
Heat 2 – Franchetti, Watson, Ludwig, R. Haegele, Markovich, J. Haegele
Feature 20 Laps – BRIAN LUDWIG, Mike Hires, Robert Benz, Dave Gould, Jr., Joe Trumbetti, Tracy Rocap, Zark Markovich, Rick Haegele, Jim Honaker, Bob Dooley, Ron Dirkes, Brent DeJohn, Rich Franchetti, Alan Fiel, Jon Haegele, Chris Prychka, Jim Erdbrink, Walter Hayes, Ken Watson, Pat Hires, Don Brooks, Draper Ellis, Jeff Dirkes